01
Best waterside loop
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve – Back Bay Loop
Upper Newport Bay • Tidal Wetland Loop With Paved And Dirt Sections • Scenic, Birdy Urban Escape
A long, mostly flat loop that traces the edge of the Back Bay with wide water views and constant birdlife.
Locals treat the Back Bay Loop as their go-to place to trade traffic for open sky and salt air. You can walk, run, or bike the mix of paved path and packed dirt, stopping at overlooks and small side trails along the way. Go early for cooler temperatures and the best chance to spot egrets, herons, and stingrays cruising the shallows.
02
Best ocean-view workout
Crystal Cove State Park – Moro Canyon & Moro Ridge Loop
Between Newport Coast And Laguna Beach • Rugged Coastal Canyon And Ridge Network • Challenging Half-Day Adventure
Climb from a broad canyon floor up to wide-open ridgelines with sweeping Pacific views and a real sense of space.
Starting from the Moro Canyon parking area, you can link fire roads and singletrack into loops that feel surprisingly wild given how close they are to the highway. Steady climbs are rewarded with panoramic ocean vistas, and on clear days you can pick out Catalina Island on the horizon. Pack water and sun protection—there’s little shade, but plenty of payoff.
03
Best easy coastal stroll
Crystal Cove State Park – Bluff Top Trail
Crystal Cove Historic District • Easy Clifftop Path Above The Beach Cottages • Laid-Back Sunset Stroll
A gently rolling path along the bluffs with nonstop ocean views, beach access points, and classic cottage scenery.
This is the stretch locals bring out-of-town friends to when they want to show off the coast without breaking a sweat. The trail is short, mostly flat, and dotted with benches and overlooks, making it ideal for families, casual walkers, and golden-hour photographers. Dip down to the sand for tidepools, then head back up to watch the sun drop behind the waves.
04
Best shaded canyon escape
Buck Gully Reserve
Corona Del Mar Inland Canyons • Shaded Riparian Canyon Singletrack • Quiet Midweek Escape
A narrow, mostly shaded trail following a year-round creek through a surprisingly lush slice of canyon.
Tucked just inland from the neighborhoods of Corona del Mar, Buck Gully feels far more remote than it is. The dirt path weaves across small bridges, under sycamores and willows, and along a creek that keeps the canyon green longer into the season. It’s a great choice when coastal bluffs are windy or crowded and you want something cooler and more sheltered.
05
Best close-to-town backcountry feel
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park – Willow Staging Area Trails
Short Drive South Toward Laguna Beach • Chaparral-Covered Hills And Ridgelines • Closest True Backcountry Feel
Steep climbs lead to high ridges and long views over protected open space, the ocean, and the coastal hills.
From the Willow staging area, you can build loops that range from short but steep to solid half-day outings, all on dirt trails with minimal development in sight. The terrain is classic coastal sage scrub, fragrant after winter rains and golden by late summer, with hawks often circling overhead. It’s a favorite for locals training for bigger hikes who still want to finish with a glance of the Pacific on the drive home.