Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park 28373...

Aliso and

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, 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 until 12:30 p.m. participate in an easy

ranger-led walk on Saturday. 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 daily, year round, for hiking,

bicycling and equestrian use. The park includes backcountry, bluff

top and beach areas 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. on Saturday and Sunday and May 1, 2

and 8 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). At 1

p.m. join guided Tidepool Walk and observe octopus, abalone and sea

stars. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot No. 2 at the top of the

boardwalk. At 10 a.m. on May 8 join Laura Davick for Historic Cottage

Walk. Visit the interior of several unique cottages. Wear sturdy

shoes and bring camera. Meet at Los Trancos parking lot.

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

Sundays and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Crystal Cove Historic District Visitor Center is open 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: At 7:30 a.m. on Saturday join guided 8-mile,

5-hour moderately strenuous hike of Emerald Canyon. At 9 a.m. on

April 26 and 27 and May 8 and 9 join guided “Drop-in” mountain bike

rides that orient new visitors to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

trails. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, join docent-led 12-mile, 3- to

4-hour bike ride through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Shady and

Serrano Ridgelines.

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: On Saturday, April 26, Celebrate the 10-year

anniversary of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Observe art-in-progress

by Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn. artists. At 8 a.m. ride free

shuttle to Dartmoor Street and Ridge Park guided hikes with panoramic

views. At 11 a.m. Orange County Supervisor Thomas Wilson and Laguna

Canyon Foundation President Michael Pinto will share updates on park

projects and recognize major donors. For Guided Hikes and Speakers’

Ceremony meet at Willow Canyon Staging Area. For Guided Hikes

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

www.lagunacanyon.org.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Activities:

Wilderness access: Every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at

Willow Canyon 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: 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.

Laguna Heights: Open daily year round, 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 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 855-7275 (PARK).