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BACK TO NATURE

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 Pacific Coast Highway, 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: All hikes meet at the El Moro Visitor Center (from Coast Highway, turn inland at light for School/State Park, follow park signs), unless otherwise indicated. Information: (949) 497-7647 or via e-mail [email protected]. Rain cancels.

  • Winter plant hike, 9 a.m. Saturday.
  • Geology hike, 9 a.m. Saturday. From Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos stoplight. Meet near the trailer. Bring water, hat and binoculars; 5 miles.
  • Gray Whale Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Volunteers will help park visitors spot migrating whales; meet at Pelican Point parking lot #2 (from Coast Highway, turn toward coast at Newport Coast stoplight; turn right at the kiosk and make the first left).
  • 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.

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    Laguna Greenbelt Inc. leads a hike at 9 a.m. Saturdays. Information: (949) 923-2235. All programs meet at Willow Canyon.

  • Native plant hike with Penny Lewis and Annie Stoeckman, 9 a.m. Saturday.
  • Plant identification hike with Sarah Jayne, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
  • Wilderness Restoration Project, 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday; volunteers help with exotic plant removal and other tasks and receive free T-shirts from Laguna Canyon Foundation.
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