Outdoor 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. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for 9 a.m. most Saturdays and Sundays. Hikes are three to five miles long, and last about two hours.

Note: Hikes meet at one of these locations:

El Moro Visitor Center — from Coast Highway, turn inland at the School/State Park light and follow park signs.

Los Trancos — from Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos. Meet near the trailer.

For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail [email protected].

Tidepool Walk: 3 p.m. Saturday. Join a Crystal Cove State Park docent on a guided tidepool walk to Little Treasure Cove (only accessible on the lowest of tides) when the tide will fall to -1.2, one of the lowest tide of the year. A volunteer will help identify animals. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot No. 1, (PCH turn coastward at Newport Coast stoplight, right at the kiosk to the end) $15 day-use parking fee.

Photography Walk: 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Learn how to take beautiful sunset and low tide photos on a docent led walk. Meet at Reef Point lot at the south end (PCH turn coastward at Reef Point.) $15 day-use parking

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road; reservations and information, (949) 923-2235; https://www.ocparks.com.

Rangers staff the park daily. Open 7 a.m. to sunset daily, including holidays. Parking lot hours are 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 https://www.lagunacanyon.org or call (949) 497-8324.

Elder Trek: 9 to 11:30 a.m. today. Enjoy the outdoors and learn about diverse plant life on this easy, level, 2-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists. For ages 10 and up. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $2/person.

Fitness Hike: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this difficult, strenuous and fast-paced, 3.5-mile hike (700-ft. elevation gain) over very steep, uneven terrain with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Not for beginners; for ages 15 and up. Hiking poles suggested. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Big Bend Staging Area (ask for directions when making reservations). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $2 per person.