Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Huntington Beach

"Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is a 7,000-acre wilderness area located on Laguna Canyon Road. One of the last coastal canyons in Southern California, the wilderness area lies in the San Joaquin Hills that surround Laguna Beach. There are 40 miles of biking and hiking trails that take visitors through a variety of landscapes such as oak, sycamore, and willow woodlands as well as areas of cacti, sage scrub, grassland, and maritime chaparral."

"Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is one of the remaining last undeveloped coastal canyons in Southern California and is one of the best things to do in Laguna beach. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is a 7,000 -acre area in the San Joaquin Hills in Laguna Beach. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park includes Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, and The City of Irvine Open Space."

"Parking: $3 daily parking fee that is open from 8 am to 4 pm. Dog-Friendly: Dogs are not permitted, but horses are. Camping: No camping."

"Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is also known as the Bolsa Chica Wildlife Refuge and used to be a part of a Mexican land grant in the days of old. Now the land has an interpretive center on it that visitors can tour to learn more about the conservancy programs in the area. There are galleries dedicated to animals and marine life and you can also see taxidermy exhibits of other local wildlife."

"The Shipley Nature Center is dedicated to preserving the environment in the Shipley area and has the aim of educating visitors on the beauty of this part of California for generations to come. The nature center is set on 10 acres of land inside the wider Huntington Central Park and is filled with local plant and wildlife. Docents can give you are a tour of the center and answer any questions you may have and there are a number of shaded areas where you can sit and enjoy this ode to nature."

"On 18 acres, away from the beach, this nature center offers kid-friendly exhibits on conservation efforts and a self-guided wetlands nature trail."

"Located in the Corona del Mar part of town you can find the pretty flowers, plants, and trees of the Sherman Library & Gardens. A treat for the senses, its colorful and fragrant grounds are home to an impressive array of flora from all around the world. Founded in 1955 by businessman Arnold D. Haskell, the gorgeous gardens have since grown and grown with succulents and orchids now on show next to a fern grotto, desert area, and rose garden."

"2647 East Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del MarNewport Beach, CA 92625(949) 673-2261. Encompassing 2.2 acres, this horticultural wonderland in the downtown area is filled with Instagrammable backdrops."

"Filled with diverse plant and animal life, the 3.5-mile leisure loop along the bluffs of the scenic Back Bay is perfect for joggers, walkers and bikers. Families with little ones will enjoy the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center with an observatory deck and plenty of interactive exhibits. Those looking for more of a workout can opt to do the full 10.5-mile loop around the Back Bay."

"The vast expanse of 100 acres of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, is by far one of the most loved nature-spots around Newport beach. Forming the estuary where fresh water meets saltwater and where you can find the native flora and fauna of California, a hike here welcomes you with the rare, untamed side of the city. The preserve is home to...Read more"

"If you want to enjoy nearby hiking trails, head to the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. A network of trails winds through acres of marshland and waterways, where sweeping views of the surrounding Southern California mountains provide great photo ops."

"As soon as my kids saw the rope nets of this new play structure, they were off and running to play “spiderman.” They created obstacle courses out of the steps, ropes, and nets that led around the play area. While they explored, I tried out the new exercise stations along the path that led up and around to a large soccer field at the top of the hill. I enjoyed the walking path that was bordered by California native plants and had views of the Pacific Ocean below and south Orange County on the other side."

"The 7-acre expanse in a quiet neighborhood high above the city is accessible only by steep, curving roads. Undeveloped, it has the feel of a wilderness park. Built on several levels of bluffs, it offers numerous aloes, broad lawns, overgrown bushes, shade trees, as well as ocean and mountain views."

"Santa Ana Canyon Road, Suite 102 in Anaheim Hills, the bakery and Italian spot, which offers cookies, sandwiches and more, is the highest-rated dessert spot in Anaheim, boasting 4.5 stars out of 211 reviews on Yelp."

"Santa Ana Canyon Road, Suite 102, in Anaheim Hills, the bakery and Italian spot is the highest-rated affordable bakery in Anaheim, boasting 4.5 stars out of 215 reviews on Yelp."

"Once onboard, you can participate in an intriguing tour of the ship’s history, dine at one of the many restaurants, stroll along the Promenade Deck, and even learn where the most haunted parts of the ship are. For a one-of-a-kind, romantic vacation, choose to reserve a hotel room aboard the Queen Mary. The ocean liner boasts all types of rooms, from standard rooms to full, luxury suites."

"This famous landmark can serve as a good to great location for portraits. The permit fee for photography is $340 for up to 2 hours. Availability is typically limited to weekdays except when special accommodations can be arranged through the Queen Mary's Special Events Manager, Eleni Manukailea."

"For those cruise lovers who want to experience some old-time cruise charm, there is no better accommodation than the Queen Mary. Docked alongside the Carnival terminal in Long Beach, you are within walking distance to your cruise ship. The Queen Mary is a living piece of history."