Running Wild : Going Out of the Way to Find Orange County’s Top 10 Runs

Finding a great run in Orange County once meant jogging down your driveway toward the nearest orange grove or gully. Open land was everywhere. Squirrels outnumbered cars.

Today, area runners usually have to go out of their way to find someplace fun to run. The following are the best of what’s left--the Top 10 Runs in Orange County as selected by selected members of the local running community:

Around the Bay

Although the once-popular “Around the Bay in May” race is no more, local runners continue to follow its course. It’s no wonder. The route offers a little of everything--twisting dirt trails, a long stretch of road with few cars, up-close views of the Upper Newport Bay, ocean breezes and just enough civilization if you’re in the need of restrooms or drinking fountains. Might be the best loop course in the county. One warning: Although it can be tempting (especially at low tide) to try to cut this one short by cutting across the bay, don’t. Getting stuck in the muck halfway out--the usual result--is as frustrating as it is embarrassing.

Directions: Start at Mariners Park, corner of Dover Drive and Irvine Avenue, Newport Beach. Run south on Dover to Coast Highway, turn left and continue to Jamboree. Turn left on Jamboree, and left again on to Back Bay Drive. Run nearly three miles to bike path on Eastbluff Drive and turn left. Left on Jamboree. Follow bike path over bridge, turn left at Bayview Way. Follow bike path approximately 1 1/4 miles to wooden bridge. Cross bridge, continue on bike path, past YMCA and turn left onto dirt horse trail. Follow dirt trail through Upper Newport Bay Ecological Preserve, approximately 1 1/2 miles to Irvine Avenue. Turn left and continue on Irvine Avenue to Mariners Park.

Aliso/Wood Canyons

Once a secret spot among locals, Aliso/Wood Canyons has become a favorite for runners around South County. Although its first half-mile is a bit blah, the run takes a turn into Wood Canyon and winds past interesting rock formations and oak trees, then climbs high along a ridge all the way to Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach. The park makes for a great turnaround point. Along with a drinking fountain and a restroom, it has a pay phone--a blessing if you’re tired and want to call a taxi to take you home.

Directions: Park at trail head off Alicia Parkway, one-quarter mile south of Aliso Creek Road. Follow trail 1 1/4 miles to entrance gate, turn right. Continue along Wood Canyon Trail, pass Cave Rock (turn back here for three-mile run). At the fork, veer right passing horse corral and grove of sycamores until path veers left up steep Cholla Trail. Continue on Cholla up ridge, past water tank and on to Alta Laguna Park. Turn around, jog back down to main trail, veer right where trail splits and head down Mathis Canyon Trail back to Wood Canyon. Continue to parking lot.

Crystal Cove Shoreline

Real runners don’t run on the beach. If that’s your credo, great. You can leave this one for the rest of us. With its pristine beauty and tranquil setting, Crystal Cove remains something of a spiritual touchstone, a place locals go to remember how special Orange County used to be. Despite encroaching development (Pelican Hill golf course, Newport Coast Road, etc.), this run still offers plenty of serenity once you drop down below the cliffs. At least there the waves drown out the sounds of bulldozers above. For a truly special experience, try this one at sunrise.

Directions: Park in Cameo Shores residential community off East Coast Highway and Cameo Shores Road in Corona del Mar. Follow Coast Highway south approximately one-half mile, turn right onto trail toward ocean. Follow trail south, dropping down to beach at Crystal Cove residential community. Run to shoreline, turn left and continue along beach to cliff at El Morro trailer park. Turn around and run back along beach, pass Crystal Cove houses and turn right up steep, cement walkway back to bluffs. Follow trail to Coast Highway and back to Cameo Shores. Note: This run is best attempted at low tide.

El Moro Canyon

Like black licorice, grunge music and the TV series “Twin Peaks,” this one you either love or hate. Those in the latter category--typically those obsessed with improving their 5K time--complain that there are too many hills, that El Moro isn’t something you run, it’s something you survive. Others love it for its undulating terrain, shady oak groves and ultra-masochistic mile-long climb at the run’s half-way point. Best part: Occasional bobcat sightings. Worst part: Paying $6 to park (!) and dealing with hordes of mountain bikers (including some who seem bent on giving you a tire tread tattoo).

Directions: Park at ranger station located off Pacific Coast Highway, one-quarter mile north of El Morro Trailer Park. From parking lot, run south on trail alongside trailer park, down hill to El Moro Canyon. Follow El Moro Canyon trail approximately three miles. At fork, either turn left and follow switchback trail up hill to gate or veer right and run up shorter, steeper trail--a.k.a. “Elevator”--to gate. Turn around and enjoy the downhill back.

Peters Canyon

A favorite of bird-watchers, Peters Canyon Regional Park offers a rustic hideaway from the growing congestion of East Orange and Tustin. It’s similar to El Moro Canyon in some ways, but it’s somewhat gentler on the legs. Try this one in the early morning or at dusk to better your chances of spotting bobcats, rabbits and squirrels.

Directions: Park in gravel lot at Canyon View Avenue and Jamboree Road in Orange. Follow trail around reservoir and, staying to the right, continue on trail to retarding basin. At retarding basin, either turn around and retrace your steps to parking lot or take East Ridge View Trail back for better views.

Laguna Main Beach to Crescent Bay

If people-watching is your thing, this is the place to run on a sunny Sunday afternoon. You might have to bob and weave like Walter Payton just to get through the crowd, but at least you’ll never be bored. The route offers tremendous ocean views, especially at Crescent Bay Point Park, the turnaround point. Don’t be in a rush to turn around, though. Crescent Bay, with its rocky shoreline, crashing surf and sea lions barking in the distance, is one of the county’s most magical places.

Directions: Start on Main Beach board walk. Run north along bike trail past Heisler Park and Divers Cove. Continue along Cliff Drive to where it connects with Circle Way and veer left. Continue on Circle Way, turning left onto walkway into Crescent Bay. Stay to the left for approximately 100 yards. Turn left into Crescent Bay Point Park. Run back same way.

Huntington Central Park

In the fall, more than a dozen area cross-country teams--high school and collegiate--call Central Park home, or at least their home course. It’s easy to see why. The park offers plenty: grass fields, dirt trails, a few steep hills, lots of shade and a bike trail that circles a small pond. During cross-country season, you can try to follow one of the many routes (each school marks their course in a different color chalk). Otherwise, this is a great place for creative, spontaneous running. Go whichever way your feet take you.

Directions: Park is located on Golden West Street between Taylor Drive and Slater Avenue in Huntington Beach. Let creativity guide your feet.

Santiago Truck Trail

Before you even think of running this one, know that even David Warady--who averaged 45 miles a day last summer in winning the 3,000-mile Trans-America Footrace--considers it a challenge. It’s dry, it’s dusty, it can be hotter than the sunny side of Mercury. But those are only minor inconveniences compared to the actual climb. If you work out on a stair climber regularly, it might help. Then again, so would a ski lift.

Directions: Park at trail head fence on Modjeska Grade Road, approximately one-half mile above where it intersects Santiago Canyon Road. Follow trail until your body screams stop . Then turn around. Note: This trail is sometimes off-limits during summer months because of fire danger.

Balboa Island Loop

Looking for a run with a nautical theme? This one offers an up-close look at Newport Harbor with all its boats and docks and bayside beaches complete with quacking ducks (bring them some stale bread and they’ll love you forever). In the weeks before Christmas, try this run at night when the residents decorate their big bayfront windows and entrants in the Newport Boat Parade motor by in their Christmas best. By the way, if running on asphalt and cement bothers you, don’t bother with this run.

Directions: Park at the corner of Poppy Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in Corona del Mar. Run west on Ocean Boulevard, turn right on Goldenrod, cross foot bridge and turn left on First Avenue. Run three blocks to Carnation Avenue, turn left and make a right on Bayside Drive. Follow sidewalk along Bayside about 1 1/4 miles, turn left to Balboa Island bridge. Cross bridge and make an immediate left down steps to Bay Front (it’s a sidewalk). Follow Bay Front, cross bridge to Little Balboa Island, turn left. Run perimeter of Little Island, cross back to Balboa Island, turn left, follow Bay Front around the island and back up steps to Balboa Island bridge. Retrace steps to Corona del Mar.

Carbon Canyon/Chino Hills

If you’re training for a marathon, or something even longer, this is a good place to get in those long, weekend runs. Carbon Canyon Regional Park backs up to Chino Hills State Park, giving you plenty of room to make tracks. Because the area tends to get quite warm, especially along Telegraph Canyon Trail, it’s important to bring water. You can refill your water bottles from a hose near the ranger station, eight miles in. Bring food, too. This one burns calories fast.

Directions: Park at ranger station at Carbon Canyon Regional Park, off Carbon Canyon Road approximately one mile east of Valencia Avenue in Brea. Check trail map at park office. For five-mile run, take trail to Redwood Grove and back. For 17-miler, take Telegraph Canyon Trail to ranger station in Chino Hills State Park and back. Alternate run (about 20 miles): Run up to North Ridge (look for trail marker at Telegraph Canyon Trail head), continue for six miles to Telegraph Canyon, then four miles to ranger station. Turn back down Telegraph Canyon, connecting with South Ridge Trail for about 5 1/2 miles and then back to Telegraph Canyon Trail and parking lot.

Runners’ Havens

With its increasing development and congestion, Orange County might not be runners’ Nirvana it once was. But a few pockets of paradise remain. The following areas were selected by top local runners as being the best places to train in OC. Criteria included variety of terrain, challenge and scenery. Agony factor ranges from one (on par with a walk around the block) to five (running up a mountain). The top five courses:

1. Around The Bay. Distance: 9 miles. Agony factor: 2.

2. Crystal Cove Bluffs. Distance: 3 to 6 miles. Agony factor: 1

3. El Moro Canyon. Distance: 8 miles. Agony factor: 4

4. Aliso/Woods Canyon. Distance: 3 to 10 miles. Agony factor: 2

5. Peters Canyon. Distance: 8 miles. Agony factor: 2

6. Huntington Central Park. Distance: 3 to 6 miles. Agony factor: 1

7. Santiago Truck Trail. Distance: 1 to 20+ miles. Agony factor: 5

8. Balboa Island Loop. Distance: 6 miles. Agony factor: 1

9. Carbon Canyon/Chino Hills. 5 to 20 miles. Agony factor: 3

10. Laguna Main Beach to Crescent Bay. Distance: 4 miles. Agony factor: 1