Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Aliso...

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel

Park Information: (949) 923-2200 or https://www.ocparks.com

The park is open daily all year, 7 a.m. to sunset, for hiking,

bicycling and equestrian use. Parking is $2 ($3 after June 30). No

pets.

Special hiking programs can be arranged by calling Ranger Carroll

at (949) 923-2299. June 26 and each second and fourth Saturday of the

month the ranger gives a free 30- to 45-minute discovery nature talk

suitable for all ages. Meet at noon at the park entrance.

The Orange County Natural History Museum, open Wednesday through

Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is at the park entrance. For

information, call (949) 831-3287.

Crystal Cove State Park

8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

Park Conditions: (949) 494-3539; Interpretive Programs: (949)

497-7647

https://www.crystalcove

statepark.com

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

bicycling and horseback riding. 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.

Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for most Saturdays and

Sundays at 9 a.m. Upcoming dates include Saturday and Sunday, June 26

and 27. Hikes are 3 to 5 miles and last about 2 hours. Be sure to

bring water and wear hiking boots. Meet at El Moro Visitor Center

(PCH, School-State Park stoplight).

El Moro Visitor 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 Visitor Center is open Friday,

Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join a guided tour of the

historic district at 10 a.m. every second Saturday of the month. For

information, call (949) 640-5220.

The state park has a variety of volunteer opportunities. For

details, call (949) 497-7647.

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: Mountain bikers can enjoy a ride through the

park on two Saturdays, June 19 and 26; and 8 a.m. June 27. Take an

eight-mile hike through Emerald Canyon at 8 a.m. Saturday or a

three-mile, three-hour hike in Laurel Canyon at 8 a.m., Sunday, June

27.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

(949) 923-2235 or https://www.ocparks.com and nonprofit support

group websites, https://www.lagunacanyon.org and

https://www.lagunagreenbelt.org

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

scouts and other organizations and clubs. Parking is $2 ($3 after

June 30). No dogs.

Wilderness Access: Willow Canyon Staging Area, at 20101 Laguna

Canyon Road, is open every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for

hikers, equestrians and mountain bicyclists on specified trails

without guides.

Jim Dilley Staging Area, on Laguna Canyon Road (just north of the

73 Tollroad), is open every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

for hikers only on specified trails without guides. Among area trails

is one that skirts Barbara’s Lake, one of Orange County’s only

natural lakes.

Laguna Heights, the trailhead for West Ridge trail and other

trails into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, is open daily all

year, 7 a.m. to sunset.

Special Activities: Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. docent volunteers lead

a Laurel Loop hike, June 19 and 26 and every Saturday at 8 a.m.

Hikers meet at Willow Canyon Staging Area. $2 donation per hiker.

Information and reservations: (949) 923-2235. Wilderness Access

Volunteers Training: Saturday, June 26, 9 to 11 a.m. Learn how to

become a meet-and-greet volunteer. Call (949) 923-2235.

* Activities compiled by Ellen Girardeau Kempler, 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 visit

https://www.lagunacanyon.org or call (949) 855-PARK (7275).