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.

From noon until 12:30 p.m. participate in an easy ranger-led walk

on Saturday, March 22.

The Orange County Natural History Museum is at the Park entrance

and open from 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 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. Parking $5.

At 9 a.m. on March 15 join guided Native Plant Walk. For hikes and

walk meet at El Moro Visitor Center (School-State Park stoplight). At

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 16 join whale watchers during Gray Whale

Sunday. Bring binoculars. Meet at Pelican Point Parking Lot No. 2 at

end of boardwalk (Newport Coast stoplight).

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

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

Crystal Cove Historic District Visitor Center is open 10 a.m. to 4

p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Irvine Ranch

Land Reserve

The Nature Conservancy (714) 832-7478 or [email protected].

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 9 a.m. on March 15, 16, 22 and 23 join

guided “Drop-in” mountain bike rides that orient new visitors to

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park trails. At 8 a.m. on March 15 join the

docent-led two to three-mile, two to four-hour Laguna Laurel hike

overlooking Laguna Lake, just north of Dilley Preserve. At 8 a.m. on

March 20 participate in a guided six to 10-mile, two to three-hour

Third Thursday Interpretive Mountain Bike Ride.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

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

Special Activities: Hike and Help, Saturday, March 15. From 8 a.m.

to noon join Stewardship activities that include cutting mustard and

other exotic plants and acorn planting. Bring shovel and gloves. Meet

at Willow Canyon Staging Area just south of El Toro Road.Meet at

Willow Staging Area. Reservations helpful. More information

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.

Laguna Heights: Open 7 a.m. to sunset daily year round. 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.

* Compiled by Marla Smith of LAGUNA CANYON FOUNDATION. For more

information check out www.lagunacanyon.org.