Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park...

Aliso and

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: Learn about the canyons’ history, plants,

animals and trails. From noon to 12:30 p.m., participate in an easy

ranger-led walk on Saturday, Jan. 25. 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 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. At 7:30

p.m. Jan. 21, join Pete Bloom, one of Orange County’s leading

herpetologists, for a lecture on local reptiles-and meet one in

person. Please call museum for location. Ongoing exhibits include

live animals and displays of birds, fossils, butterflies and Indian

artifacts. The museum wants your recyclable cans and bottles! Bring

your California Redemption Value items to the recycling bins at Aliso

and Woods Canyons Wilderness Park.

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.crystalcove

statepark.com

The park is open from 6 a.m. to sunset daily, year-round 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 $5. Dogs are allowed only on paved paths above the

beach.

Special Activities: At 9 a.m. Jan. 18, 25 and 26, join docent-led

backcountry hikes Saturdays and Sundays. Hikes are three to five

miles and last about two hours. Be sure to bring water and wear

hiking boots. Meet at El Moro Visitor Center. On Jan. 18, participate

in a Full Moon Hike, reservations required. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jan. 19, celebrate the return of the gray whale during a whale watch.

Meet at the end of the boardwalk at the overlook (Newport Coast

stoplight). At 3 p.m. Jan. 19, explore marine life at low tide during

the Tidepool Walk. Meet at Pelican Point Parking Lot No. 2. From 9

a.m. to noon Jan. 25, join the park for a Volunteer Planting Party.

Meet at Pelican Point Parking Lot No. 1. Wear good shoes and bring

gloves, shovel and water.

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

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

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

to 4 p.m. Friday through 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!

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

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

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Activities:

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.

* 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. www.lagunacanyon.org.