Bommer Ridge from the Pacific Ridge Trailhead
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About this place
Bommer Ridge aka Pacific Ridge is the northwest entrance to the magnificent 7,000 acre Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, and provides excellent hiking, cycling, and trail running with dramatic views down canyons to the Pacific Ocean all the way to Catalina Island and east across to Santiago Peak and the Santa Ana Mountains.
The Bommer Ridge West Trailhead aka The Pacific Ridge Trailhead begins at the edge of Ridge Park Road, overlooking CA State Highway 73, and marks the northwest entrance to the Laguna Coast Wilderness and its neighbor, Crystal Cove State Park.
From the well-marked trailhead follow the trail south-east, following the ridge line roughly parallel to Highway 73. Note that in places several use trails parallel the main trail and are used by both mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners.
Look for the signage at trail intersections to be sure you're on the correct trail, as numerous trails head northeast, down into Laurel Canyon or southwest along ridges towards the ocean.
After roughly 2 miles the trail will follow a similar ridge, still Bommer, towards the ocean. There are several trails that intersect near this point including Emerald Canyon and Willow Canyon.
From here the trail continues another 1.8 miles till it terminates at the intersection of the Water Tank, Boat Road, and Laguna Ridge trails.
From here, head back up the way you came, 3.8 miles to the trailhead. You could also extend your hike as a loop, the nearest being to head back up the trail .7 miles to Old Emerald Trail, heading down into Emerald Canyon, the up (right) Old Emerald Falls Trail back till it intersects with Bommer Ridge.