On April 13, enjoy a pancake breakfast, fun activities and a hike on Irvine’s beautiful Quail Hill Loop Trail. The city-sponsored event is a chance to celebrate Irvine’s acclaimed park system and learn about the city’s plans to create new ways to explore the outdoors.
These plans include a 700-acre Gateway Preserve to connect residents to the local mountains, along with major extensions of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail.
The city is also exploring new trails starting near Los Olivos Community Park that would connect all the way to Laguna Coast and Crystal Cove State Park.
New ways to explore nature
Irvine’s Master Plan design creates easy access to manicured parks and rugged backcountry. Now, the state’s No. 1 park system is about to get better through these new experiences.
1. New Irvine Ranch backcountry trails
You can now hike on 10 miles of new trails within the backcountry of The Irvine Ranch. The new Saddleback Wilderness trail leads to vistas of Irvine Lake and the Pacific Ocean, while the new Gypsum Canyon trails lead past sandstone bluffs formed 16 million years ago. Learn more at ocparks.com/irvine-ranch-open-space.
2. A gateway to the mountains
Residents will soon have the chance to hike up the Jeffrey Open Space Trail, cross a new bridge spanning Portola Parkway, and enter a new 700-acre nature preserve through 10 miles of new trails. These trails will form a “gateway” to the 20,000-acre Northern Open Space Preserve, offering the first uninterrupted access to some of the most picturesque places in Orange County.
3. Extending Jeffrey Open Space Trail south
This natural wonder through the heart of Irvine is expanding from 3.5 miles to 5 miles long. The city recently broke ground on a pedestrian bridge over I-5 to bring the trail into the villages of Woodbridge, Oak Creek and El Camino Real. Eventually, it will connect to the San Diego Creek Trail, which travels clear to Upper Newport Bay.
4. Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp events
The historic camp, where cowboys once rounded up cattle on The Irvine Ranch, recently received $6 million in improvements from the city, creating one of OC’s most iconic spots for weddings, reunions and events. The camp sits at the head of Bommer Canyon, a stunning expanse of native meadows, woodlands and ridgelines with trails that lead to Crystal Cove.
5. A gateway to the coast
The city of Irvine is exploring the creation of a new trail system that would begin near Los Olivos Community Park and connect into Irvine’s vast Southern Open Space Preserve. Hikers could continue all the way to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Crystal Cove State Park.
