H Trails
igh atop the Dana Point Headlands, nature buffs and outdoor lovers
can find pristine walking trails, panoramic ocean views and even endangered wildlife. The Center for Natural Lands Management maintains the environmentally sensitive nature preserve and trail system known as the Headlands, the roughly 60 acres of land above Dana Point Harbor. Perched just a few hundred
yards away from the Harbor, the Headlands offer visitors a truly unique nature experience. For a nice day hike, guests can make their base camp at either Strand Vista Park or the Nature Interpre- tive Center — at the end of aptly named Scenic Drive — where there is generally plenty of parking. At the Nature Center, visitors
can learn all about the indigenous flora and fauna that call the region home. The Center also features exhibits and maps that detail the trail system and surrounding area. The facility is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is staffed with friendly volunteers who, if they aren’t too busy, will even walk visitors around parts of the trail. School programs and docent-guided tours are avail- able upon request. Once oriented to the lay of the land, it’s time to hit the trails. The
Dana Crest Park
24451 Josiah Drive BBQ, Basketball Court, Benches, Drinking Fountain, Path Lighting, Picnic Tables, Playground
Dana Woods Park
24900 Dana Woods BBQ, Picnic Tables, Six Bridges
Del Obispo Park
34052 Del Obispo Street Baseball Fields, Basketball Court, Drinking Foun- tain, Picnic Tables, Playground, Restroom, Tennis Courts
Harry Otsubo Community Gardens
24800 Stonehill Drive Community Garden Plots, Ocean View, Path Lighting
Heritage Park 34400 Old Golden Lantern Benches, Dog Fun Zone, Ocean View, Path Lighting, Picnic Tables, Wedding Ceremony Site
DANA POINT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
trails are open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. From the Nature Center’s front door, visitors can step onto the Dana Point Preserve Trail that winds through 29.4 acres of preserved native habitat. Hikers won’t find any manicured shrubs here. The bushes seen along the way are authentic Cali- fornia species, with gradations in color from tans and brown to ev- ery hue of green. Flowers include the bright yellow Bush Sunflower, light pink Lemonade Berry and purple Calindria. Approximately 105 native plant species, includ- ing eight that are on the California Native Plant Society rare plant inventory, have been identified within the preserve. The Preserve Trail traverses
right up to the edge of the Pa- cific Ocean, where guests behold amazing panoramic views of Strand Beach to the north and
Lantern Bay Park
25111 Park Lantern Road Basketball Court, BBQ, Ocean View, Path Lighting, Picnic Tables, Playground, Restroom, Wed- ding Ceremony Site
Lantern Village Community Park
La Cresta at Violet Lantern Benches, Path Lighting, Rose Garden, Walking Path
La Plaza Park Pacific Coast Highway north of
Golden Lantern Picnic Tables, Park Lighting
Louise Leyden Park Dana Bluffs West and Via Verde Benches, Ocean View, Drinking Fountain, Path Lighting
Palisades Gazebo
26401 Palisades Drive Benches, Ocean View, Park Lighting, Wedding Site
Dana Point Headlands. Photo: Rod Foster
Dana Point Harbor to the south. At each bluff lookout, pause and take a listen. The sounds of hundreds of birds—including the California Gnatcatcher, a threatened song- bird whose song sounds similar to a kitten’s mew—mingles with the waves below and the occasional bark of sea lions, in a symphony only nature could produce. Benches set up at strategic points along the cliff provide ideal places to rest or eat a snack. But be sure to leave no trace of litter behind and refrain from feeding the animals. In the early morning or near
dusk, visitors might be lucky enough to see some of the endangered animal species that inhabit the area. The Pacific Pocket Mouse, one of the smallest rodents in North America, is more likely to be seen at night, so those who spot one can consider themselves
Pines Park
34941 Camino Capistrano BBQ, Benches, Drinking Fountain, Ocean View, Path Lighting, Picnic Tables, Playground, Wedding Ceremony Site
Sampson Overview Gazebo
Blue Lantern and Santa Clara Benches, Lighting, Ocean View, Wedding Ceremony Site
Sea Terrace Park Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel
Road Benches, Ocean View, Path Light- ing, Picnic Tables
Sea View Park 25262 Manzanita Benches, Ocean View, Path Lighting, Playground
Shipwreck Park
33972 Golden Lantern Benches, Drinking Fountain, Playground
lucky. The creature was believed to be extinct until rediscovered at the Headlands in 1993. Visitors may even be fortunate enough to spot a whale in the waters below. After walking around the coastal
loop, hikers follow the trail toward a short, downhill stretch of residen- tial street that leads to the Strand Vista Park Switchback Trail. For those seeking a bit of a workout, the Switchback delivers, offering a winding path to the boardwalk, which runs along the sand of Strand Beach below. Visitors can continue north along the beach and take the north staircase or ride the funicular (inclined elevator) back up to the Strand Vista Park parking lot. At the top, turn south once more and stroll along the park’s colorful walk- way, decorated with inlaid mosaic tile sea creatures to the end of the parking lot, near Veterans Memo- rial Park, then cross Selva Road to the pedestrian/bicycle access road leading to Hilltop Park and enjoy the kind of 360-degree views of Dana Point featured on postcards. From there, follow the trail back to the Nature Center. If tackling the entire trail system at once is a bit too ambitious, split the trip into segments and explore a new bit of the Dana Point coast- line over a few days. Either way, the city’s Headlands trails offer the opportunity to get some exercise while enjoying some of the most scenic settings in the southland. — Steve Breazeale
Strand Vista Park Selva Road and Pacific Coast
Highway Benches, Drinking Fountain, Restroom, Trails, Funicular
Sunset Park 33345 Calle Naranja BBQ, Benches, Drinking Fountain, Park Lighting, Picnic Tables, Restroom
Sycamore Creek Trail Del Obispo and Quail Run
Thunderbird Park
33422 Ocean Hill Drive Basketball Court, BBQ, Benches, Drinking Fountain, Picnic Tables, Playground, Restroom
Veterans Memorial Park
34201 Selva Road Benches, Monument (located at the south end of Strand Vista Park)
DESTINATION Dana Point 25
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