Last month, we focused on locating some great indoor exercise locations to survive the winter season in our blog: Stay Fit This Winter with These Orange County Exercise Locations. Now that spring is here, there’s no way you’d want to confine all of your exercise routines to indoor spaces. It’s time to step outside and feel the warm rays of the sun, and the cool breeze of the morning air. It’s time to be adventurous and walk through beautiful landscapes while gazing upon a gorgeous view of Orange County.
That’s right, it’s time to take a hike!
Spring and summer are the seasons to stretch those legs and explore the many sights of Southern California. No matter what you’re looking for in a hiking trail, the following Orange County paths offer something for everyone who wants to stay fit and healthy.
Location: San Juan Capistrano
+ Amazing views
+ Wildlife
+ Challenging
Take the 5 and get off at the Camino Capistrano exit to reach this beautiful trail. In 2006, Ryan Pickell erected a flag pole on top of what has become known as Flag Hill. The flag was placed in memory of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The flag was toppled by strong thunderstorms, but a group of community members erected a new 35-foot pole, much taller than the original, on Memorial Day of 2010. Visit this trail to get a wonderful piece of history along with a gorgeous view.
Special thanks: Scott Cunningham, Sea Glass Soap
Location: San Clemente
+ Gorgeous beach-side view
+ Great daylight scenery
+ Plenty of benches
This trail hugs one of the most beautiful shorelines in Southern California: the San Clemente Beach Trail, which sits beside an Amtrak line, with service between L.A. and San Diego. Find this trail just off of Cristianitos Rd.
Location: Laguna Beach
+ Moderately Challenging
+ Caves and scenery
+ Breathtaking view
Find this trail at the intersection of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Parking is free in the surrounding neighborhood and the challenge of this trail is moderate. Don’t forget your camera (and selfie stick) if you’re coming with a group of friends.
Special thanks: Hilary Reiter, Redhead Marketing & PR
Location: Laguna Beach
+ Kid-friendly
+ Beach, sea cliffs, and tide pools
+ Gorgeous scenery and wildlife
For backpackers, there are three environmental campgrounds: one in a canyon and two at the higher elevations. Those trails offer gorgeous views of the mountainous backcountry, geological formations, and the blue Pacific Ocean. Find this just off of the Pacific Coast Highway by Laguna Beach.
Location: Orange
+ Pet-friendly
+ Intimate trail through the oaks
+ Options to climb into the hills
The park is secluded and peaceful, offering plenty of interlinking trails that are suitable for all hiking and mountain-biking needs. The calm serenity is coupled with adventure, as hikers are able to climb the local hills. Find this park on Windes Dr. in Orange.
Location: Anaheim
+ Kid-friendly
+ Short walks in the oaks
+ Wildlife and a trickling creek
This national park is located in the Anaheim Hills, where a year-round stream runs peacefully through the park. With four miles of hiking trails, canyons, and wildlife, you’ll always find something to do here.
Location: Trabuco Canyon
+ Views of the Santa Ana Mountains
+ Challenging
+ Great workout
A beautiful stream travels through this very difficult yet rewarding trail. The walking path is parallel to a biking path, allowing safe and comfortable travels for all adventurers. The trail has been commended for providing a great workout for hikers. Find this trail near Silverado between the 15 and 241 freeway.
Location: Costa Mesa
+ Nature-watching
+ Close up encounters with waterfowl
+ Wilderness settings
Location: Orange
+ Adventurous
+ Cross-country scramble to a spectacular fall
+ Ghost stories
This trail features a beautiful waterfall, and is definitely suitable for the more adventurous sort. The trail is supposedly haunted! You can find this trail by Silverado, off the 241 freeway.
Location: Orange
+ Adventurous
+ Docent-led trips to a wildly eroded sandstone canyon
+ Miniature Grand Canyon of Orange County
There’s an iconic geological formation found here that is often referred to as the “Miniature Grand Canyon of Orange County.” This coupled with gorgeous plant and wildlife make this trail a sight that you have to behold.
Location: Trabuco Canyon
+ Mountain-biking
+ Great easy ride through the oaks
+ Wildlife
Oak woodland canyons, rolling grassland hills, steep slopes of coastal sage scrub and chaparral, scenic rock formations (including the beautiful Red Rock Canyon), and three streams (Borrego, Serrano and Aliso Creek), make this trail a must-see.
Location: Laguna Niguel
+ Mountain-biking
+ Immensely popular area with cyclists
+ Easy access
Miles of wilderness and open land space make this trail a varied and scenic route for mountain bikers and hikers alike. Find this trail directly west of Laguna Niguel National Park. Special thanks: David Money Harris, author of Afoot & Afield: Orange County: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide
Image Source: Greater Irvine Chamber
Location: Orange County Great Park
A new hiking trail in the heart of Irvine is opening on June 15, 2019. The 1.5 mile Bosque trail at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine is a great delight for nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts. More details about the trail soon.
Whether you’re looking for big adventure or scenic views, there’s always a trail for you in Orange County. Be sure to save this list for the next time you include a hike in your fitness routine!
Just be sure to go prepared and stay safe. Pack a lot of water and snacks, and wear comfortable clothes with proper hiking shoes. Consider bringing a trekking pole for the more steep hikes. Also be sure that your cell phone is at full battery during the hike and don’t drain it! You’ll want to be looking at the sights rather than your phone screen anyway.
Remember to come to us for any of your urgent care needs, including aches and pains, allergies and asthma, and other minor medical emergencies if anything happens to you during your hike.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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