Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park...

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel

Park Information: (949) 923-2200 or www.ocparks.com

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

hiking, bicycling and equestrian use. Parking $2. No dogs.

Special Activities: Participate in a ranger-led walk on Nov. 9

from noon to 12:30 p.m. Please meet at park headquarters.

Opportunities for additional hiking programs can be arranged by

calling Ranger Carroll at (949) 923-2200.

The Orange County Natural History Museum is at the Park entrance

and open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday,

Nov. 10, Ed Marks instructs children about tiny, fossilized animals

in the “Micro Pals” series. The long-running children’s program

provides the opportunity for active, hands-on learning. On Tuesday,

Nov. 19, Marks will lecture about Mt. St. Helen’s recovery since the

eruption 20 years’ ago. For more information: (949) 831-3287 or

www.ocnha.mus.ca.us.

Crystal Cove State Park

8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

Park Conditions: (949) 494-3539; Interpretive Programs: (949)

497-7647

State Web site www.parks.ca.gov; local Web site

www.crystalcovestatepark.com

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

hiking, bicycling and equestrian use. The park includes areas of

beach, bluff top and backcountry, with access at a number of

different points. Parking $3. Dogs are allowed only on paved paths

above the beach.

Special Activities: Join docent-led backcountry hikes Saturdays

and Sundays, Nov. 9, 10 and 17. Meet at El Moro Visitor Center

promptly at 9 a.m. Hikes are 3 to 5 miles and last about 2 hours. Be

sure to bring water and wear hiking boots. Call for reservations. For

those who love to work the soil, you may participate in the Fall

Planting Volunteer Day on Saturday. Remember to bring your gloves,

closed-toes shoes, and drinking water. Meet at the Pelican Point

Parking Lot No. 1 at 9 a.m. and plant, weed, mulch and collect seeds

until noon. Explore the local past during the Historic District Walk

on Saturday. Please meet at Los Trancos parking lot near the trailer

at 10 a.m. Understand our native flora while you relax on the Fall

Plant Walk at 9 a.m. Nov. 16. Participants will meet at the El Moro

Visitor Center.

The El Moro Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays

and Sundays and from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Crystal Cove Historic District Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Crystal Cove Interpretive Assn. welcomes new volunteers. Call

(949) 497-7648.

The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve

The Nature Conservancy (714) 832-7478 or irvineranch@tnc.org

Participants meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Headquarters on

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

tours are free, but require reservations!

Special Activities: Join “drop-in” mountain bike rides that orient

new visitors to the trails on Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 9,10, 16

and 17. Meet at the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park at 9 a.m. Saturday,

Nov. 16, to participate in a leisurely two- to three-mile docent-led

walk through Laguna Laurel. This relaxing stroll commences at 8 a.m.

Directions regarding meeting area are obtained upon reservations. On

Thursday, Nov. 21, join docents for a six- to 10-mile interpretive

mountain bike ride. This three- to four-hour guided bike ride is for

cyclists with mountain bike, helmet, gloves and camelback.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Activities:

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park 20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna

Beach

(949) 923-2235 or www.ocparks.com

Call the rangers and ask about special group hikes for schools,

scouts and other organizations and clubs. Parking Fee $2. No dogs.

Special Activities: Explore sections of the park not usually open

on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Hike and Help, for more information

www.lagunacanyon.org.

Wilderness Access: Every Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4

p.m. 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 and

the only natural lakes in Orange County.

Guided hikes in Laurel Canyon: Every Saturday at 8 a.m., a

3.5-mile guided hike by Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. volunteers. Call for

reservations. There is $2 donation per hiker.

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

Trailhead for West Ridge trail and other trails into Aliso and Wood

Canyons Wilderness Park.

Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. welcomes volunteers, call (949) 497-8190

for more information or online at www.lagunagreenbelt.org.

* Activities compiled by Marla Smith 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).