"The Sinks as a mini-Grand Canyon": Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park

Today, we will take you to one of the parks in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, the land that stretches in a giant green crescent from Weir Canyon near the 91 Freeway, connect with the Cleveland National Forest, to the hillsides of Irvine and extend all the way to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Crystal Cove State Park near Laguna Beach.

Limestone

Canyon Wilderness Park, another hidden gem of Orange County wilderness, situated in Silverado, in the Eastern side of Central Orange County

As described on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks'website : "this spectacular and lush canyon includes thick oak woodlands, streamside habitats, year-round springs and an iconic geological formation called "the Sinks,” often compared to a mini-Grand Canyon. A rich diversity of plants and animals as well as an unusual variety of natural habitats make Limestone a true favorite among hikers, mountain bikers and naturalists of all types" https://www.irlandmarks.org/Explore/Limestone-Canyon-Wilderness-Area.aspx

"The activities at the Irvine Natural Landmarks are offered by a variety of organizations and their dedicated volunteers. These activities are guided or supervised programs. Some locations are open daily for self-guided access as well. All programs are FREE unless noted below. Pre-registration is required. Walk-up registrations are not allowed."

There are almost daily scheduled hikes with docent leads at Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, but once a month there is an Open Access Day that will allow trail lovers to enjoy self-guided access in magnificent Limestone Canyon. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking, biking, and equestrian use from 9am to 3pm

For more info and join a group to hike the next open access day March 3rd, 2012 http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/53525802/

Also check out last year event with lots of wildflowers when we visited in May: http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/17281373/

 

City of Irvine, Suicide Hill and Wildlife Sanctuary

Let us take you to Irvine. "Irvine is a city like no other: a master-planned balance of urban living and preserved natural space at  the center of Orange County in coastal Southern California". Whether you travel alone in 2 hours or a day, with family, with a group or with friends, you will find "Irvine is not only a great place to vacation, it's an exceptional destination for meetings and events, a multicultural home to some 100 company HQs"  http://www.cityofirvine.org/

One of the most interest points in Irvine: the Great Park Balloon, it is the Orange County Great Park’s first major attraction. With the ability to hold up to 25 to 30 passengers, and soar up to 400 feet above the surrounding landscape, it also serves as a public observation deck for the Great Park’s development http://www.ocgp.org/

An attraction for trails lovers: Suicide Hill, a name sounds tragic or challenging to hikers. Located right in a middle of the city next to Concordia University, Irvine and the University of California, Irvine, Turtle Rock is a neighborhood in the south part of Irvine, Orange County. Suicide Hill is one of the hills in the Turtle Rock. This is a great hiking area that offers great views of the surrounding hills and Orange County.  Most hikers will do a loop of 4 miles in an hour or 6 miles in couple hours with a group of several trails and short steep hills. However the nature of the trails allows any hiker to tailor their hike to whatever length you like with your friends. You can make your hike as easy or as strenuous as you would like. Parking is also free.

Find more information here or join a group to hike: http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/16481235/

http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/47719662/

For family with kids, wildlife watchers or photos taking lovers, the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is another place to visit. It is a great place for group picnic and watching sunset. This land comprises more than 300 acres of restored coastal freshwater wetlands. Located in the middle of the bustling city of Irvine, twelve miles of trails serve as an oasis for walkers, joggers, and birdwatchers as well as a living laboratory for students, teachers, and the public. To read more:  http://seaandsageaudubon.org/SJWS/sjws.htm 

Join a group and more information: http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/22207101/

http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/22207821/

As mentioned from the city of Irvine website:  "Thirty years ago, the City of Irvine was still in its infancy. Today, Irvine has grown into what many describe as a "total destination," a community boasting state-of-the-art transportation programs and systems, an enterprising business environment, stellar educational institutions and a team-like lifestyle. Irvine is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the country, ranked "America's Safest Big City" by the FBI seven years running and less than half an hour from some of California's best-loved attractions, including Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Disneyland Park^® and Knott's Berry Farm"

  

Black Star Canyon Falls and Vietnamese Signature Dishes

Happy Presidents' Day!  Today, we will introduce another hidden treasure in Orange County--the Black Star Canyon Falls.  Situated in Silverado, Black Star Canyon is part of the Santa Ana Mountains in the Eastern side of Central Orange County.  Its namesake falls is a hidden gem in the area.  Getting to the falls is not easy and requires hopping over large boulders, but it is definitely worth the effort.  Budget about 5-7 hours of hiking and enjoyment time to take advantage of this beautiful falls. Last Winter, the falls were running in full force after a recent rain.  However, with the lack of rainfall in this Winter season, the falls are mostly running dry. 

Let’s look back Black Star Canyon Falls during a wet rainy winter 2011. Couple photos by Mai and more on  http://goo.gl/0lqLy

http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/17009643/

http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/15801106/

http://www.meetup.com/Viet-Friends/photos/1333790/22486392/

While we are in Orange County, it's worth taking a little time to explore the local culture.  Central Orange County is home to the largest Vietnamese American in the United States.  Spending a few hours at Little Saigon in Westminster will give you a taste of Vietnam's food and culture in less than a few hours.

Famous dish of Northern Vietnam: beef noodle soup (phở bò) 

One of the prominent stable foods for the Vietnamese is noodles. There are various other kinds of noodle, dishes of the Central or Southern Vietnam with their own names such as hủ tiếu (seafood with pork noodle soup) and bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup). Vietnamese calls them other names, in the same sense that sashimi cannot be called sushi. More reading and photos credit by

http://www.lovingpho.com/pho-opinion-editorial/vietnamese-pho/

"Chicken Noodle Soup" (phở gà)

Look up yelp for rating to find a decent noodle house or talk to a Vietnamese hiker friend for a reference of where to go. Hope this will warm up a cold winter day and calm you down after a long day adventure in a wet condition. 

http://www.yelp.com/