Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park 28373...

Aliso and

Wood Canyons

Wilderness Park

28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel

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

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

bicycling and equestrian use. Parking $2. No dogs.

Special Activities: Learn about the canyons’ history, plants,

animals and trails. From noon until 12:30 p.m. participate in an easy

ranger-led walk on Saturday, May 10. Opportunities for special hiking

programs can be arranged by calling Ranger Carroll at (949) 923-2200.

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

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. 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: At 9 a.m. on May 10, 17 and 18 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. At 10 a.m. on May 10 join

former-resident Laura Davick for Historic District Tour. Visit the

interior of several unique cottages. Meet at the Los Trancos parking

lot near the trailer. At 8 a.m. on May 11 join guided 11-mile

Mother’s Day Perimeter Hike. At 9 a.m. on May 14 participate in

5-mile backcountry Wildflower Walk and observe array of brightly

blooming indigenous flora. For backcountry and Mother’s Day hikes and

wildflower walk meet at El Moro Visitors Center (School-State Park

stoplight).

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

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

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

p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Crystal Cove Interpretive Assn. 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 7:30 a.m. on May 10 join guided 11-mile,

5-hour moderately strenuous hike of Shady and Serrano Ridges and

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. At 8 a.m. on May 10 join Equestrian

Ride through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. At 9 a.m. on May 10, 11,

17 and 18 participate in guided “drop-in” mountain bike rides that

orient new visitors to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park trails. At 9 a.m.

on May 15 join 6- to 10-mile “Third Thursday” mountain bike ride

through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

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

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

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

Special Activities: At 6 p.m. on May 9 join guided 3.5-mile Laurel

Loop Sunset Hike. At 7:30 a.m. on May 11 join 6.5-mile Emerald Canyon

Loop Hike. At 8 a.m. on May 17 join special docent-led hikes with

panoramic views, the 5-mile Dartmoor Street and the 3.5-mile Ridge

Park Hikes. Meet at Willow Canyon Staging Area and ride free shuttle

to trail access points. Hikes conclude back at parking area. For

Guided Hikes reservations call 949-923-2235. Local Web site:

www.lagunacanyon.org.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Activities: Wilderness access: From 8

a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, at Willow Canyon Staging

Area on 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 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.

Guided hikes in Laurel Canyon: Every Saturday at 8 a.m., 3.5-mile

guided hike by Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. volunteers. Call for

reservations. There is $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 Marla Smith from 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 855-7275 (PARK).