Outdoor Calendar

Note: Wilderness parks are closed for 48 hours or more after significant rainfall. Parks may be closed due to rain conditions or mud. Call (949) 923-2235 or visit websites for current conditions.

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $15 day-use parking fee.

The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for 9 a.m. most Saturdays and Sundays. Hikes are three to five miles long, and last about two hours.

Note: Hikes meet at one of these locations:

El Moro Visitor Center — from Coast Highway, turn inland at the School/State Park light and follow park signs.

Los Trancos — from Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos. Meet near the trailer.

Pelican Point Lot No. 2 — From Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast.

For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.

Backcountry Hike: 9 a.m. Saturday: Enjoy a guided autumn-into-winter 3-5 mile backcountry hike. Meet at El Moro Visitor Center (turn inland on Coast Highway at stoplight for School-State Park.) $15 day-use parking fee.

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road; reservations and information, (949) 923-2235; https://www.ocparks.com.

Rangers staff the park daily. Open 7 a.m. to sunset daily, including holidays. Parking lot hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To learn more about volunteering or helping Laguna Canyon Foundation to preserve, protect and enhance the South Coast Wilderness, visit https://www.lagunacanyon.org or call (949) 497-8324.

Willow Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the El Toro Road intersection. Open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers on specified trails; open 7 a.m. to sunset, but parking lot is only open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., $3.

Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Toll Road. Open daily 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the 405 Freeway interchange: The James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Laguna Heights, the trail head for West Ridge trail and routes into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, at Top of the World on Alta Laguna Boulevard, is open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset.

Native Plant Hike: 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Learn to identify native plants with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist Nadine Nordstrom (author of the South Coast Wilderness Plant Identification Guide) on this moderate, but steep and rocky, 5-mile hike. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.

Geology Hike: 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday. Enjoy unspoiled canyon views and learn about the geology of this area on this strenuous, 3.5-mile hike (700 ft. elevation gain) over steep and uneven terrain led by Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.

Exploring Biodiversity Hike: 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday. Learn about the diversity of animal and plant species as you explore our ever-changing wilderness on an easy, 1.5-mile, slow and easy hike over rocky and uneven terrain. For ages 12 and older. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Road). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.

Yoga for Kids: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. . Children ages 6 to 10 will explore a fun-filled yoga experience in a wilderness setting with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Please bring a yoga mat, towel and water. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $18 for 6-class series; $3/child drop in.

Junior Ranger Program No. 5 — Hiking in the Park: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday: Take a hike to learn about local plants and animals and how you can “Leave No Trace.” Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Program: $5 per student (includes material fee). Parking is $3.