Aliso Peak Trail

A short but scenic out-and-back to Aliso Peak, a coastal summit perched above Laguna Beach. The trailhead sits at the west end of Seaview Park in Laguna Niguel; from the grassy park the path turns to dirt, passes a concrete overlook with a picnic table, then drops down a saddle before a steep final push to the summit.

The payoff is a wide panorama: the Pacific, the Laguna Beach coastline, Aliso Canyon, and Catalina Island on clear days. Round trip runs roughly 1–2 miles depending on your start point.

Good to know:

• Free street parking along Talavera Drive by Seaview Park
• Short but genuinely steep, with loose/washed-out sections — sturdy shoes recommended, and the descent is where people slip
• Officially part of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, though this segment is detached from the main park
• Park hours run ~7am–9pm (Mar–Oct) and ~7am–6pm (Nov–Feb); trails may close for a few days after rain
• Best light at sunset, and there's little shade along the exposed ridge