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 three to five 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 [email protected].

“¢?Historic District guided tours are the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. The free tours have expanded by adding a plein air artist demonstration at the conclusion of each tour. The walk begins at 10 a.m. across from the Historic District in the Los Trancos Parking Lot at Coast Highway. No reservations are required; for more information, visit www.crystalcovealliance.org

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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.

Wildflower Hike, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Look for edible plants and learn to identify native bloomers on this rigorous, 5-mile hike with volunteer naturalists, Nadine Nordstrom and Len Gardner. Little Sycamore staging area. Parking $3. Reservations suggested (949) 923-2235.

Mountain Bike Ride, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy ocean and canyon views on this intermediate, 8 to 15-mile ride led by mountain bike assistants. Big Bend staging area. Parking $3. Helmets and 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 to 5-mile hike with volunteer naturalist Helen Flanagan. James Dilley Preserve. Parking $3. Reservations suggested (949) 923-2235.