Exploring in Our Own Backyard
Last weekend, my husband and I decided to get out of the house and enjoy a local adventure. One of the perks of living in Laguna is that we’re surrounded by so many incredible hiking trails, and sometimes we forget how much there is to explore in our backyard. So we spent one morning Hiking in Laguna Beach!
Hiking in Laguna in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
This time, we chose to do a loop combining the West Ridge Trail and Canyon Acres Trail at Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. We parked at Alta Laguna Park in the Top of the World neighborhood, which really lives up to its name!
We arrived early enough that parking was still abundant in the lot next to the playground. After making sure we had plenty of water and, of course, our phones for taking photos, we set off.
Starting the Hike
The trail starts right near the water tank—you can’t miss it. As soon as we rounded that tank, we were greeted by expansive views of the landscape. We could see Aliso Viejo, Aliso Niguel, and Laguna Hills stretched out beneath us, with the distant Saddleback Mountain standing tall in the background. I love moments like this when you can appreciate how much space and beauty surrounds you, even when you’re so close to home.
We had a few options from this point. Several trails dip down toward Aliso Niguel, and the temptation to keep exploring different paths was strong. But we had a goal in mind, and we turned left onto the West Ridge Trail, wanting to head toward the ocean.
The West Ridge Trail
The West Ridge Trail runs across the canyon, parallel to scenic Skyline Drive, which is lined with homes that seem to dangle right on the edge of the canyon. Every time I see those houses, I remember how incredible it was to wake up every morning with those kinds of views - I grew up on that street, watching people hiking around on the very trail we were hiking!
The West Ridge Trail itself is wide, well-marked, and pretty easy to follow. One of the things I enjoy about this trail is that it’s multi-use, so you’ll see mountain bikers in addition to fellow hikers. We came across a few cyclists, and it was fun to watch some of them challenge themselves on narrower, much steeper biking trails that splinter off from the main path.
The Canyon Acres Trail
As we continued along the ridge, we reached a fork in the trail and decided to take the Canyon Acres Trail. Now, this is where the hike starts to get more interesting! This trail is a bit steeper, and the descent was full of twists and turns. It felt a little more rugged and natural compared to the wide ridge trail, but that’s part of what made it so scenic and enjoyable.
We passed sandstone formations and scattered clusters of sagebrush, with the occasional lizard darting across the path. It was also quieter down here, and we didn’t see nearly as many people, so it really felt like we had the trail to ourselves.
As we made our way to the bottom of the Canyon Acres Trail, we emerged near the end of the road in the Canyon Acres neighborhood of Laguna Beach. This was the halfway point of our hike, and we had a decision to make: we could have easily just continued walking into town, grabbed a coffee, and called it a day. But no, we had parked all the way up at Alta Laguna Park, so there was only one way to go: back up the hill!
The Round Trip - It’s all Uphill!
Now, the climb back up Canyon Acres is a different story. What was a relatively easy descent on the way down became a moderately strenuous challenge on the way up. The trail is steep in sections, and I could feel my legs starting to burn after a while.
I wouldn’t recommend going up this trail unless you’re in decent shape—there were a few spots where we really had to take it slow and catch our breath. I’m not sure I’d want to attempt it with small kids, either, unless they’re really used to hiking and don’t mind a tough challenge. Luckily, my husband and I weren’t in any kind of hurry, and we took full advantage of the opportunity to pause and admire the views as we ascended.
Time to Take some Pictures
At one point, we found ourselves standing in front of a massive sandstone boulder that seemed like it was made for photos, so of course, we had to take a few shots. There’s something about the contrast between the pale-red rock and the greenery that makes for the perfect photo op, and it’s always fun to look back on these moments later.
Hiking in Laguna - Such a Great Feeling
As we got closer to the top, I found myself feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. This wasn’t one of those hikes where you push yourself to the limit, but it was definitely a good workout in parts—especially since we were taking our time and soaking everything in.
By the time we rounded the corner back to the West Ridge Trail, I could see the parking lot and knew we were almost finished. It was a great feeling knowing we had completed the loop and enjoyed every minute of it.
The entire hike, including our photo stops and water breaks, took us about two hours and fifteen minutes to complete. In total, it was roughly 2.5 miles, but we certainly weren’t rushing. For us, this was more about spending time together, appreciating the natural beauty around us, and reminding ourselves of how lucky we are to live in a place with such easy access to the outdoors.
Conclusion
It’s funny how even a local hike can feel like a little adventure. As we drove back home, we talked about how we need to make more time for these kinds of outings. Living in Laguna Beach, it’s easy to get caught up in daily routines and forget that we have access to some of the most beautiful trails in Southern California.
The hike inspired us to keep exploring new paths, discover more trails, and, of course, find new spots to take those all-important photos!
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