My father is an avid hiker and I inherited the bug in my older years. We lived in Fresno, California, which had seemingly endless hiking opportunities, short drives in all directions. Once upon a time in Orange County I found it difficult to locate suitable hikes. Those local guides are reminded that the hikes are steep stretches of pavement within suburban developments, often right next to noisy roads. After weeks of searching and finding modest hikes here and there – most notably in the Anaheim Hills and along the Santiago River – I came across Crystal Cove, my favorite hiking experience in the area.
A large part of the house from these roads will still be open. For it is not uncommon, while you are enjoying the solitude, to go a few yards off the trail. Personally, it took me many hikes to adjust to what I previously felt was a detriment to my constant communion with nature, but we people from the Central Valley they tend to be robbed in that respect. Once I realized that I would never have a clue of what I was enjoying so much in Fresno or Kern County, I began to look at these routes for what they were – the best local communities could try at hiking. Considering that, Crystal Cove’s series of trails is particularly appealing.
What trails – there are several, which vary in difficulty – lack quietness, they make up for in a scene of astonishing beauty. High in the hills, the ocean visible. Areas marked “challenge” provide a respite from human traffic, and can escape the constant whispers of traffic endemic to almost the entire county. Local flora is by no means scarce, and if you’re looking for an impressive array of flowers, you could do worse than visiting these trails in early spring. Just be prepared to meet the cold weather in the morning. The tracks are carefully preserved, and I confess that I have fallen out of the habit of watching them unfold step by step. Located off the South Pacific Highway Orange, the Crystal Cove trail series represents the best hiking experience in the area, just from the beach. Such parks may be typical of Northern California, but such a hiking gem in Southern California is worthwhile for experienced hikers who are interested in area, or recruits who just got the bug.
