The Oso Creek Trail is a classic "Yuppie Nature" trail: mostly paved or manicured paths, and…read morenothing too challenging or dangerous. Exactly the kind of "outdoor" experience my wife loves! But seriously, it's a wonderful place to stretch your legs right in the heart of Mission Viejo. The trail runs along both sides of Oso Creek, hence the name, and each side of the trail is a bit different. One side is paved and the other is dirt or bark covered, for a more "natural" feel. There are also some fun points of interest along the way, including a hedgerow maze, various bear statues, and a park adjacent to the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center. It's great for families with small kids or strollers to push, as well as solo joggers, dog walkers, or even bikers. It's long enough and stretches at least a couple miles to get some good exercise in. If you're in the area, it's well worth a visit to enjoy. Five stars!

I met a couple friends here and we had a great time talking and walking. We had a great time and…read moreconversation. Loved all the artist's installations. We are looking forward to returning in the future.

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.

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.

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.

this was steeper than I expected but so rewarding at the top! it's a short hike with lots of…read moreelevation, definitely got my heart rate up. there's a bench at the top where you can catch your breath while admiring views of the coastline + nearby golf course!

Amazing waterfall is here! It's really difficult to find the trail. Recommend ware hiking boots,…read morelong pants and gloves. Trabuco Creek Road is a dirt road. It's fun to drive. Hikers are so nice and friendly. I definitely come back here again!

Summary: if you want to see a running stream without hiking then this is the place which is closer…read morethan Holy Jim Trail. The drive is one way and you will drive past a hobby aircraft airport. The problem is at the end of the road is a stream and it's a dead end where it is prohibited to walk, drive beyond. Just a few trees, rocks and stream so bring tables and chairs because nothing else

Good rises and falls along the trail. At least two picnic tables at the top of two of the hills.read more

I spend a lot of time on this trail. I like to look out on the horizon and think about life. I…read morebreathe in the cool air and think about the life God has given me. All the houses look so small from up here. These million dollar homes that people sell their lives for look so puny and insignificant under the brilliant sunset and pink clouds of God's magnificent artwork. I yearn for a day of peace and tranquillity, and freedom from materialistic greed and covetousness. Also it's neat to ride horses here.

One of the coolest hikes I've done, Red Rock Canyon starts as a pretty typical forest trail. It's…read morereally easy and chill, but watch out for snakes midway through! Once you get past the woods and make it to the end, you're met with all the red rock plateaus and it's so cool to see and be around! Really beginner friendly, just make sure to pack water and snacks :)

Red Rock Canyon is located at the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Trail. To get here there are different…read morehiking trails but the most popular one is probably the Borrego Canyon Trail. It's only a 1.8 mile hike one way to get to the intersection where you can continue straight to get on the Red Rock Canyon trail. You'll know when you're at the end when you see signs and the large red rock structures all around you. The red rocks really reminded me of the sights that I saw in Arizona and Utah. It was really cool to see some of that in California.

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.

Pretty easy hike. 4.8 mile loop. The cave itself was a bit underwhelming but worth checking out. Be…read moresure to start early because there is barely any shade. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park opens at 7am. It does get busy and there's a lot of bikers.

I had read some reviews - some said is moderate and some said is easy. What I found out is…read moredepending on which trails you take I went with family w/ 5 yrs old & one with having issue walking, I need to find the easy trail and start at Aliso and Wood Canyons Parking to Cave Rock to Dipping Cave. Cave Rock is small cave, is good stop and let little one rest. We turn to left at 2nd sign pole. 1st sign pole, we did not take since look like is go on top of the cave. Dripping cave have a small incline, that my 5 yrs old having fun sliding down. We saw fox on the way back to the car. Close to 5 mile RT - EASY - In and out Kid / stroller friendly Parking: Aliso Woods Parking Fee $3 parking station / Free street parking Bathrooms on side of Visitor center - clean and big Water bottle refill & water fountain is front of bathroom Trail is pavement / dirt - watch out the poop on dirt Parking to Cave Rock (2nd sign pole)- 1.85 mile (1.5 miles on pavement) 1 Portable bathroom / few picnic tables (1.5 mile from parking lot) Cave Rock to Dipping Cave back to parking lot (3.12 miles) Not much of shade - bring hat / sunblock

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.

Great place to do any type of activities. Walk, run, hike, bike anything you can think of.read more