I highly recommend this hike, and I wanted to do it months ago when it rained, but it was of…read morecourse, closed around that time. I actually decided to do this last-minute on Memorial Day because I accidentally drove to work when it was a holiday. I arrived a bit before 7 AM, and the trail is well-maintained, with restrooms at the trailhead. The parking spots do fill up pretty quickly, so come early! The other hikers are friendly, and the views were great. At the start, there are pretty flowers to look at, and the air was so refreshing.

Bommer Canyon is absolutely beautiful--lush, green, and alive with the sounds of nature. The…read moredifferent shades of green across the landscape are stunning, and there's a wide variety of wildflowers and mustard greens along the trails. The panoramic views of the rolling hills are breathtaking and being deep in the canyon, with very few people on the trail makes you feel immersed in nature. There are multiple trails in the area, all of which are well-maintained and clean. If you go on a weekday morning, it's especially peaceful--very quiet, empty, and feels wonderfully isolated. There are several parking lots and trailheads/gates for different entry points, but parking space is limited (shouldn't be a problem on the weekday).

Nothing shady about this trail, had such a pleasurable walk this morning at Shady Canyon. The trail…read moreseems to stretch forever. I was only able to do a mile before turning around, but can't wait to come back for a longer walk. I did not realize it had as much elevation as it did, because the walk itself feels easy (262 elevation gain for 2 miles). Lots of greenery, plants, and scenery to enjoy along the way. It is both paved and dirt, and I saw both walkers and runners. Shady Canyon is connected with Quail Hill, and also there is a park across which leads to another trail. The possibilities are endless, and all so enjoyable. Great place to get those miles in.

Shady Canyon Trail is an out-and-back 7.8 mile trail in Irvine. It starts from Quail Hill Loop,…read morepasses the Shady Canyon and Turtle Rock neighborhoods, and ends when you hit Culver Drive. There was some but not much incline throughout and is a good walking, jogging, or biking trail. There is some parking at the Quail Hill Loop but most people seem to park at the Quail Hill Community Center next to the park. We walked through the trail and although we didn't go all the way, it wasn't a difficult hike.

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.

Overall score for this trail system would be 4.5 stars. Great multiple trails, skill level is easy…read moreto medium to difficult. Milage is from 2miles to up to 10 miles, and even more as the trails connect another major trail system. Parking is easy, at the base, there's a pay machine..3$ i think. Grear price, as the money is used for clean up and maintenance. No pets on trails. Luckily, a ranger caught two families and were cited! Yes! And two others cited for non pay of Parking. The high point trails are steep and difficult, for walkers joggers runners family or couples and for the renegade singles, plus be carefulwith bikers... they must slow down for you ! Not the other way! So be outspoken! Plus horses are occasionally seen. . Get there early, as Parking gets full. The views are splendid and serene. Bring water, it can be frustrating as not water on the trails. But there is a water full station and bathrooms before entering. Clean trails, fun trail, and a trail that can be demanding if you wish it to be . It crosses over to other side of the foothills, and can be wildly exciting.

What a peaceful and pleasant place to begin a hiking habit!…read more The recent rain created an environment of new blooms and green moss to the scenery. This is a pleasant hike especially because of the tree canopy-lined trails on days when it would otherwise be too hot.

Sunday morning I show up and everything is locked and requires permission? The only public park is…read more.75 down the road. And though there are others, only residents can attend. HMM. I am an avid runner, peaceful - law abiding, and even proponent for more parks and trails- for everyone. I come to the gate and it it says only by reservation? Its a trail people! What a waste of a day. I ran into the private nigehhoods and there were opportunities to to run the trails, but after seeing how it is governed- and submital of permission- i just gave up and trekked the roads -. This would deserve 1 star - for being exclusionist

Great hiking trail if you can get access…read more The Good: A quiet, secluded trail, nestled in the avocado orchards of Irvine. You find many other hikers around unless you know someone who knows someone. It's about a 3 mile loop depending on which trails you take. Many are shaded as well and there is a lot of wildlife, especially birds, to see. Private parking next to the restroom is always a big plus for me The Bad: It's private, so you have to know someone who knows someone. Parking is limited. There's one way in and one way out. The Ugly: depending how avid a hiker you are, some parts have steep hills that can be difficult to traverse for inexperienced hikers. Add on uneven dirt, roads, sometimes muddy and you got yourself a bit of a trial of a trail. Overall, great OC hiking trail. Take your time and enjoy the birds.

Quail Hill Trailhead ended up being such a refreshing and unexpectedly enjoyable place to visit,…read moreand I did not realize how much there was to appreciate until I actually stepped onto the trail. Even though it is a hiking area, the atmosphere feels peaceful and energizing at the same time, and I saw a lot of teenagers there enjoying the open space. Teens would love the atmosphere because it feels safe, open, and full of freedom. The wide views, the fresh air, and the long stretches of trail make it feel like a place where teens can explore, take pictures, and enjoy being outdoors without feeling restricted or watched. It has this natural beauty that makes you want to walk a little farther just to see what is around the next corner. The service aspect at a trailhead is different from a restaurant, but the experience still feels organized and teen friendly. The signs are clear, the paths are clean, and the entire area feels well maintained. Teens appreciate when a place is easy to navigate without confusion, and Quail Hill makes that possible. The posted information about wildlife and safety feels helpful rather than intimidating, and it gives teens the confidence to explore the trail while staying aware of their surroundings. The value at Quail Hill is something teenagers would appreciate immediately because it is completely free. Teens love places where they can hang out without spending money, and Quail Hill gives them a full experience without costing anything at all. They can walk, jog, bike, take pictures, talk with friends, or simply enjoy the scenery. It is the kind of place where teens can spend an hour or an entire afternoon and feel like they got something meaningful out of it without paying a single dollar. The quality of the environment is another thing that stands out. The trail is clean, the views are beautiful, and the whole area feels peaceful in a way that teenagers would find refreshing. Teens who love taking pictures would have a great time here because the scenery looks almost unreal at certain points, with bright skies, rolling hills, and natural lighting that makes every photo look good. The environment feels like a perfect backdrop for creative pictures, and teens love places that make their photos look amazing without any effort. The selection at Quail Hill comes from the different ways you can enjoy the space. Teens can walk, jog, bike, bring pets, take pictures, or simply sit and enjoy the view. It is not a place where you are limited to one activity. Instead, it gives teens the freedom to choose the pace and style that fits their mood. That kind of flexibility is something teens really appreciate because it lets them shape the experience however they want. This was my first time visiting Quail Hill Trailhead before writing this review, and it ended up being one of the most enjoyable outdoor places I have been to in a long time. I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because the atmosphere is peaceful and energizing, the organization makes it easy to enjoy, the value is unbeatable, the quality of the scenery is beautiful, and the selection of activities gives teens a chance to feel creative and free. It is a perfect spot for teens who want something fun, refreshing, and memorable.

Went for a nice stroll this morning, and thought it'd be a perfect time to update some pictures…read more This is my favorite trail loop. I usually run this loop, and it is a lot of fun! Mostly easy running, with a little incline challenge at the end of the circle. There is a parking lot and bathroom right outside the trail, which is nice if you plan to do multi loops. I find this trail very peaceful, and look forward to coming back no matter how many times I return. Loops circles about 1.8 miles total.

Excellent views of the entire region with just a 5-10 min walk up depending on your route. Street…read moreparking is abundant in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Oh, French Hill. We have a love and hate relationship!…read more I really, really despise you at first. Can barely see the top - cure incline - a small dirt path, surrounded by flowers. At least there's something nice to look at as I fight this battle. For A few minutes, you make me very, very miserable. But once I get to the top - ah! That sense of accomplishment. French Hill makes your calves burn. Good incline on a straight hill. No switchbacks going up here! Makes for a nice add on when hiking around Turtle Rock. 2017: 48/100

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.