We have been having some awesome weather in Southern California. And when its beautiful out, we HAVE to get outside. This time, Laguna Canyon Wilderness Park was our destination.
I have been eyeing this park for so long and had yet to make it over there. I am now kicking myself for not visiting sooner! What a great park! It is filled with miles of hiking trails, Orange County’s only natural lakes, and plenty of amazing scenery.
We took the Sycamore Canyon Trail up to the top of Serrano Ridge, which is 500 feet in 
elevation. Along the way we saw more than a few sandstone caves along the rocky hillside. Turkey vultures sailed on the wind currents above us, scanning the landscape for their next meal. Cacti intermingled with freshly bloomed poppies. Snowcapped mountains graced the easterly view while Catalina and the coast dominated the west.
We walked along the ridge for a while, taking in the view and enjoying the cool ocean breezes. Then we headed down into Camarillo 
Canyon. Oak trees grew to form wonderful shady retreats for animals (and people) trying to escape the mid day sun. We enjoyed the downhill hike into the canyon it was a bit steep and washed out in some spots. Holding little ones hands is a good idea. The flat bottoms of the canyon soon gave out to some more hills to climb as we executed the final stretch on the Stagecoach Trail. One final turn around the hillside and the parking lot came into view. Success! Another hike conquered!
If you would like to take the same hike we did (it is about 3.5 miles round trip) park at Nix Nature Center. Take the Little Sycamore Canyon Trail up to the top of Serrano Ridge. When it dead ends, head left on Serrano Ridge until you hit the Camarillo Canyon Rd Trail. Make a left. Follow it to the Stagecoach Trail (make your final left) and this trail will lead you back to the parking lot. There is some elevation gain and loss throughout the hike but if our three year olds did it, so can you!
For more great travel photos, check out Delicious Baby's Photo Friday here.
11 comments:
The weather in So Cal have been quite fine these weeks. And lovely shots.
I'm so jealous of your nice weather, we are supposed to get more snow here in KS tomorrow :(
I wanted to stop by and say thank you for the kind words that you left for me!
That's a great looking place! 3 1/2 miles is a good distance for my kiddos, too. I'm sure there is some kind of mathematical relationship between the distance they will hike and the amount to trail mix that I bring, but I have not discovered it, yet :)
Seriously? They did 3.5 miles? What a fantastic hike. I love desert scenery.
Love this post! What a beautiful place to explore. Isn't is cool to find a hidden gem like this just waiting to be discovered? Kuddos to your kiddos for being such great hikers!
Lora- Mari has done 5 miles with me in about 2 1/2 hours no problem. I swear that girl can walk forever. Ben needs a little more encouragement by then end. :)
Lovely pics...you should submit this nature walk to Imagine Childhood's series of nature walks. We try to do a family hike at least once a week and it never fails to amaze me....the power of nature to inspire, soothe, and entertain.
This looks like a lovely hike. What a gorgeous day you got!
Isn't it great the poppies are out already? I love this time of year.
Oh how nice to feel the sun and know that spring is on the way, rather than rain and snow. But the sun is shining here in Bristol today.
I love Sycamore Canyon. It's just a few miles from the house I grew up in. We used to ride our bikes the 8 miles to the beach or have someone meet us in the campground and spend the night. Thanks for the lovely memory.
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