Outdoor Calendar

Note: Parks may be closed for 24 to 72 hours during significant rainfall. For park closure information, call (949) 923-2235.

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $15 day-use parking fee.

The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for 9 a.m. most Saturdays and Sundays. Hikes are three to five miles, and last about two hours.

Note: Hikes meet at one of these locations:

?Los Trancos “” from Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos. Meet near the trailer.

For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.

Trail work day: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday: Volunteers are needed to assist in the restoration and realignment of the Ticketron trail. For more information e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov

Sunset photography walk: 3 p.m. to sunset Sunday: Take your holiday photos in the Historic District with volunteer Andre Torng. All camera models are welcomed. Meet at the Los Trancos trailer. $15 day-use parking fee.

Night trail ride: 6 p.m. Tuesday: Join Crystal Cove State Park trail assistant volunteers on a grand night ride and tour of El Moro and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Open to the first 30 people to register. Riders must have a light of at least 10 watts and three-hour burn time. $5 donation per rider to benefit Crystal Cove Interpretive Assn. E-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road; reservations and information, (949) 923-2235; www.ocparks.com.

Rangers staff the park daily. Open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset, including holidays. Parking lot hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To learn more about volunteering or helping Laguna Canyon Foundation to preserve, protect and enhance the South Coast Wilderness, visit www.lagunacanyon.org or call (949) 497-8324.

?Willow Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the El Toro Road intersection. Open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers on specified trails; open 7 a.m. to sunset, but parking lot is only open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $3.

?Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Toll Road: Open daily 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

?Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the 405 Freeway interchange: The James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nature through the Camera’s Eye: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday: Calling all photographers! Take an easy, three-mile hike (100-foot elevation gain) with foundation volunteers to sites chosen for photographers. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve. Reservations are required, so call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.

Fitness Hike: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m Sunday: Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this difficult, strenuous and fast-paced, 3.5-mile hike (700-foot elevation gain) over very steep, uneven terrain with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Not for beginners. Hiking poles suggested. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Big Bend Staging Area. Reservations are required, so call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.

?Tot Walk: 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 18. Bring your wee ones to explore our wild backyard on this easy walk with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area. Reservations are required, so call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.

?Elder Trek: 8 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 18. Enjoy the outdoors and learn about diverse plant life on this easy, level, two-mile hike with foundation volunteer naturalists. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center.

Reservations are required, so call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation is $2 per person.