Parks & Wilderness Parks

Laguna Beach embraced land conservation long before it was fashionable, recognizing that the beautiful ecosystem in its surrounding wilderness must be maintained for generations. Not only does the town boast a huge amount of protected open spaces for a town of its size, but it’s also surrounded by nature: a greenbelt encompassing three sides of the town and the blue Pacific Ocean bordering the fourth. All totaled, Laguna Beach is home to over 20,000 acres of wilderness.

Wilderness Parks
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Walking into Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is like stepping back in time; it is among the last remaining coastal canyons in Southern California. In 1991, Laguna Beach residents approved a bond to purchase four parcels of the proposed development for a wilderness area, which became a county park in 1993. The coastal canyons sweep through 6,400 acres on the outskirts of Laguna Beach in the San Joaquin Hills. Its ecosystem includes coastal sage scrub, maritime chaparral, oak woodlands and riparian habitats. The park is also home to the only natural lake in Orange County: Barbara’s Lake in Laguna Canyon. Laguna Beach’s open spaces are a favorite locale for plein air (open air) artists. Several plein air artists donated paintings for interpretive signs on many trails, choosing their favorite views as subjects (the original art hangs in Nix Nature Center, located in the park).

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is located at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For more information, call (949) 923-2235 or visit www.OCParks.com/lagunacoast.
Parking lot hours: 8:00am–4:00pm. Parking, $3.00.
Hiking and biking-in from 7:00am–sunset.

Made possible by a generous donation from James and Rosemary Nix, The Nix Nature Center is the new headquarters of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and stands as the entryway to the 20,000-acre South Coast Regional Wilderness. The center’s large picture windows look out onto four main views of the park. Laguna College of Art+Design students created the “Full Circle” mural. There are five trails from the center. Many activities are available, including mountain bike rides, birding, fitness hikes, Junior Rangers and children’s programs.

Nix Nature Center is at Little Sycamore Canyon on SR 133, north of the 73 Tollroad and 3.5 miles south of the I-405 and SR 133 interchange.
Visit www.LagunaCanyon.org/nix_nature_center.html for program information.

Hours are 9:00am–4:00pm. Call (949) 923-2235; admission is free. Parking, $3.00.		 Wilderness Park
18751 Laguna Canyon Rd.
(949) 923-2235
www.OCParks.com/
lagunacoast

Parking Lot Hours:
8:00am–4:00pm

Hiking and Biking:
7:00am–Sunset

Nix Nature Center
(949) 923-2235
Little Sycamore Canyon
www.LagunaCanyon.org
/nix_nature_center.html

Hours:
9:00am–4:00pm
Willow and Laurel Canyons

Willow and Laurel Canyons can be accessed from the Willow Canyon Staging Area located on Laguna Canyon Road, on the west side of the road just south of the El Toro Road intersection.		 20101 Laguna Canyon Rd.
James Dilley Preserve

James Dilley Preserve is the oldest section of the Wilderness Park and is named in honor of bookseller James Dilley, who first dreamt of a greenbelt surrounding the town. The preserve is the only way to hike to Orange County’s largest natural lake, Barbara’s Lake, named for conservationist Barbara Stuart. Bubbles Pond, a nod to the escaped hippo that lived in the lake during the 1970s, can also be seen in the preserve. James Dilley Preserve is on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Toll Road. Equestrians bringing horses to the trails must park at the Big Bend Staging Area, which is reserved for this use only. It is located on Laguna Canyon Road on the west side of the road and one mile south of the Willow Canyon Staging Area.		 Laguna Canyon Road
(North of the 73 Toll Road)
Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Designated a wildlife sanctuary, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park was long ago part of Juaneno tribal land. With its wildflowers, elderberry, oak and sycamore trees, it offers more than 30 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Aliso and Wood is between Laguna Beach and Laguna Hills. Spanning more than 5,000 acres, the terrain includes high ridges with beautiful sweeping views of the beach. Because they can practice all the facets of competitive mountain biking, downhill, cross-country and slalom riding, many top mountain bike riders can be found in Aliso and Wood. “Laguna Beach is one of the best places in the world to ride,” says world-renowned mountain biker Hans “No Way” Rey, who counts Aliso and Wood canyons as one of his favorite places to bike. People from all over the world have come to ride; magazines and photographers come to do photo shoots; companies testing bike products have tried them out in the open spaces of Laguna Beach. It definitely has its place in the mountain biking world.

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is located at 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. For more information, call (949) 923-2235 or visit www.OCParks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons. For guided walks, call (949) 923-2235. (Open 7:00am–sunset; parking, $3.00).

 28373 Alicia Parkway
(949) 923-2200
www.OCParks.com/
alisoandwoodcanyons

Guided Walks:
(949) 923-2235

Hours:
7:00am–Sunset
Laguna Canyon Foundation

Discover the beauty of Southern California’s second largest coastal canyons wilderness. Laguna Canyon Foundation offers hikes with volunteer naturalists, Keep it Wild Volunteer Days and other activities in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Find a wide variety of nature-oriented merchandise, maps and information online, or in their office. Thanks for helping them KEEP IT WILD!		 (949) 497-8324
www.LagunaCanyon.org
Crystal Cove State Park

With 2,400 acres of open grassland and shaded canyons, Crystal Cove State Park is a popular place for mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians, and it’s one of the few parks where you can go from backcountry right to the beach for water activities.

Crystal Cove State Park parking lot is open daily from 6:00am–sunset.
A one-day pass is $10.00.
For general information, visit www.Parks.ca.gov or www.CrystalCoveStatePark.com; call (949) 497-7647, and for camping call (800) 444-7275.

El Moro Canyon parking area is approximately four miles north of Main Beach on Pacific Coast Highway. Leashed dogs are allowed only on paved areas; no dogs are allowed in backcountry or on beaches.		 (949) 497-7647
www.Parks.ca.gov
www.CrystalCove
StatePark.com

Camping Information:
(800) 444-7275

Hours:
6:00am–Sunset

Parks

The City of Laguna Beach manages over 20 parks, a sampling of which is listed below. Some of the amenities include: tennis courts, children’s playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic areas, barbecues and public art works. For more information about city parks, call (949) 497-0716 or visit www.LagunaBeachCity.net.
Alta Laguna Park (Alta Laguna Blvd.)

This hilltop park in Laguna's Top of the World neighborhood features six tennis courts, a baseball field, a half-basketball court and hiking trails. Barbecues, picnic areas and playgrounds are provided. Laguna Heights, the trailhead for Aliso and Wood Canyons West Ridge Trail, starts here. Restrooms.		  
Bluebird Park (Bluebird Canyon Drive)

Plenty of sports and playground equipment is available, including two half-basketball courts and restrooms.		  
Boat Canyon Park (High Drive)

This recreational park has a baseball field, two half basketball courts, playground equipment and restrooms.		  
Crescent Bay Park (Crescent Bay Drive)

From atop the bluff, view ocean and tide pools below.		  
Dog Park – “Bark Park” (Laguna Canyon Road)

Dogs are allowed to run off leach in this enclosed park. Open dawn to dusk, closed Wednesdays.		  
Heisler Park (Cliff Drive)

Walking trails, beautiful vistas, public art display, picnic and barbecue areas, marine and tide pool reserve area.		  
Lang Park (Wesley Drive)

Children will love the playground equipment and sports fields, including half-basketball and tennis courts. Restrooms available.		  
Main Beach Park (Coast Highway at Forest Avenue)

This beachfront park features four sand volleyball courts, playground equipment, half-basketball courts, picnic tables and restrooms.		  
Top Of The World Park (Tree Top Lane)

Hilltop park with picnic benches and views of local canyons.		  
Treasure Island Park (Wesley Drive Westside)

This ocean-view park has picnic tables, benches and restrooms.		  

For more information on all area parks, visit County of Orange, Harbors, Beaches and Parks: www.OCParks.com.
 


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