Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park 28373...

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, from 7 a.m. to sunset, for

hiking, bicycling and equestrian use. Parking is $3. No pets.

Special hiking programs can be arranged by calling Ranger Carroll

at (949) 923-2299. July 25 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 located at the park entrance. For

information, call (949) 831-3287.

Crystal Cove State Park

8471 North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

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

497-7647

https://www.crystalcovestate

park.com

The park is open daily all year, from 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 is $10. 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 July 17, 18, 24 and 25.

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 (Coast Highway,

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 guided rides at 7:30

a.m. Sunday, at 8:15 a.m. July 24, and at 4:30 p.m. July 25.

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 $3. No dogs.

Wilderness Access: Willow Canyon Staging Area, at 20101 Laguna

Canyon Road (just south of El Toro Road intersection), is open every

Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for hikers, equestrians and

mountain bikers on specified trails without guides.

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

San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor), 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 from 7 a.m. to sunset.

Special Activities: Laguna Greenbelt Inc. docent volunteers lead a

Laurel Loop hike 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:

9 to 11 a.m. Sunday. Learn how to become a meet-and-greet volunteer.

Call (949) 923-2235.

Activities compiled by Ellen Girardeau Kempler, Laguna Canyon

Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to

preserving, enhancing and protecting Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and

the adjacent coastal canyon parks. For more information visit

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