5 favorite walking trails

is a hard number to narrow down to.

Walking to me is much like yoga,

there are times I walk with the kids in tow

and there are magical times that I get to walk all alone

listening to nature or my favorite tunes.

{no kids bop allowed}

It’s a chance to see what is going on around me as well as a time

to breathe, slow down, and just be!

Sara and I live about 15 minutes inland

{when the lights are forgiving}

from the beach allowing us to

enjoy the trails here in town

or down near the ocean.

 Due to the kid’s school schedule,

it is often easiest to take the time and walk the trails here.

I can say that we live in a community that is very rare.

It is master planned, but it is one of the few

in the United States that is owned by a family that

believed in open spaces and building the homes within a

designated area leaving the natural land in tact.

We border the O’neill Regional Park.

The trails here are not map specified but are well known in

our community.

From my home my first spot is the trail surrounding it.

Here is the view that I am lucky enough to see on a daily basis

Favorite Trail # 1:

Ladera Ranch Trail

You are really at one with nature.

Perfect, as well, for a bike ride with the kids.

Lucky enough I had my camera in the bike trailer so

I could stop to take this picture.

There are so many beautiful trees to view,

especially the oaks that line the trail that can be well

over 100 years old.

Favorite Trail #2

Nature Interpretive Trail Center

This trail is magnificent on a clear day.

I know that is a big word to describe a walking trail,

but it is.

It is the Pacific Ocean as it is meant to be viewed

here in Southern California.

The trail though developed off

of the Headlands in Dana Point,

was secured and sanctioned by the

city as a Nature Trail as

a way to keep the natural scenery and

vegetation in tack from homes

being built along this trail.

It is a rare and peaceful hidden gem here in

South Orange County.

 Fun Orange County Parks has complete directions to the Center

and information regarding the trail walking times as

well as some other awesome park and hiking information.

Click here for more information.

While you are doing that take a minute to enjoy these

Ocean Views.

The walk is absolutely breathtaking on a clear day.

During certain times of the year there are beautiful wildflowers

that grow along the path.

It is a perfect walk to find some zen or it is fun

for the kids to hike along.

Strollers won’t work on the path unless

you want to throw out your back…

as it is pure sand and dirt.

The path is about 1 mile in length.

My kids like hiking it and being on the

lookout for whales and dolphins.

{I was blessed to see some whales last week.}

Favorite Trail #3

Strands Beach

As a family we love Strands Beach in Dana Point.

It is beautiful, has free parking, and better yet,

a funicular!

For a child who is a major fan of trains it is

a wonderful place to go and

load up the funicular and travel down

on its single cog wheel.

{that was a total Mason factoid}

This beach is popular with the locals but

it is hard to go to as it has a million steps down

if you can not take the funicular.

What makes it wonderful is that those steps

create quite a workout.

You can park along Selva Road at the top of the

hill and start the walk going down the first

set of stairs,

or you can combine it with the Nature Interpretive Center walk

which drops you off on Selva Road.

This will create a longer walk.

But no ones looking at the clock when these are the

views you are consuming on a clear California day.

Favorite Trail #4

Salt Creek Walking Trail

This trail has fond memories for me.

I used to walk this trail twice a week when

Mason had speech.

I had exactly one hour to do this walk.

Madeline was a small baby,

so after I dropped him off I drove

down the street and parked off of Camino Del Avion

and walked down the dirt trail on the right of the street

just over the bridge.

This trail is wonderful.

You feel like you are in another world.

You are on a dirt path for some time and then after

you enter through the tunnel

you see the wonderful light

and full ocean views.

This walk can be 5 miles round trip.

It is a great workout and goes by fast

as the scenery sucks you in.

Favorite Trail #5

Orange County Regional Trail-The Ridge

This trail starts in my town.

It is not for any one scared of snakes or coyotes.

It is a true hiking trail that takes you along the ridge of

our town and can drop you into San Juan Capistano

which allows you take in some gorgeous views of Dana Point.

Or if you know your trails well in my town you

can take this trail for a bit and wind down to another

trail called the Sienna Botanica Trail.

You really need to be on your toes as in

making sure you are aware of your nature surroundings.

That being said it is quiet and beautiful,

these pictures were taken with my phone

{instead of lugging around a camera},

a stroller or my dog was not an option for me on this trail.

So the next time the sun is shining and you have

a little time to enjoy the outdoors,

grab your shoes and go on one of these

delightful walks!