Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park...
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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, Feb. 8. Please meet at park
headquarters. Opportunities for additional hiking programs can be
arranged by calling Ranger Carroll at (949) 923-2200.
The Orange County Natural History Museum is at the park entrance
and open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Ongoing
exhibits include live animals and displays of birds, fossils,
butterflies and Indian artifacts. The Museum wants your recyclable
cans and bottles! Bring your Calif. Redemption Value (CRV) items to
the recycling bins at Aliso and Woods Canyons Wilderness Park.
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 daily, year round, 6 a.m. to sunset for hiking,
bicycling and equestrian use. The park includes areas of beach, bluff
top and backcountry with access at a number of different points.
Parking $5. Dogs are allowed only on paved paths above the beach.
Special Activities: At 9 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2, 8 and 9 join
docent-led backcountry hikes Saturdays and Sundays. 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. At 3 p.m. on Feb. 2
participate in guided Tidepool Walk. Negative 1.1 is extremely low
and allows visitors to observe octopus, abalone, keyhole limpet and
sea stars. Meet at Pelican Point Parking Lot No. 2. From 10 a.m. to
noon on Feb. 8 join former Crystal Cove resident Laura Davick for a
docent-led Historic District Cottage Tour. Learn history of the site
since 1900 and visit the interior of several unique cottages. Wear
sturdy shoes and bring camera. Meet at Los Trancos Parking Lot near
the trailer.
El Moro Visitor Center is open Tuesdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to
1 p.m. and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays -- Feb. 1,
2, 8 and 9 -- join guided “drop-in” mountain bike rides that orient
new visitors to the trails. At 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, join a
12-mile, three- to four-hour, docent-led bike ride through Laguna
Coast Wilderness Park and Shady and Serrano Ridges. At 7:30 a.m. on
Saturday, Feb. 8, participate in an eleven-mile, five-hour,
docent-led hike through Shady and Serrano Ridges and 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: Become a park volunteer! From 9 to 11 a.m. on
Sunday, February 9, learn how to become a Wilderness Access
Volunteer. Call the park for more information.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Activities:
Wilderness access: Every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at
Willow Canyon Road 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 online 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).
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