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 [email protected] 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. 9.

Learn about the canyons’ history, plants, animals and trails. Meet at

noon in front of the Natural History Museum at the entrance to the

Park.

Opportunities for special hiking programs can be arranged by

calling Ranger Carroll at (949) 923-2299.

The Orange County Natural History Museum is located at the Park

entrance, open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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

www.crystalcovestatepark.com

The park is open daily, year round, 6 a.m. to sunset for hiking,

bicycling and equestrian use. The park includes backcountry, bluff

top and beach areas with access at different points. Parking $5. Dogs

are allowed only on paved paths above the beach.

Special Activities: Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 2, 3 and 9 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. 2 at 8 p.m. the popular Campfire Program with

incredible tide pool footage. Meet at the amphitheater at Pelican

Point parking lot No. 4 (Newport Coast Stoplight) On Sunday, Aug. 3

at 8 a.m., enjoy a tide pool walk. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot

#2 (Newport Coast Stoplight)

Sunday, Aug 9 at 10:00 a.m. take the Cottage Tour. Visit the

interior of several historic cottages. Meet at Los Trancos parking

lot near the trailer (Los Trancos Stoplight)

El Moro Visitors Center is open Tuesday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1

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

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

4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Crystal Cove Interpretive Association welcomes new volunteers,

call (949) 497-7648.

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 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 and 3

participate in a guided “Drop-in” mountain bike ride that orients new

visitors to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park trails.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

(949) 923-2235 or www.ocparks.com, nonprofit support group Web

sites www.lagunacanyon.org and www.lagunagreenbelt.org.

Call the rangers and ask about special group hikes for schools,

scouts and other organizations and clubs. Parking Fee $2. No dogs.

Wilderness access: Willow Canyon Staging Area every Saturday and

Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 20101 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 Staging Area every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4

p.m. for hikers only on specified trails without guides. On Laguna

Canyon Road just north of the 73 Toll road. Trails include Barbara’s

Lake, the largest of the Laguna Lakes, Orange County’s only natural

lakes.

Special Activities: Guided hikes in Laurel and Emerald Canyons by

Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. volunteers, meet at Willow Canyon Staging

Area. Sunday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 a.m., six-mile guided hike through

Emerald Canyon. Call for reservations. $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 Guinevare Breeding of 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 (949) 855-PARK (7275).