Laguna Beach, California

Starting from the Salt Creek Beach parking lot (a paid lot that takes cash and credit cards and charges by the hour with pay stations at a few points in the parking lots), you head west towards the ocean...through a tunnel and down the hill towards the beach. Once you get to the basketball court ...

First, you'll be parking in the parking lot for the dog park. It's free parking and there are roughly 40 spaces, so there is plenty of parking. I've never seen more than 20 cars here at any one time. Once parked you'll find the trail head/ start on the northwest side of the lot (opposite the dog ...

Ocean views the whole time, plenty of wildlife and different species of native plants make this short hike beautiful. With the hike being short enough to complete in the afternoon after a day at the beach you can see a beautiful view of the coastline north and south. There is plenty of parking in...

The Newport Beach Back Bay Trail features beautiful wildflowers and is open for use year round. Very minimal elevation gain makes this hike food for all skill levels, but be mindful of the distance. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be kept on leash.  Cooling sea breezes make this one of th...

Just south east of the city of Irvine, on the southern end of Orange County, is the scenic Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Don't let the newly developed shopping centers restaurants fool you, because just beyond the parking lot ($3 Daily Use Fee) of the Borrego Canyon Trailhead, you will find your...

Bell Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near San Juan Capistrano, California.

Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park is the perfect place to getaway from the hubbub of LA. Enjoy the scenic drive north on Ortega Highway before reaching the entrance gate to the park. Parking Fees are currently $3 on Weekdays and $5 on Weekends. Camping Fees vary depending on your group size.  The...

The Luge: Santiago Truck Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Lake Forest, California.

San Clemente State Beach is an out-and-back trail that takes past scenic surroundings located near San Clemente, California.

This hike will be about going from the Bellview Trailhead to Dove Lake and back. Note that once you get to Dove Lake there are numerous offshoots that can take you in different directions (you can follow the road into the Dove Canyon housing community, take a paved road back to the Bellview parki...

The lot provides free parking, with plenty of spaces available throughout the day.  The first few miles feature a descent into the canyon on a defined trail out in the open. The way back up is a decent incline in the sun!   Be prepared, because even though 6+ miles may not seem too hard, this h...

Waterfalls in Orange County are far and few between, with the best lying near and inside the Cleveland National Forest. Black Star Canyon Falls are some of the best just after a rain if you are heading out during a dry time of the season you should still expect to see some water. Free parking, ea...

When you think of Orange County, you think of beaches, boardwalks, but what you may not know is that there are some great hikes in our very own backyard! My favorite is a fairly strenuous day hiking adventure that only the strong survive. Not to dissuade any interested parties, since this is a ...

To start, directions on how to get to the trail there are two different ways, the most common , which I will explain, being through Rancho Santa Margarita you will head east on Santa Margarita Parkway, turn left at the dead end (into a parking lot for a shopping center) on Plano Trabuco Road, thi...

The Bedford Peak Trail in Silverado, California is a challenging hike that offers a variety of natural features. The trail spans 6.78 miles round trip and has an elevation gain of 1,972 feet. It is rated as difficult due to its steep inclines and rocky terrain. The trail begins in a dense oak w...

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Trail is great for birding and wildlife viewing. If you want a longer hike, you can extend the mileage by heading down the riverbed trail. The trail is open year-round. Dogs are not allowed in Bolsa Chica.  Bolsa Chica State Beach is easily accessible from Oran...