Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails & Nature Walks
Explore the best kid-friendly hiking trails & nature walks options for kids and families in Rancho Santa Margarita
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Scenic park boasting 17 miles of trails. Sprawling park with canyons & rock formations plus 17 miles of hiking, biking & equestrian trails.
Wilderness Glen Park
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Wilderness Glen
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Nature Park
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Red Rock Canyon Park Trail
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Whiting Ranch Wilderness Trail, Portola pkwy
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Sheep Hills Park
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Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
Large preserve with camping & wildlife. Huge, 8,000-acre park preserve with camping, wildlife sightings, nature walks, trails & more.
Aliso & Wood Canyon Wilderness Park
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Portola Springs Nature Preserve
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Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve
Nature preserve with views & tours. Scenic wilderness area with guided tours & open-access days scheduled by Irvine Ranch Conservancy.
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Huge wildlife preserve with streams. Wildlife sanctuary across 4,500 acres featuring rolling hills with trails & several types of trees.
Ortega Falls Day Use Site
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San Juan Loop Trailhead
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Black Star Canyon Falls Trailhead
Secluded area for hiking & cycling. Remote ravine popular for hiking & mountain biking, thought to be haunted due to 1800s skirmishes.
Aliso Summit Hiking Trail
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Jeffrey Open Space Trail
Paved path for walking, running & biking. Approximately 5-mi. paved trail through parkland for walking, jogging & cycling.
Dripping Cave Trail
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Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
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Quail Hill Trailhead
Dog-friendly loop trail with city views. Leashed pets are allowed on this popular loop trail for hiking, jogging & biking with city views.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park: Big Bend
Recreation area within coastal canyons. 7,000-acre park with many trails for hiking, biking & horseback riding, plus a nature center.
Hicks Canyon Trail
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McVicker Stairs Hiking Trail
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McVicker Canyon Park
Recreational area with sports facilities. Easygoing hangout offering a skate park & baseball/softball fields, plus a concession area.
Bommer Canyon Preserve Cattle Camp
Wildlands, trails & a former cattle camp. This large natural area features many paths for hiking & biking, plus a historic former cattle camp.
Turtle Rock Nature Center
Educational nature preserve with trails. Five-acre nature preserve with trails for viewing wildlife & habitats, plus an outdoor classroom.
Bommer Canyon Nature Trail
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Bommer Canyon Trail Head
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Tenaja Falls
Scenic rocky hiking trail to waterfall. National forest waterfall accessed via a trailhead with spring cascades teeming with birdlife.
Laguna Beach Cliff Hike
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Walker Canyon Trailhead
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Peters Canyon South Trailhead
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Hagador Canyon and Skinsuit Trail Start
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Hill of Abraham
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Peters Canyon North Trailhead
340-acre park includes reservoir. Popular jogging & hiking park features coastal sage scrub & grassland habitats, plus a reservoir.
Skyline Drive Trailhead
Hiking & mountain biking trail system. Trails for beginning & advanced hikers & mountain bikers offering views of nearby cities.
Buck Gully Reserve
Coastal canyon with hiking trails. Canyon nature preserve with trails for hiking & mountain-biking, plus guided interpretive walks.
Lake Mathews Estelle Mountain Reserve
Preserve with birds & kangaroo rats. Mountainous nature preserve along the Lake Mathews reservoir featuring birds & kangaroo rats.
Crystal Cove Trail
18 miles of hiking trails & wilderness. Scenic backcountry area of Crystal Cove State Park offering 18 miles & 2,400 acres of trails.
Weir Canyon Nature Preserve
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Anaheim Hills Riding and Walking Trail
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Vista Point
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Santiago Oaks Regional Park - Avenida de Santiago Trail Head
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Santa Ana Mountains Trail Head
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Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Scenic refuge for hiking, biking & more. Vast park with interconnecting trails for hiking, biking & horseback riding amid mountain vistas.
Santa Ana River Trail
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Lake Elsinore Levee
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Oak Canyon Nature Center
Nature park with an interpretive center. Nature park featuring oak forests, scrubland & canyons, plus wildlife & an interpretive center.
Ecological Reserve of Upper Newport Bay
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Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Birding, biking & an interpretive center. Home to many bird species, this 135-acre park offers an interpretive center & hiking/biking trails.
Fresno Canyon Trail
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Sylvan Meadows Trail Head
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Vernal Pool Trailhead
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Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve
Rugged hiking site & a visitor center. 9,000-acre nature conservation with varying terrain & habitats, open trails & a visitor center.
Fairview Park
Vast space with wildlife & trails. 208 acres with 5 distinct habitat zones, home to native plants & wildlife, scenic views & trails.
Santa Ana River Trail - Gisler Ave Entrance
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Cole Canyon Trail
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Lower Copper Canyon Park
Retreat for outdoor sports & picnics. Neighborhood recreational park offering a baseball field, basketball hoops & trails.
Norco Hills
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Talbert Nature Preserve
Outdoor area with walking trails. Public park with diverse greenery & a pond, plus a pedestrian trail system & biking area.
Talbert Regional Park
180 acres divided up by plant groups. Park divided into 6 areas by plant groups to showcase diverse habitats along the Santa Ana River.
Pumpkin Rock
Landmark hilltop painted rock. Painted like a large jack-o'-lantern, this rock sits at the top of a hill with sweeping views.
Salt Creek Trail
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Anaheim Coves Lincoln Trailhead
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Walking Trails @ Audie Murphy Ranch
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Huntington Beach Santa Ana River Trail
Multi-use trail crossing 3 counties. Riverside concrete & asphalt hiking, biking & equestrian trail stretching over 50 miles.
Mill Creek Preserve
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Mill Creek Wetlands
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Rimcrest Trailhead
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Glen Arbor Park
Busy park with off-leash dog areas. Tree-filled, grassy park & popular local haunt for dogs to run around off-leash.
Hidden Valley Wildlife Trail
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Santa Ana River Trail
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Hidden Valley Wildlife Area
Park with hiking & equestrian trails. Natural area featuring walking & riding trails, plus a picnic area, bird walks & seasonal events.
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Top Public Schools & School Districts
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Things to Do with Toddlers
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Best Family-Friendly Attractions
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Best After-School Programs & Activities
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Music Lessons & Performing Arts Programs
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Best Camping Spots & Outdoor Adventures
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Unique & Hidden Gem Activities for Families
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Top Private Schools for Kids
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Best Tutoring Centers & Academic Support
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Language Classes for Children
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Best Theaters & Live Shows for Kids
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Best Indoor Play Areas for Kids
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Best Museums & Educational Spots for Kids
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Top Amusement Parks & Fun Centers
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Best Kids Camps & Summer Programs
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Best Sports Leagues & Youth Athletics
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Best Water Parks & Splash Pads
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Best Science Centers & Discovery Zones
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Best Zoos, Aquariums & Animal Encounters
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Weekend Family Fun Guide
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Seasonal & Holiday Activities
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Explore More Activities
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