The Great Outdoors in Orange County, California



Deer Canyon Preserve/Park 7502 North Hollow Oak Road, Anaheim, California A secret garden of wildflowers, chirping birds and unspoiled landscape, this 103- acre wilderness area of hilly terrain, is suitable for short hikes, mountain biking and equestrian use. A network of nature trails are marked to view the natural stream and surrounding wilderness. Featherly Regional Park 24001 Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim, California 92808 / 714-637-0210 Surrounded by the serenity of Santa Ana Canyon, this park’s camping sites for families and youth groups offer an attractive weekend trip or mini-vacation alternative. Weir Canyon Wilderness Park Located adjacent to Santiago Canyon Park and bordered by the Santa Ana Mountains. The park offers a quiet retreat from surrounding development. Hiking trails along the ridge with intriguing views of sandstone outcroppings.


	Carbon Canyon Regional Park 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, California 92823 / 714-973-3160 A wild and rugged canyon terrain with hiking and equestrian trails, this park seems miles away from civilization. Carbon Canyon Regional Park consists of 124 acres; sixty acres are developed and the remaining acreage includes groves of Coastal Redwoods, California Peppers, Sycamores, Eucalyptus and Pines.


Clark Regional Park 8800 Rosecrans Avenue, Buena Park, California 906021 / 714-973-3170 Located at the foot of Coyote Hills, this 105-acre park has open grass areas, rolling hills and shear sandstone cliffs. Full recreational amenities available, including picnicking, fishing and tennis plus an interpretive center of prehistoric plants and animal fossils on exhibit.


Fairview City Park 714-754-5698 The park provides unique scenery for horseback riding, hiking, walking, running and biking. Located in the park is a model railroad station, offering free train rides on the third weekend of each month. An expansive greenbelt area is a perfect location for kite flying and the center of the park is the site for model airplane activities.

	Talbert Nature Preserve 949-923-2250 / 866-627-2757 Highlighted by carefully restored natural wetlands, this unique park is bordered by the Santa Ana River and the Costa Mesa Bluffs. Park visitors will find a variety of hiking and interpretive trails, as well as an informal picnic area, all situated within an “ecological staircase” of a salt marsh, fresh-water wetlands, grasslands and woodlands.


	Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park 30952 Oso Parkway, Coto De Caza, California 92679 / 949-923-2265 A wildlife sanctuary, the park is home to native plants and animal life. Old groves of Western Sycamores and Coastal Live Oaks border the park’s two seasonally flowing creeks. The park also features rolling hills, canyons of Coastal Sage Scrub, grasslands and five miles of multi-use trails for hiking, bicycling and picnicking plus an interpretive center.


Mile Square Regional Park 16801 Euclid, Fountain Valley, California 92708 / 714-373-6600 With its “mile square” expanse of green fields, the park offers a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of life in Orange County. Stretch out and relax, or take advantage of the excellent sports facilities, including three 18-hole golf courses.


Craig Regional Park 3330 State College Boulevard, Fullerton, California 92835 / 714-973-3180 Conveniently located near the 57 Freeway, but isolated from the outside world, this haven of rolling green slopes, beautiful trees and sparkling water is an island of tranquility where least expected.


	Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve- Huntington Beach Bolsa Chica Conservancy Interpretive Center 3842 Warner Avenue, Huntington Beach, California 92647 / 714-846-1114 The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve includes over 1,700 acres of undeveloped wetlands, lowlands and lower mesa adjacent to Inner and Outer Bolsa Bay. This area is rich with history beginning with the Native Americans who lived atop the mesa area, to the oil production in the twentieth century. A primary stop on the Pacific Flyway, the Reserve is an excellent location to view over 200 species of birds. Trials and a footbridge offer excellent vantage points to view the wildlife. To reserve a docent led tour of Bolsa Chica contact Amigos de Bolsa Chica - (714) 840-1575

Huntington Central Park 714-536-5486 One of the County’s largest city parks with over 350 acres providing a diverse greenbelt and quiet retreat from city life. Groves of trees, expansive lawns, placid lakes and six miles of paved trails and dirt paths. The park has picnic tables, barbecues, playgrounds and many other amenities.


Mason Regional Park 18712 University Drive, Irvine, California 92612 / 949-923-2220 Located near the UCI campus and Irvine business district, hundreds of acres of protected land serve as a natural reserve dedicated to habitat enhancement. Many native animal species inhabit the area, while the lake and lush shade trees provide visitors with a refreshing change of pace.

	San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve 5 Riparian View, Irvine, California 92616 A freshwater wetlands located in an ancient river-cut channel at the head of Newport Bay. The reserve supports a variety of wetland habitats, including freshwater marshlands, shallow ponds, and channels confined by earthen dikes. The marsh is a critical stopping place for over 100 migratory bird species using the Pacific Flyway.


	Laguna Coast Wilderness Park 20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California 92651 / 949-923-2235 One of the last remaining natural costal canyons in Southern California, with 6.500 acres of lush, Sycamore-shaded canyons and high ridges offering views of the Pacific Ocean. Open for public use including hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.


	Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park 28372 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, California 92677 / 949-923-2200 A wildlife sanctuary, this expansive park of 4.000 acres sits at the south end of the Laguna Greenbelt. The park encompasses natural open space with mature oaks, sycamores and elderberry trees. There are two natural streams and over 40 miles of official trails.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park 28241 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, California 92677 / 949-923-2240 Discover suburban recreation at its best, with a wide selection of outdoor activities, including tennis, volleyball, jogging and bicycling in a spacious, well-landscaped setting. Fishing and boating available on the park’s 44-acre lake.


	Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660 / 949-923-2290 Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve represent approximately 1,000 acres of open space and provides vista of the coastal wetlands, which are reminiscent of the historic landscape of much of Alta California. This coastal wetland, one of the largest in southern California and is renowned as one of the finest bird watching sites in North America. Considered a "critical estuary" habitat - Upper Newport Bay is one of the pristine remaining estuaries in Southern California. Upper Newport Bay's Muth Interpretive Center features the area's natural beauty within a state-of-the-art facility.


Irvine Regional Park 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, California 92862 / 714-973-6835 Located in the scenic foothills of East Orange County, this park is California’s oldest county park, donated by James Irvine in 1897. Today the park encompasses 477 acres and has a rustic, early Californian atmosphere. Included within the park the Irvine Lake, the Harding Nature Area, the Irvine Park Railroad, Orange County Zoo, plus group picnic areas, playgrounds, horseshoe pits and fishing. Peters Canyon Regional Park 8548 E. Canyon View Avenue, Orange, California 92869 / 714-973-6611 This park offers a unique blend of native habitat and a 55-acre reservoir. Over 354 acres of native habitat encompass the park and support an abundance of wildlife and trails for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

	Santiago Oaks Regional Park 2145 N. Windes Drive, Orange, California 92869 / 714-973-6620 Situated in the City of Orange along the Santiago Creek, this 350-acre refuge offers the natural charm of mountain vistas, a six-acre orange grove, native oak trees and a creek. Here hikers, naturalists and equestrians can enjoy the scenery as well as interpretive programs at the visitor center.


	Caspers Wilderness Park 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675 / 949-923-2210 Orange County’s largest park, with 8,000 acres of protected wilderness, nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. Groves of native Coastal Live Oak and magnificent strands of California Sycamore are throughout the park. Open for both day use and camping.


Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge- Seal Beach Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is located on the border of Orange and Los Angeles County. It encompasses 911 acres of remnant saltwater marsh in the Anaheim Bay estuary and serves as a significant stopover and wintering area along the Pacific Flyway for shorebirds. As urban sprawl and population growth result in the loss and degradation of wildlife habitats, the refuge becomes an ever more vital resource to dwindling populations of native plants and animals. Managed by the US Department of Fish and Game, this refuge is on an active military base and access is restricted. Call 562-598-1024 for more details.


	Arroyo Trabuco 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, California 92678 949-923-2260 This addition to O'Neill Regional Park includes 935 acres of pristine land. A wilderness preserve and an exemplary natural area of the Rancho Days and where Golden Eagles, Mule Deer and Mountain Lions still exist.

	Limestone Canyons/Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park Portola Parkway/Market/Glenn Ranch Road, Trabuco Canyon, California 92678 949-923-2245 This park encompasses 4,300 acres of Riparian and Oak Woodland canyons, rolling grassland hills, and steep slopes of Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral. Scenic rock formations highlight the park including the beautiful Red Rock Canyon. There are three streams meandering through the park and an abundance of wildlife. Remnants of the former cattle ranching days are throughout the park. Open for day use with hiking and bicycling trails.

O’Neill Regional Park 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, California 92678 / 949-923-2260 Located in majestic Trabuco Canyon, the park is heavily wooded with Coastal Live Oak and Sycamore trees. Two creeks meander through the park. Open for day use and camping.