Outdoor Calendar
CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK
Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $15 day-use parking fee.
The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for 9 a.m. most Saturdays and Sundays. Hikes are three to five miles long.
For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.
Junior Rangers: 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Park Rangers discuss the ecology of Crystal Cove State Park. “Super Cool Sharks” is the topic Tuesday, Aug. 10. “Oh Yuck” follows on Thursday, Aug. 12. On Tuesday, Aug. 17, it’s “Earth in Danger” with “Nocturnal Animals” on Thursday, Aug. 19. “Backcountry Predators” take center stage Tuesday, Aug. 24 and “Bones” is on Aug. 26. Meet at Pelican Point Lot. No. 4.
Nature Hike: 10 a.m. Aug. 25. Join a park naturalist on an easy 3-mile walk along the coastline at Crystal Cove State Park to learn about the plants, birds, and intertidal organisms. Meet at the Los Trancos parking lot at the trailer (turn inland on Coast Highway at stoplight “Los Trancos”). $15 day-use fee
Historic Walk: 10 a.m. Aug. 14. Learn about the past of the 12-acre Historic District at Crystal Cove State Park and hear about the difference uses for each cottage. Meet at the Los Trancos Parking Lot at the trailer.
LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road; reservations and information, (949) 923-2235; https://www.ocparks.com.
Rangers staff the park daily. Open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset daily, including holidays. Parking lot hours are : 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To learn more about volunteering or helping Laguna Canyon Foundation to preserve, protect and enhance the South Coast Wilderness, visit https://www.lagunacanyon.org or call (949) 497-8324.
Elder Trek: 8 to 10 a.m. today. Enjoy the outdoors and learn about diverse plant life on this easy, level, two-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, about 3.5 miles south of the 5 and 405 freeways). Reservations are required, so call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.
Fitness Hike: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this difficult, strenuous and fast-paced, 3.5-mile hike (700-foot elevation gain) over very steep, uneven terrain with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Not for beginners. Hiking poles are suggested. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Big Bend Staging Area. Reservations are required, so call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.
Exploring Biodiversity Hike: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Learn about the diversity of animal and plant species as you explore our ever-changing wilderness on an easy, 1.5-mile, slow and easy hike over rocky and uneven terrain. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Road). Reservations are required, so call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.
Fitness Hike: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 4.8-mile hike (400-foot elevation gain) over steep, uneven terrain with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations are required, so call (949) 923-2235.