Dripping Cave

(449 reviews)

1.0 mi

No tickets needed, it's free. It is an amazing view. It's one of my fav places to visit, read a…read morebook, chill, party, or hangout with some friends. Also very romantic for a date spot. Watch out for mountain lions at night!

Came here with my daughter and her friend, went on hiking trails, this place is absolute to go…read moreplace for a walk, hiking and there also has a small park where you can take kids to play. This place has an amazing view and lots of trails for you to go walking and hiking as well. Theres plenty of parking, rite next to the park and it has restroom as well. It's a free parking. Some places you can park on the street and hike up.

I visited Top of the World hours after arriving from Germany- the views are breathtaking, the trials are awesome and the sunset magical

The end of the world

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Badlands Park

(46 reviews)

3.3 mi

Oops my secret is out! This is probably one of my most favorite spot to go for a walk or a mini…read morehike! Even better, if you're there when it's sunny because the ocean views are breathtaking!! This is also dog friendly since there are poop bags provided at intermittent part of the trail. Please keep in mind that this is in a neighborhood so there will be houses really close to the trail (almost like we're in their backyard) and private property that you can't enter. There are signs to guide you so just stick to the signs and you'll be ok.

Hidden gem in LN. Quick hike around the area to the park area to see the interesting…read moregeology/history. Hike also wraps around the mountain side, giving you a view of the ocean.

Top of the hike looking out to the ocean

Hiking on one of the trails

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Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

(164 reviews)

1.4 mi

Great place to walk, bike, hike, roller skate, etc. and enjoy nature. There is a paved path and…read morethen a wide variety of trails of all difficulty levels. You'll love it! You can park for $3 for the day right next to the visitors center or you can park on the street. It's super accessible.

It was a very good hiking trail and beautiful view! Had lunch at the park nearby it was a perfect…read moreday!!

Whimsical dancing flowers in synchrony with a refreshing breeze

Cycling lanes for bicycles and walking

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Start at the top near Pacific Island (Laguna Niguel). View is looking north into Aliso Woods & Canyon

Aliso Summit Trail

4.4

(65 reviews)

2.5 mi

This is one of my favorite trails to walk through especially with my hound dogs. Parking is right…read moreoff of the trailhead on the street. You can grab a few poop bags before entering. The views are spectacular both on foggy days and clear days. You can see the Pacific Ocean and the varied topography gives a nice cardio workout. I just wish more people picked up after their dogs so I don't step on feces or worse, my dogs snacks on it. Otherwise, it's a beautiful local spot to hike with dogs.

One of the most picturesque trails in OC. The views are fantastic and it's not a difficult trail…read more I go there at least 2-3 times a week with my doggy.

Foggy day

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Mountain View's

Valido Trail

(85 reviews)

3.1 mi

A great hike for a great view of Laguna Beach. It's just 1 mile total round trip, but it's very…read moreinclined, so it's not exactly easy, and on a hot day, you gotta bring plenty of water or you'll overheat. There are some trees on the way up that give a tiny bit of shade, but there's not much breeze until you reach the very top where there is one bench.

This hike is moderate because it is short. It's about a mile round trip but the stairs can be…read morebrutal, especially if you are short. The views are worth it. There is only bench at the top.

Steep steps

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Niguel Botanical Preserve

(96 reviews)

2.2 mi

What amazing park! We only walked through a fraction of it! There's a lot of stairways which are…read moregreat but also pathways for those who have mobility issues. There are a variety of plants and the flowers attract butterflies and bees. We met these two young women who were doing a bumble bee study at UC Irvine. It was an interesting conversation about their work. A number of people we encountered were very friendly. I mean, how could you not be in nature? Definitely worth checking out. I am looking forward to seeing more on the next trip. It is dog friendly too! Cako Approves!

Sitting on the edge of Crown Valley Park, this 18-acre botanical garden is nestled into the…read morehillside and serves as a good place for a walk and to explore nature. The garden displays plants from the Mediterranean climate regions of the world. Some of the ones included are an Australian garden, California, Chilean, Formal, Rose, and South African garden. I liked how many of the bushes or plants had plaques with the plant names, so you knew what you were looking at. The preserve was a maze of little paths with a fair amount of stair climbing and some steep parts. This might not be the best for high heels if on a date or for bringing an elderly parent who can't walk too far. I loved all the wildflowers abound. Some highlights were the rose garden, (more rustic than manicured) the lily pond, and bridge.

My little Grace wouldn't turn around because she saw a squirrel. :)

"Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail." - Kinky Friedman

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Photography at this beautiful garden

Aliso Peak Trail

(12 reviews)

2.6 mi

This is a really cool trail that starts out from Pacific Island Street goes past some residential…read moreneighborhoods and ends up with a beautiful view of Pacific Ocean it can continue down to PCH as well

Aliso Peak Trail is a little gem with various combo of extension trails. The trail starts out flat…read morewith a few picnic tables on the side of the trail. Then you proceed down on a steep, narrow dirt/rocky path. There are just a few rolling hills before you reach the peak. Before the final peak, there are wooden planks to step on/assist in hiking up. On a clear day you can see the canyon with a clear coastal view of Laguna Beach; on a foggy day, you'd still enjoy the ethereal view where mountain meets water/coast. Distance: ~ 2 miles roundtrip Trailhead: Seaview Park at Talavera and Casalero Parking: free along residential street Condition: dirt path, steep climb with little rocks Level: Advanced beginner NOTE: there are no restroom nearby or on the trail. If you're on time constraint and want a short cardio workout (~ 2miles roundtrip), start from Seaview park and descend down for a view of the ocean coast, coastal fog, and breezy wind. For more mileage, start from Aliso Summit Trail (Ridgeview and Highland, add about 6 miles roundtrip) then connect to Aliso Peak (total ~8 miles roundtrip); for additional adventure, descend via Valido trail to the beach.

Overlooking the Aliso Peak from above the trail

Aliso Peak 4th of July 2017

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Marker at the top of Aliso Peak

Thousand Steps Beach

(812 reviews)

3.6 mi

This is an amazing place to go and have fun! Parking is on…read morethe street so u gotta wait if it's to busy, Please make sure to pick it up your trash lets keep clean this amazing place I would come back again for sure !

If you're looking for a great outdoor workout with an amazing reward at the end, Thousand Steps…read moreBeach is one of my favorite spots in Laguna Beach! Despite the name, there definitely aren't 1,000 steps it's closer to about 250 but don't let that fool you. You'll still feel the burn on the way back up! I love bringing my kids here because they're soccer players, and running up and down the stairs is an excellent workout for building endurance and strength. I usually only make it up once because it's no joke! If you're looking for a free cardio workout with a beautiful ocean view, this is the place. The beach itself is gorgeous, with clear water, soft sand, and stunning cliffs surrounding it. It feels a little more secluded than some of the other Laguna beaches because you have to make the trek down the stairs. That's part of what makes it so special. I've visited several times around 6:00 AM, and it's always been peaceful. It's never felt crowded, although you'll definitely see other people getting their morning exercise on the stairs. I've also gone during summer evenings around 7:00 PM, and it's still a beautiful time to visit with cooler temperatures and incredible views. I still need to check it out around midday to see how busy it gets. A couple of things to keep in mind: there are no lifeguards on duty at all times, so be cautious if you're swimming, and the climb back up can be challenging, especially if you're carrying coolers or beach gear. Wear comfortable shoes for the stairs and bring plenty of water. Overall, this is one of my favorite beaches in Laguna Beach. Whether you're going for a workout, relaxing by the ocean, or enjoying the incredible scenery, Thousand Steps Beach is absolutely worth the climb.

1000 steps lifeguard at top of the steps on PCH

Steps Down

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8/13/22 - low tide pools

Laguna Niguel Regional Park

4.2

(117 reviews)

1.8 mi

Laguna Niguel Regional Park is a scenic, well-maintained 227-acre oasis featuring a 44-acre fishing…read morelake, walking/biking trails and mature trees, making it ideal for picnics, fishing, and, relaxing. It offers tennis courts, volleyball, sand play areas, and shaded BBQ shelters. While peaceful on weekdays, it can get crowded on weekends.

We are visiting and my boyfriend wanted to try fishing here. We got here at 7:30 am. I wanted to…read moreleave the first 2 minutes we arrived. The beeping and I'm not sure what the hell but stay home. I needed ear plugs. I had to roll up my windows and turn music on. Definitely not a relaxing park. Oh, more beeping so loud you want to just leave. You can't see it you can just hear it loud. I should have checked the reviews...Mile Sq is also doing construction the bridge is closed. You have to enter on the boat side of going to paddle boast.

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Seaview Park

(11 reviews)

2.6 mi

Awesome ocean view trail tucked in a residential neighborhood. Street parking only. Not stroller…read morefriendly. Dirt path. Wear appropriate shoes and sun protection! Totally worth it!

This park is very big, dog friendly. It has a magnificent view of the canyons and the ocean as…read morewell. Walk towards the interior of the park and you'll start to see picnic tables. That's when you'll eventually see the Laguna Beach ocean view. Breathtaking! Hope this park stays a secret because it's just so clean and great for hiking/walking your dog. More photos here: https://ourwelltraveledlife.wordpress.com/2015/08/15/valido-trail-laguna-beach/

Little hard terrain

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Adventure Lagoon

We had such a great experience at Adventure Lagoon! The customer service was amazing from the…read moremoment we arrived. The staff were friendly and welcoming. The park was clean, fun, and had something for everyone. You can really tell they care about making sure guests have a great time. We will definitely be coming back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun day out in the summer !

My family (family of 4) had a blast here! We stayed there for about 6 hours. We did the obstacle…read morecourse twice and rented 2 kayaks while we were there. Bought 3 food items and a gatorade. But we spent alittle over $300 there on everything! There is a $35 or $45 entrance fee depending on when you come. It's just to come inside the lagoon. If you want the obstacle course it's an additional $10 per person for 55 mins (super short). If you want to kayak, use the aqua bike or use the paddleboard it's an additional $10 per equipment/item. There is a kiddie area for small and young children. They DO NOT allow outside food or drinks except water! There is a small shop that sells misc. items, snacks & drinks (overpriced). They also had a foodtruck inside that was expensive and the meals didn't come with drinks. They do have plenty of staff and lifeguards there. The entrance fee should of been $15-20. The obstacle course atleast 90-120 mins instead of the 55 mins. Wish the foodtruck came with drinks and was a bigger portion.

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Badlands Park

(46 reviews)

3.3 mi

Oops my secret is out! This is probably one of my most favorite spot to go for a walk or a mini…read morehike! Even better, if you're there when it's sunny because the ocean views are breathtaking!! This is also dog friendly since there are poop bags provided at intermittent part of the trail. Please keep in mind that this is in a neighborhood so there will be houses really close to the trail (almost like we're in their backyard) and private property that you can't enter. There are signs to guide you so just stick to the signs and you'll be ok.

Hidden gem in LN. Quick hike around the area to the park area to see the interesting…read moregeology/history. Hike also wraps around the mountain side, giving you a view of the ocean.

Top of the hike looking out to the ocean

Hiking on one of the trails

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Crown Valley Park

(59 reviews)

2.4 mi

We came to this park specifically for the splash pad. It's open from Memorial Day to Labor Day…read more It's a long park. Just keep driving on till you see the signs for the playground and splash pad. The splash pad has smaller splashers on one end good for younger kids and bigger slashers more in the middle and the other end. I was worried about my toddler going under the buckets because the water comes down with pretty heavy force. My kid accidentally went under it and he shockingly didn't get splatted down. It's convenient that the playground is right next to the splash pad. The kids had a great time and my son has asked to come back already. We didn't have issues with parking mid week but I can imagine it may be tight on the weekend.

Crown Valley Park has evolved over the past 30 years. What was once a simple building with a basic…read moregym has transformed into the modern age with updates that were needed. The summers are filled with summer concerts that allow families to come together and the community to enjoy music, foods from foos trucks. Fall welcomes the halloween haunts where kids make memories that last a life time. I really love hidden spots in the botanical gardens for flower lovers like me can go and just enjoy mother nature. The added butterfly garden and its butterfly chairs make it more special. The soccer fields are filled with kids and adults playing sports. The community center adds that final touch with rooms that can be rented for special events, meetings, and downstairs is access to the heated pool. 5/5 I have attended a few private events at the community center and its a great addition to the area.

Titans of Rock st the park, July 4th 2025

Lovely

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Landon E.

0

6

0

5 years ago

Really gr eat hike but the name is slightly deceiving since you expect to see dripping in caves (hence the name) I love that there is lots of vegetation here and its not desolate and dry like other hikes more inland. Its a relatively easy hike/walk . good for kids and easy for strollers and new moms up until the dirt path which gets a bit rocky It can get a bit crowded in the morning so if I do go its usually as early as I can Parking is paid for $3 however you can park on Alicia on the side of the road. Lots of wildlife here in the spring. I strongly recommend read more

Dripping Cave - hiking - Updated August 2026

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Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

4.3

(170 reviews)

My hiking friends told me about this route that they affectionately call "Bigfoot". It's because…read moreif you look at the route on Strava, it looks like Bigfoot. Bigfoot runs through Irvine, Crystal Cove and the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. It was about 33 miles long. Well, we extended it to include the Shake Shack at Crystal Cove and I renamed the route, "Bigfoot dragging toilet paper." We passed through the Laguna Wilderness Park and it was nice terrain to navigate. We were running out of water and the parking areas did not have water but there was the Nix nature reserve that had full facilities and what we needed to finish this massive route. Please come and create your own adventure.

Yelp directions took me to a gated residential area down the way…read more I was glad to see I wasn't too far off. 3 dollars to park and several trails. I get lost easily, but here I felt safe. This is a perfect place to hike solo. I saw a bunny cross the hwy wish I would've seen some on the hiking trail. Much needed lovely hike.

Badlands Park

(46 reviews)

Oops my secret is out! This is probably one of my most favorite spot to go for a walk or a mini…read morehike! Even better, if you're there when it's sunny because the ocean views are breathtaking!! This is also dog friendly since there are poop bags provided at intermittent part of the trail. Please keep in mind that this is in a neighborhood so there will be houses really close to the trail (almost like we're in their backyard) and private property that you can't enter. There are signs to guide you so just stick to the signs and you'll be ok.

Hidden gem in LN. Quick hike around the area to the park area to see the interesting…read moregeology/history. Hike also wraps around the mountain side, giving you a view of the ocean.

Valido Trail

(85 reviews)

A great hike for a great view of Laguna Beach. It's just 1 mile total round trip, but it's very…read moreinclined, so it's not exactly easy, and on a hot day, you gotta bring plenty of water or you'll overheat. There are some trees on the way up that give a tiny bit of shade, but there's not much breeze until you reach the very top where there is one bench.

This hike is moderate because it is short. It's about a mile round trip but the stairs can be…read morebrutal, especially if you are short. The views are worth it. There is only bench at the top.

Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area

(43 reviews)

This was the highlight of my visit in Dana Point. Priceless beautiful views of the ocean, beaches,…read moreDana Point Harbor, and lushes landscapes. There's four conservation parks which makes the nearly 64 acres of the headlands. Will take approximately about an hour to two hours of completion to walk the trails. You'll come across scenic overlooks, beach access, and the Nature Interpretive Center. Glad we came on a breezy day and not have the sun beaming on us. We took lots of pictures with ocean and beach background setting. Beware of rattlesnakes and mice as signs are posted up along the trails, but we didn't encounter them. If you are in Dana Point, put this on your list of sights to see.

The educational center wasn't open yet, but there were open bathrooms in the back. The path is soft…read moredirt and would need to walk single file. There are a few benches and beautiful views. Just keep in mind it ends in a different gate area and it's a longer walk back if you don't reverse and go back to where you started. The gate does close at sunset, so don't get stuck in there!!

Alta Laguna Park

(58 reviews)

This spot really lives up to the nickname as "Top of the World." The views from Alta Laguna Park…read moreare insane -- ocean, canyon, and city all in one place. On a clear day, you can see Catalina Island and miles of coastline. The park itself is pretty clean and well-kept, with tennis courts, restrooms, picnic tables, and trails that branch right off the viewpoint. It's great whether you want to chill and enjoy the view or get in a real hike. What to know: Parking can be tight though, especially around sunset. There's street parking nearby if the lot is full. There are other access points to get into the park, too. Not much shade, so bring water and sunscreen if you're hiking. The trails down into Aliso Canyon are beautiful but pretty steep coming back up -- be ready for a workout. I typically do Mathis Canyon and Car Wreck loop, which is a workout. You do see a wrecked car situated at the bottom of Car Wreck trail. This is one of those local gems that's perfect for showing off SoCal scenery to visitors or just getting some fresh air and perspective. I always bring my friends from out of town to this spot as an introduction to what's beautiful in Orange County. Definitely a five-star view and an easy must-do if you're in Laguna.

This place holds a special place in my heart as this is where we celebrated our engagement after…read moreproposing at a different location. It has changed over the years, but still remains a gem! There used to be an open grassy field, but now there is a basketball court, pickleball courts, and a playground. Love that for the kids and residents! I'm glad they kept the pavilions as that is where we celebrated. All of the new stuff I mentioned above are top notch and in good condition, as is the bathroom. There is still the amazing view from here and some short hikes that leave from here. The parking lot is plenty big and there is always street parking right outside the park if needed. It is well worth the drive up the hill!

Bell View Trail

5.0

(3 reviews)

Winter 2025.... I felt like I was hiking in an alternate universe. The barrenness is a beautiful…read moredisaster. It was sad but also breathtaking.... I have never seen anything like this before. I love climbing up, but the down was challenging due to the loose gravel. I absolutely would recommend poles. Parking is easy. Bring friends and your sense of adventure! Create your own experience!

Breathtaking views! Highly recommend. Have a few trail options. The one I did was pretty advanced…read more Wear hiking shoes or shoes with good traction. Slide on your butt down the hills if too steep. Lots of fun!

James Dilley Greenbelt Preserve

5.0

(3 reviews)

Such a great place to hike! We took the Lake Trail that leads to Barbara's Lake, seemingly OC's…read moreonly natural lake. It's a relatively quick out-and-back - a little over 2mi. There's also a loop that's a little longer, but our toddlers' legs were getting tired! There's not a lot of shade on the trail, so I recommend sunscreen and maybe a hat. There are some hills, but nothing too bad. There is a LOT of animal poop on the trail, so watch your step! But there's a lot to see along the way including many bird's nests in the trees, and some smaller bodies of water that are made after a decent rain. The trail follows the freeway for awhile, so it's not the quietest. I wish the lake itself had a path around it to walk. There's only a short section of the trail that allows you to see the lake, and there are a lot of plants to look through except for the area that has the info sign. Parking is on rocks and gravel and is $3 unless you have an annual pass. There's a porta potty in the lot too.

Fun place to hike. Easy for kids and beginners. Pay to park. Quiet little lake about a mile in.read more

Pacific Ridge Trailhead

4.8

(40 reviews)

The Pacific Ridge trail which begins in a residential area in Laguna, will take you directly to…read moreCrystal Cove. It is a great hike as the views it provides are spectacular, even on a foggy day. Be warned, it is also very challenging, as it is a lot of uphill and downhill movement. It takes about 2 hours to get down to Crystal Cove which is around 4.5 miles but the views are incredible. It takes you to a section of the beach that is very secluded and lovely. It makes it feel all the more rewarding :)

Solid trail up in the Newport Coast Neighborhood of Pacific Ridge. Free parking if you park at the…read morepark or on the street. I would say a medium difficulty overall. I loved the variety of a different trail options and on a clear day you definitely have an ocean view. A highly recommended trail.

Roller Coaster Trail