Outdoors: Local park calendar
Note:Wilderness parks are closed for 48 hours or more after significant rainfall. Parks may be closed due to rain conditions or mud. Call (949) 923-2235 or visit websites for current conditions
CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK
Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $15 day-use parking fee.
The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily.
Backcountry Hike: 9 a.m. Monday. Go for a guided three-to-five-mile hike in the backcountry of Crystal Cove State Park and learn all about the spring wildflowers. El Moro Visitor Center. $15 day-use parking fee.
Historic District Walk: 10 a.m. Saturday. Take a walk through the renovated 12-acre Historic District to learn about the colorful past of the cove and hear about the different uses for each cottage. Meet at Los Trancos parking lot at the trailer. $15 day-use parking fee.
Geology Tour: 9 a.m. May 15. Visit several diverse and geologically outstanding sites which all display a story from a different geologic time. Meet at Los Trancos lot at the trailer. $15 day-use parking fee.
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 5 p.m. To learn more about volunteering or helping Laguna Canyon Foundation to preserve, protect and enhance the South Coast Wilderness, visit www.lagunacanyon.orgor call (949) 497-8324.
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 5 p.m., $3.
Elder Trek: 9 to 11 a.m. today. Enjoy the outdoors and learn about diverse plant life on this easy, level, two-mile hike with foundation volunteer naturalists. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center. Reservations required, call (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $2 per person.
Wildflower Hike: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Learn to identify native spring bloomers with foundation volunteer naturalists on this moderate, but steep and rocky, 3.5-mile hike. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve. Reservations required, call (949) 923-2235. Program: $2 per person. Parking: $3.
Volunteer Training & Orientation: 8:30 to 1 p.m. Saturday. Learn about various volunteer opportunities with the foundation. No experience required. For information and reservations, call (949) 923-2235 or e-mail volunteer@laguna canyon.org. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center. Free, parking fee waived.
Exploring Biodiversity for Seniors: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday. Learn about the diversity of animal and plant species as you explore our ever-changing wilderness on an easy, 1.5-mile hike over rocky and uneven terrain. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve. Reservations required, call (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $2 per person.
Fitness Hike – Willow: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 3.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (700-foot elevation gain) with foundation volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Staging Area. Reservations required, call (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $2 per person.
Yoga for Kids: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Children ages 6 to 10 will explore a fun-filled yoga experience in a wilderness setting with foundation volunteers. Bring a yoga mat, towel and water. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center. Reservations required, call (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $18 for six-class series; $3 per child drop in.