Satisfying a Yearning for Turf, Surf

From Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park in Mission Viejo, you might catch a glimpse of the ocean. But you can always get a real taste of the sea nearby.

10 a.m. to noon: After being closed for a decade waiting for Oso Parkway to go through, Wagon Wheel Canyon Regional Park recently reopened as Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park.

The park is distinguished by its surprisingly intimate feel--the whole park is less than a mile square, and the grades are fairly gentle--open rolling grasslands and groves of distinctive trees, some, though unmarked, officially designated heritage trees for their intrinsic beauty or size.

Because the park was closed for so long, there are also lots of young trees, and, according to ranger Mike Brajdic, the trails are marked better than those of any other park in the system.

“State of the art in trail markers,” he said, referring to the 4-by-4 posts with fiberglass signs and noting that the symbols on signs and park maps actually match.

Stop in at the trailer in the parking area. Inside are historic local photographs, one of an early rabbit hunt, for instance, another of Forster Ranch in Mision Vieja with a greyhound. In a hands-on exhibit, I discovered that a bobcat print is bigger than a coyote print. Among guests who had signed in, one suggested that the park name be changed back to Wagon Wheel; another wrote that it reminded him of San Luis Obispo.

The Vista Ridge Trail, which leads over open grassland to Skink Vista Point, elevation 800 feet, and Oak Canyon Trail are about a mile. Horned Toad Trail, which leads to Horned Toad Vista Point, Mule Deer Trail, Pheasant Run Trail and the easiest trail, Sycamore Loop, are all about half a mile.

Mix and match to create your own loop through the park. Notice wildflowers such as fiddle necks, four o’ clocks and prickly-phlox.

Shortly after starting up Vista Ridge Trail, I startled a coyote, but he quickly regained composure and ambled off amiably.

Santiago Peak is a noble specter in your sights all the way to Skink Vista, but there’s an even nicer view, at least temporarily, when you get to the top: Turn around and look back at the reflecting pond in the canyon below and the lush greenery beyond.

That pond has its pros and cons. It’s steadily evaporating, for instance, and, until it dries, Oak Canyon Trail doesn’t go through. I went as far as the pond, turned around, then took Mule Deer Trail back. It was easy to imagine the vaqueros resting their horses and enjoying the shade of the beautiful trees for a spell. Though the air was cool as I returned to the parking lot, the horse stalls shimmered with the heat rising off the canyon floor.

There are picnic tables and outhouses near the trailer, and ranger Ginny McVickar leads wildflower walks every Saturday at 10 a.m. through May 20. (Bring pocket notebook and pencil.)

Noon to 1 p.m.: On the walls at Tony’s Sea Landing are sundry nautical paraphernalia and murals of underwater scenes. The glass partitions between the booths are etched with scenes of frolicking dolphins and whales. On a ledge overlooking the dining room are life-size gulls and seafaring mateys. Somehow, it all seems tasteful.

As does the sea fare. A cup of Tony’s fish chowder, with garlic bread, was $1.75. In the $6 to $8 range are half a dozen broiled selections, such as catfish and trout; sandwiches, including grilled halibut on sourdough, and squid steak sauteed in “scampi butter” and topped with bay shrimp. Among entrees is blackened swordfish ($12.95). Recent lunch specials included an open-face crab cake burger ($4.95) and foil-wrapped salmon ($8.95).

My view of the Pacific from Skink Vista Point was lost in the haze. Any yearnings I may have harbored were clearly satisfied at Tony’s.

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3-Hour Tour

1. Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park

Oso Parkway near Coto de Caza Drive

(714) 831-2174

Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

2. Tony’s Sea Landing

26032 Marguerite Parkway

(714) 582-8844

Open Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m.

Parking / Buses

Parking: There is ample free parking in lots at both locations.

Buses: OCTA Bus 91 runs north and south on Marguerite Parkway with a stop at Oso Parkway.