The old Fairy Trail Hike at Oso Creek in Mission Viejo was an artistic and miniature fantasyland brought to you by the same Fairyologist (Andre) who created the Aliso Summit Fairy Trail.
During the summer of 2018 and the holiday season of 2018/19, the hike was located below the Oso Viejo Community Park Playground and along the Oso Creek Trail.
It is no longer there. But there is still fairy magic around Orange County!
Fairy Trails Orange County (2026 Update)
If you are looking for a fairy trail in Orange County, there is a long history dating back almost a decade. That's why this post was originally created!
There is still 2026 fairy trail magic thanks in part to my friend, Dee, at @TheFairyDoorProject on Instagram. Follow along with her to find out more.
San Clemente Fairy Trail
You might have seen that there have been fairy doors spotted in tree knots on the greenbelt at the end of Camino de los Mares in San Clemente (between the cross streets of Bonanza/Camino del Rio and Diamente/Portico del Norte - near the Roller Coaster Trail).
Laguna Beach Library Fairy Garden
You can also discover fairies in the Fairy Garden at the front of the Laguna Beach Public Library. There is a group of volunteers who run this garden. You can play here and remember to take care of the space and leave it better than you found it.
Dana Point Fairy Trail
There are doors to be found around Creekside Park playground and along the sidewalk that leads past the dog park.
San Juan Capistrano Fairy Doors
You can find fairy doors in the wooded areas near the playground at Los Rios Park.
Carlsbad Fairy Doors (San Diego County)
Or if you are down in north county San Diego near Legoland, then check out the fairy garden at Agua Hedionda Discovery Center in Carlsbad!
Other Fairy Spots
Readers have pointed out finding fairy spots at Orange Circle, the Euclid Branch of the Anaheim Library with its "enchanted" theme, and also along the Juanita Cooke Trail in Fullerton where there is a "random fairy area . . . near a cute tree stump sitting area."
FAQs
Is the Oso Creek fairy trail open? NO. The Oso Creek Fairy Trail was last up along the Oso Creek Trail in winter 2018/2019.
In December 2021 and then for February 2022, the Caring Fairies and a NEW Fairy Trail made their homes at Sycamore Park in Mission Viejo.
Again, there are NO fairy houses at Oso Creek anymore. The Fairy Trail at Sycamore Park in Mission Viejo is also not there anymore.
From the Archive: Fairy Trail Hike History
What follows is my blog post about the Fairy Trail hike from 2019 which I'm leaving up because you never know when the fairies will decide to return along the trail . . .
How to Get to the Fairy Trail in Mission Viejo: From the 5 Freeway, take the La Paz exit and head east past Marguerite Parkway. Make a left just past Marguerite into the parking lot past the stores, across the creek, on your left. MAP TO THE FAIRY TRAIL HIKE AT OSO CREEK IN MISSION VIEJO
We visited about an hour before sunset when the day was cooling off. I think my daughter may have caught a photo of fairies flying!
Although other local bloggers jumped right in, I hesitated to cover the original Aliso Summit version of this trail because I didn't know if it was sanctioned by the entities that managed the site -- or how long it would be around -- or even who was responsible.
Who could have predicted the Fairy Trail's popularity? Who could have predicted a little kindness and caring would draw people to it in droves?
I mean, I even spotted coverage of the trail on the Atlas Obscura website! Wow.
I'm exceedingly happy to support both the Fairyologist and this new iteration of the Fairy Trail hike at Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo.
Andreas and I hit it off right away on the phone.
He's doing this for all the right reasons - inspiring art in our youth and generating interest in the cultural arts in our community.
And, in my opinion, infusing a little imagination and wonder into our everyday lives.
Now this Fairy Trail in Mission Viejo has the parking and infrastructure to support visitors to this magical land -- plus the added support and permission of the Mission Viejo arts community.
This spot is so perfect! Although it's inside a manicured and maintained city park area -- it feels very wild and mysterious when you are on the trail and see fairy homes hiding in the forest around you.
The fairies spent their first summer here in Summer 2018 and they were back for November and December 2018 for their winter holiday.
Then they lived year-round in the courtyard of the Potocki Center for the Arts in Mission Viejo (former home of World Cup & Women's Soccer) and the fairies were back on the trail for the holidays in November and December 2019.
Fairy home and garden workshops were offered at the Potocki Center for the Arts continue through the fall, with special fairy-themed workshops for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Checklist:
- Parking is free. If there is no parking in the lower lot, try the upper lot -- or move to the playground or Village Green parking lots.
- There are no restrooms along the trail, but there are restrooms at the playground.
- The Oso Creek Trail is stroller-friendly, but the Fairy Trail goes off pavement.
- Learn more about the Oso Viejo Community Park playground
- Learn more about the Oso Creek Trail (the trail eventually links up to Pavion Park if you follow the signs, but it's an uphill hike)
- Make it a play trip and pair it with the Mission Viejo Library and/or nearby kid-friendly drive-thru: Bravo Burgers
Thanks Andreas! We hope you come back soon, Caring Fairies!
Originally published in 2018.
