to other beach parking, but it’s mighty high compared with entry fees for nearby wilderness parks. The Pacific Ridge Trailhead is increasingly popular because it is outside the park and avoids the hefty parking fee. This trip describes the shortest loop you might make into the park from the Pacific Ridge Trailhead. A brief study of the map will suggest many other options, including challenging treks to the sea of 10 miles or more.
The Deer Canyon loop route along the west edge of Crystal Cove’s backcountry sector explores the park’s higher ridges and valleys. Since there’s little shade and views are the primary attraction, the hike is by far most rewarding on clear, cool winter or early spring days. Backpackers have the option of staying overnight at Deer Canyon’s trail camp, near the halfway point of the loop. Make a reservation in advance at reserveamerica.com for Crystal Cove State Park Primitive Tent Camping, or get a permit in person at the visitor center.
From the three-way junction at the trailhead, pick up the Pacific Ridge Trail that leads south along a ridge. The vast area of luxury homes comes into view on your right, a stark contrast with the open, protected lands of the South Coast Wilderness on your left. Soon enter land belonging to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. At 1.4 miles, pass a gate where the path enters Crystal Cove State Park and changes to No Name Ridge Road.
Just beyond, look for the narrow, rutty “Ticketron” trail branching left. Ticketron makes a radical drop (at least for mountain bike riders) toward the floor of shallow Deer Canyon, then settles into an easy grade as it approaches the trail camp, which features a picnic bench, a composting toilet, and sites to pitch a tent down near a scraggly line of live oaks and sycamores.
Beyond the campground, a short, steep climb leads to Redtail Ridge Trail, which is a fire road to the left (north). Follow this path north to a T-junction with Bommer Ridge Road, where you turn left and loop back to the trailhead.
chapter 4
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
The quintessentially coastal town of Laguna Beach blankets pillowy hills that rise abruptly from the sea to an elevation of nearly 1,000 feet. Many of its finest houses cling precipitously to ledges cut into the steep slopes. Other houses seemingly defy gravity by resting upon cantilevered platforms or spidery networks of steel poles. There is an almost universal striving to capture a piece of the view, which without a doubt encompasses one of California’s most dramatic stretches of coastline.
Laguna Beach residents have faced disasters periodically. The Laguna Beach Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in 1993. A landslide on a waterlogged slope destroyed or destabilized dozens of hillside homes in early 2005.
Laguna residents have also been fiercely protective of the natural environment around their coastal town. In the 1980s and ’90s, they spearheaded a campaign to protect thousands of acres of land in and around Laguna Canyon slated for development. Those efforts reached a dramatic crescendo in 1989 when more than 8,000 people marched down the road through Laguna Canyon protesting the Irvine Company’s plan to build a huge housing development there. In what many regard as a win–win outcome, the company was allowed to proceed with massive urban development elsewhere, and large parcels of land, such as the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, were created with the help of grants, donations, and park bond funds. The park now forms the heart of the South Coast Wilderness.
Sandstone cave at Willow Canyon Staging Area
trip 4.1 Nix Loop
Distance 4.4 miles (loop)
Hiking Time 2½ hours
Elevation Gain 800’
Difficulty Moderate
Trail Use Hiking only
Best Times October–May
Agency OC Parks: LCWP
Permit OC Parks parking fee required
DIRECTIONS Park at the Nix Nature Center on the west side of Laguna Canyon Road (Highway 133), 1.1 miles north of the 73 Toll Road.
Starting at the James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center, this loop tours sage scrub slopes and a ridgeline offering far-reaching views. The center is the headquarters for the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park; visit ocparks.com for a schedule of interpretive events.
Many trails radiate from the parking area. Be sure to start up Little Sycamore Canyon from the trailhead to the right of the center. Promptly cross Marys Trail (an interpretive nature trail), then cross it again before making a steep ascent into the canyon. The sycamores on the canyon floor are stunted, perhaps by the sandstone bedrock that lays just beneath the soil. Your path leads through tall laurel sumac shrubs and through other coastal sage scrub, including black and white sage, California sagebrush, bush sunflower, and California everlasting. The hill to the north is pockmarked with small caves once used by the Tongva tribe of Native Americans.
In 1 mile, reach the top of the canyon, and turn right onto the Serrano Ridge Trail at post #29. The ridge offers expansive views from Santiago Peak to the San Gabriels and the Palos Verdes Hills, including the high-rises and countless subdivisions of Irvine. Turkey vultures favor this ridge, riding the thermals in search of carrion. You’ll also likely encounter mountain bikers making a loop from Quail Hill. Pass the Rabbit Run Trail leading west into the Irvine Open Space Preserve; this trail is closed to the public except by guided tour and on special access days.
Serrano Ridge
In 1.1 miles, drop to a saddle where you can turn right onto the West Canyon Trail. The road descends to a junction with the Mule Deer Trail (access to which is also restricted) and some utility roads, then undulates southward through the sage scrub. In another 1.5 mile, pass under two highway bridges. Parallel the busy Highway 133 for 0.5 mile to a junction at the edge of Dilley Preserve, where you turn right and pass under another set of highway bridges to return to the nature center.
trip 4.2 Laurel Canyon Loop
Distance 3.5 miles (loop)
Hiking Time 2 hours
Elevation Gain 700’
Difficulty Moderate
Trail Use Good for kids
Best Times All year
Agency OC Parks: LCWP
Permit OC Parks parking fee required
DIRECTIONS Park at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park’s Willow Canyon staging area on the west side of Laguna Canyon Road, 3 miles north of
