OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Note: This spring, visitors to wilderness parks are enjoying the most spectacular wildflower season in years. Weekdays are the least-crowded times to visit.

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CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $10 day-use parking fee.

The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for most Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m.

Hikes are 3 to 5 miles and last about two hours.

Note: Hikes meet at one of these locations:

El Moro Visitor Center, “” from Coast Highway, turn inland at the School/State Park light and follow park signs.

Los Trancos “” from Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos. Meet near the trailer.

Pelican Point Lot No. 2 “” From Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast.

For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.

?Earth Day, Saturday: Volunteers are invited to help beautify Pelican Point park from 9 a.m. to noon by removing old fencing, installing symbolic fencing, pulling weeds and cleaning the beach.

Work attire required; wire cutters helpful.

Free parking at Pelican Point parking area No. 4, at the Newport Coast Drive stoplight on Coast Highway. For more information, call Winter Bonnin, (949) 497-7647 or e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov

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LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road; reservations and information, (949) 923-2235; www.ocparks.com.

Rangers staff the park daily. Open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset, including holidays.

Parking lot hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Willow Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the El Toro Road intersection. Open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers on specified trails; open 7 a.m. to sunset, but parking lot is only open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $3.

Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Toll Road: Open daily 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the 405 Freeway interchange: The James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Laguna Heights, the trail head for West Ridge trail and routes into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, at Top of the World on Alta Laguna Boulevard, is open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset.

“Keep It Wild” Volunteer Day, 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Help with exotic plant removal and other restoration projects. Little Sycamore Canyon staging area. Free Parking. For more information, call (949) 923-2235.

Techno Trek, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Learn about high-tech items for the trail, like GPS devices and astronomy aids, and then practice using them on moderate, 3.5-mile hike with volunteer naturalist David Louton. Willow Canyon staging area. Parking $3. Reservations suggested (949) 923-2235.

Birding Hike, 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday. Spot spring and migratory birds with volunteer naturalist, Paul Klahr, on this hike through one of the most diverse plant communities in the U.S. Bring binoculars. Little Sycamore staging area. Parking $3. Reservations required (949) 923-2235.

Fitness Hike, 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this fast-paced 3.5 ““ 5-mile hike with volunteer naturalist Helen Flanagan. Little Sycamore Canyon staging area. Parking $3. Reservations suggested (949) 923-2235.