Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park 28373...

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel

Park information: 949-923-2200 or www.ocparks.com

The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily.

Special activities: Learn about the canyons’ history, plants,

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

ranger-led walk on Saturday, April 12. Opportunities for special

hiking programs can be arranged by calling Ranger Carroll at (949)

923-2200.

The Orange County Natural History Museum is at the park entrance,

open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

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 6 a.m. to sunset.

Special activities: At 9 a.m. on April 12 and 13 join docent-led

backcountry hikes. Hikes are 3 to 5 miles and last about 2 hours. Be

sure to bring water and wear hiking boots. Meet at El Moro Visitors

Center (School-State Park stoplight). From 9 a.m. to noon on April 12

join Crystal Cove Earth Day Celebration. Meet at Pelican Point

parking lot No. 4 (Newport Coast stop light). At 10 a.m. on April 12

join Laura Davick for Historic Cottage Walk. Meet at Los Trancos

parking lot. At 2 p.m. on April 13 join guided Tidepool Walk. Meet at

Pelican Point Parking Lot No. 2 at the top of the boardwalk (Newport

Coast stoplight). At 9 a.m. on April 19 join Spring Wildflower Walk.

Call (949) 494-3539 for reservations.

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: At 7:30 a.m. on April 12 join guided 11-mile,

5-hour Shady and Serrano Ridgelines and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

hike. At 9 a.m. on April 12, 13 and 19 join guided “drop-in” mountain

bike rides that orient new visitors to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

trails. At 9 a.m. on April 13 participate in Equestrian Ride through

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. At 9 a.m. on April 17 join 6- to

10-mile, 2- to 3-hour “Third Thursday” mountain bike ride.

No public tours Easter Sunday.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

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

Parking fee: $2. No dogs.

Special activities: At 6 p.m. on April 11 join guided Sunset Hike

of Laurel Loop, and at 7:30 a.m. on April 13 join docent-led Emerald

Loop Hike. For reservations call 949-494-9352. Hike and Help,

Saturday, April 12. From 8 a.m. to noon join Stewardship activities

that include trail restoration. Bring shovel and gloves. Meet at

Dilley Preserve Staging Area. At 8 a.m. ride free shuttle to

one-day-only Dartmoor Street and Ridge Park Hikes with panoramic

views. Meet at Willow Canyon Staging Area. For Stewardship activities

and Guided Hikes reservations call (949) 923-2235. Local Web site

www.lagunacanyon.org.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Activities:

Jim Dilley Greenbelt Preserve: Every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Hikers only on specified trails without guides. Trails

include Barbara’s Lake, the largest of the Laguna Lakes, Orange

County’s only natural 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. There is $2 donation per hiker.

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-855-7275 (PARK).