Laguna Coast Wilderness Park: Big Bend

A lovely train through the canyons. It’s certainly a long incline at first so be prepared to be properly hydrated. Once you make your way up, you get to see nice 360 views of canyons, mountains, Pacific Ocean and Orange County in the distance. Spring is best the time to hike as you get to see a lot of greenery.

One of my favorite hikes in South OC.

There are many beautiful wild flowers here. The scenery is very beautiful. The location is close to the beach. After hiking, go to the beach for a walk, feel the sea breeze, and have a brunch. It is perfect.

Had a wonderful time here. Hiked the Laguna Ridge trail for about an hour. Loved the fact that there was a lot of uphill, curves and different terrain. Got some great shots. The view of the ocean was amazing. Learned about the Pacific Pocket Mouse, didn't see any trash, and people were generally nice and said hello. Word of advise, if going solo and have noise cancelling headphones on; be alert of the cyclist because they come in hot. I took mine off and didn't need music. The breeze was singing a real sweet melody.

A gem with miles of trails. Enjoy ridge top ocean vistas with lightly wooded canyons with sagebrush in between.

Nice trail of different trails. Views overlooking the great park OC. Long Beach area and freeways. Moderate difficult and easy trails available. Quiet and clean for the most part. We enjoy this spot. 3 dollars for all day parking. Nature center available.

Little intense, about 4.7 mile, first half of the trail is high elevation. First 1 Mike too around 25 mins. We liked the view on the top of the trail

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is becoming one of my favorite places to hike. I usually park and go up Big Bend, then down Willow Trail. I added Lizard Trail to my route last time and I highly recommend it! The first part of the trail is rocky and then it becomes a nice stroll through the woods. The parking lot fills up so I recommend coming early. You can use the OC Parks Pass to cover the $3 parking fee.

Yelp directions took me to a gated residential area down the way. I was glad to see I wasn't too far off. 3 dollars to park and several trails. I get lost easily, but here I felt safe. This is a perfect place to hike solo. I saw a bunny cross the hwy wish I would've seen some on the hiking trail. Much needed lovely hike.

Great Wilderness Park! So thankful that others fought to protect this area so we can enjoy this park. Also, a quick shout out to Stefanie who was working the Nix Center service desk this morning. Stefanie was super personable and provided great advice on what hikes to do in the area and informed me of the ranger-guided hikes..

Don't let the reviews fool you. We started in the Willow staging area, and right away were confronted with a tough rugged elevated hill. Make sure your shoes are rugged and have grips on the soles. Lots of wear and tear on the trails due to recent weather but we did it. You will need water, hat or shade, sunscreen and if you have a hiking stick that's a plus! Great workout and definitely not easy. Rattlesnake warnings posted. Enjoy nature!

Such a great place to go hiking! We parked at Willow Staging Area, $3. We started on Laurel Canyon Trail, Laurel Spur, and then Willow Trail Loop. It was moderate-level difficulty and took about 2 hours to complete. Unfortunately, there was no waterfall when we went, but still a wonderful hike immersed in nature! I'd love to explore more trails here.

Amazing hike!! Great scenery!! First time being here. Parking in $3 a day and you can pay with your visa, dollar bills or quarters!! Got there around 0800, started the hike around 0830, finish around 1030. 4.9 miles. Depending on the lot where you parked, the path could be really hard at the beginning (All up hill at once almost) or you can just the path that gradually goes up!! You can also just park at either parking lot and just walk to the other one via a small easy trail depending on what path you want to take. Worth the visit!! There is also lots of mountain bikers so keep an eye out. Make sure to bring a camel bag, it gets hot up there. But it was fun!! By the time that we were leaving around 1100, the parking lot was almost already full. Always people coming and leaving!! Traffic on the 133 around the park gets really busy, specially around those times, people trying to go to the beach further down. Takes some skills to get out jajajaja!!!

For hiking, this is about as scenic as it gets. Based on my experience doing Boat Road Trail (parking is free, but in a neighborhood), I would definitely come back to check out other trails in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. It was a short, sweet trail (2 miles each way) with mostly rocky terrain and a good balance of going up and down. Laguna Ridge has a nice lookout spot, as does the Joseph Sweany Bench. Gorgeous views of Laguna / Newport with a side of exercise! I'd bring visitors who want to hike (but don't do it regularly) here for sure.

Nature area with a ton of hiking/biking trails. There are various trails for different fitness levels, and the maps indicate the level of difficulty. We took the Willow trail to the Bommer trail to Laurel Ridge trail for a large loop that was approximately 5.7 miles. The trails do have steep climbs at certain parts, but are moderate for the most part. The trails are mostly exposed with very little shade. The paths are wide enough for groups to exercise together, and I did note quite a few families with small children. You can see the ocean off in the distance and the breeze can be quite pleasant. The ground is very compact, although note that the Laurel Ridge trail coming down can be a bit technical. Parking lots are available but they fill up quickly; it's likely that you'll need to wait for someone to leave or to try a different lot if you arrive past 9am on a weekend. Otherwise, you can park across the street on the highway, but he sure to read the posted signs. Credit cards are accepted at the pay station ($3 for parking). Porta-potties are available with foot pump sinks. Overall, this place provides lots of opportunities to explore nature and get some fresh air.

Experience the Laguna Coast Wilderness Parks totaling 20,000 acres of protected open space in prime OC territory. Fun to explore! You can become lost if you do not know the trails or have a map & compass or GPS app, i.e., TrailForks and AllTrails are my "go to." Rollin by mountain bike I've explored over and over again the roller-coaster ridges with stellar vistas and dropped into lush, deep coastal canyons covered with native flora and fauna. Wondrous live oak trees (200 years old or more), sycamores, sage, toyon, coffee berry, prickly pear cactus and grasses dominate the terrain. Beautiful wildflowers abound spring and summer. This precious pristine place is preserved for recreation, mostly hikers, bikers and birders. Single track trails and fire roads form a web of trails to wander. Endangered species inhabit the coastal sage scrub like the California gnatcatcher, cactus wren and orange throated whiptail. Mule deer and coyotes can be seen off and on, a bobcat on a occasion, many red tail hawks and I've also seen a mountain lion. Rattlesnakes are around especially on hot summer days. Now I am back in the OC to ride the Santa Cruz fat tires, meeting-up with some buddies - count 'em 16! A strong group of seasoned riders on our outing covered 20 miles with about 2,700 feet of elevation gain. What a rush to see, feel and breath in this pristine natural wonder again by mountain bike. And get a good sweaty workout. Rollin over decomposed granite and sandy trails! Spinning the granny gear on long curvaceous climbs! Popping pop-pop-pop the full suspension fast down and flow through trails with ruts, rocks and borders to hop and be-bop through as fast as you can go! You need riding skills and endurance. Great for intermediate to advanced riders with number of trails for beginners. Come one and all to the OC's best single tracks and most bio-diverse ecosystem to fill-up your passion bucket! Good luck to ever doing it all!

Love the Nix Nature Center, Barbara Lake, and all the cool trails. Sorry there are no dogs allowed. Otherwise awesome. Rangers are helpful & informative. Maps are useful and signage well done. Easy to trail run from Laguna Woods to Coastal Peak and back (around 17 miles). Stay on trails and no using the wildlife tunnel under the 133. Ranger agreed with me that a bridge for wildlife would be best, allowing human use of the underpass. Think faucet to faucet to faucet when doing long summer runs on hot days - Woods Entry, Nix Center, Coastal Peak, Willow Staging Area. Barbara Lake is largest natural lake in OC and perhaps the most attractive. Nix Center explains art that developed in the area (plein air), local geology, local native plants and animals, how the area was saved from developers. Architect who designed the center did an awesome job. Good handicap access. Thanks to everyone who made the park and nature center an amazing reality!

Beautiful trail but very easy to get lost as there are lots of branching trails. It can get very hot out here. Bring plenty of water and use the all trails app if you miss a turn! It's very easy to do and it can add a lot of unplanned mileage. The first time I took this trail was many many years ago and we got really lost and ran out of water. I suggest using a GPS map if you're taking any connecting trails to make your hike longer and/or more challenging. On our more recent hike we did The boat road hike to the water tank to form a loop. We missed a turn and added an extra mile to our hike. The views are beautiful and well worth it. Don't forget a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.

The LC Wilderness Park is easy to find and easy to get to. 3 bucks to park then sign in to the nature center. The people working at nature center are very nice and helpful so don't be shy to ask for input or recommendations. There are multiple trails to choose from but of course my lazy butt chose the shortest easiest trail. Loved walking around Barbara Lake and appreciate that this natural lake in preserved so you can't actually go in the water. I was really surprised (pleasantly) at how open and uncrowded it was there. I only passed 2 other hikers on a beautiful weekend morning. For as many people live in the area this area I was expecting it to be swarming with people. I'd totally recommend this place and look forward to returning soon!

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is one of my go to places to go hiking. Finding the trail's parking lot is a little hard to find at first, so keep a good eye out. Even though the parking lot isn't that big, I always seem to get parking which is nice, and it's awesome how the all day parking pass is only $3! There are different trails, however the "difficult" hiking trail has the perfect amount of steepness so you really feel like you're getting a workout in. The higher you go, the more of a breeze you start to feel from the ocean. The trail will eventually lead you to the beach if you go the right way. Last time I came here, there was an insane amount of flies which were kind of annoying, but it didn't ruin my hike at all. I will just make sure to bring insect repellant next time I come.

Gorgeous hiking grounds! Wow! The immensity if this place. My friend and I came for the first time and saw everyone with hiking boots and hiking sticks. We came in tennis shoes and gym clothes, so we opt for the moderate level trail. It went for one hour. In this hour, there was so much beauty to take in. The cool breeze along with the lightly warm sun felt wonderful! The entire place we had seen had no trash, it was well kept and left in all of it's natural setting. There were clear signs with the trail names placed. The map given was very nice, we were able to check out the trails & their level of difficulty. It is $3 to park. You just go pay it at the machine. Very simple. I can't wait to come back & try other trails!

This place is great for hiking, biking or just strolling around. The customer service in the information area are very friendly and informative. There is a area to sit and enjoy nature near the visitor area. There are clean bathrooms and drinking fountains. Dogs are not allowed

I'm the Duke right now? I'll chalk that up to other Yelpers enjoying being in the moment so much that they forget to check in. Let's go with that. When we come, we usually enter using the Ridge Park Public Access gate at the NW tip of the "panhandle". It's most convenient for us, and there's no charge for parking. In order to take advantage of the park's best attractions, though, you will probably want to go to the Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area, which is convenient to the Nix Nature Center and Barbara's Lake. On our last visit, my wife and I parked at the Willow Staging Area and hiked the Laurel Canyon Trail and Willow Canyon Road, which run right near a waterfall. Check before you go, because the trails are often closed for three days or more following rain. Calling is probably your best bet. Here's a hike ranked "hard" by the Hiking Guy. Are you up to the challenge? https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/hiking-orange-county/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-hike/ I never knew about the rare Laguna Liveforever succulent. Thanks, Hiking Guy! I love having such a great county park so close to where we live. This park is one of Orange County's finest, and I'm looking forward to our next visit. Until then...hail to the Duke, baby.

I love love this park. There are so many trails and loops. I would recommend parking at top of the world park and going down Mathis trail and loop back around on car wreck trail because it's kinda scary going down car wreck trail. Car wreck is probably the steepest and rockiest trail of all the trails there. Watch out for bikers. Most of the trails are not shady. There aren't many trees and shades, unless you hike closer to the creeks. Parking is free and relatively easy to find. Dogs are allow on the easy trails but I've seen people take their dogs on the medium and hard trails too.

Best trails in Orange County. Easy to access and enjoy. Lots of trailheads in Laguna Beach.

7-5-20: Decided to try something new and go hiking for a bit. 1st visit here and it was a good one. The parking lot is accessible via dirt and gravel road so may not want to drive your best vehicle here. The trail was nice and clean. In the matter of minutes you can see views of the valley below. Good amount of wildflowers and catcus to be seen. Saw a squirrel and heard what sounded like rattlesnakes nearby. $3 per car to park which was well worth it.

Lag Coast Wild Park has 5 trails, each with it's own difficulty in terms of gradients. It can be both challenging and tiring hiking steeply up but even more of a challenge getting down as slippage becomes a factor. Make sure to wear shoes/boots with good traction. Also, consider hiking early in the morning (no later than 10amish) depending on the weather forecast. You don't want to be caught in the heat. But since you're by the coast, the cool breeze coming off of the Pac O certainly helps. Ok, so let's get to it. Starting from the northern most part of the 133fwy and heading south until the 133fwy turns into Broadway and brings you into the heart of the city; which ends at Main Beach. Please note: None of the trails are on Broadway, so if you find yourself there, you've gone too far... Good news is that they are easily seen as you're heading south towards the beach. 1. Trail One: Little Sycamore Here you'll learn about the park, it's wildlife and all that other stuff. It's the only place where you'll find restrooms and the Nature Center, staffed with rangers. It's VERY steep at certain parts. Not for the those looking for a nice stroll. Difficulty: Hardcore 2. Trail Two: Stagecoach South It's a narrow trail approx 2-3ft cutouts. What's nice about this is that it more or less has very casual curves that go up, gently to peaks and then come down, just as gently. At its highest point, you'll see a panoramic view of the Lag Coast Wild Park. Difficulty: Medium 3. Trail Three: Laurel Canyon This trail parallels parts of the 133fwy and eventually leads away from it going into a tranquil and quiet meadow. Locals know that this is the spot to hike about a day or three after a medium/heavy SoCal rainfall because the waterfall starts to churn in some work. Keep in mind that although most of the trail is gentle, there are parts in where there are rocks to climb. Difficulty: Medium-hard 4. Trail 4: Willow Canyon A challenging trail which can be accessed from the same same parking lot as Laurel Canyon. You'll see a lot of wildflowers, birds, butterflies, and sometimes rabbits. Once you reach the top of the Bommer ridge you'll see a pretty exciting view of the Pacific Ocean. Difficulty: Hard 5. Trail Five: Big-Bend This is a difficult trail with sharp steep inclines. But immediate views of the Pacific Ocean. Make sure you're warmed up, stretched, and carry your hiking gear as shis trail doesn't ease into letting you know about the inclines either, it simply allows you to walk a short distance and then thrusts you into the extreme hiking challenge. Not for the faint of heart. You'll know when you see it because as you look at the trail from the bottom all the way to its near peak and begin to think: "That must be some type of other trail which intersects Big Bend because that looks as if a person would almost need to scale the mountain to get up there so quickly..." Nope. Wrong. That's Big Bend and you're on that correct trail. This trail does offer some pretty awesome views of the Pacific Ocean and is worth it, you just need to make sure you're in shape and prepared for the challenge.

SPRING 2019 No regrets from choosing this hike over the super bloom at Lake Elsinore - it was worth the drive from LA! The park was exceptionally green thanks to a wet SoCal winter and was filled with patches of wildflowers that grew throughout the trail in clusters of orange, white, yellow, and purple! The park ranger at the Nix Nature Center told us to go on these following trails (in order): Little Sycamore to Serrano Ridge to Camarillo Canyon Rd to Stagecoach. This was roughly a 5 mile hike, which took my bf and I about 2.5 hours to complete. For the most part, the hike was pretty easy with the exception of Little Sycamore, where you'll need to have a pair of hiking shoes with good traction! This was the most challenging part since it involved hiking up a rocky incline filled with scattered pebbles/rocks. The Serrano Ridge was my favorite part of the hike since it was flat and offered a scenic overlook of the OC. At the end of our hike, we also visited Barbara's Lake (an additional 1 mile round trip), which wasn't anything spectacular. Highly recommend if you're looking for an enjoyable, casual hike! Make sure to wear a hat/cap and lather on sunblock because there's little shade and trees along the route...

This address is a bit confusing. It's not clear what direction to go in, and I ended up walking along the freeway for a good 40 mins until I was able to find a hiking trail. If you come here, u should follow up on the tips that ppl posted. I made the mistake of assuming I'll find the lake that someone posted if I go down the route everyone else is going down. I was disappointed after seeing how good reviews there are, and yet it wasn't clear what direction is the lake. There wasn't a map located at the address's parking lot that's listed here. Also to note, I saw others on the same trail and asked if there's a lake in the direction that we were going in and they said no and looked as if I was in the wrong place. So just a warning for those who r looking for the lake that people posted.

We hiked here this morning and had an enjoyable time. We got started at 8 am and it was already bright and hot and felt like a summer day. The sign at the parking gate says they open at 8, but maybe since there was a line of cars waiting they opened up early at 7:45. Parking is $3 but some losers vandalized/burglarized the kiosk so the rangers didn't have us pay, we just had to sign in. The helpful, energetic, knowledgeable female ranger working at the Nix nature center asked us how long of a hike that we wanted to do and mapped it out for us and gave us a lot of helpful info. that was appreciated. Great 1st impression. We did Little Sycamore to Serrano Ridge to Camarillo Canyon to Stagecoach South back to the center and then we went under the 133 to see Barbara's Lake. The trail started off with incline but it wasn't too overwhelming. It is rather flat on Serrano Ridge and then some up and down the rest of the way. There are some nice views and greener and more colorful than we expected. The ranger told us that the lake is the only natural lake in Orange County...pretty cool! The trails are well-marked and with the map it is easy to get around. There are people hiking/running and mountain biking but it never feels crowded. We did about 6 miles and it was a good workout that took about 2.5 hours.

Very easy fun hikes! I have been missed the smiley rock. Biker said "PAC man". Everyone names different. On September 16, 2020, I just want to see the smiley and arrived the parking lot at 4:20 pm. Paid fee and started hiking to see the rock. I backed from the rock at 4:54 pm. There's park rangers showed up and announced it'll close at 5. If you rush to hiking, please come back at least 4:55pm.

Best desert stule trail so far. Very well labeled, and amazing climbs. My wife, son and I decided to give this trail a try after visiting runyon trail in Los Angeles. Thank god we found this one. We did well. I had a t-shiet and shorts, tennins shoes. My son is a hiker in training and he was a little more prepared than We were. We started fine, however as the sun came up, its started burning a little. Just remember to wear sun screen, have hiking sticks, hat, long sleeve and long pants and hiking shoes. BRING PLENTY OF WATER and protein bars. Staff were very friendly. We took one hard trail, three moderate and an easy one. Easy day.

Beautiful place to hike during March. The weather was perfect because it was not hot at all and the perfect breeze was flowing thru the trails to help keep you cool after the brutal hike up Big Bend. It took us about 3 hours to complete. When we got up to the top we had great views of the ocean and Catalina Island. Be careful as there are quite a few cyclists that tend to ride pretty swiftly throughout all trails.

Another reason why Orange County is the best place to live! We pass this gem of a place all the time when we are on the 133. We finally made it a plan to make 2015 "twothousandFITeen," and hike at least once a weekend. We got here pretty early. The Nix center was still closed so we were pretty much just winged it on which trail to start off with. Parking was easy, it was about 8:30 and there were a few open spots... I am sure the later it is the worse it gets so be prepared for that. They have a very small lot. There is a pay station where it is $3.00 or if you have one of those handy dandy OCPark annual passes you just stick your card in there and you get a ticket for the whole day. :) The hikes can take a very long time depending on what path you choose. This particular time we chose to go up Little Sycamore to Serrano to West canyon to Stagecoach North and made a Right at post 34 to lead us back to the Nix Center where the parking lot is. We were able to take a look inside the center which was very cool! They had a few pamphlets and some interactive stuff you can go through and learn more about the area. They are also very helpful there. They are there to answer any question you have whether it be what's around the area or what trail to take for beautiful scenery, or easy kid trails to very vigorous trails. There is also a sign in sheet in case of emergency they know you checked in... Just in case! There are so many places you can go for free or just a couple dollars to get out and move around. So nice to be outside and be able to smell the fresh air and not be inside a gym. Such a great change of pace. So go out, make it count... Happy Hiking!

5-plus mile hike from Nix Nature Center (Laguna Beach) to Quail Trail (Irvine)... The trek may... Question your sanity (wtf was I thinking?!) Confirm your insanity (I hate everybody!) then finally, Reward you with a sense of euphoria (omg! I did it! Let's do again) #TRUST #JUSTDOIT Bring plenty of water (at least 1 liter bottle per person) Rocky / dirt paths; seemingly endless elevations (wear grippy hiking shoes)

This hike is just A-OKay in my opinion. It's fairly easy, about 3.5 miles round trip. This of course depends on what route you take and I am sure you can make it longer, but the main of it is just 3.5 miles. There is barely any up hill paths, NO shade, and pretty darn dry. I came here with a group of girls one morning around 7 am. We got lucky because it was a cooler day and cloudy out. We parked on the James Dilley side (east) parking lot. It's a gravel parking lot so get your car prepared. Parking is 3 bucks which is lame because the hike isn't even that long. There is no way you'd be there for more than 3 hours unless you took cray amounts of breaks and did a picnic. We were done in a hour and a half. The only thing really to see on this hike is a lake. It's pretty, I guess, but would I come back JUST to see the lake? NO. I am used to hiking an average of 10 miles with a lot of steep paths and nice views and just FUN hikes. This one didn't do it for me. I barely even broke a sweat. I wouldn't come back unless I was feeling lazy one morning and just wanted to get an easy workout in. If you don't really workout much, then this hike is for you. I would rate is as VERY easy. But I work out all the time and am an avid hiker. Soooo maybe don't listen to me ;)

Beautiful views all around. Nice variety of trails for all levels. Kids and I did a quick 2 mile hike. Lots of different plants and animals all around. Dirt and rock paths. We will definitely go back and try another trail. Nice little nature center for the kids to learn about the area. $3 parking

This place is so diverse! There's multiple locations that you can start at, and so many trails that connect to each other. I would recommend stopping by the Nix Nature Center, taking a look at the map, and decide which hike you want to take. I explored two different sections: 1) Started at the Nix center, right off of the 133. From there I went up Little Sycamore, went left on Serrano, continued up (past Camarillo), under the 72 to Upper Laurel, onto Laurel Canyon Hike, then left onto Stagecoach South Trail, which eventually led back to the Nix Center parking lot. This was around 8 miles overall. This was a fairly easy hike, you're out in the open in the beginning, then you go into the canyon at the Upper Laurel Trail. You then end up back in the open at Stagecoach. Start early and wear sunscreen! This is a hike that gives you the canyon and foresty vibe. 2) Started at the Big Bend Trail Parking (#20 on the map). Went up Big Bend, then left on Bommer Ridge, onto Boat Road, all the way to the end at Spr Ridge. You stop there, then go back the way you came. Total also came out to be around 8 miles. If you're looking for the hike that takes you to the coast, then this is it! It's also VERY steep in the beginning on Big Bend. I believe you can start in the neighborhood as the other reviews say for an easier hike for a coastal view. It's completely out in the open, no shade at all. You can take other trails as well, and you want to be on the lookout for other people and especially bikers. Designated parking spots are $3, they take both cash and card. The downside is the lots don't open until 8AM, so you have to park on the streets to avoid the sun beating down on you.

Awesome mtb trails and amazing views of the coast, the mountains, and most of south OC

The fact that this park has over 700 acres of land and countless trails is a hikers dream. With that being said it is also very easy to get lost here, so always play it safe and pay attention to trail names and use the map. I LOVE this location and find it to be one of the great perks of living in the OC.

Wanted to see the poppies but didn't want to drive out to chino or walker canyon so thought this may be a good alternative. Got a nice work out in and once you get to the top You do have a great view of the ocean - but lists of mountain bikers to contend with on some narrow paths. Didn't see any poppies and wasn't that pretty - but got a good walk in. Will do in a pinch...but probably won't go there again. The ranger was great - and parking is cheap so that's why it's a 4 star.

Not to going to lie, this review is very biased because I am out of shape from being isolated for months during these times of 'rona. My sister and I came to this park at 8 am to hike along the Big Bend trail. I didn't think too much of the name since my sister said that the trail was a "moderate" level of a hike (according to alltrails.com) but we were struggling to even breathe trying to hike up the first mile of the trail. No wonder it's called the Big Bend. We both had to stop a few times to control our breathing and we both experienced getting some weird chills going down our bodies. Luckily we didn't pass out and get carried by a chopper (even though when you are hiking this monster, you badly want to get carried by someone). Even the map of the park labeled this trail being a "difficult" level NOT moderate (alltrails.com are a bunch of liars). Mind you, the elevation is almost 1000 feet so it is a VERY steep walk. Anyways, the people here are either very sweet or jerks to you. Lots of people say hello while they pass by you. Few wore their masks though. But be wary of assholes who loudly brag about making it to the top without needing to recover after they see you and your sister practically dying. And also be warned that there are yolked out Olympian looking bikers who might run you over. The texture of the ground itself is also not the best so be careful of slippage and bring shoes with a good grip. Also bring a hat! There are no trees that provide shade in this area. Maybe when I'm in better shape and I have the calves and lungs of a God, I'll come back and give this another review. But I do not plan to come back to the Big Bend trail anytime soon.

Hubby and me time on 1/22/21. We went up Big Bend, around Bommer Trail, then down Laguna Ridge. Wow, what a burn. Great work out during the inclines, but good time to catch your breath and enjoy the scenery during the plateaued walks. Very picturesque, even during the winter months. Great views of the hills, the city, and the ocean's horizon. Watch out for the cyclists, and mountain lions! It's easier for you to get out of the way than it is for them to slow down (cyclists). We saw a lot of fur-filled waste. These mountain lions are well fed. Had some videos of a bunny, hawk, and paw prints but I can only upload pix. Lots of carved out rocks which could be dens? I highly encourage you to use the All Trails app so you don't get lost on one of the branches off trails. It was a cloudy day, which was welcomed since the hike isn't very shaded. Did 5.7 miles with an elevation gain today of 1,138 ft.

Not really a big hike trail fan but this made me fall in love with the hiking lifestyle. It's a somewhat difficult incline of 30 degrees for half of the time but the view is worth it. It plateaus at the top for a rewarding stroll. As someone who is pretty sedentary, this hike is perfect for those beginners looking for a challenge.

You have to pay $3 for parking so beware. They take CC just in case you forget cash. You pay the machine then you leave it on your dashboard for rangers to see. Don't forget to grab a map so you can figure out which trail you want to explore! I really like coming here. It's serene, peaceful, and not crowded at all. Only thing that could top it off would be a view of the ocean but hey, we can't always get what we want. Located off the 133 fwy, this place is easy to find and is such a gem. There are many trails that go around the mountains and can be long or short depending on your mood. The trail is rigorous and quite long (I think I've hiked at least 4 miles?) if you decide to go all the way around so bring some water and comfy shoes with tread. It can get slippery on wet or dry days.

All nature centers deserve some stars for the work they do. My down rating is because I found the roads leading to the Center dangerous and just an accident waiting to happen. Coming from the South on Laguna Canyon road, the road quickly transitions from 45 mph to 55-65 mph, essentially the highway 133. This requires drivers to speed up then slow down quickly to get into the left lane to turn into a small island to cross 133. To cross it requires crossing a freeway with cars coming up on a crest and then down. In the first part, cars behind may not brake fast enough as one slows down; in the second, cars coming up the hill naturally cannot spot your car crossing early on and they're coming down the hill at appropriate highway speeds. (Coming to the nature center from the North is a toll road.) My suggestion is the powers that be should work to slow cars around the center or post traffic lights. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for traffic dangers to be taken seriously until someone is seriously injured or killed. ( I have worked in ERs.) ( The same issues apply to the James Dilly greenbelt nearby. OK to park there but there is no alternative to head south out of there're without making the same dangerous u-turn.)

We love Laguna and this wilderness park is an added benefit! Variety of trails for all skill level. Parking is easy and we have the all access parking pass to all Orange County Parks. Beautiful views of the ocean while walking through wildlife. ‍

DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED. Please stop bringing your dogs to the only wilderness we have left. The dogs' behavior (chasing animals and barking) and scent (dander and urine/feces) change the natural behavior of NATIVE animals and can cause damage to the ecosystem. Local naturalists and rangers would be happy to explain this in further detail. The lack of respect that our nature preserves get really breaks my heart these days.

LCWP isn't all that easy to find unless you've been there before. That said, it's worth finding ;-) My friend and I did a ten-mile hike, including some pretty steep elevation changes during the route. My favorite part of the trail is lined with sycamore trees; it's looks quite different than most of the hiking venues I've been to in OC. While overall it IS worth finding, this trail is adjacent to the 73 freeway in several spots, so it's not as quiet and peaceful as a truly good outdoor venue should be.

Now THIS is a great place to get a good workout for a hike. I've been all over Orange County, and this is by far one of the more difficult hikes, which I loved! To find the parking lot next to the Nix Nature Center, hang right on the main road and watch for the signs - the lot sneaks up quick and if you miss it, you'll have to loop around to get back to it. Also, parking is $3 - not too bad to maintain the trails! Also, be sure to check in at the Nature Center - you can pick up maps of the trails, see recent sightings, speak with the staff, and put down a phone number and indicate the amount of people you came with so they have that on file. The parking lot closes at 5pm. The trail that we took was Little Sycamore Canyon - Serrano Ridge - Camarillo Canyon - Stagecoach South (about a 10mi loop). It was a pretty strenuous hike up the mountain - not gonna lie. The trails themselves don't have that much width to them, so be sure to watch for bikers and wear shoes with good grip to avoid sliding down the mountain. The trail that we took was pretty secluded - throughout the entire loop we only saw two groups of bikers and like 5 other hikers. There's a great view at the top of both cities and nature, and the landscape itself seems to change as the trails progress, going from rocky and more mountainous to a more plain-like landscape, then back to more mountainous terrain before looping back to the parking lot. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=wL7J5MjNOgBc40uDFINlRA#wL7J5MjNOgBc40uDFINlRA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=wL7J5MjNOgBc40uDFINlRA#86B-Dm2Odt1WLnEKcude4w http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=wL7J5MjNOgBc40uDFINlRA#oxwf2JT9hCaDH6aa4HHEHA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=wL7J5MjNOgBc40uDFINlRA#Zresh221QZEw7rcuSw_t8w http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=wL7J5MjNOgBc40uDFINlRA#c95mSyqshZxqLPc75slQbg Great views, good workout, and a rush to get back to the car before 5pm - made for an excellent post-Thanksgiving calorie burn!

Of course, leave it to my friend and I to hike here on the hottest day of summer. It was so hot that the parking machine wasn't working. Haha jk, idk the real reason why we didn't have to pay for parking but I'll take it!! Truly grateful trail maps are provided and the staff in the Nature Center is super sweet and helpful. She recommended the loop to start, which we did, and then explored from there. Very nicely packed dirt paths. You won't find too many hills, steep inclines, or loose gravel unless you go out searching for them. Sadly, we weren't impressed by the lake. On a positive note, we had the ENTIRE wilderness park to ourselves. We didn't see any other hiker or bikers. Not sure if we missed the memo or if we just were the only dumbies to hike in that heat. Good place to come if you are a beginner or want an easy hike while admiring your surroundings.

----------REVIEW FOR THE BIG BEND TRAILS---------- (Laguna Wilderness Parks encompass a very large area including five different trail-heads: Nix / Little Sycamore, James Dilley Greenbelt Preserve, Willow Canyon, Big Bend, and Top of the World. It is my goal to hike them all and bring you trail reviews to help plan your future hikes!) "The the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson (taken from trail sign) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#mJ_gxcQLpeqLljbAWzxtQw Big Bend is not for the faint of heart. Literally. This series of trails boasts some of the most difficult climbs and terrain of ALL Orange and LA County hikes I have visited to date... and I have visited a bunch! According to my phone hiking app, we ascended 963 feet in the first 1.3 miles alone. There are two killer hills that you arrive at pretty much from the start of the Big Bend Trailhead. Come and take a walk with me: Foot of the first incline: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#OY3fOvKg_sggbWlv5ZhuxQ At the top of where the last photo was taken: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#MqLsh1nM44otHxD8LmSx_A Whew! Time to rest? Haha. No. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#nFrA8XTv3jfuteLtO7l1Og YAY! A break! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#yryikJHA4JVhhI1N4Xbi0w Then I walked a few feet. D'oh! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#8rpO9rsxt7lA5LAfkUR4xQ I figured it would be more relaxing to look back from where I came from: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#WC6q6f2zaCJV1ZmpTeBjLQ Because Holy Mother of God, this is the view from where I currently stood: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#VAq5d8euoZyzsH5ViJIB1g We met an awesome couple who were going very fast and smoking us: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#X-HQvgRMGDEWv6Xdpzg0Gw So I thought to myself, "FINALLY! We're at the top!" Oh but no.... no we were not: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#NLinJd52-B4jYGXyTCF1Dg If Big Bend had a middle finger, this would be it: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#y4yBQHpEftk9Ew84E2pzNA So ok.... I get to the top in once piece... albeit panting, wheezing and sweating puddles. We are so high up, however, that we are rewarded with stunning views. We even saw clear out to Catalina Island: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#2nxCcUYjUlVl0YQzLv5aaA The Bommer Ridge trail skirts the mountain ridge and an awesome sea breeze whisks all the prior suffering away. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#ztNkK4JJp60d7lqLudGJgA A vast network of trails lead all the way to the ocean: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#uR4nJkpjRORLr2ZP6H_X_A Time to head back: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#Av4kJu7YZ3YI_aHOyiOgiw What goes up, must come down: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#h8pZcumr8QfWtG73DDdi7Q Now I know why that couple who passed us earlier had walking sticks. I took quite a spill and landed square on my rump here: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#D785EHa9g0VaNTbKMHHogQ At the end of the trail, I saw this interesting structure. My guess is it is to protect the very nearby Laguna Canyon Hwy from rock-slides: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/laguna-coast-wilderness-park-laguna-beach?select=yqjKIELYWWb7scKMBqf84g#tH_cv-zdz8lHy20rO0zTlg Anyway, what I loved: 1. Amazingly challenging trails 2. Stunning views at the summit 3. Relaxing sea breeze 4. Different terrains make it interesting 5. Views of ocean, valleys, and more peaks TIPS and ADVICE: -- This is not your "normal" easy hike. A walking stick definitely helps. -- Water and lots of it. In a backpack. You'll need free hands. -- Shoes with traction. For real. Don't attempt otherwise. -- A Camera! For amazing photos!!

Drive just a minute or two on the 133 from the 405, and you're there, in truly beautiful, all natural, old California. Barbara's Lake, Orange County's only natural lake, frequently has stunning bird sightings. The rest of the park has many native bird species, rattlesnakes, labeled local flora with smartphone descriptions, and trails and trails and trails from mild to pretty grueling. The cost to park is $3, which can be paid at the machines in cash or by credit card. Some of the trails are frequented by mountain bikers, and the trails can get fairly technical in spots. If you are looking for a great place to get 10,000 steps in on your Fitbit, this is the place. Great views of OC on the ridges.

First time here and absolutely loved it! I read the reviews and glad I did because the check in area opens at 8AM. It's not recommended to start any earlier. I love the fact that you sign in so they can account for you and your party in case of an emergency. Paying $3 for parking is worth it because it's right there. 2 lots so if the first one is full keep driving ahead and there is signage for additional parking. The trail varies. There are some steep hills and then it balances out with time to rest before you hit more steep areas. It's not too rocky but for the few areas that are filled with rocks, it's a short distance and be prepared to use your hands to balance. Very clean trails and even though I have pets, it make a difference not allowing dogs on the trails. We did the moderate trail and will return to challenge ourselves with the others. I love the fact that the park ranger asked which we were interested in and since unfamiliar he drew out the map and advised on the differences in intensity. Very helpful! We were told it can get pretty crowded so arriving shortly within the hour of 8AM is recommended. Awesome trails, awesome scenery.

The trails here are beautiful! Parking is $3.00, so not bad at all. I took the Big Bend Loop hike, and let me tell ya... I though my fat ass was going to pass out going up that incline... But I made it! I say the first 45 minutes of this hike is the toughest since you are just going uphill, but get past that and it's a breathtaking view and a great hike. I would say it takes about 3 to 4 hours to go around. I have tiny little legs so more on the 4 hour side for me, lol! Make sure you take lots of water and put on plenty of sunscreen. Also, the potties are kept pretty clean, and they even have seat protectors.

I wish I was more prepared like other things I usually get myself into. The drive there isn't too complicated and there is plenty of parking. You need to pay for parking by the machine ($3). Even at the bottom of the trail, the weather here is HOT. As I wasn't completely unprepared, I brought a water bottle with me and my wallet/keys. The noob mistake was forgetting to bring a backpack to store my things so I had to hold them in my two hands. This was pretty annoying because I like to walk with free hands. I went on this hike alone and it was scary at first because I kept hearing noises in the bushes which crept me up. I got used to the noises after a while that it didn't bother me anymore. Prior to walking, I read reviews saying the trails could get steep and slippery. I took the Little Sycamore Trail which I believe is the trail people were talking about. The trails were steep and it was quite a workout. There's a couple of trails to overcome. Sadly, I didn't finish the trail. I turned around when the trail got VERY VERY narrow and trees and bushes were sticking into the trail. I didn't really feel comfortable as I was doing this alone so I turned back. Be careful going down the steep because it is very slippery. I found going down harder than going up because of the lack of traction and control. I didn't realize how hot it was until I got to the car and was constantly sweating even with the AC. I really enjoyed the scenery of this park. It was very nature and wilderness like. There's many little creatures and random plants around for you to look. I wish I could've went further and explored more. ^____^

During an all-too-brief break from the surface of the sun known as AZ in summertime, I headed back to OC and met up with a friend to do a little hiking. When asked where I wanted to go, my requests were: - 5-6 miles in length - scenery with color - both hills for cardio work and flat sections so we could chat as we hiked We chose Laguna Coast Wilderness park, which contains over 40 miles of trails within its 7,000 acres. While we did not cover anywhere near all 40 of those miles during the visit, I did get a nice sample of what this area has to offer. The approximately 6 mile loop consisting of Little Sycamore Canyon/Serrano Ridge/Camarillo Canyon Road/Stagecoach South Trail we covered definitely fit all of my requirements and more! The route took us through beautiful wildflowers, climbs and descents, as well as views of valleys, Aliso Viejo McMansions and even a rattlesnake sighting! By the end of our hike we were dusty sweaty and tired. Perfect! Post-hike adult beverage? Yes, please! I am looking forward to my next visit to LCWP, to one of the many trails with ocean views.

I parked on the James Dilley side (east) parking lot. From the deserted nature of the gravel parking lot, the lack of shade, and the tons of rattlesnakes, I would not recommend this http://www.caopenspace.org/barbaraslake.html hike to anyone. Step one: drive onto the dirt path onto a gravel parking lot, spend 3 dollars. Step two: read the various warning signs, incluing the tick warning. Tuck pants into socks. check. Step three: sign in so people know you're on the trail. See that no one else was there that day. check. Not even 10 minutes onto the trail, I saw 2 rattlesnakes. I turned around and left. F-this place.