Outdoor Calendar

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy, 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, and last about two hours.

New Year’s Day Tidepool Walk: 1 p.m. Jan. 1. Start the year off on a guided tidepool walk to Pelican Point when the tide will fall to a very low-1.0. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot No. 2, at the top of the boardwalk near the parking lot (from Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast stoplight, right at the kiosk and left into the first lot.) $15 day-use parking fee.

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 7 a.m. to sunset daily, including holidays. Parking lot hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dilley Loop Hike: 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday. Get close to nature on this leisurely hike (370-ft. elevation gain) on steep and uneven terrain as you spot plants and animals or maybe just their tracks and signs along the way. For ages 12 and older. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Road). Reservations required by calling (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-ft. elevation gain) over steep, uneven terrain with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. For ages 15 and older. 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 required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.

New Year’s 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-ft. elevation gain) over very steep, uneven terrain with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Not for beginners; for ages 15 and older. Hiking poles suggested. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Big Bend Staging Area (ask for directions when making reservations). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.

Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride: 8 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 2. Catch beautiful canyon views on this 10-mile ride over steep and uneven terrain (1,000-ft. elevation gain) Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer mountain bike trail assistants. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.