Connect with Nature

Connecting with nature and the sound of the rain can provide a huge boost in your mood, and reduce your overall stress. 

When rains hit Orange County, most people will say hallelujah, since we need it. For hikers, and mountain bikers, that’s another story. The rain can put an end to outdoor fun, but it does not have to.

Even if you don your favorite raingear, and know where to go, you still must contend with mud, up to 24 hours post rain, before trails are passable, unless they are paved.

Fresh Air

Rain helps to remove pollutants, dust, pollen, and allergens from the air so you can breathe easier. Not only that they carry negative ions, which helps people feel more alert, due to reduced inflammation of their airways, aiding in oxygen absorption.

Where to Go

If you just want to get in a hike during a rainstorm or post rain you need to know where to go. 

Even if it’s not raining, paved trails may be the best option, especially if you’re pushing a stroller, have mobility challenges, are walking with elderly folk, or are recovering from injuries. 

Whatever the reason, paved trails might just be what you’re looking for, but you might be wondering where to find them here in Orange County.

Find Your Perfect Trail

Well look no further than this list of 62 Paved Trails all located in Orange County, California.

I have personally hiked many of these Orange County trails, and some are my own go to hikes in the rain or post rain. From North County all the way to South County, there is a trail here everyone can enjoy.

62 Paved Orange County Trails

1. Huntington Beach Path 19.2 miles
2. Santa Ana River Trail 24 miles
3. La Mirada Regional Park 1.4 Miles
4. La Mirada Creek 3 miles
5. Anaheim Coves Hike 4.9 miles
6. Walnut Canyon Reservoir Loop 1.7 miles
7. Santiago Creek Trail 12.9 miles
8. Eisenhower Park Loop  1.2 miles
9. Craig Regional Park Loop 2.6 miles
10. El Cajon Trail 5.5 miles
11. East Lake Loop 3.2 Miles
12. Yorba Regional Park 2 miles
13. Coyote Creek Bikeway 5.8 miles 
14. Mile Square Park 5 miles
15. Lake Huntington 1.2 miles
16. Talbert Lake 1.7 miles
17. Centennial Regional Park 1.2 miles
18. Hicks Canyon 4 miles
19. Tustin Legacy Park 1.1 miles
20. Tustin Branch Trail 4.3 miles
21. San Diego Creek Bikeway 7.1 miles
22. William Mason Park 2 miles
23. Mountains to Sea Trail 6.4 miles
24. Woodbridge Lake Trail 1.7 miles
25. Shady Canyon Trail 10.1 miles (partially paved)
26. Walnut Trail 6.1 miles
27. Jeffrey Open Space Trail 5.4 miles
28. The Great Park 5 miles
29. Bosque Trail 1.8 miles
30. West Alton Bike Trail 10.1 miles
31. Irvine Regional Park 3 miles (partially paved)
32. Balboa Island Loop 2.5 miles
33. Balboa Beach Path 5 miles
34. Back Bay Loop  10.5 miles
35. Crystal Cove Bluff Trail 4 miles
36. Laguna Cliffs Trail 1.5 miles
37. Aswut Trail and Moulton Meadows Park 2.5 miles
38. Aliso and Wood Canyon 2.6 miles (partially paved)
39. Sulfur Creek Reservoir Loop 1.8 miles
40. Aliso Creek Trail 9.5 miles
41. Aliso Creek Bikeway: Lake Forest 4.5 miles
42. Niguel Trail 4 miles (partially paved)
43. Serrano Creek Trail 7.4 miles
44. Oso Creek Trail 2.7 miles (partially paved)
45. Lake Santa Margarita Trail 1.1 miles
46. Hicks Haul Road 8.1 miles (reservations required)
47. Trabuco Creek Trail 1.2 miles
48. Strands Beach Loop 1.2 miles
49. Salt Creek Trail 6.1 miles
50. Badlands Trail 1.5 miles (partially paved)
51. Treasure Island Trail 1 mile
52. Niguel Botanica Trail 1 miles (Partially paved)
53. Dana Point Harbor Loop 3 Miles
54. Dana Point Blufftop Trail 0.5 miles
55. Heritage Park and Lantern Bay Park 2 miles
56. Sea Terrace Park 1.5 miles
57. San Juan Creek Trail 12.4 miles
58. Doheny Beach Trail 3.1 miles
59. Creekside Park Trail  2 miles
60. Dana Point to San Clemente Bike Path (Along PCH) 6 miles
61. San Clemente Ridgeline Trail 6 miles
62. Camino De Los Mares Path

Some of these trails are rather short, but you can easily double, or triple them to get a good workout, customizing the length of the hike. 

Most of these trails are flat, with a few exceptions.  The steepest trail with about 850 feet of gain, is the Hicks Haul Road, which is all uphill.  In second place is the San Clemente Ridgeline, with 790 feet of gain. 

If you like a good stairs workout with your hike, you may want to check out the Heritage Park and Lantern Bay Park trails, with views of Dana Point Harbor. They have stairs along with short hill climbs. You can expect about 50 feet of gain, but feel free to redo the steps as needed for a better workout.

If you love watching the boats go by, and watching sea birds, and sea lions, then you may enjoy a hike along Dana Point Harbor.

If beach trails are your thing, you may enjoy the Doheny Beach Trail, Strands Beach Trail, or Balboa Beach Trail in Newport Beach. Don’t forget to add in a walk along the scenic Balboa Pier or Newport Pier if you go.

Looking for some scenic sweeping views, of mountains and seascapes, further up on a ridge? Then you may want to check out Aswut Trail, Crystal Cove, Laguna Cliffs, or Badlands Park.

If you are looking for a longer trail you can hike, and bike, with a bit of nature, then you might want to check out the Santiago Creek Trail, Aliso Creek Bikeway in Lake Forest, or San Juan Creek Trail, which ends at Doheny State Beach.

Want to hike through a canyon, with plenty of nature all around? Then the paved section of Aliso Creek Trail heading into Wood Canyon, or the Salt Creek Trail, may fit the bill.

If you love lakes, Orange County has plenty of manmade ones, many of which are reservoirs, encircled by paved trails. Some of the most popular lakeside trails are the Walnut Creek Reservoir Loop, Woodbridge Lake, and Santiago Creek Trail, which circles a recharge basin.

All these hikes are open to the public, year-round, and free, with the exception of the Hicks Haul Road. This one is accessible only on guided hikes, and by making a reservation through the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

So what are you waiting for? Don’t let a little rain, or a lot, stop you from getting outside. Check out these paved trails to continue enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, getting in a little Vitamin D, while breathing some fresh air. 

Next time it rains, I hope you will get to enjoy some of these beautiful trails.

I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.

About me

I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!

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@serafinabenjamin

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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2024 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.