South Coast Wilderness Area Parks

ENJOY THE OPEN SPACES

The South Coast Wilderness is a 20,000-acre area in south Orange County, CA, that includes Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, and the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve. The rich biodiversity of the coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion makes the wilderness area a world treasure. While beautiful, this ecoregion is fragile so remember - stay on designated trails and wilderness parks remain closed for two or more days after significant rainfall. See below for additional information on individual parks.

South Coast Wilderness Area Map

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Managed and staffed by OC Parks. Open daily, 7 a.m.-sunset, for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Parking $3; lots open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Volunteers managed by Laguna Canyon Foundation.

Staging Areas:

Willow Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the El Toro Road intersection.

James Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Tollroad.

Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road/SR 133, approximately 5 miles south of I-5/405.

James & Rosemary Nix Nature Center, open daily 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Laguna Heights, trailhead for West Ridge Trail and other routes into Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, located next to Alta Laguna Park in Laguna's Top of the World neighborhood.

Download Park Trail Map

Additional Park Info

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Managed by and staffed by OC Parks. Open daily, 7 a.m.-sunset, for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Parking: $3. Volunteers managed by Laguna Canyon Foundation.

Download Park Trail Map

Additional Park Info

Crystal Cove State Park

Managed by the state, the park is open daily, 6 a.m.-sunset, for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Parking: $10.

El Moro Visitors Center: Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Historic District Tours: 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month. Information: 949-376-6200 or www.crystalcovealliance.org. Book Crystal Cove cottages for overnight stays at www.reserveamerica.com or 800-444-7275.

Additional Park Info

City of Irvine Open Space Preserve South

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy offers docent-led hiking, family programs, wildflower and butterfly hikes, birding, badge program for scouts, sunset picnic hikes and special events. Visit website for current schedule.

Additional Park Info