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!!

As part of our trolley tour down south OC, we visited the scenic Bluff Top Trail. Not far from…read moreDana Strand Beach and a short walk from the bus stop (Del Prado & Violet Lantern). It's still as stunning as before with fun photo ops everywhere on a sunny day. The trail is an easy walk path within the neighborhood, and I loved the ocean view and taking pictures of the arches.

5 for views, 2 for challenge! The Dana Point Too Trail is near the Del Prado Lantern District in…read moreDana Point. It is Cliffside behind a number of very nice homes and condos. This is a beautifully kept up and manicured trail with safety rails and a variety of places for photos such as a wooden bridge and some historic ivy covered arches. The view of Dana Point Harbor is breathtaking. The trail is very short with some serious stairs, so for distance you're not getting much challenge but for stairs you get a little. Overall, it is a beautiful find in an area where it's nice to be able to take a little walk before or after grabbing a drink and a bite to eat! I just wouldn't put on my hiking sneakers and sunblock to make a day of it.

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.

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.

Beautiful! The way it was easy but I found the way back more challenging haha probably because I…read morewas tired. The sky was beyond beautiful the day I went and it is now a core memory. Towards the end, there were beautiful wildflowers that I was not able to capture due to low storage on my phone :|

Great trail! We came out on a Sunday, and we were shocked that it wasn't too crowded! We saw plenty…read moreof bikers, runners, walkers, and a good amount of dogs! Definitely a dog friendly trail. This area was nice because there was a larger loop, but many trails within that loop where you could branch off to another trail. We did las Ramblas to the patriot trail, with the flag on top. I would say this is a very easy hike, but beautiful scenery!

I like walks on the beach. Or more like, by the beach. A favorite of beach trails that I've enjoyed…read morecoming to - lots to see and explore with vibrant flowers, the horizon of the ocean, the sounds of the Amtrak and Metrolink trains passing by. All of it is just amazing. And the best part is, there's so many ways to just have a good time and a good workout on this trail. The Beach Trail is about 2.3 miles long in total, but it can feel like a pretty long walk. AND that's only one-way. Coming back, you have to do another 2.3 miles, if you're returning to the beginning of your route. But you'll really see everything. Love the Beach Trail!

This is still one of my favorite walks when I want to enjoy the beautiful California weather and my…read morehappy place by the ocean. It is a level easy walk right along the ocean and train tracks and if you start at North Beach and head south just passed Calafia Beach you can get in over 6 miles down and back. Between watching the surfliner pass you by, watching people play sand volleyball or just watching the waves crash along the shore it just makes me happy! Plus I'm getting my steps in too! Note: part of the boardwalk is closed due to the hillside being unstable but if you catch low tide you can just walk along the beach.

Kinda peaceful; kinda not crowded. Kinda perfect, right?…read more Popped over here after doing a little stroll around the harbor, up Cove Road, and then up. The only thing that would make this little park/trail area better is if it opened earlier. I'd love to be able to catch the sunrise over the city from here, but it doesn't "open" until 7:00am. 2026: 12/100

The access is kind of hidden, located across from the Cannons restaurant. Look for the stairs…read moreascending to the top of the hill. This is a great observation point where you can see Catalina and San Clemente Island. Once up the steps follow the path. There are three to choose from and the the one that heads toward the ocean has another stairway to descend to the street. Nice information plaques gives you some history of earlier Indians that were there in villages in Dana Point, Oceanside and Lake Elsinore. Good walk with good views!

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.