Park Closures Throughout OC

The recent storms have brought much-needed rain to Southern California, but dumped it at a measure that has wreaked havoc with trails in the hills of our local Orange County parks. Many of the regional parks typically close during heavy rains to protect the trails from getting chewed up by bikes and boots, but even though it’s starting to dry out, many remain closed.

Currently, the following parks are closed

• Crystal Cove State Park (backcountry only)
• Santiago Oaks
• Aliso-Woods
• Laguna Coast
• Whiting Ranch
• Caspers Park

All of these closures are subject to change, so before you hit the trails, check the OC Parks Newsroom and the Crystal Cove State Park website for the latest updates. If you have updates, please post a comment below.

Great Hikes for Rainy Days

In the meantime, there are some great hikes you can do even when it’s raining outside. Here’s a few of my favorites:

• San Clemente Beach Trail – Yeah, it’s level, but it stays pretty hike-able even when wet.
• Ridgeline Trail – This is a paved trail on a ridge line near Avenida Pico in San Clemente. Great 360 degree views!
• Salt Creek Trail – A paved, multi-use trail that parallels Salt Creek, you can start at Golden Lantern and head all the way to Salt Creek Beach.
• Huntington Beach Walk – Not a hike, per se, but a great path that rain won’t spoil.

What’s your rainy day favorite?