Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel
Park Information: (949) 923-2200 or http://www.ocparks.com
The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily, all year, 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. The ranger gives a free 30- to 45-minute Discovery
Nature Talk suitable for all ages each second and fourth Saturday.
Meet at noon at the park entrance.
The Orange County Natural History Museum, open from 11 a.m. to 5
p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, is at the park entrance. For
information, call (949) 831-3287.
Crystal Cove State Park
8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach
Park Conditions: (949) 494-3539; Interpretive Programs: (949)
497-7647
http://www.crystalcovestate
park.com
The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset, daily all year, for hiking,
bicycling and horseback riding. The park includes backcountry, bluff
top and beach areas, with access at different points. Parking $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 Saturday and Sunday and
Sept. 4 and 5. Hikes are three to five miles and last about two
hours. Enjoy a sunset-to-moonlight beach walk at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Special Event: Be among the first to see the newly restored El Moro
Visitor Center at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Friday.
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 irvineranch@tnc.org
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: Meet for guided mountain bike rides at 8:15
a.m. Saturday and also 8 a.m. Sunday. Canter in for a 3 to 4 hour
equestrian ride at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. Take a three-mile,
three-hour guided hike through Laurel Canyon at 8 a.m. Thursday,
Sept. 9.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach (949) 923-2235 or
http://www.ocparks.com and nonprofit support group websites,
http://www.lagunacanyon.org and http://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
