San Juan Loop

A MUST hike for any orange country resident! The hike starts of off Ortega HWY 74 at the Bear Canyon Trail head on the same side of the road as the Ortega oaks candy store. Its recommended you park in the lot across the street from the trail head (tip:there is a working water spicket in the parking lot). The 6.4 mile loop/ out and back has a great mix of tree coverage and open trail. About 2.5 ...

It's amazing what you can find in your own backyard if you really do you research. In Orange County there are so many awesome hiking options that are often overlooked. The Bear Canyon to Sitton Peak Trail in the San Mateo Wilderness is one of those. Sitton tops out at 3,273 feet and it's a 5 mile hike to the summit from the Bear Canyon Wilderness Trailhead. To locate the trailhead just get to ...

The San Juan Trail is located off the Ortega Highway (Hwy 74) in Southern Orange County. It is done frequently as a long, 11 mile climb that is rewarded by an almost continuous descent of 3400ft. The out-and-back trail head is back Hot Spring Canyon Rd from the San Juan Fire Station. It can also be done, by those less inclined to ride uphill, as a shuttle starting at Blue Jay Campground. You wi...

When you think of Orange County, you think of beaches, boardwalks, but what you may not know is that there are some great hikes in our very own backyard! My favorite is a fairly strenuous day hiking adventure that only the strong survive. Not to dissuade any interested parties, since this is a worthwhile adventure—but please be prepared!Unfortunately unprepared parties have required search an...

To start, directions on how to get to the trail there are two different ways, the most common , which I will explain, being through Rancho Santa Margarita you will head east on Santa Margarita Parkway, turn left at the dead end (into a parking lot for a shopping center) on Plano Trabuco Road, this will then turn left and the road will change to Trabuco Canyon Road. Stay on Trabuco Canyon Road a...

Located within an hour's drive of Orange County and much of the Inland Empire, with dozens of trails winding through and above the beautiful and serene Bell Canyon. One could camp an entire week here and never hike the same trail twice. Take the high road and hike the scenic East or West Ridge Trails and enjoy the views along the way. Or take the low road and enjoy the oak woodlands of Bell Can...