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  • Rancho Santa Margarita
  • Rancho Santa Margarita, California

    Rancho Santa Margarita, California, offers some of the best trails and outdoor activities. The top pick is the Arroyo Trabuco Trail, a 10-mile round trip hike that features a river and is rated as moderate. This trail is known for its scenic landscapes, including the O'Neill Regional Park, Trabuco Creek, and various rock formations. Another must-visit is the Tijeras Creek Trail, a 4.7-mile loop trail with a river view and a moderate difficulty level. It's perfect for hiking, walking, and bird watching. For those seeking a shorter trail, the Dove Canyon Waterfall Trail is a 2.1-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall. Rancho Santa Margarita is also home to the Lago Santa Margarita, a man-made lake that offers fishing and boating. These outdoor adventures make Rancho Santa Margarita a top choice for hikers and

    Top Spots in and near Rancho Santa Margarita

    • Trabuco Canyon, California

      Hike the Bellview to Dove Lake Trail

      2.5 mi / 75 ft gain
      This hike will be about going from the Bellview Trailhead to Dove Lake and back. Note that once you get to Dove Lake there are numerous offshoots that can take you in different directions (you can follow the road into the Dove Canyon housing community, take a paved road back to the Bellview parki...
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    • Trabuco Canyon, California

      The Luge: Santiago Truck Trail Loop

      5.0
      7.46 mi / 1371 ft gain
      The Luge: Santiago Truck Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Lake Forest, California.
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    • Lake Forest, California

      Hike Borrego Canyon to Red Rock Canyon Trails

      4.6
      4.2 mi / 500 ft gain
      Just south east of the city of Irvine, on the southern end of Orange County, is the scenic Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Don't let the newly developed shopping centers restaurants fool you, because just beyond the parking lot ($3 Daily Use Fee) of the Borrego Canyon Trailhead, you will find your...
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    • Silverado, California

      Harding Falls Trail

      5.0
      5.96 mi / 1378 ft gain
      The lot provides free parking, with plenty of spaces available throughout the day.  The first few miles feature a descent into the canyon on a defined trail out in the open. The way back up is a decent incline in the sun!   Be prepared, because even though 6+ miles may not seem too hard, this h...
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    • Corona, California

      Hike to Santiago Peak via Holy Jim

      5.0
      15 mi / 4500 ft gain
      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 ...
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    • Corona, California

      Hike to Holy Jim Falls

      3.0
      2.9 mi / 570 ft gain
      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, thi...
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    • Trabuco Canyon, California

      Bell Canyon Trail

      3.86 mi / 102 ft gain
      Bell Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near San Juan Capistrano, California.
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    • San Juan Capistrano, California

      Hike the Pinhead Peak Trail at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

      4.0
      2 mi / 220 ft gain
      Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park is the perfect place to getaway from the hubbub of LA. Enjoy the scenic drive north on Ortega Highway before reaching the entrance gate to the park. Parking Fees are currently $3 on Weekdays and $5 on Weekends. Camping Fees vary depending on your group size.  The...
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    • Silverado, California

      Bedford Peak Trail

      5.0
      6.78 mi / 1972 ft gain
      The Bedford Peak Trail in Silverado, California is a challenging hike that offers a variety of natural features. The trail spans 6.78 miles round trip and has an elevation gain of 1,972 feet. It is rated as difficult due to its steep inclines and rocky terrain. The trail begins in a dense oak w...
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    • Laguna Niguel, California

      Kick Back at Laguna Niguel Regional Park

      This is an awesome tucked away little adventure that will have you occupied all day! With plenty of picnic tables you can be sure to have your own privacy tucked into a corner free from other people. Grab a lake side picnic table or even the numerous ones around the grass fields, they are all won...
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    • Lake Elsinore, California

      Ride the San Juan Trail

      4.5
      11 mi / 3400 ft gain
      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 ...
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    • Laguna Niguel, California

      Dripping Cave in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness

      4.4
      7.68 mi / 889 ft gain
      Dripping Cave sits tucked away in a corner of Wood Canyon, part of the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, and the trail to the cave, while short, requires *at least* a 2.25 mile hike in from the nearest trailhead (West Ridge Trail to Mathis Canyon), though this is less than ideal as that rou...
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    • Aliso Viejo, California

      Top of the World via West Ridge Trail

      5.0
      4.76 mi / 443 ft gain
      Directions to get here are pretty straight forward via the map. You park your car in a residential neighborhood along the street, and from there, you can't miss the entrance. The trail is paved for the first 100yds or so and after you make a right turn at the top, you'll be on dirt and sand the r...
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    • Silverado, California

      Hike to Black Star Canyon Falls

      4.8
      7.5 mi / 913 ft gain
      Waterfalls in Orange County are far and few between, with the best lying near and inside the Cleveland National Forest. Black Star Canyon Falls are some of the best just after a rain if you are heading out during a dry time of the season you should still expect to see some water. Free parking, ea...
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    • Laguna Beach, California

      Hike Willow Canyon, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

      5.0
      6.7 mi / 1208 ft gain
      This hike has been a must do since I was young. Do you love scenic views of the ocean and wildlife? You'll see plenty of both, from hawks searching for food to squirrels and deer running through the brush. This is my favorite route in this area but there are plenty of other trails to shorten or a...
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    • Lake Elsinore, California

      Hike Bear Canyon Trail to Sitton Peak

      6.4 mi / 2200 ft gain
      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 parki...
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    Camping and Lodging in Rancho Santa Margarita

    Temecula KOA at Vail Lake
    Aguanga, California

    Temecula KOA at Vail Lake

    Dripping Springs Campground (Ca)
    Temecula, California

    Dripping Springs Campground (Ca)

    Banning Stagecoach KOA Journey
    Banning, California

    Banning Stagecoach KOA Journey

    Fry Creek Campground
    Palomar Mountain, California

    Fry Creek Campground

    Observatory Campground
    Palomar Mountain, California

    Observatory Campground

    Dogwood
    Lake Arrowhead, California

    Dogwood

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Rancho Santa Margarita

    The Hike that Humbled Me

    The Hike that Humbled Me

    Cameron Catanzano

    The Top 4 Places to Explore Tide Pools in Laguna Beach

    The Top 4 Places to Explore Tide Pools in Laguna Beach

    Visit Laguna Beach

    Why Laguna Beach Is the Ultimate Summer Destination

    Why Laguna Beach Is the Ultimate Summer Destination

    Visit Laguna Beach

    The Best Views in Laguna Beach

    The Best Views in Laguna Beach

    Visit Laguna Beach

    Loco Laguna: 7 Videos of Wild Adventure in Laguna Beach

    Loco Laguna: 7 Videos of Wild Adventure in Laguna Beach

    Josiah Roe

    Laguna Beach's Top 5 Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Running

    Laguna Beach's Top 5 Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Running

    Visit Laguna Beach