The Back Bay Loop Trail is one of the best spots in Orange County for scenic views and outdoor…read moreactivity. Whether you're into hiking, biking, or running, this trail is a great option for all levels. It's especially beginner-friendly since there's very little elevation gain or loss. However, it is on the longer side, so I recommend coming prepared for a bit of distance. The views definitely make it worth it though. You can always ditch and go back to your car at any point if you find the hike too long. One of my favorite parts is that there are some great coffee shops you can stop by near different access points along the loop. The area also feels very safe. Overall, this is a perfect go-to trail if you're looking for something scenic and easy.

so glad I found this trail to skate at!! Views are…read morebeautiful and I'm moving to the area in 2 years and needed to find a new spot to skate. And parking is freeeeeee YERRRRRRRR

No tickets needed, it's free. It is an amazing view. It's one of my fav places to visit, read a…read morebook, chill, party, or hangout with some friends. Also very romantic for a date spot. Watch out for mountain lions at night!

Came here with my daughter and her friend, went on hiking trails, this place is absolute to go…read moreplace for a walk, hiking and there also has a small park where you can take kids to play. This place has an amazing view and lots of trails for you to go walking and hiking as well. Theres plenty of parking, rite next to the park and it has restroom as well. It's a free parking. Some places you can park on the street and hike up.

Today I drove down from Los Angeles to visit these beautiful trails. I wanted something peaceful…read more The trail was quite sunny at 9 AM so I was a little bit disappointed at that. Make sure you wear a hat. The weather was lovely though overall because there was a breeze coming in from the ocean. The biggest disappointment was that there were several E bike riders and not only were they loud but very fast and disruptive. There is a sign that says no E bikes, but nobody was enforcing that.

Excellent hiking trails with vast ocean views, great birding opportunities, and access to the…read morelovely Crystal Cove beach after your hike - very nice place to enjoy nature and get some fresh air! I could even see all the way to Catalina last time I visited. The El Moro Canyon trails are found inside Crystal Cove State Park and there are quite a few of them. They're well maintained with lots of info signs so they're easy to follow - but they're also all on AllTrails. I did the Short Loop Trail on my last visit which ended up being just over 3 miles long with 500 feet elevation gain. Most of the gain is in the first part as you take the "Poles" cut through and it's a real butt burner - but fun and worth it! A great workout. The birding is excellent here - you get a nice mix of riparian habitat and coastal birds as well. After my hike, I relaxed at the beach a bit and it was a lovely way to wind down. There are some tide pools at the north end and plenty of space to relax on the sand as well. There's a pedestrian underpass to get to the beach so you don't have to cross busy Hwy 1 - and this is the most unpleasant part of the park - you have to wade through some pretty icky standing water to get to the beach. It's ankle to calf deep and the ground is very uneven so I highly recommend water shoes - who knows what's submerged in there :P But everything else about the park is great - lots of clean bathrooms, outdoor showers to rinse off the salt and sand, shaded picnic tables, a huge amphitheater, and plenty of paved parking. Day use fee is $15 and you can pay by QR code or at the entrance.

What an amazing day we had. I was there with my church Calvary chapel Chino Hills to get baptize…read more It was wonderful to see many people there . Parking was thigh. The Brea h was clean and perfect for the day .

It's all about rocks and caves. And a hidden cove?…read more Instagram and TikTok have probably made this once obscure beach in Corona del Mar way too popular, but back in the day, while the parents were beachgoing at nearby Corona del Mar State Beach, we preteens and early teenagers were exploring the caves at Pirate's Cove and scrambling all over the sometimes dangerous rocks. But our moms weren't within eyesight or earshot, so we ran and climbed and splashed and wrestled. It felt like every time I came here, I cut my hands or arms or shins on the rocks, but I didn't care, because I was learning independence, and I didn't dare complain in front of my friends. The sandy part of the beach itself can get completely swallowed by the high tide, so plan ahead. The Newport Harbor Jetty (and, to a lesser extent, the CDM State Beach Jetty) protect(s) the beach from waves, so there's no real bodyboarding or bodysurfing to be had. That's probably a good thing, too, because these rocks would be treacherous if this beach weren't completely enclosed within Newport Bay's entrance channel. The metal fences separating the deeper parts of the caves always scared me. I realized the fencing was to prevent children from getting where adults couldn't fit, because high tides could mean drowning or otherwise getting hurt, but it was still spooky. I believe my friend Michael tried to bend back the metal, but he couldn't, despite how rusty and old it seemed. The stairs down to the beach are much nicer and sturdier than they used to be. Otherwise, it looks and feels the same as it did thirty-five years ago.

The Pacific Ridge trail which begins in a residential area in Laguna, will take you directly to…read moreCrystal Cove. It is a great hike as the views it provides are spectacular, even on a foggy day. Be warned, it is also very challenging, as it is a lot of uphill and downhill movement. It takes about 2 hours to get down to Crystal Cove which is around 4.5 miles but the views are incredible. It takes you to a section of the beach that is very secluded and lovely. It makes it feel all the more rewarding :)

Solid trail up in the Newport Coast Neighborhood of Pacific Ridge. Free parking if you park at the…read morepark or on the street. I would say a medium difficulty overall. I loved the variety of a different trail options and on a clear day you definitely have an ocean view. A highly recommended trail.

Love this small beach community with a rich Japanese American history. We were here for the…read moreJapanese American culture day in June. We were told to get there early before the Los Trancos parking lot is full. We got there on a Saturday around 10:30am and there was only one row in the back with open spots. We opted to take the short walk downhill to the beach rather than wait to take the shuttle. It was a nice walk and there's a cool tunnel along the way too. The visitor center and gift shop were very nice. Everyone working there was super friendly and knowledgeable. You can tell they love their jobs. The beautiful beach was busy but clean. There's a nice restaurant there with great Bloody Mary's and food. It does get busy on the weekends.

Gorgeous park with tons of trails that all interconnect and have stunning views of the ocean!…read moreTrails are well maintained, no trash anywhere and brush sits off trails. They have both wide fire roads and single track roads that you can choose from, with varying levels of difficulty. Everything was well marked, and didn't see too many people when I went. Lots of wildflowers and native brush everywhere, glad to see it hasn't been overrun with the invasives like many other parks throughout OC.

I come here often, and this time I brought a friend who was visiting for the first time. We arrived…read morea bit late around 8am and couldn't find street or trailhead parking, so we ended up parking in the back lot. Not a huge issue, but something to keep in mind if you're coming later in the morning. The walk/hike itself was easy and enjoyable, with small side trails throughout the preserve that offer great vantage points of the Back Bay. We walked part of the loop toward Castaways Park and back, and really enjoyed the views of the bay along with the beautiful mansions along the way. We made a quick stop at the interpretive center to use the restroom, which was nice and pretty clean. There's also a water refill station inside, and we appreciated being able to sit on the benches and cool off for a bit before heading back out into the heat. Overall, it was a very productive and relaxing walk--great views, easy terrain, and plenty of time for good conversation. We'll definitely be back, especially since it's so close to one of my favorite matcha latte spots, Coffee Dose.

Great location when you need a easy stroll with a beautiful view. The parking lot can't get busy…read moreduring the weekends. So you may have to park on the streets. You can go in either direction and there is a trail to follow. Beautiful views so you can't beat it. Easy trail

Oops my secret is out! This is probably one of my most favorite spot to go for a walk or a mini…read morehike! Even better, if you're there when it's sunny because the ocean views are breathtaking!! This is also dog friendly since there are poop bags provided at intermittent part of the trail. Please keep in mind that this is in a neighborhood so there will be houses really close to the trail (almost like we're in their backyard) and private property that you can't enter. There are signs to guide you so just stick to the signs and you'll be ok.

Hidden gem in LN. Quick hike around the area to the park area to see the interesting…read moregeology/history. Hike also wraps around the mountain side, giving you a view of the ocean.