I spent a hilly half hour walking near Aliso Town Center to test it out for some stroller walking.
My route:
- Park at Barnes and Noble and walk towards the movie theater.
- After you pass the surf shop, turn left to pass the buildings and climb the hill to your right (around Grand Park).
- You’ll reach the gated playground where you can let the kids play–or pass because you’ll hit it on the way back.
- Up ahead, there will be a sidewalk going down the hill, but skip it and continue up to the roundabout where you’ll turn right on Vantis Drive and follow the signs to “City Walk” businesses. (If you hit Aliso Creek Road, you’ve gone too far.)
- My walk through City Walk was a new experience. I didn’t even know those businesses existed and it was fun to see what was there.
- CityPerk Bakery and Cafe was an awesome stop with homemade cookies and pastries, plus signature coffee drinks. The place is spotless and the service is awesome. It’s been there for SIX years? How did I not know about this place? There is no seating beyond a bench outside, but you can always grab something to feast on at the park. Breakfast burritos are a good deal. I tried a nonfat Mexican Mocha (cinnamon/chocolate) which had just the right balance of coffee to sweet.
- Continue along the City Walk and turn right on the last main street where you will pass through the neighborhood reminiscent of NY brownstones with alleyways holding garages.
- At the end of the walk, you’ll come upon a little pocket park where you’ll wind to your left at where you can see a view over all Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. At this point, you are nearing Enterprise and your view is well above Tuesday Morning and Michael’s.
- Follow the path to your left around the buildings and take the route down the hill to the right on the paved pathway. You’ll see lots of small birds and I even spotted a rabbit. You’ll get to a mini-roundabout in the shape of a planter where you can continue down the path towards Michael’s and Panera Bread (left). OR you can continue straight up the hill which leads back to the playground (my choice!). Have a nice play and eat your snacks.
- Then head down the winding path back to the fountain and amphitheater. This part of the walk would be a fun spot for rolling down the grassy hill!
- Take a look at the fountain which is popular with the kids.
- Then walk yourself back to Barnes and Noble and run any errands you might have before heading home.
The whole loop only took me 30 minutes. You could do it twice just to get the benefit of hill walking. I did the walk on a cloudy day so it wasn’t too hot, but I imagine it could get quite warm in the summer.