Fresh air, great views, and a little movement. What more do you need? Start 2026 off on the right foot with these local trails in or near Orange County that are perfect for staying active and gearing up for the Alzheimer’s Orange County’s Walk4ALZ 2026. With options ranging from oceanfront paths to shaded canyons and calm gardens, there is something for everyone looking to walk more.
1) Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Brea
Carbon Canyon Regional Park is an easy, mostly flat 1.1-mile nature walk that will have you strolling beneath a surprisingly lush grove of towering coastal redwoods for a peaceful, family-friendly experience.
Parking directions: The Redwood Grove sits in a quiet corner of Carbon Canyon Regional Park. You can find the park at Carbon Canyon Regional Park, 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823.
More information: Carbon Canyon Regional Park | OC Parks
2) El Modena Open Space, Orange
El Modena Open Space is a quick 2.4-mile loop with a steep 500-foot climb up Orange Hills Trail that rewards you with wide-open views over the Santiago Creek Basin and OC (and on clear days, peaks, downtown LA, and even Catalina) for a quiet, crowd-free hike.
Parking directions: Park for free near the Orange Metrolink station or on the residential streets off N Canyon St.
More information: El Modena Open Space | Villa Park, CA (Orange County)
3) San Clemente Beach Trail, San Clemente
San Clemente Beach Trail is a mostly flat, easy 2.3-mile one-way coastal path (4.6 round-trip) with nonstop ocean views. You’ll be cruising past piers, boardwalk wetlands, and beach-town scenery, with optional stairs up the cliffs for a quick incline.
Parking directions: You can park and hop onto the trail easily from North Beach, the San Clemente Pier, or San Clemente State Beach.
More information: San Clemente Beach Coastal Trail – California Beaches
4) Oso Viejo Community Park, Mission Viejo
Oso Viejo Community Park offers an easy 2.25-mile loop that moves from open grassy park paths into a shady creekside ravine beneath oaks and sycamores, blending a calm nature-walk feel with playful community art and garden stops along the way.
Parking directions: Park in the paved lot at Oso Viejo Community Park at 24932 Veterans Way in Mission Viejo.
More information: Oso Viejo Park | City of Mission Viejo
5) Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Trabuco Canyon
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park delivers a sandy, canyon-and-hills hike through shady oak corridors and creekbeds that opens into Red Rock Canyon’s striking red sandstone pinnacles, giving you a Southwest-style adventure close to home.
Parking directions: Park in the paved lot for $3 at the Borrego Parking Lot at 26701 Portola Parkway, Foothill Ranch.
More information: Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park | OC Parks
6) Tin Mine Canyon Trail, Corona
Tin Mine Canyon Trail is a mostly mellow 4.5-mile out-and-back (about 705 feet gain) that rolls from open Skyline Drive into a cool, shady canyon of sandstone formations and creekside scenery, ending with a peek at two sealed historic mine entrances for a fun “hidden history” finish.
Parking directions: Parking is available along West Foothill Parkway in Corona by the Skyline Drive Trail.
More information: Tin Mine Canyon Trail: Corona’s Forgotten Past
7) Coal Canyon Trail, Anaheim
Coal Canyon Trail is a tough, mostly exposed 10-mile round-trip climb (about 1,840 feet climb) that offers wide-open views of the Santa Ana Mountains and a “Mini-Moab” payoff of sandstone rock in a wildlife-corridor setting.
Parking directions: There is a free parking lot at the Santa Ana River Trail at 4995 Green River Rd.
More information: Coal Canyon Trail, California – 400 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
8) Buck Gulley Trail, Newport Beach
Buck Gulley Trail is a 5-mile urban-hidden oasis that drops into a lush coastal canyon and follows a stream through greenery, crossing multiple bridges that double as peaceful bird-watching and viewing stops.
Parking directions: Buck Gully Trail can be accessed from either end, but most people start in Corona del Mar since it’s the only trailhead with parking: 872 Poppy Ave, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625.
More information: Buck Gully Trail, California – 2,521 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
9) Weir Canyon Trail, Anaheim
Weir Canyon Trail is a wide, well-signed 3-mile loop with about 500 feet of climbing and mostly open, sun-exposed dirt paths that crest to ridge views, especially sweet in spring when poppies and wildflowers make it feel far from the suburbs.
Parking directions: There is free street parking in the residential neighborhood around 1000 E Overlook Terrace, Anaheim
More information: Weir Canyon Trail, California – 4,436 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
10) Bommer Canyon Trail, Irvine
Bommer Canyon Trail is a wide dirt hike through meadows and coastal sage scrub that climbs about 900 feet over 4.8 miles to sweeping San Joaquin Hills views (with a mellow 2-mile meadow option), offering a quiet open-space escape with solid wildlife-spotting.
Parking directions: The Bommer Canyon Trailhead can be found at 1 Bommer Canyon Road, Irvine.
More information: Bommer Canyon Trail, California – 2,662 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
Walk these and other great trails all over Orange County and don’t forget to lace up and and join us for Walk4ALZ 2026. Walk4ALZ brings the whole community together to support families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Every step, every donation helps fund care, spreads awareness, and reminds people they aren’t alone.
Join the walk, rally a team, or pitch in. However you participate, it makes a real difference. Register for free today: www.alzoc.org/walk
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