Hiking Laguna Coast Wilderness: Willow Canyon, Bommer Ridge & Big Bend Trail Loop
On a cloudy day in Southern California, we decided to stay close to home and head out for a hike in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. With so many interconnected trails throughout the park, it's easy to mix and match routes depending on how far you want to hike. Since there was a chance of rain, we kept things fairly short and planned a loop of just under five miles with mostly easy to moderate terrain.
Our Route
We started at the Willow Canyon Staging Area, where parking was $3 and restrooms were available. From the parking lot, we followed Willow Canyon Trail for about 1.5 miles before turning left onto Willow Spur, a short connector trail that quickly joins Bommer Ridge Trail.
Once on Bommer Ridge, we turned left and continued for about 0.7 miles until reaching Big Bend Trail. From there, it was another left turn, and this time the trail headed almost entirely downhill. Big Bend is a wide fire road that becomes fairly steep in places, with loose and uneven sections that are worth taking slowly.
After about 1.5 miles, Big Bend ends at Stagecoach South Trail. Turning left leads toward a small parking area with a portable restroom, and continuing another mile or so brings you back to the Willow Canyon Staging Area. Overall, the loop came in at just under five miles.
What the Trail Is Like
One of my favorite parts of this hike is how much the scenery changes over a relatively short distance.
The beginning of Willow Canyon winds through rocky terrain with interesting boulders, small caves, and plenty of places to stop and explore. As the trail climbs higher, the views begin to open up, eventually revealing glimpses of the Pacific Ocean from Bommer Ridge on a clear day.
Bommer Ridge itself is a broad, well-maintained fire road with wide-open views in nearly every direction. It's an enjoyable section for taking your time and soaking in the scenery.
Big Bend Trail offers a completely different experience. The descent is steeper, rougher, and noticeably more uneven, making it the most challenging part of the loop, though still manageable for most hikers.
Throughout the hike you'll find a variety of native plants, cacti, and seasonal wildflowers depending on the time of year.
A Cool Day on the Trail
We did end up getting caught in a little rain, but honestly, it made the hike even more enjoyable. I always appreciate raindrops when they fall in Southern California.
Most of our hikes in Laguna Coast Wilderness are warm, if not downright hot, so it was refreshing to throw on an extra layer and enjoy cooler weather for a change.
Grab some water and a trail snack, and enjoy exploring one of Orange County's best trail systems!
