Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park...
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel Park Information: (949)
831-2790 or www.ocparks.com The park is open at 7 a.m. to sunset
daily, year round for hiking, bicycling and equestrian use. Early
morning and the hour before sunset are great times to enjoy the
trails in the summer. Parking $2. Don’t forget the Orange County
Natural History Museum for live reptile exhibits and archeological
displays. It is located at the park entrance and open from 11 a.m. to
5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Information: (949) 831-3287 or
www.ocnha.mus.ca.us.
Crystal Cove State Park
8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach
(949) 494-3539 Park Conditions 949-497-7647 Interpretive Program
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:
Astronomy Night, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday join the Orange County
Astronomers Association for viewing the night sky. Bring a mug for
hot chocolate and a chair. Park and meet at the El Moro Visitor
Center. Cloudy skies cancel the star story, but the park staff will
interpret the nocturnal park life.
On Aug. 3, 4 and 10 meet at the El Moro Visitor Center promptly at
9 a.m. for Backcountry Hikes. Hikes are three to five miles and last
about two hours. Be sure to bring water and wear hiking boots.
On Aug. 10: Historic District Walking Tour at 10 a.m.; and at 7
p.m. meet at the Historic District for a geology slide and talk
followed by a walk along the beach to the geologic formations at
Rocky Bight. Bring a flashlight. Park at Los Trancos lot for both
events.
El Moro Visitor Center is open from 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 open 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Crystal Cove Interpretive Association welcomes new volunteers,
call (949) 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: Drop In mountain bike ride at Laguna Coast Wilderness
Park, 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 and 11. Hike Shady Canyon, Serrano Ridge
and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10. The
five-hour hike covers about 11 miles.
Laguna Coast
Wilderness Park
20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
(949) 494-9352 or www.ocparks.com
Call the rangers and ask about special group hikes for schools,
scouts and other organizations and clubs. Parking Fee $2.
Wilderness Access: From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday
at Willow Canyon 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: From 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.
Guided hikes in Laurel Canyon: Every Saturday at 8 a.m., 3.5-mile
guided hike by Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. volunteers. Call for
reservations and there is $2 donation per hiker.
Laguna Heights: Open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily year round.
Trailhead for West Ridge trail and other trails into Aliso and Wood
Canyons Wilderness Park.
Volunteers are the spirit of the park, join the Wilderness Access
Volunteers (WAVs) training class from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4
by Laguna Greenbelt Inc. Call for more information, (949) 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 (949) 855-7275 (PARK).
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