orange county, mountains, forest, foothills Kyle Hanson orange county, mountains, forest, foothills Kyle Hanson

#328 Caspers Wilderness Park

Caspers Wilderness Park is the largest and most beautiful park in Orange County with 8,000 acres of wilderness. Sandstone canyons, coast live oak trees, river valleys and wildflowers on the edge of the Santa Ana Mountains come together to create a stunning landscape. Juaneño Native Americans lived in Villages here for thousands of years and lived off the land.

 
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orange county, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson orange county, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson

#228 Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park preserves 2,500 acres of canyons, streams, coast live oaks, grasslands and chaparral in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Red Rock Canyon is the most scenic feature of the park and provides striking contrast to the rolling green hills in the Spring. More than twenty trails of varying skill levels make this a park for everyone to enjoy.

 
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inland empire, foothills Kyle Hanson inland empire, foothills Kyle Hanson

#217 Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is a park in Riverside County on the edge of the Santa Ana Mountains. The plateau preserves native plants, vernal pools, Engelmann oaks and the historic Moreno and Machado Adobes built in 1846. In the springtime, wildflowers surround the winding trails whose hills turn brilliant shades of green. The geology of the plateau contains rich volcanic history which created a landscape that has looked the same for millions of years.

 
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inland empire, mountains, scenic drives Kyle Hanson inland empire, mountains, scenic drives Kyle Hanson

#99 San Mateo Canyon Wilderness

With 38,000 acres of beautiful unprotected land, San Mateo Canyon Wilderness is the perfect escape for solitude. Part of Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana Mountains, chaparral, coastal sage and oak woodlands are the main vegetation of this Coastal Range. For those seeking a scenic drive, follow tenaja road through the south main divide road which winds through the mountainous canyon and offers magnificent panoramic views. Please use caution as most of the drive is a single lane road.

 
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orange county, foothills Kyle Hanson orange county, foothills Kyle Hanson

#27 O'Neill Regional Park

O'Neill Regional Park is a beautiful 4,500 acre park managed by Orange County Parks. The park is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in Trabuco and Live Oak Canyons. Coast live oaks line many of the trails allowing you to enter a wooded wonderland. There are also trails of chaparral, sagebrush and cactus. Live Oak Canyon Road is also a lovely drive as you enter the park. This is an OC must for relaxation.

 
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