This moderately strenuous trail climbs to over 900 feet offering stunning views of the Pacific, Catalina Island and ever-changing canyon scenery. The hike is located in the 6000-acre+ Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, which is known locally as “the Laguna Greenbelt.” The Park is administered by Orange County Parks.
Laguna Bowl to Bommer Ridge
The hike begins on Laguna Bowl Road, a dirt fire road that ascends, steeply at times, to Bommer Ridge. While climbing, the hiker will see notice the outdoor theatre off to the left where the world famous Pageant of the Masters is performed each summer. It’s a little over one and one half miles to the highpoint at 912 feet just after the trail junction for Water Tank Road. After enjoying the view from the beneath the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Monitoring Camera situated there, the hike continues for almost a mile along the ridgeline providing spectacular views of the Park and, across Laguna Canyon Road, Temple Hill and Top of the World. The distant mountains reach to over 10,000 feet and may well be snow-covered in the winter.
Big Bend Trail
Eventually the hiker will come to a major intersection, which is well sign-posted as Big Bend Trail. Turning right onto Big Bend Trail, the hiker now begins to travel east and then southeast to south along a sweeping ridgeline that offers dramatic views of the often-painted rocks above “The Big Bend.” For a century, this near “S” turn of Laguna Canyon has been a distinctive landmark and the destination of California artists who come to capture the natural grandeur of this remarkable landmark.
Native Oaks
The trail, after climbing to a highpoint on the ridge, descends, steeply at times, to the Big Bend Staging Area on Laguna Canyon Road (parking for a fee is also available here for hikers that wish to do the trail in reverse or for those wishing to arrange a shuttle). Oak tree seedlings were planted in this area in 1996 by volunteers in an effort to restore this part of the Canyon to a native landscape. Once at the Big Bend Staging Area, the hiker can return to his or her car at the Laguna Bowl trailhead by walking one and three-quarters miles on Laguna Canyon Road.
Getting To the Laguna Bowl Trailhead
To reach the trailhead at Laguna Bowl, the hiker can take Pacific Coast Highway to Laguna Beach and then turn onto Broadway (which is Route 133/Laguna Canyon Road). The trailhead is half a mile up Broadway on the left just past the tennis courts. Alternatively, the trailhead can be reached from I-5 or the 73 toll road by exiting at Route 133 (Laguna Canyon Road) and following it into Laguna Beach. The trailhead is on the right about one half mile beyond the intersection at Canyon Acres. Plenty of parking is available in metered spots along Laguna Canyon Road.
Wilderness Hiking Preparation
This hike is open to the public from 7 a.m. to sunset each day (the parking area at Big Bend is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.). All trails are closed for 72 hours after significant rainfall. Trail conditions can be obtained by calling 949-923-2235. Pets are never allowed in the Park. While close to town, this is a backcountry hike, and it is possible to encounter animals such as rattlesnakes, bobcats, coyotes, and, while exceedingly rare, mountain lions. The prepared hiker will travel with a partner and carry water, sunscreen, a map, and other essential equipment.
Ret Talbot - Ret Talbot joined Suite 101 in December 2007, and he is now the feature writer for saltwater fish—a topic in which he is both ...
