Beyond the beach

It’s easy to get caught up in the waves of beach activities available only minutes away, but there are beautiful parks for biking and hiking in the area that you might want to add to your summer to-do list.

Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach has a number of scenic trails that cater to both biking and hiking. Set upon the bluffs of Newport Bay, the park is the perfect spot for those who want to get a workout while enjoying the bay view.

“We actually have a concrete bike trail that goes the perimeter of the bay,” said Sue McIntire, senior park ranger at Upper Newport Bay. “It offers a leisurely ride with a nice ocean breeze. And there are several different hiking trails to enjoy.”

There are snakes and coyotes in the area, but they have not been a problem, McIntire said.

The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily and is at 2301 University Drive in Newport Beach.

Fairview Park in Costa Mesa offers a different scene for those bikers and hikers who would rather exercise in the midst of native plants and rich history.

“We don’t have water, but it’s appealing in a different way,” said Carol Proctor, staff liaison to the Fairview Park Friends Committee. “It’s peaceful.”

The 208-acre park has trails made of dirt, asphalt and concrete that can be used interchangeably for cycling and walking.

“Because Fairview Park is the northernmost portion of Orange Coast River Park, it makes it an even nicer open area for hiking and biking,” Proctor said.

There are different wildlife creatures in the area, such as coyotes, rattlesnake, hawks and rabbits, but Proctor said there has not been a problem with them bothering people.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset daily and is at 2501 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa.

Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach is a good spot for ocean lovers to cycle and jog, as its 8.5-mile trail along the beach offers a nice view and fresh sea air. It does not cater to hikers, though.

“We have a multi-use trail for jogging and biking that extends from Warner Avenue through Huntington Beach to the Santa Ana River,” said Lon Graham, Bolsa Chica lifeguard supervisor. “It’s heavily used by groups.”

The trail is a popular site for public recreation, Graham said.

“It’s right along the ocean at the beach and the air is fresh,” Graham said. “It’s good, too, because you can use it to exercise at your own level.”

Bolsa Chica is open between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily, and is on Pacific Coast Highway between Golden West Street and Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach.

If you want to explore a larger park, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in Laguna Beach is 6,500 acres of natural beauty. Trails for biking and hiking take you through the coastal canyons, which are some of the last remaining in Southern California.

“There are a number of multi-use trails, which are used by hikers, bikers and equestrians,” said Mary Fegraus, executive director of the Laguna Canyon Foundation. “The experience on the trails is very unique because you forget you’re in Orange County. It’s a true wilderness experience.”

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily and is at 20101 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.