El Modena Open Space

443

192

315

1 year ago

I love hiking here by myself. It's a really nice and easy trail with some steep parts that get your heart pumping. I hike here on weekdays so it's usually pretty empty, maybe a dog walker or two. For parking, I park across the street in the neighborhood. I love admiring the different plants and listening to the sounds of birds. read more

El Modena Open Space - Cactus - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Kaiden H.

0

38

15

9 months ago

SOOO BEAUTIFUL, lovely hike but it's mountain loin area so be vigilant!! Such an amazing view & very relaxing

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Brandon T.

122

131

516

4 years ago

Ahh yes, this is a beautiful secluded spot to take a friend or more than friends to ;) once you reach the top of the little hike you are rewarded with a marvelous breathtaking view of Orange! The terrain is very rocky so it is recommended that you would bring a blanket or some cushion for your bums. as you map yourself to the place it will have you park in a neighborhood. From there you will want to follow the road up the hill and commence your hike. There is a little fence saying do not enter don't be scared, that's not the path. The path is farther up the hill. Take it and it'll take you up a rocky hike! read more

El Modena Open Space - View - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Kim P.

239

392

779

3 years ago

A surprisingly difficult hike, especially after rain. Very slippery post-rain so make sure you are careful and bring some hiking sticks (lots of slipping and sliding). I believe we went on a counter clockwise loop? Which was great because I think going the opposite direction would have wrecked me lol. Incline and decline all very challenging for me haha! But very cool view and pretty private (very few people out and about), highly recommend. read more

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Shannon Z.

Elite 26 All-Star

1003

952

1070

3 years ago

Initially it's a really challenging hike to find - Apple Maps took us to an elementary school and Google maps took us to a random neighborhood - we finally found to trail and it was a great hike - it's a moderate intensity hike as there are plenty of steeper and rockier areas on our way up but to get to the top was very quick, maybe took 20-30 minutes. The view is beautiful up there are there were alot of pretty yellow flowers during wildflower season. read more

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April L.

451

315

3379

8 years ago

Take a left on Cannon St. and go 1.3 miles. ... Like its parent park Santiago Oaks, Orange's El Modena Open Space is one of Orange County's most accessible natural areas. ... The views are impressive including the Santa Ana Mountains to the east and suburban Orange to the west. -"A short distance but a great climb. Good view. 700ft. elevation, or so my phone says. -Wear good Tenny shoes there's so much rocks, No Flat surface. -Enjoy! Getting ready for summer read more

El Modena Open Space - We did it! - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

El Modena Open Space - The View! - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Emily Z.

486

33

21

5 years ago

Amazing views!!! I used the 300 N Cannon Address and parked across the street on Stillwater. If you hike up from this entrance, it's a really short hike to the top where you can get a nice view & pics (I would say barely 20 min if you go straight up). The hill is a little steep and I had to take my time on the way down. I turned around once I got to the top since I was short on time but you can continue across a longer trail once you get there, but even if you just do the short trail to get to the top, I would say it's worth it! read more

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Mohib Q.

Elite 25

194

569

5487

5 years ago

This is a review for the Orange Hills trail. I took this moderate rated trail by parking across the street at Stillwater (highly recommend) and going across the street to the trailhead. Most people seem to go from south to north on this loop, of which half is dirt and the other half is walking down a sidewalk off the hill. What you will see from the south to the north is a very steep initial climb to a top part with cactus of all sorts, and a great sunset view. This initial climb may be steep and require a slower pace. From there you can fork left to the main trail and up a ridge that will take you towards the left side and away from the main road. Go up that part until you reach another summit to the left hill(s) and get another fantastic view. That is about the apex, until you start winding down a a zig zag pattern that is very steep. As always, please wear proper hiking shoes for trails like this and be mindful of wildlife in this space. There is plenty to enjoy but only if you can handle the rocky terrain, bring water and take it at a pace that is comfortable for you and your friends. I hope you enjoy the good workout! read more

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Allison Y.

Elite 21

754

1297

3890

5 years ago

Another little hidden gem I never knew was here. There is no official trial parking lot so after some research, use 300 N Cannon St. for an address and then park right across the street on Stillwater. I believe there is another spot off Canon & Patricia Rd. Tip-have good grip on the bottom of your shoes. The trail does go up & down dirt path so it can be slippery on the gravel. Trail is pretty easy to follow. We were stumped a little but we just asked other hikers if we saw them. Very pretty view from up top! Wow, take a moment to look around. I tend to just keep going. The flowers/weeds are in bloom right now but makes a pretty picture. :) We really enjoyed this short 2mile hike. We also did see a coyote on our way back at the entrance which threw us off since we weren't sure what to do. Only 1 way out. Luckily, we waited and another hiker walked by ;) They didn't notice anything so we figured it was safe to go, lol. Have fun. SYOY! read more

El Modena Open Space - View from top - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

El Modena Open Space - Flowers are blooming - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Bob R.

0

6

1

5 years ago

Hike is way too short. View was mehhh... Was Kind of steep in the beginning Super dry too read more

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David A.

1110

750

1326

8 years ago

One of my favorite places to do hills. If you go South to North, you put in 56 floors according to my Fitbit. North to South, you will put in 51. Done it numerous times, so I believe that us accurate. The views are nice and the climb is strenuous. Be sure to bring water. Going from South to North is the tougher direction, though you probably won't believe me when you are hiking the other direction. The hills are tough either way. Lots of hawks, rabbits and songbirds to distract you as you walk. I even saw a covey of quail one time. Happy hiking read more

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Trisha V.

598

317

689

5 years ago

I really enjoyed this short, but steep, hike! However, would highly recommend getting good hiking shoes as the path is quite rocky. My cousin actually stumbled and fell into some cacti - not fun. Spent a good ten minutes picking out the needles. Other than that, I enjoyed the view and some fresh air! read more

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Gilberto D.

0

3

0

2 years ago

I found this area looking at google maps and decided to go take a look turns out it's really nice area with little trails for a quick workout. read more

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Samantha W.

63

8

5

5 years ago

This hike is super fun. It's a thin road up and some parts are super steep with lots of rocks but it's not too bad and not super long either. Not a lot of people when I went both times which was nice. Lots of cactus too along the side. read more

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Gar A.

1

76

24

5 years ago

This place is fantastic! If you have ~2hrs to spare and you're in Aneheim area then go do this you won't regret it. It's short, slope is decent it will make you work and sweat. Have to park in a neighborhood, ample and safe. Punch in the address and park on one of the side streets. Then walk up on the main road and take the first trail just passed the first stop sign. Then just follow the path and enjoy! read more

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Valerija Z.

0

5

3

3 years ago

Nice view over Orange but otherwise nothing spectacular. Paths at the moment are a bit overgrown and I wish the trail heads were a bit more accessible from various streets (if you come walking from the city, you can quickly get lost among many fences... not so open space after all!). read more

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Jasmine L.

80

119

203

11 years ago

I took someone's advice and parked on the residential street of Stillwater St off of Cannon St, and on a Saturday morning there was plenty of parking. As always, Zulu (the dog) came adventuring with me. In case you get confused easily like me, the trail starts right at that intersection, you'll see a little dirt hill that resembles a path going up. This hike has NO trail markers or anything, so it can be very confusing. At times I wasn't sure if I was trespassing on other property or if I was still inside what was considered to be El Modena open space. There are no benches to rest on, it pretty much is "open space" as in the name with no signs, markers, or rest stops. And I think I like it like that. It's a nice change compared to the well manicured parks in OC. As long as you stick to what you think is "probably a trail" you'll be ok. There are some nice hills and switchbacks, good inclines and declines but nothing too extreme. I can imagine just running up the hill on Cannon St would be a nice workout too. Zulu and I will definitely be back, there was another hill or two for us to explore, and its a great place for a workout (finally, trails that aren't all flat!) Also be on the lookout for glass, as there's a lot of broken bottles around. We also found graffiti on rocks, empty boxes of beer, and other random bits of things. The place is a bit creepy to go alone, even on a Saturday morning we only ran into maybe 2-3 other people. Just be careful, and bring something for self defense just in case. read more

El Modena Open Space - Beginning of the trail if you start on Cannon St/Stillwater St. - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Julian C.

20

36

33

11 years ago

I live off of Stillwater Ave which is at the South end of the trail and the community has taken notice of the excess parking from hikers which is cool except when they leave their litter behind. Cops now regularly patrol this street since juveniles have the reputation of drinking or getting high before or during the hike. Honestly it's not much of a hike or trail but does come with an awesome view. I normally hike it on clear days so that I can see Rancho Palos Verde, Catalina Island and beyond. Also ideal for romantic sunsets, to view Disneyland fireworks (take a flashlight, watch your step and lookout for coyotes) or if I'm too lazy/short on time to do one of the the longer nearby trails. read more

El Modena Open Space - Sunset - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Jeremy M.

135

33

47

11 years ago

Now this is just a nice place to hike. Wether your looking for a steep incline or just a mellow windy path up it has both from the Santiago side, which is where my cousin Travis W. Enter from. We've gone up both ways but I think we both preferred the windy as opposed to the steep uphill. You can also enter from Cannon previous reviews suggest where to park. The trail itself is fairly wide as 2 people can walk side by side. For being just an open trail its kept up fairly nice. There is glass tho so be aware if you happen to fall as there is some pretty slick sections. There are three peaks that you can hike up and all are a pretty damn good workout. The best time I'd say is after a strong wind to clean up the air. On a clear day you can see from Catalina island to downtown LA. As said prior there really is no shade so water and sunglasses are a must. I've seen a decent amount of wildlife up here as well. Tons of different birds, rabbits, and living just down the hill I hear coyotes quite often. So also keep that in mind if you have a small dog. read more

El Modena Open Space - This is a view of the ridges from my front yard! - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

El Modena Open Space - Start of the trail. - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

El Modena Open Space - Made it to the top! - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Travis W.

Elite 23

269

678

492

11 years ago

Just hiked quite a bit of this place, and I really enjoyed it. You can take a quick easy hike or turn it into a hour or two adventure. My cousin and hiked from the Santiago side to the highest hill. What a great view of Orange County. We actually came one day after Santa Ana winds came through and you could see all the way to LA!!! Trails are kept pretty good for the amount of traffic that is coming through here. Its a pretty mellow time and not too bad of a hike. There is a lot of tall brush in some area that may over grow on the trail, and watch out for the freaking cactus. Also if you see some trash and have a back pack pick it up. This place can have some broken glass in some areas. Overall a great spot that if you live in OC should check out. Such a killer view especially on a clear day. Grab your bottles of water and get out and enjoy open trail that is El Modena Open Space......although a new name would suit. LOL! CHEERS!! read more

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Melissa C.

0

14

7

6 years ago

It's a neat place to hike. My sister & I came here to hike a little while back. Pretty view of orange.

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Eddie M.

21

5

16

8 years ago

A short distance but a great climb. Good view. 700ft. elevation, or so my phone says. Great hike. Bring flashlight and walking stick if going at night. Lots of broken glass at some lower areas. But firework view is worth it. read more

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Marisela R.

0

5

9

6 years ago

Short little hike w/ an amazing 360 view. I would consider it pretty easy (besides the uphill elevation part) but definitely worth it! Street parking is ample & it can be hard to spot the trail entrance at first so just pay attention. read more

El Modena Open Space - Trail View - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

El Modena Open Space - City View - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Margaret B.

8

221

826

9 years ago

Joined a friend for a hike here for the first time...very rocky terrain...I've hiked a lot of trails...this one is a bit dangerous!!!

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Thomas B.

Elite 24

141

265

2802

9 years ago

Pretty nice little hike nestled in the hills of orange. You can get some pretty nice views of central and north Orange County. I would guess that if you go on a very clear day, you can see the ocean. Overall the hike is mildly challenging at times where you are going up hill but since the length is so short, it is not too difficult. The majority of the hike is nice and peaceful but as you get to the south end, there is broken glass and remnants of a high schoolers Saturday night. Really a shame that people don't pick up after themselves and preserve this slice of nature. read more

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Paul V.

Elite 13

57

263

157

14 years ago

Very Nice hiking trail that doesn't seem to get a lot of traffic, so that's always a huge plus. Very, very steep, which is also part of the appeal of the place because it's a nice good workout. There is absolutely no shade here, so plan in advance and bring with you a few water bottles and a hat if you need it, you'll be climbing up a small mountain where the trails aren't always completely distinguishable. Another note here is there are a TON of cacti all covering the area, so if you're going to wear shorts make sure you don't get too close to the needles! You have an awesome view from the top of this place, you can see the entire city below, the school, a lake. Really an awesome trail that's hidden in the middle of Orange. I don't know if you're supposed to do this, but I always parked in a nearby street or nighboorhood to go hiking here as I don't know where else there is to park, but since there's not a lot of people coming here I don't think it's a problem. Still though, make sure you check for signs just in case. Great hiking place! You should go! read more

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Julie L.

Elite 24

448

1347

880

10 years ago

I was surprised that this was pretty legitimate. In terms of difficulty, there are pretty steep climbs and then flat. I had trouble coming down the hill. This is an easy to find and easy to park space with lots of cactus. There are rest spots. You can see the entirety of Orange, probably the same view you'd have of Orange Hill Restaurant. read more

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Shariff L.

43

290

1557

10 years ago

You must visit it's beautiful Hillside full of cactuses rocks and various scrub brushes all dotted along the beautiful landscape of the city of Orange. The hike is mainly uphill and covers multiple ridges and is quite rocky. I would not recommend this trail for the unseasoned hiker. The trail offers beautiful views of the entire city of Orange and far beyond. The Landscaping is Lush and the city views are unmatched in this part of Orange County. Make sure to travel here with plenty of water and solid hiking shoes so you do not leave disappointed. Parking is a little scarce so you might have to park a little further down than you expected in one of the residential neighborhoods. read more

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Kalina M.

259

106

172

7 years ago

I really liked this hike, definitely lots of incline and an amazing view. Saw a lot of animals including bunnies , a type of hawk and some quails. The trail seems a little sketch cause it seems like it goes off somewhere else or maybe people walked off and made a different trail but I would stay in the designated trail because there are poisonous plants and snakes. Over all I really loved it and will be coming back. It's not a long hike either. read more

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Danny N.

39

14

10

12 years ago

Best Place if u want a Great View of O.C. And exercise at the same time. Steep when u climb up to the top So prepare to be sore if u a First timer But Well worth it. Not long trial But will get the job done. read more

El Modena Open Space - View of O.C - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Kaitlyn P.

9

117

78

10 years ago

Love coming here on weekend mornings with my dogs. It's never crowded. In fact, I usually only run into to 2 or 3 people during the entire hike. Great alternative to Peters Canyon, which can sometimes be too crowded. read more

El Modena Open Space - One of my favorite local spots. - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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M M.

Elite 18

175

127

191

9 years ago

Great day to be outside. This was such a nice area to urban "Hike" in. A lot of this area has been affected by the fires and is technically closed, but there where so many people hiking. The closed signs didn't deter anyone. I did see a rattlesnake on this hike! I wasn't expecting to see one in the middle of the trial and he was not in any hurry to move! But keep an eye out for snakes especially if you bring your dog like I did! read more

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Yvette R.

1

62

89

9 years ago

This is a a nice little peaceful trail. The view is amazing, however as other yelpers have mentioned there's a lot of trash and broken glass. read more

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Melia H.

14

19

7

12 years ago

I hiked up halfway with my toddler. The trail is wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The view is nice and we saw several lizards and something furry run off into the chaparral. I can't say much else since we didn't complete the hike. read more

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Akadem K.

0

51

1

11 years ago

This place may be small, but it's still one of the best places to hike in OC. Going up the hills on either side is fun and a little mini workout because the trails are not fully manicured and once you get up to the top the view is amazing. It's not too difficult going up because it's a short trip to the top. You do have to be careful with your footing going downhill though. There are lots of pebbles and loose dirt in parts. I've slipped and fallen here once before because I was only wearing normal running shoes. read more

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Jim H.

0

63

0

7 years ago

I hiked up El Modena Open Space for the first time yesterday. I had a good time climbing up the trail. Then had a good time overlooking Orange, CA. read more

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Fatima K.

0

58

5

9 years ago

Quick and intense hiking area. No direct parking lot, so you have to park on the street near the residential area. The path is super narrow and beware of lizards and bees. But you won't find a more beautiful hike in OC than this! read more

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Devin M.

0

22

0

9 years ago

I like the views here and the hiking is one of a kind BUT an issue I've seen here is the little pieces of glass all over the places. If you're wearing shoes you're fine but for dogs you need to watch out for them. Other than I enjoyed the steep inclines that give a great workout. read more

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More info about El Modena Open Space

300 N Canon St
Orange, CA 92869
Directions

Hours

What time does El Modena Open Space open?

What time does El Modena Open Space close?

Outdoor Amenities

Does El Modena Open Space have bike parking?

No, El Modena Open Space does not have bike parking.

Does El Modena Open Space have parking?

Yes, El Modena Open Space has parking options. Street Parking

Review Highlights - El Modena Open Space

“I used the 300 N Cannon Address and parked across the street on Stillwater.”

Mentioned in 5 reviews

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Santiago Oaks Regional Park

4.6

(356 reviews)

2.3 mi

You'd have to come really early to find parking and it'll be paid parking if you park at the park…read more I came around 8ish AM and the parking lot was already full, so I had to park residential. Parking at residential isn't bad, it's just a slightly longer walk back to your car. There are multiple trails you can go to and some trails have shade, most don't. The trails are great and definitely a workout if you do difficult trails. Tip(s): - Come really early to find a spot to park, otherwise, the parking lot can get full and you'd have to park residential - Pay to park at the park or free to park at residential

Santiago Oaks is definitely only of the best and most expansive places to hike in OC. Also it is…read moredog friendly on all trails! Parking is $5 on weekends and the parking lot is quite small and fills up quickly... I recommend leveraging the few other access points in other parts of the park where there is free neighborhood parking. You can look up these access points on AllTrails but the two most popular ones are: 1) Parking at Anaheim Hills Elementary School (you can park here on the weekends). From here you can access a plethora of trails. 2) Also parking at Anaheim Hills Riding and Walking Trail (look it up on Google Maps). From here, most people do the Weir Canyon Trail loop. There are so many interconnecting trails you can explore this place over multiple visits. There are also a lot of mountain bikers (many of which go very fast) so be aware of your surroundings and don't assume they will slow down for you. Especially if you have a dog, watch out for your leash or bikers zooming past you. Overall the views here are incredible and I never feel like it gets overly crowded. It is a very immersive park. There are a wide variety of trails ranging from very challenging to easy.

Beautiful trails throughout!

In the visitor center!

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Walking across the creek.

Santiago Creek Trail

5.0

(7 reviews)

0.5 mi

So beautiful!! It's mountain lion county so be aware but for the most part it's very nice &…read morecomforting

Gorgeous and manageable hike. Some steep areas for climbing but if you pace yourself, you can…read moretotally do it! While there is ample parking spots in the neighborhood, depending on when you go in the morning, you may need to wait 5-10 minutes for a spot to open up closer to the trailhead. We arrived at 10:30am and cars were parked all the way into the cul de sac. There are gorgeous green hills with native California wildflowers everywhere, including yellow mustard, mountain lupine, yellow California bush flower, and blue corn flower. The golden poppies were the most popular spots and were nestled ontop of various ridges. Pro tip: Arrive after 11:30/12 noon for easier parking.

Really nice hike during the sunset!

Wildflowers 3/4/23

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Wildflowers 3/4/23

Black Star Canyon Trail

(394 reviews)

6.9 mi

Love it! It's a lot of climbing over rocks but it's great exercise. The best part of everything is…read morereaching the falls and eating a good sandwich. I do notice that many people leave their trash behind in this particular trail. PLEASE TAKE YOUR TRASH! You'll definitely get a good nap after getting home.

First time visiting Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park to check out the "falls" and it was just as…read moreexpected. By doing a little bit of research, we learned it was best to go early - my husband and I got there at 7:45am in October on a Saturday and the lot was already starting to fill up. When we left at 11:30, the lot was very full. There is technically plenty of parking but the busier it is, the farther you would have to go just to get to the trailhead. We had a very good weather for hiking. It was overcast for the first hour or so, and there is shade when hiking along the creek, and it was partly cloudy on our way out. If hiking during the afternoon, I would recommend bringing twice as much water as you think you would need. Overall, the trail was long but not too difficult. The first 3 miles are fairly easy/moderate and only the very end being somewhat difficult because it is steep. We think the total hike was about 7-8 miles round-trip and took 3.5-4 hours at a moderate pace. In October 2025, the falls and creek were dried out after a hot summer and only one storm in months. It made crossing the creek a non-event (only a little mud and puddles in a few areas), but it also meant the waterfalls were non-existent. The trail was still very scenic and a fun hike. The end of the trail is still very beautiful when dry. Note, there are lots of mountain bikers so be alert and stay to the right side of the trail. No bathrooms, trash cans, or water fountains but still very clean; thanks to the regular hikers who help to clean up the trails. Please be kind to others and respectful to nature. Pack it on, pack it out.

In the bush

Big back hiking club

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Oak Canyon Nature Center

4.6

(295 reviews)

3.8 mi

This is such a gorgeous pocket of nature to get away from life for a while! There's so many places…read moreto go explore, people are really respectful for the most part so there's not trash on the trails, even people who bring their kids don't let them run around screaming like in some places. Nature is very much respected. It's also absolutely gorgeous! There's little Creeks, tiny waterfalls, the nature preserve itself is stunning, they have an area set up just for little birds to come visit that is beyond adorable, the birds you can come up to you! Well at least they did with us. I've also been to several weddings here, it's a really nice venue. Especially if people put lights up and have a dusk wedding OMG Parking is free, cheaper than therapy, wonderful break from the rat race. This is by far my favorite place in Orange County to just unplug.

Amazing hikes with the whole family…read more Very fun and chill hikes that cross a nice little steam in several areas.

PC: Luzye Photography

Pathway lots of shade

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Peters Canyon Hike

(386 reviews)

3.0 mi

Great place for a hike. There is hardly any shade though so best to go early in the am, or early…read moreevening, or cloudy day. You will get a great workout. You can park at the start of the park where gps takes you or I start on the back side. You can go for 4mile along the top route &/or the hike around the lake. You choose. When there's rain, it's beautiful to see the surroundings. Otherwise, it's a little dry. I've seen it all. Been hiking this for year. SYOY!

Review 30/365 day challenge 2.04.26…read more Finally made it here to PC for a late morning hike w my hiking Gfren Pow. She's a regular here and been coming. Have told mee several times she loves this hike and it's a good hike where it's a bit more busier than other hiking trails that you feel safe to go to. Started the hike a little late morning around 11:15 a.m. and finished right before 12:40 p.m. A little over 4 miles. We went to a much easier hike trail. Where it was much shading area until you enter the hiking trail and then it was full of sun. Luckily it was a bit breezy so wasn't too fully hot. There's different areas to park, some where it's free of charge and they have the main parking where supposedly have av actual public restroom for $ 3. We parked near some residential area. Right before entering the entrance where the trail started, there was about 5 porter potties available. As all hikes there are warning signs of Rattlesnakes, poison ivy, mountain lions etc. Located in Tustin borderline of Orange. Not too far from Irvine Regional park off Jamboree. Will definitely return to hike here and check out the different trails.

Beautiful Wednesday afternoon w Powee Dowee 2.04.26

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Family memories

Santa Ana River Trail

4.1

(117 reviews)

4.5 mi

I've been biking on this trail everyday now. Personally, I'm getting more and more fond of it. It's…read moretrying to be part of my lifestyle these days. The trail is relatively safe. I don't see as many homeless people as I used to which is a very nice and refreshing. Some of the landscapes along the trail are just too beautiful. Who needs a gym when you have the Santa Ana River Trail!

This trail has so many great parks and a little bathroom…read moreAlong the route. Very safe and clear. Be careful of bikers but there are trails for runners. Go earlier if you're a runner. The bikers come after 7am. Highly recommend if you're in the area. Fun for all ages

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Anaheim Coves

4.2

(105 reviews)

5.1 mi

Recently found this trail and so happy we did…read more Easily accessible from both sides, with restrooms. Clean well kept. Has markers along the way to indicate the miles. Benches for seating. Biking and dogs allowed. Unfortunately not a lot of shade, but a hat and some sun screen and you are golden. Perfect spot to start or end your day to get your movement in!

I love being able to make a short drive to this cute little park to walk/run/ride/bird the trail…read more There's a lot of shade on the trail which I love. I hate being out under the sun so I can use alllll the shade! There are several entrances to this place depending on what you want to do. The South St side is a better one for birding. There's parking on one end and residential on another end. Great place to have your leisure walks by yourself or with your dog.

Parking & Bathrooms at S Phoenix Club Dr, SE side of the trail. Can enter via E Ball Rd just east of Island Golf Center

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Hillcrest Park

(165 reviews)

9.6 mi

My family and I met several of my daughter's high school classmates at this park to take photos…read morebefore they departed for their prom. The big deal here is to take photos adjacent to the large water fountain. This is an extremely popular photo location, as over 100 students here in formal wear from various high schools. The park itself was very clean and well-maintained, with numerous areas for visitors to take photos. Parking is available in one of the numerous parking lots surrounding the park.

I recently discovered the "Hillcrest Stairs" just in time to start the New Year 2026! The stairs…read moreare not easy for people who, like me, are not used to climbing them. There are 400+ steps to climb up and down. The steps are made of timber but could be wet and slippery from early morning dew, so I feel that a late morning trek is better when the stairs are dry. On my second visit, I went around 6 PM. Although the stairs are well lit, I just did not feel safe. I found myself alone at one point and looking behind me, checking if someone is coming out of the dark bushes. Maybe it's just me... But overall, if you would like to hit your 10K steps and/or your target heart rate, this is a fun way to go!

My daughter (center) and a few of her friends are ready for the prom

First maternity photo shoot

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Great location for pictures!!

Red Rock Canyon

4.7

(136 reviews)

10.4 mi

Red Rock Canyon is located in the City of Lake Forest. Who knew one could view glimpses of red rock…read moreformations and plateaus in Orange County? When we arrived around 8:30 on a Saturday morning, the paid parking lot was already full. There are very few parking spaces overall in the paid $3 lot. We ended up as Ralph's customers that morning and found a couple of last-minute items that we needed before starting our hike. It was a nice and cool morning with a slight breeze, which was perfect to kick off our hike. We opted to take the easy trail, Borrego Canyon Trail. There is a lot of soft sand through out parts of the trail, similar to a beach like sensation for your walking pleasure. It also felt like a magical forest during some areas with trickling streams. We also experienced some parts full of various sized rocks. This is NOT a child- friendly trail for little ones. As we approached parts that were more desert like, we got closer to the red rocks. There was much anticipation to the end and the trail concludes with what feels like a small dead end as you gaze into the view of the towering red rocks. Going downhill was much quicker and fun. It was an easy trail with some sections that forced me to go slower as I didn't want to slip on some small rocks. There was so much positivity coming from other hikers and bicyclists. So many good mornings shared, it was contagious. Bicyclists are one-way so they are only coming from behind you and so many were thankful for us moving out of their way. I've never experienced such polite and friendly trail enthusiasts. I'd love to return to experience this beautiful trail again.

What a great hike! The shade was wonderful, and everyone on the trail was so respectful of space…read more(thank you, bikers). It gets a little narrow as you get closer to the rock formations, but still highly recommend either way.

I'm definitely on Mars!

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Carbon Canyon Regional Park

(357 reviews)

9.3 mi

Overall a wonderful park - lots of PLAYGROUNDS for all ages, TENNIS COURTS, nice walking paths, big…read moregrass areas, and public RESTROOMS throughout the park. The playgrounds are so much fun for our kids and it is also a great space for picnics too. There is a lot of parking here and it's never too busy. Only downside is that you have to pay $3 to $5 to get in but it is well worth it. Definitely one of our top favorite parks to bring the family.

I looked for walking spots in the Brea area and this park popped up. There was a bit of a line to…read moreget in on Memorial Day and the cost for parking on a holiday was $7. The display also showed $5 for weekends and $3 midweek. We wanted to do the Redwood trail and were directed to parking lot A. The park is big and beautifully landscaped with a pond and various picnic areas that can be rented in advance. There is enough space to set up all kinds of games. We brought a picnic lunch and sat on a bench that was perfectly situated alone amongst the desert plants. After lunch, we followed the signs for the Redwood Grove Trail which was labeled as easy and is a 1.5 miles dirt trail to the Redwood trees. When you arrive you'll see a small Redwood forest with the history of the trees displayed before you enter. A really beautiful and peaceful spot to relax for a bit. On our way back we decided to take the Creek Trail to see where it would lead us. I was hoping to see water at the end of this trail. But, we only saw a bunch of rocks at one point that may be filled with water if it rains. The end of this trail did lead us to a beautiful butterfly garden and the opposite end of the park. We made the walk back and stopped at the pond. There appeared to be other trails surrounding the park and a trail that leads to the Carbon Canyon Dam.

Fun in the sun :) my baby girl she makes me so proud

Redwoods!!

Family Photos 2023

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Adventure Lagoon

The staff was very helpful and friendly. It was not crowded. We had lots of space between families…read more We ordered a pizza and that with the obstacle course were our favorites! We will definitely be back soon!

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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Pearson Park & Pool

3.7

(46 reviews)

7.9 mi

Pearson Park is one of those places that quietly overdelivers. It's interesting that it has such a…read morelow rating on Yelp, but has a crazy high star rating and review count on Google Reviews. I don't usually review parks, but did this time because I knew that this beauty was not getting the flowers that it deserved. Stopped by yesterday evening for a 1.5-hour hot girl walk with a friend, and it checked all the usual boxes. Clean, well maintained, plenty of mature trees, and wide paths that make it easy to settle into a good conversation without constantly dodging people. It has that easygoing neighborhood feel that works just as well for a book club meetup, a picnic date, or a jog if you're in that 5k/marathon phase of your quarter life crisis like my friends are. An unexpected highlight for us was catching skytyping that was announcing Olivia Rodrigo's new album, "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love," which is scheduled for release on June 12, 2026. We were craning our necks for a cool 20 minutes trying to figure out what the message meant and I didn't figure it out until looking it up on Reddit when I got home. Not exactly standard park entertainment, but definitely memorable. Also worth noting, right across the street we came across a full Zumba class happening in a small private studio. Apparently it runs every Thursday evening with a $7.00 cover. If you're into that kind of thing, it could be a fun way to switch things up. All in all, Pearson Park knocked it out of the (local) park. It was interesting enough for me to consider adding it to my future routine and will absolutely be coming back.

The park is a good sized park -- big enough for a dog walk or a run around the 0.7-mile perimeter…read more It has several tennis courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, and a swimming pool. There are many large trees around that offer very good shade. There are nice walk trails around the park but I would not advice to venture late at night as some parts of the park are not well lit.

Theater

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West Coast Rentals & Bookings

5.0

(6 reviews)

18.4 mi

-best communication -best service…read more -cars are perfect with no problems -they always work with you and make everything seamless even if it's a last minute request -they are friendly and comfortable people to work with If you looking to book a slingshot you found your people!!!

First time renting from West Coast Rentals & Bookings and the process was smooth and easy. They…read moreresponded quickly with quotes and provided everything I asked for for my son's Prom night. Angela B. was great with communication throughout the booking process. The party bus (Mercedes Sprinter) was exactly as expected. We will definitely keep them in mind for any future events.