Enjoy our open spaces in and around Laguna

Mary Fegraus

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel

Park Information: 831-2790 or www.ocparks.com

The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily, year round for hiking,

bicycling & equestrian use. Be sure to talk with Rangers Tom Maloney and

Carroll Baldwin about the best trails. Parking is $2.

The Orange County Natural History Museum is located at the Park

entrance, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Special group

tours are available. Volunteers always welcome. Information: 831-3287 or

www.ocnha.mus.ca.us.

Crystal Cove State Park

8471 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

Park Conditions, 494-3539; Interpretive Program, 497-7647

www.crystalcovestatepark.com or www.parks.ca.gov

The park is open daily, year round, 6 a.m. to sunset for hiking,

bicycling and equestrian use. Parking $3.

Special Activities: July 13, Free Cottage Tour, meet at the Historic

District Visitor Center (park across Coast Highway in the Los Trancos

parking lot) at 10 a.m. July 27 Bat Walk led by Stephanie Remington.

Reservations start July 15 and are required for a maximum of 35 people.

Backcountry hikes start at the El Moro Visitor Center on July 6, 7, 13

and 14 promptly at 9 a.m.

El Moro Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Sundays

and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Crystal Cove Historic District Visitor

Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Crystal Cove Interpretive Association welcomes new volunteers, call

497-7648.

The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve

The Nature Conservancy (714) 832-7478

All participants meet at the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park headquarters

on Laguna Canyon Road just south of the El Toro Road intersection. All

tours are free, but require reservations.

Activities in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park on Sunday, July 7 and 14:

Drop In mountain bike ride at 8 a.m..

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Parking Fee $2

494-9352 or www.ocparks.com

New Access Hours Starting July 6 Wilderness Access: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

every Saturday and Sunday at Willow Road staging area on Laguna Canyon

Road just south of El Toro Road intersection. Open for hiker, equestrian

and mountain bicyclist access on specified trails without guides.

Jim Dilley Greenbelt Preserve: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and

Sunday. Hikers only on specified trails without guides. Trails include

Barbara’s Lake, the largest of the Laguna Lakes and the only natural

lakes in Orange County.

Guided hikes in Laurel Canyon: 8 a.m. every Saturday. 3.5-mile guided

hike by Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. volunteers. Reservations and $2 donation.

Weekday and special group tours available.

Laguna Heights: Open 7 a.m. to sunset daily, year round. Trailhead for

West Ridge trail and other trails into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness

Park.

Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. welcomes new volunteers, 494-8190 or 494-9352.

* Activities compiled by Mary Fegraus from the Laguna Canyon

Foundation, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving, enhancing

and protecting Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and the adjacent coastal

canyon parks. For more information check out www.lagunacanyon.org or

855-7275 (PARK).

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo courtesy of Maya Decker.