Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Hike

7.5 miles - Moderate Effort
3-4 Hours (Total)
1,190 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 840 feet
No Dogs Allowed

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is a real gem in Southern California. Its 7000 acres of protected land are one of the last bastions of coastal wilderness. This park is what Orange County coast looked like before man started developing here. You'll enjoy pristine coastal sage scrub, ridges with panoramic views, wildlife including over 40 endangered species, and some unique ecology. The park has over 40 miles of trails, and this loop of 7.6 miles is what one park ranger once laid out for me as the "best of " loop, giving you a taste of everything the park has to offer.

In this Guide:

Video & Turn-by-Turn Directions for the "Best Of" Hike
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Hike Trail Maps
Hours & Getting to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Insider Tips & Recommendations

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where is Laguna Coast Wilderness Park?

The park is located in the hills above Laguna Beach. Use this trailhead address:
Nix Nature Center, 18751 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

The parking lot is usually open from 8am-5pm. Check the park's website for any closures or alerts.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 5 — There's a decent sized lot with some overflow parking around the loop. On the weekends the parking lot can fill, in which case they close it. Try to get at opening or later in the afternoon for your best entry chances.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 4 — You can pay for parking at the kiosk, which takes credit cards. Put the receipt on your windshield.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 6 — Stop by the Nix Nature Center, located at the end of the parking lot.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 8 — The Nix Center has well-done interpretive displays, free trail maps, and a list of wildlife recently seen.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 7 — The Nix Center also has water fills and probably the nicest bathrooms that you will ever encounter at a trailhead.

Gear For the Hike

You can get away with fitness clothes here, but using proper hiking gear is a better bet. I bring 1.5 L of water and trekking poles for the steep sections. In the summer it can get very hot and exposed; it's usually warmer and drier than the nearby coast.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Trail Maps

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 3 — If you don't pick up a map at the Nix Center, you can still check them out as signs at many important intersections along the hike.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 2 — The trail junctions are all marked with these signs, which include the trail name.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 1 — There are also some interpretive displays along the Laurel Trail. You call the number listed on the post, and you can get an audio brief. Note that reception isn't always great in the areas where these posts are, but if you're interested, give it a try!

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Laguna Coast Wilderness Elevation — Even though there's a climb in the beginning and end, overall, it is a rolling hike with lots of ups and downs.

3D Map

A Big Thank You

James Dilley Laguna Coast — James Dilley, the champion behind all the pristine wilderness that you can now find in the hills around Laguna Beach. Photo LA Times

You're mistaken if you don't think one person can make a difference. In 1968, Laguna Beach resident James Dilley formed Citizens for the Greenbelt, dedicated to creating a natural area around Laguna Beach. And although Dilley tragically died before the parks were a reality, Dilley's idea grew into a much bigger movement than he probably ever imagined. The greenbelt movement stopped development, encouraged residents to raise their taxes to buy parkland, and recruited the help of local, county, state, and national governments to form other parks, including Crystal Cove State Park. There was even a proposal to make this area a National Park.

So if you want to leave a legacy of wilderness and parks for your grandchildren, you can probably accomplish more than you can imagine. Just get the ball rolling.

Best of Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions

This is a sensitive ecological environment. It's important to stay on the trail at all times. Off-Trail hiking is not permitted.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 9 — Start at the end of the parking area.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 10 — Go straight through all the side trails.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 11 — At the split, hike to the left.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 12 — You'll see a sign for the Little Sycamore Trail. That's the trail we're going to take up to the ridge.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 13 — Keep hiking straight uphill.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 14 — After about 0.3 miles the trail levels out a bit and you can catch your breath.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 15 — Look up to your right to see caves eroded into the sedimentary rock. Caves like this in the area where used to store food and as shelter by native peoples.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 16 — You'll cross a couple of small bridges.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 17 — And then at the top of the climb, you reach Serrano Ridge. Make the left turn to continue.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 18 — You'll be following this trail along the ridge, and you can see it unfold in front of you.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 19 — To the right are great views into Orange County and on a clear day, to Mt Baldy.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 20 — You'll see several side trails. Just stay straight on Serrano Ridge.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 21 — The trail is rolling, and towards the middle you'll crest a hill and see the 73 Toll Road off to the left. We'll be going under that shortly.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 22 — At the junction with the Camarillo Canyon Trail (on the left), go straight. If you need to shorten the hike you can go down the Camarillo Canyon Trail and rejoin the trail later. This will take about 3.5 miles of the hike, but you will miss some of the highlights. Otherwise continue straight.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 23 — You'll wind around next to the road.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 24 — Stay left at the junction with the Hogback Ridge Trail.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 25 — And then hike underneath the 73.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 26 — Once past the road, make the hard left onto the Upper Laurel Trail.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 27 — As you approach the canyon you'll start to see some trees and lush growth.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 28 — At the t-junction, make the hard left onto Laurel Canyon Trail.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 29 — This singletrack trail has a much more intimate feel.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 30 — Keep your eyes open for the waterfall.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 31 — The (dry) waterfall is a great place to stop for a snack. There's allegedly an old Volkswagen down there, but the off-trail areas are off-limits, so please be respectful. If you want to check out an old car up close, hike the nearby Car Wreck Trail.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 32 — Head back to the trail and continue downhill past the interpretive displays.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 33 — At the bottom the canyon opens up.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 34 — Shortly after it opens up, look for a small siding on the left.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 35 — And look in the distance for what is known as Ghost Rock, Pac-Man, Emoji Rock, or Smiley Face Rock.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 36 — Continue down the trail until you reach the junction with the Stagecoach Trail, and make the left.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 37 — Follow the Stagecoach Trail as it winds along the rock formations.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 38 — After a little climb and descent you'll cross back under the 73.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 40 — And then at the junction, make the right. If you took the Camarillo Trail shortcut, you'll rejoin here.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 41 — Pass through the gate.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 42 — And then hike to the left to start the last climb.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 43 — You have about 270 feet of climbing.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 44 — And then the trail levels out. Below you in Barbara's Lake.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 45 — And then you start descending. You'll be able to see the roof of the visitor center as you hike downhill.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Hike Directions 46 — And here you are, back at the parking lot!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Related Guides

Crystal Cove Best of Hike

Car Wreck Trail (Laguna Beach)

Bommer Canyon Trail Hike Guide

Bane Canyon Loop Trail - Chino Hills State Park

Barbara's Lake Hike (Laguna Beach)

Hikes In and Around Orange County

Popular Guides

Best Hiking Gear 2024

Hiking Boots or Shoes: Do I Really Need Hiking Boots?

When to Hit SOS on inReach

This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.