Hike Willow Canyon, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

This hike has been a must do since I was young. Do you love scenic views of the ocean and wildlife? You'll see plenty of both, from hawks searching for food to squirrels and deer running through the brush. This is my favorite route in this area but there are plenty of other trails to shorten or add length to your adventure. Be sure to leave feedback if you've hiked the surrounding trails so we can all know what the other trails are like!

Once you have found the staging area, take Willow Canyon Trail up the side of the canyon. This is an almost immediate climb up the canyon wall so be prepared for some elevation gain at the start of the trail. Most of this entire hike is in the sun so be prepared with lots of water if you are hiking in the hotter seasons of the year.

Once you reach the top of the canyon wall hiking up Willow Canyon Trail, take Bommer Ridge left. Hint, don't turn onto any other trails until Willow Canyon Trail dead ends into Bommer Ridge. Stay on Bommer Ridge until you reach Old Emerald Downhill, this trail is about 12% downhill grade, be careful as it can be slippery when the dirt is dry and loose.

Once you have gone down Old Emerald Downhill hang a right onto Emerald Canyon, this trail will be at the base of the canyon so you get some tree coverage! This is in one of my photo's, it's a great spot to stop and take a break before starting the climb back out of the canyon. Emerald Canyon will climb back up to the top of the ridge where Bommer Ridge trail is at.

Once you hit Bommer Ridge take a right, be sure to take another quick left on Willow Canyon Trail as that will be your route back down to the staging area to your car to finish the adventure.

Enjoy this hike! The parking lot has a fee of $3 that you have to pay so make sure you pay because they will ticket your vehicle! The machine accepts Visa/Master Card, it also accepts dollar bills and quarters. Also make sure you aren't parked there past sunset because the gates close daily, unfortunately, this isn't a good hike for sunset because of this but it is gorgeous at any time of the day!