Nature Hikes

A family guide to the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District via the Los Trancos parking lot. Ways to get to the beach on foot and by car.

Sycamore Canyon Park in Diamond Bar is about 10 miles up the 57 freeway from north Orange County. A sprawling accessible play structure takes you down into the gorgeous canyon …

Places to go in OC with green hills for family hikes — or even just simple nature walks for views during California winters (Dec-Mar).

7 places to see redwoods in Orange County with the 7th spot just outside OC. Take a mini-tour of the redwood groves and learn highlights!

Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo is outside the Norman P. Murray Community Center. It’s perfect for family walks near an awesome playground.

Caspers Wilderness Park’s playground off Ortega Highway outside San Juan Capistrano has gorgeous views and an old-fashioned teeter-totter.

Oak Glen Preserve hiking trail is called the Children’s Nature Trail inside The Wildlands Conservancy. It gets better every year!

Learn how to spot poison oak. It grows all over Southern California. Here’s brief tutorial and photo guide so you can identify and avoid it.

My cheat sheet to 2023 park and beach passes for OC families will help you figure out how to choose the best parking options for your family.

Our Crystal Cove nature ramble provided a cool respite from the heat and some interesting nature spotting along the Pacific Coast.