What's near Anaheim?

Bob,

The Bolsa Chica preserve is just north of Huntington Beach. About a half hour from Anaheim. Should be a few birds there this time of year.

Also, if you like snow but don't want to have to drive in it, the Palm Springs Aerial Tram will take you from the desert to an 8'500 foot elevation pine forest in just a few minutes. Palm Springs is about a 2 hour drive from Anaheim.

Well, there are some gigantic ducks and chipmunks in Anaheim....

hey, I said nothing about a mouse....

:)

Bob, I second the recommendation for Bolsa Chica for birds, especially Black-necked Stilts and Terns. Artie Morris recommended it, and it was excellent. Also, Newport's Back Bay is supposed to be very good for birds (Brian Small and others recommended it), but it must be hit or miss, because when I went it was definitely a miss.

FWIW, there are a few threads on this forum addressing areas around LA you might want to check out ;-).

From the old Jack Benny program, it was "Anaheim, Azuza, and Cucamunga".

Seriously, I would suggest the La Brea Tar Pits if you wish to stay in the LA area.

Best, Alex

  "Oh, and I don't count Mickey Mouse as wildlife!"

  Oh yeah?

  Wherever you may go, 

  in or near Anaheim, 

He will be watching you . . .

Bolsa can be very good, depending on what you're looking for. If you head down there, you might also head about 20 minutes south down the coast to Laguna Beach, specifically one of the coves(I like crescent) and you might be able to spot some sea lions.

Plenty of beach opportunities, obviously. The LA basin beaches might be just the ticket as they're easily accessible and usually only the surfers are out this time of year. Just south of San Clemente, San Onofre state park has some interesting sandstone-ish formations from erosion - reminiscent of much smaller scale Bryce NP (with the right light I bet you could make some stunning photos), a nice beach, and the "tits of California" <scuse my french ladies> - the San Onofre nuclear power plant. I've heard nice things about Dana Point, but never been to the beach.

As far as mountains go, there are actually a number of trails in nearby mountains. A few years ago I went on a hike to a waterfall (about 20-30 feet high in a nice little glen) and stream (yes, CA does have water) less than an hour from Burbank (probably under 2 hrs from Santa Ana). Not much in the way of wildlife, but pretty neat high desert type terrain, but with the added gem of water.

Mt Baldy, which is a ski area as well as a mountain, is just north of Upland (just north of Pomona) - I've never been up there, but should be good car access. Of course Big Bear is also beautiful, but that's a bit more of a hike.

I've also been exploring (but this was 15 years ago) in the mountains just north/west of El Toro. If I remember correctly, Saddleback mountain is up in that area (possibly even in the Santa Anas) and might offer some interesting scenes. I used to go trout fishing within 15 minutes of El Toro, but I'm afraid I don't remember how to get there.

San Juan Capistrano (where the swallows return) was always talked about when I lived in El Toro, but I've never actually been there myself.

Don't waste your time on Lake Elsinore if you're looking for scenics - it's really a biker haven.

Overall, I'd say your best bet for 1-2 hour trips would be San Onofre, the Santa Ana or San Bernadino mountains. I think Big Bear and other areas up near San Bern. would probably take you 4-5 hours, but Big Bear is probably worth it - the drive up is pretty scenic on it's own. I think Joshua NP is more of a 2 day trip, while you could do Big Bear there and back in a day, including sunset (but you want to be on the beaches for sunset, right?)

One suggestion for you is to contact some mountain bike shops or web sites - people don't realize it but there are tons of trails in the mountains surrounding the LA basin, oftentimes very close to civilization (like Pasadena or Diamond Bar). LA is HUGE geographically, so good luck.

Oh yeah, why not check topo maps? Might give you some ideas.

Oh yeah, don't forget about LA and San Diego zoos if you're into that captive wildlife thing.

This is probably too far for you, but if you have time (or someday) I highly recommend Rancho Cuyamaca State Park east of San Diego. It's adjoined to the Cleveland Nat'l Forest, the Laguna Mntns, and the desert to the east. One of my all time favorite back country areas to hike and the wildlife is phenomenal (high population of mountain lions). On one of the more remote trails I once counted a herd of 80 mule deer congregated in a high meadow... normally there would be 20-30 deer in that meadow in the late afternoon, early evening.

Start at Newport beach and hug the coastline going south. You'll pass a number of cliffs, river outlets, tide pools and what not. Definetly get a topo map, a lot of the best spots are not visible from the road side. i.e.: Pelican point; a tiny cove about 100 yards at the widest, featuring tide pools, a keyhole rock, great sunsets, and pelicans.

(link)

Go north to Morro Bay(about a 3 hour trip), stop at Montana de Oro state park for another beautiful cove. Morro bay state park features wetlands and monster eucalyptus groves. Morro rock hosts all kinds of sea birds. Whales and sea lions in season.

(link)

That should keep you busy :-)

Mike :-)