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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

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Note: Fire season has begun! Please stay alert in wilderness parks and report any suspicious activity to park staff.

  • There will be a bird walk at Wood Canyon, Saturday, Aug. 4, 8-10 a.m. Amateur and serious birders alike will meet at the entrance to the park 10 minutes before 8 a.m. Wear walking shoes and bring water and binoculars. Seeing the blue grosbeak would be a highlight.
  • There is no cost for the walk led by John Heussenstamm. If you would like more information, e-mail John at johnsguitar@hotmail.com.

    CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

    Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $10 day-use parking fee.

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    The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for most Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. Hikes are 3- to 5 miles and last about two hours. Note: All hikes meet at the El Moro Visitor Center (from Coast Highway, turn inland at light for School/State Park, follow park signs), unless otherwise indicated. Information: (949) 497-7647 or via e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.

  • Tidepool Walk, 8 a.m. Saturday. Meet at Pelican Point Lot #2. From Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast.
  • Geology Walk, 9 a.m. Sunday. Meet at Los Trancos staging area. From Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos.
  • Nature Walk, 10 a.m. Tuesday.
  • Historic District guided tours are held on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. The free tours have expanded by adding a plein-air artist demonstration at the conclusion of each tour. The walking begins at 10 a.m. across from the Historic District in the Los Trancos parking lot at Coast Highway.
  • No reservations are required; for more information, visit www.crystalcovealliance.org.

    LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

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

    Rangers staff the park daily. Open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset, including holidays. Parking lot hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    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 4 p.m., $3.

    Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Tollroad: Open daily 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the I-405 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 4 p.m.

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

    ALISO AND WOOD CANYONS

    Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel; (949) 923-2200; www.ocparks.com: Open daily all year, 7 a.m. to sunset, for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians; parking, $3.

    Orange County rangers and a groundskeeper staff the park daily; free 30-minute ranger-led Discovery Hike offered each second and fourth Saturday at noon. Orange County Natural History Museum located at the park entrance; call before visiting to confirm museum is open. (949) 831-3287.

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