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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Nix
Nature Center Laguna Canyon
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The James
and Rosemary Nix Nature Center is the headquarters for
the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. The center is the gateway
for recreational users to explore the vast network of
trails throughout the 20,000-acre South Coast Regional
Wilderness.
The $3.4-million nature center features interactive displays,
interpretive panels, fossil-embedded rockwork, audio recordings,
projected images, art and artifacts.
The nature center's picture windows frame four main views
into the surrounding parklands. Visitors can hike up Little
Sycamore Canyon and enjoy the view or take the trail under
Laguna Canyon road to Barbara's Lake. The lake is the
only natural occurring lake in Orange County.
Hiking through the scenic canyons it is hard to believe
that just over the next hills is urban development. Arrive
early in the summer time the afternoon heat can be intense.
Bring plenty of water and some good hiking shoes. They
are plenty of shady areas for a picnic after a hike.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park’s 7,000 acres are part
of the South Coast Wilderness area, comprised of Aliso
and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park,
The City of Irvine Open Space, and Laguna Coast Wilderness
Park |
Trails
from the Nix Nature center connect to the Laguna Coast and
Aliso, Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks and Crystal Cove State
Park. many of the trails are quite steep and not suited
for a family hike.
The trek to Barbara's lake on the other hand is farily level
and an easy hike. The Laguna Canyon Foundation offers fitness
hikes, geology hikes, family bike rides and California native
plants hikes during the year, many of them depart from the
Nix Nature Center.
On weekends the parking lot will fill up so arrive early.
The Nix Nature Center is on the small side but there are
some very interesting exhibits plus clean restrooms. Park
Rangers staff the center and can offer tips on which trails
to take.
Pakring Lots and trail heads to Laguna Coast Wilderness
Park are located at :
Willow Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro
Road.
James Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north
of the 73 toll road.
Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road/SR-1330 Site
of the James & Rosemary Nix Nature Center.
Laguna Heights, trailhead for West Ridge Trail and other
routes into Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, located
next to Alta Laguna Park in Laguna’s Top of the World
neighborhood.
Ridge Park Newport Coast Drive to Ridge Park Road east to
to gategate.
Big Bend on Laguna Canyon Road, south of Willow Canyon.
Staging area for equestrians as well as some guided activities. |
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Click
on image for larger picture. |
The
Nix Nature Center is located at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road
in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park's Little Sycamore Canyon
staging area, 3.5 miles south of the I-405 and Route 133
interchange.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including holidays, with free
admission. The parking lot is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
and the fee is $3. Laguna Woods Village residents Jim and
Rosemary Nix provided the initial $500,000 gift for the
nature center to the Laguna Canyon Foundation in 1999. |
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Quail
Hill Loop a family friendly hiking
trail in Irvine. 1.8 mile loop with a wonderful
view. |
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Woods
Canyon easy trails and for advanced
hikers and mountain bike riders. |
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