Crystal Cove – El Moro Canyon State Park

SpringRachell and I left our apartment just a little before nine in the morning, Sunday prior to the storm.  In our haste, we forgot the coins that made up the fifteenth dollar set aside for parking at El Moro Canyon Ranger Station.  I tried to haggle with fourteen dollars in my fist, but was declined and sent forth with no parking pass.  But as we were heading out, a little yellow bird sang us a song about the top of Moro Canyon Trail…where parking was cheap, to say the least.

So we parked, and hiked down to the trail head which began a journey through Crystal Cove & El Moro Canyon State Park.  Three miles of beach front with 3,000 acres leading deep into the San Joaquin Hills, the Moro Canyon Trail gave way to plenty of views, long declines and steep (steep) inclines (if you chose the proper trails).

We didn’t see too much wildlife, save for a several crows, but we did see plenty of flowers in bloom.  It was overall a pleasant hike; the cloud cover presented, by the passing storm, was much more appreciated than heat from a clear day (especially due to the predominately treeless park).

My favorite place in the park was on the Moro Canyon Trail which led up and through a creek bed that had plenty of foliage.  Large oaks and a variety of other trees, gave way to a beautiful canopy that hid wonderful little alcoves tucked between rocks and boulders (we saw a couple breaking in a hollowed out area in the side of a cliff).

Greater Orange CountyRach/Dave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also enjoyed the park where we initially arrived.  The sweeping views from the peak, gave way to the Orange County Great Park, the Tustin Airfields, South Coast Plaza and Greater Orange County.  You really don’t know the beauty of Orange County until you experience the flatness of the Midwest.

Thanks for reading and feel free to send me suggestions.

Best,
DSWilfert

 

Orange County Trails:

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Peters Canyon Regional Park

Santiago Oaks Regional Park

 

Photos: El Moro Canyon

Map: Crystal Cove & El Moro Canyon State Park


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Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Aliso and Wood Canyons Park

“WOW,” I believe “wow” is the word you’re looking for when describing Aliso & Woods Wilderness Park.

Thirty nine hundred (3,900) acres of wilderness, took Rachell and I on a seven and a half mile trek in and around the park.  We sat atop on look-out points that gave way to views of Irvine, the Orange County Great Park, as well as, Laguna Beach and the Pacific Ocean.

What I liked most about this park, was the variety of trails that led into thick canopies, creeks, meadows and rocky hills.  The inclines here were narrow with gouges and rocks that broke to steep drops.  These trails are used by mountain bikers, so WATCH OUT.  Seriously, always keep your head up, eyes open and hear with your ears.

Aliso and Wood Canyons Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also viewed a variety of wildlife, ducks, birds and frogs…We saw a wood-pecker, which was neat, and a couple of mallards.  Plenty of oaks and other trees, a variety of grasses that lead to big meadows… It was easy to see that this acreage was once owned by a rancher, check out the old corral in the photos.

I think, by far, that I enjoyed this park the most out of the three we’ve seen and hiked (Santiago Oaks Regional Park & Peters Canyon Regional Park).

Suggestions?  Feel free to add.

Thanks!

Best,
David

Photos:

Map: Aliso & Wood Canyons Park


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Peters Canyon Regional Park

To continue on our weekend hiking excursions, Rachell and I tackled Peters Canyon Regional Park last weekend.  The trail head was a suggestion from a friend who stomped about the canyon by her old home in the foothills, THANKS Caitlin!

So upper Peters Canyon is about 55 acres.  The park, and I am not certain if its split from upper to lower, is a longer narrow park with plenty of trails with moderate to tough inclines and declines.  We saw plenty of fit individuals running, I know can you believe it, up and down the very same terrain that I was huffing and puffing up.  My friendly greetings at the bottom of the hill turned to (only) smiles near the crest.

There are plenty of scenic views from all different points in the canyon.  Looking East, I could see Santiago Oaks Regional Park and South, the Orange County Great Park in Irvine (the BIG orange balloon, traveling up and down).  There is plenty of wildlife all about, and I am sure there is a long list of animals, reptiles and fauna that one could download at Orange County Parks website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We definitely had a good time at the park.  Make sure you arrive early, especially on a nice day.  Parking is $3.00 per auto, bring single ones or a five dollar bill.  We were fortunate enough to have someone split our ten and another to inch their car over so we could slip into a parking space.

Again, we are all ears with suggestions!

Best,
DSWilfert

Photos:

Map: Peters Canyon Regional Park


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Santiago Oaks Regional Park

Last weekend Rachell and I visited the Santiago Oaks Regional Park.

We are in training to summit Mt. Whitney, and we used the expansive 1,758 acre park to our advantage.  With rugged terrain, inclines, declines, valleys and peaks, we really got a good work out.  By the end of our 3.5 mile trek, we know that we need more training.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regardless, Santiago Oaks is suitable for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking.  There are plenty of “lookout” points that give way to sweeping views of Orange County.  Little historical facts, like the Submerged Dam of 1892, make way to modern marvels.  And, all about you nature, the true California we were told about in youth, with friendly faces all around sharing and enjoying the park.

We did enjoy our time at Santiago Oaks Regional Park and are looking forward to explore other regional parks dotted across Orange County.

Suggestions?  Feel free to add!

Thanks!

Happy trails,
DSWilfert

Photos:

Map: Santiago Oaks Regional Park


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Mission San Juan Capistrano

It was actually back in October when Rachell and I visited Mission San Juan Capistrano.  In all actuality, we were down in South Orange County to visit South Coast Farms (who offer an awesome CSA program) for their pumpkin patch extravaganza.  The day was sunny, warm and just pleasant.

So, it was by off chance that we stopped off at the old mission.  We purchased two tickets for the tour, paid a little extra and received the audio (well worth it, but I forgot the price).  The grounds are BEAUTIFULL, no doubt.  Fountains, flowers, awnings, patios and the old mission ruins.  A sunny day matched the beauty of the grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the tour, we stopped for lunch at Taqueria El Campeon.  Another fantastic stop.

If you have recommendations for things to do, I am all ears.  Please share!  Thanks.

Best,
David

Photos:

Map: Mission San Juan Capistrano


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Orange County Great Park

Orange County Great ParkThe prior Friday, Rachell and I carpooled to work so by day’s end we could jet over to the Orange County Great Park in Irvine.  We were able to bypass a lot of the traffic by taking Red Hill Avenue to the 5 Interstate; I had to stop in Tustin to pull in some trash cans, a favor for a client.

We arrived at basically a dead period for the park; the gallery just closed and the balloon ride was down until 7pm.  We made the best of it by walking the grounds and checking out each respected area.

Walking along a concrete path, we noticed the use of reused concrete which acted as a retaining wall for a raised bed (or garden).  There were plenty of irrigation trenches that also took advantage of broken up concrete.

Along the way to the main grounds, you walk on a nice path that takes you through a couple of soccer fields and drops you off by the carousal, balloon ride, a small playground and the gallery area.  There is complimentary box of sports equipment, Rachell and I took advantage of the Frisbee and had a good toss.  It appears that the greater park is incomplete, with fences blocking off large junks of open space.

Orange County Great ParkOrange County Great Park
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my opinion, the Great Park rests in the middle of nowhere.  The lack of development in the surrounding area is probably the reasoning behind the park being unfinished.  Sure it is home to a gallery, a great big balloon and I am sure there are special events, but the park lacks a distinctive draw that will continuously bring in people from across the county.  Rachell and I thought a food court or restaurant could really take advantage of the beauty of the park, you gotta remember we were there for sunset.

Don’t get me wrong here, Rachell and I enjoyed our afternoon together but I am not sure when we will be back to the Orange County Great Park.  I would like to take a ride on that balloon but other than that it is quite a distance out of the way.  Again, on the return home, we were fortunate enough to bypass even more traffic by taking Sand Canyon Avenue to the 405 freeway (and then swinging into the carpool lane).  So basically, plan accordingly.

Got suggestions?

Please share!

Thanks,
David S. Wilfert
Direct: (714) 357-1422
David@WilfertGroup.com

Links:

Orange County Great Park

David S. Wilfert

Photos:

Map: Orange County Great Park


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South Coast Farms Pumpkin Patch

The other Saturday Dave and I took a mini field trip down to San Juan Capistrano, in Orange County California. We went to the “pumpkin patch” hosted by the farm that we receive our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) packages from, South Coast Farms.  It is pretty amazing that just a few streets from downtown San Juan there is this farm.

At first glance, you will see a food stand with fresh produce from the farm.  Behind the produce stand was a little pumpkin patch, with various activities including making cider, a craft table and learning how to wash rags with a washstand.

The pumpkins picked varied in shape and size and a lot had really beautiful stems–which may sound odd, but a good stem really adds a special touch to a jack-o-lantern.  Dave grabbed a wheelbarrow and we picked up four pumpkins (special order for the padres) afterwards we had our turn at making cider.

Cider PressApples


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The owner’s kid showed us how it worked, and we crunched up apples into mash then squeezed all the juice out. It was sooo sweet and delicious.  As we went to check out and buy the pumpkins we also picked up some apples from the produce stand.  Overall it was really fun and the house on the property was beautiful, there was also a little garden area that you could walk around that showed a natural eco-habitat for California.

Best,
Rachell

 Photos:

Map: South Coast Farms


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Orange County 2011 Beer Week

Orange County

Orange County Beer Week, October 2nd through October 8th.

We are back at it again, Rachell and I will be headed out to Tapas Restaurant & Night Club in Newport Beach to check out the Crab Croquettes for the County of Orange 2011 Beer Week.

This is your chance to get out and try something new.  Restaurants you’ll see listed on the above link (click the photo) will be hosting specials which will allow one to try a select menu of what the restaurant has to offer.  This is a GREAT Newport Beachopportunity to get outside the normal.  Take a chance, Rach and I will!

Enjoy,
Dave

Annual Tustin Tiller Days

City of Tustin

It’s back…Tustin Tiller Days!

September 30th – October 2nd

Stop by the City of Tustin to enjoy the annual Tustin Tiller Days celebration.  Tustin Tiller Days has been a regular event in Tustin since 1957. The event provides an opportunity for Tustin to celebrate Orange County’s agricultural heritage. It is also an opportunity for local non-profit groups to raise funds. Over the years, local civic organizations have raised thousands of dollars to benefit a wide variety of local needs.

For more details click on the banner, above.City of Tustin

Enjoy,
Dave

 

Saint Simon & Jude Annual Fall Festival

 

It’s that time of year again…The Annual Saint Simon and Jude Parish Fall Festival!

September 30th – October 2nd

If you’re in Huntington Beach head down to the Saint Simon and Jude Parish off Indianapolis and Magnolia for food, games and FUN!  Rachell and I will be working the Dip-Ball Booth on Saturday October 1st from 9 – 11pm for the Saint Vincent De Paul Society.  Spend a little money, have some fun and support a good cause.

Enjoy,
Dave

Orange County 2011 Wine Week

Orange County

Orange County Wine Week, September 25th through October 1st.

Rachell and I will be headed out to the Red Table Restaurant in Huntington Beach (Huntington Harbor) to check out the tuna tartar for the County of Orange 2011 Wine Week.

This is your chance to get out and try something new.  Restaurants you’ll see listed on the above link (click on the photo) will be hosting specials which will allow one to try a select menu of what the restaurant has to offer.  This is a GREAT opportunity to get outside the normal.  Take a chance, Rach and I will!

Enjoy,
DaveHuntington Beach

 

The 27th Annual Chili Cook-Off in Tustin

The City of Tustin

The chili cook-off in the City of Tustin is just around the corner; NEXT SUNDAY!  Although I missed last year’s festivities, I am totally pumped for this year’s action.  I’ve heard so much about this event and even passed by last year – prior to an open house in Tustin Meadows.  It looks FUN! 

So here’s the deal, Sunday June 5, 2011 in Old Town Tustin the City will host the 27th Annual Chili Cook-Off which kicks off at 11:00am.  Food, drinks, music, crafts will all be available.  Battle of the bands will take place, the kids (children) will have entertainment at a special “kidz zone” and a watermelon eating contest to boot. 

I don’t know about you, but anytime I am in the company of family, friends, warm weather, with food and drink always equals a good time!  I hope to see many of you out and about next Sunday!

Best,
David  

Meredith Gardens Annual Jazz Concert

Little may know, but I grew up in Meredith Gardens (a fantastic community in Huntington Beach) and George still lives there to this day.  Personally, I have taken full advantage of LeBard Park with family and friends for BBQ’s to pick up games of basketball (and everything in-between).  So when the voluntary Meredith Gardens Home Owners Association decided to get together to sponsor Len Montgomery’s Brethren Christian High School Band in an annual jazz concert, I was more than happy to par-take.

Being a huge fan of jazz and blues, it was never a question whether to attend and I have been present most years.  So on June 4, 2011 in LeBard Park in the City of Huntington Beach, the Meredith Gardens community will present Len Montgomery’s Jazz Band from 6:00 to 8:00pm.  Totally excited, these kids are GOOD.  Flat out gifted

Remember to back a picnic, maybe some cheese maybe some wine (I won’t tell if you won’t), a blanket to sit back and relax to the notes of melody.

Enjoy,
Dave