Crystal Cove State Park:
8471 PCH
Laguna Beach CA
949-494-3539 or 949-492-0802
Also known as El Moro Canyon in northern Laguna Beach. The park is almost entirely fireroad with a few good singletrack exceptions. The park landscape differs from that of almost any other park in OC. It is mostly open grassland and open hills with minimal trees.
Directions: El Morro Canyon is located on Pacific Coast Highway between Laguna Beach and Corona Del Mar. Park in the State Park parking lot and make sure to bring a crisp $5 bill for the parking machine. Parking tickets are no joke to the rangers.
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Aliso Beach/ South Laguna Beaches
South Coastal Operations
34551 Puerto Place
Dana Point 92629
(949) 661-7013
(714) 834-2400
Swimming, surfing, skin diving and paddle boarding all take place in the waters off Aliso. Also enjoy fishing, sunbathing, tidepool exploration and sand castle building. A concession building offers fishing gear rental and sales, food and beverages, and beach supplies.
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Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
20101 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach 92651
(949) 923-2235
Lush, sycamore-shaded canyons and high ridges offering views of the Pacific Ocean create a spectacular environment for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Designed to preserve the delicate balance of the natural habitat, a major portion of the park's 3,200 acres is open for use on a limited basis
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Emerald Bay Canyon, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park to Santa Catalina Island.
Photo courtesy of OCBook.com

South Coast Wilderness Parks
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Crystal Cove State park are at the center of this 17,000 acres of coastal wilderness. This area surrounding Laguna Beach provides open space, community parks and marine preserves.

Activities include hiking, cycling, horseback riding, bird-watching, and nature study.