Aliso Creek Trail

Originating in the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County, California, and running west to the Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach, is Aliso Creek. The recreation trail which generally follows the path of the creek is known as the Aliso Creek Riding and Hiking Trail, as well as the Aliso Creek Bikeway, and can be found on many other popular trail websites. Depending on which site you use, the total length of the trail might vary from 14 to 20 miles. One of the reasons for this is the length of the “official” trail vs the length of the continuously paved trail portion which connects to the trail. Additionally, there are offshoots and parallel courses of the trail through some segments. The trail, as it is mapped here from Awma Rd. to Cook’s Corner is XX miles.

The trail is paved and generally flat. If you start at the beginning of the trail at Awma Rd. you will only gain XXX feet in XX miles, starting at 154 feet elevation and reaching XXX feet at Cook’s Corner. Of course, there are dips and small hills as the trail winds its way through the suburbs, local parks, and over and under bridges.

The “official” start of the county-maintained trail begins at Awma Rd. just outside the entrance to Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.

You can park in either the self-pay lot or, if space is available, for free on Awma Rd.

There are restrooms here and a kid-friendly and accessible visitor center. The visitor center, where you can learn about the native plants and wildlife also has a nice 3D topographical map where you can learn about the park trails as well as the watershed of Aliso Creek. Also, be sure to inquire about the Pecten Reef Loop Trail which is on the Aliso Creek Trail just before you leave the park. Please keep in mind that e-bikes are not permitted on the dirt trails within the park, nor are they permitted inside the park south of Awma Rd.

Before you head inland, and after you have toured the visitor center, consider riding southwest through the park along the paved road trail (no e-Bikes here) XXXXX for a more truly immersive experience of what this trail offers. Most of your ride will be in the park until you reach the South Coast Water Authority Treatment Plant. Here you can turn right and ride briefly until you reach XXXXX. From here, the creek winds through The Ranch Resort and private golf course, and, unfortunately, there is no public access. Look west toward the Pacific Ocean to see where the creek will eventually run its course before you turn around and ride to the base of the Santa Ana Mountains where the trail ends near Cook’s Corner, a famous local landmark and biker bar.

After you have completed the ride, you could and should come back and visit Aliso Beach to see where the creek empties into the Ocean.

Riding north from Awma Rd. you are still within the boundary of Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park although it may appear otherwise. Along the trail, there are several interpretive signs until you reach the end of the park boundary at Moulton Parkway. The signs offer information about the flora and fauna on the trail, the watershed, the Pecten Reef, and Biodiversity Hotspots.

Near the end of the park boundary is also the Pecten Reef Loop trail. Pecten refers to the fossilized shellfish found here. Unless you have an E-Bike, you might want to tour this short, scenic, and educational side trail. Learn more about it at the visitor center.

Continuing on the trail, you will briefly pass through Sheep Hills Park in the city of Laguna Hills. The trail appears to continue across (under) Laguna Hills Dr., however, that is a dead end. Instead, you will need to turn right on Laguna Hills Dr. for a brief ride in the street bike lane or on the sidewalk (safer). Take it to the end and turn left onto Paseo De Valencia. Again, you can ride in the street or on the sidewalk trail adjacent to it. This street segment is also brief as you will quickly turn right back onto the trail just before you hit Los Alisos Blvd. At the end of this segment, the trail will turn right and then left crossing underneath the I-5 Freeway, entering Sycamore Park in Mission Viejo.

Shortly after leaving Sycamore Park, you will cross under Los Alisos Blvd. and ride through El Toro Park in the city of Lake Forest. Safety Note Riding through El Toro Park and shortly after, the path dips down into the creek. During and immediately after heavy rains, this may be impassable and you will need to find a detour. Also, even if the water level is low, you may find yourself riding over small streams of water crossing the concrete. These are algae-filled and are very slippery. Easy to fall. Use caution. You will then enter Heroes Park in Lake Forest. There are public restrooms here in the parking lot adjacent to the trail. These are the last public restrooms on the trail. Of course, there are numerous places to exit the trail and ride to a fast food place or other city park if needed. Just use your Google Maps.

Continuing north you will ride through neighborhoods with small community playgrounds.

Once you reach the picnic table, you have entered one of two small segments of Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Just north of the picnic table, along Glenn Ranch Rd., is the Aliso-Serrano Bikeway which will take you to a parking lot and entrance to the main segment of the park.

From here you only have a short distance to the end of the trail. Although most maps show the trail ending here, you can cross UNDER El Toro Rd. and continue briefly on the trail and then El Toro Rd. until you get to Cook’s Corner. Congratulations! Treat yourself to a beverage and/or a meal here. The ride back is slightly easier as there is a slight downhill grade.

After you return to your car, consider visiting Aliso Beach to see where the creek ends. Park in either of the two public self-pay parking lots at Aliso Way and Coast Highway. You can park in either lot as there is a pedestrian tunnel underneath Coast Highway. Both lots have public restrooms. If you want a place on the beach to eat at the end of your ride, you can visit the Lost Pier Cafe at the south end of the beachfront parking lot.

If you want a short walk along the creek, walk north on Coast Highway briefly to Country Club Dr. Turn right at the sign for The Ranch. Walk for a quarter mile and turn right onto the UNMARKED paved Rd. which runs along the south side of The Ranch resort.

If you plan ahead, you can book a massage at The Sycamore Spa located on The Ranch Resort

Notes

Kid Friendly – What makes this trail so kid-friendly is that it is paved and flat! There is so much free parking all along the trail you can easily ride the entire trail with your kids in segments if needed. Don’t overlook the fact that the trail begins at a wilderness park with a kid-friendly and accessible visitor center with restrooms. This trail is also very educational. Even without the interpretive signs at the beginning of the trail, or the fossil bed at Pecten Reef Loop, if you take them to the start of the creek as well as where it empties into the ocean, you will have taught them something worthwhile.

Connecting Trail(s) – For a longer ride, consider starting here XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX