Guides
Hike along the ridge line of Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park to a wonderful view of the ocean.
This hike along the southern ridge of the Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park is fairly easy, with only a short moderate hill at the end. As you walk you'll find the park to your right and suburbs and homes to your left, so you don't really get an out in nature feel to the hike. Pleanty of room for bikers, hikers, dog walkers and runners At...
5.9 mile trail near San Joaquin Hills, Irvine, California
Bommer Meadow's Trail is about 5.9 miles long (roundtrip) and located near San Joaquin Hills, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours. Access by turning onto Shady Canyon Dr from Bonita Canyon. Follow Shady Canyon to Bommer Cyn parking, which will be on your right. There are only 14 parking spots. If lot is full,...
A moderate 3 mile loop trail that begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center
The Green Route is a moderate, 2.9 mile loop hike through Crystal Cove State Park backcountry. The hike begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center. The length is perfect for a short hike, and the route gives you a good workout and a great taste of Crystal Cove's backcountry. The trail begins with a steady ascent, climbing about 500 feet in elevation....
A good hike or bike UP a fire road to a seasonal spring
This is an almost all uphill climb from the Tucker wildlife sanctuary to the springs. The hike can be strenuous do to the incline. The spring is seasonal and a little hard to get to. The views on the way up are amazing. The trail is a fire road with no shade. If you hike on the weekend expect to see mountain bikers. The trail is wide enough I...
A moderate, 5.5 mile loop that takes you through canyon and up to Moro ridge, with sweeping coastal views.
This trail begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center. This loop gives you a tour of the El Moro Canyon, then climbs over 800' in elevation to the ridge line, where you'll enjoy some of the best coastline views in the park.
This strenuous 9.1 mile hike follows the perimeter of the park, giving you a grand tour of Crystal Cove backcountry.
The Blue Route is also aptly known as the perimeter of the park hike, since it forms a complete loop around the perimeter of Crystal Cove State Park backcountry. This is a strenuous 9.1 mile hike with some good elevation gain and beautiful views over the Pacific and east toward Santiago and Modjeska Peaks. This "grand tour" of Crystal Cove backcountry...
Welcome to the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District,an oasis in time! Take some time to relax and explore the 12-acre historic district, once part of the Irvine Ranch lands, consisting of 46 Cottages built in the 1920s and 1930s. For decades, families have camped and played here. Artists have captured the Cove's natural beauty on canvas for...
By Merton Hill, PhD, Saddleback College
Spectacular ocean panoramas and contorted rocky cliffs are yours to enjoy on this self-guided tour of the geology of Crystal Cove State Park. This Beach Geology Tour is available as a brochure at the Crystal Cove Park Interpretive Store and was written by Dr. Merton Hill with images provided by Drs. Merton & Annlia Hill. Begin by taking the path...
10.9 mile trail near Irvine County, California
Limestone Canyon is about 10.9 miles long and located near Irvine County, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes a full day. Limestone Canyon is not open to the public, except for special days. This was one of them.We accessed it off of E Santiago Canyon Rd, just past Trabuco Canyon (coming from coast). The Augustine Staging...
Enjoy endless beaches, seaside towns and a trail that allows you to enjoy the beauty of southern California at its best.
I wish they all could be California trails! This trail follows two of the most beautiful beaches in California and provides access to great seaside communities, piers, and main streets. In this guide, I will give you suggestions for where to start the trail, how to stay on the trail, (It gets confusing in one spot.) rental suggestions, website recommendations,...
A strenuous 9 mile out-and-back hike that visits two beautiful seasonal waterfalls in Orange County.
When you think of hiking in Orange County, you don’t usually envision dramatic waterfalls. But during the spring, there are a number of wonderful seasonal waterfalls that are just a hike away. One of my personal favorites is Chiquito Falls. This hike is a 9 mile out-and-back route with nearly 3,000′ of vertical elevation gain. And it’s a waterfall...
Easy and relatively short hike. Yet, very beautiful scenes, and landscapes.
This is a easy and relatively short hike, yet offers a very complete experience. As the name says, it is a loop trail in the Cleveland National Forest, off of Ortega Highway. It goes through different portions of open trail and really old oak trees covered sections. You can enjoy views of landscape, a small waterfall in a gorge and go along the creek...
A moderate beach hike along a geologically significant area in San Onofre State Beach, visting the Cristianitos fault.
The Cristianitos Fault is a major earthquake fault line located less than one mile from the San Onofre nuclear power plant. This hike takes you on a 3.8 mile loop through San Onofre State Beach to the site of the fault line. Along the way, you’ll see the Monterey Formation, which holds most of the oil and gas deposits known in the LA basin and off...
Trips
Aliso Summit + Seaview Park
Laguna Niguel, California, United States
Hiking | 7.6 miles (5.2 miles away)
Hiking | 7.6 miles (5.2 miles away)
A nice little urban trail overlooking Aliso & Woods Regional Park. Hit the pavement for a few streets to get a great trail at Seaview Park with ocean views.
Hiked this with my family a couple weeks . Great walk and very nice day.
Blackstar Canyon Falls
Carbondale (historical), California, United States
Hiking | 6.6 miles (11.4 miles away)
Hiking | 6.6 miles (11.4 miles away)
Distance: 6.6 milesDifficulty: Intermediate Plus/AdvancedElevation: 2000ft gainLatitude:33.7975969724 Longitude:-117.6557539869
Ladera --> Trabuco Canyon
Ladera Ranch, California, United States
Hiking | 10.6 miles (2.8 miles away)
Hiking | 10.6 miles (2.8 miles away)
Went for a bit of a hike today.. 5.2 brutal miles.
good workout hike with very steep beginning and ending hills. great views of canyon and ocean including catalina island.
Fisherman's Camp / Tenaja Falls
La Cresta Highlands, California, United States
Hiking | 8.3 miles (16.7 miles away)
Hiking | 8.3 miles (16.7 miles away)
This is a terrific hike that starts across from The Candy Store off of Ortega Highway. You follow the San Juan Loop trail past San Juan Falls, then climb steadily up and over a ridge and down to the remote Chiquito Falls. The San Juan Falls are often busy because they are so close to the trailhead, but few people make the strenuous hike back to the more dramatic Chiquito Falls. You'll...
