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 daily, year round, 7 a.m. to sunset for hiking,

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

Special Activities: On Friday, Aug 22, Summer Night Bug Lighting,

7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., join entomologists to attract, identify and

study insects of the night. $5 per person / $10 per family. Space

limited, reservations lhsmedent@aol.com or (949) 831-3287. Bring

flashlight, magnifying glass, insect field guide book, hat, light

jacket, shoes, no sandals please, no pets.

Nature Discovery Talk. A 30-minute talk held on Saturday, Aug. 16

and 23. Meet at noon in front of the Natural History Museum at the

entrance to the Park.

Crystal Cove

State Park

8471 Pacific Coast Highway,

Laguna Beach Park Conditions: (949) 494-3539; Interpretive

Programs (949) 497-7647; www.crystalcovestatepark.com.

Special Activities: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16, 17, 24 at 9 a.m.

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 (PCH, School-State Park stoplight).

On Saturday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. the popular Astronomy Night. Bring

a chair and a jacket. Free hot chocolate and cookies. Meet at El Moro

Visitors Center.(PCH, School-State Park Stoplight)

The Irvine Ranch

Land Reserve

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

Special Activities: At 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16, 17,

23 and 24 participate in a guided “drop-in” mountain bike ride that

orients new visitors to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park trails. On

Thursday, Aug. 21 join the unique 6 to 10 miles, two hours. “Third

Thursday” Mountain Bike Ride.

On August 23 at 7:30 a.m. enjoy the eight-mile, three-hour aerobic

hike through Emerald Canyon and on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 8 a.m. stroll

the Laguna Laurel, a leisurely two to three hours, two- to three-mile

walk.

Laguna Coast

Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach (949) 923-2235 On Saturday,

Aug. 16, 23 at 8 a.m. take the three-and-a-half-mile Laurel Loop.

There is a special treat Saturday, Aug. 23, a Sunset Hike at 6 p.m.

Call for reservations for these hikes. $2 donation per hiker.

* Activities compiled by Guinevare Breeding of the LAGUNA CANYON

FOUNDATION. For more information check out www.lagunacanyon.org or

(949) 855-7275.