Nothing Like the Wheel Thing

LAGUNA NIGUEL PARK TOUR

Distance: 5.6 miles (one way)

Terrain: Periodic easy grades

Riding time: 40 minutes

Road conditions: Mostly bike paths

Traffic conditions: Moderate

Location: Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel

Level: Easy

Trailhead: From Interstate 5, exit south on Alicia Parkway and drive about a mile to the Alicia Valencia Plaza at Paseo de Valencia. Bring a light water supply. This is a short trip with a strategically placed view of the Sulphur Creek Reservoir.

Alicia Valencia Plaza to Laguna Niguel Regional Park--Leave the plaza and cross Paseo de Valencia. Continue a short distance on Alicia Parkway and take the path into the drainage of an alternate branch of Aliso Creek.

Follow this wide trail downhill in the open canyon area seven-tenths of a mile to Moulton Parkway. Cross at the intersection and follow Moulton Parkway to the southeast. The road heads uphill through open fields and newer housing areas.

In six-tenths of mile, turn right on La Paz Road and continue past new housing in the hills, a segment of Oso Parkway and Avila Road.

After an additional six-tenths of a mile through this exposed, hill-surrounded route, there is an oasis in the form of a shopping center at Aliso Creek Road.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park--In another one-tenth of a mile, there is a small bikeway/walkway entry into Laguna Niguel Regional Park that follows Sulphur Creek.

In a short distance is the spur path to the main park entrance where there are restrooms and a water fountain. Stay to the right on the park periphery (do not take the right turn to the tennis courts). Continue up a short, steep roadway that crests near the north end of the Sulphur Creek Reservoir.

The road passes the Laguna Niguel Lake concession and boat rental and runs near the tree-lined southern end of the reservoir in about a third of a mile. That area is reached by crossing a small bridge over the outlet creek.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park to Crown Valley Community Park--When the bike path reaches a parking lot cul-de-sac, just beyond it you’ll see a small trail heading south. That trail parallels the outlet creek, passes a small water treatment plant, then enters a wide canyon. There is a direct view of hillside homes and a first glimpse of Crown Valley Parkway.

At 5.3 miles, the trail passes between the Crown Valley Community Park and a gymnasium/pool. There is a small footbridge over to the park, a soccer field and restrooms. Continue along the path across a road access to the park’s parking lot. There are small picnic and barbecue spots in this area. The bikeway passes through a shaded corridor along the creek and ends a short distance from Niguel Road and Crown Valley Parkway.