Between LA And San Diego Is A Laid-Back Suburban City With Scenic Parks And Lake Fun

Southern California certainly has a wealth of cities and towns to explore. There are budget-friendly West coast beach towns like Carlsbad and La Jolla, as well as theme park-forward spots like Anaheim and Buena Park. And then there are some quieter suburbs that, while perhaps not as well-known, are still worth checking out. Take, for example, Laguna Niguel. This laid-back, inland neighbor of the more popular Laguna Beach is home to a population of about 64,000 residents. Once known as Rancho Niguel when it was still a part of Mexico, the area was later owned by a man named Juan Avila through 1865, and eventually purchased by Lewis Moulton in 1890.

Fast forward to nearly a century later, Laguna Niguel was finally incorporated as a city in 1989. Today, it stretches across 14.7 square miles, and is situated between Mission Viejo to the east, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point to the south, Laguna Beach to the west, and Aliso Viejo and Laguna Hills to the north. This planned community is primarily known for its abundance of scenic parks. In fact, the city dedicates 3,650 acres to its parks, of which there are 31, including four that are owned and operated by Orange County. It's a great spot to stop in for easy hikes, picnicking, or to grab a light bite.

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is undoubtedly Laguna Niguel's largest park at 4,500 acres. A designated wildlife sanctuary, the park features natural open space land with around 30 miles of trails, reminding you that the best state for hiking isn't Utah or Colorado – it's California. There's also plenty of wilderness here that many animals call home. Gopher snakes, greater roadrunners, desert cottontails, and even bobcats all live in this park. Birders will also be pleased to learn there are a large variety of birds to be seen here ranging from Nuttall's woodpeckers, California quails, and great horned owls to song sparrows, great blue herons, peregrine falcons, and more.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park is the area's second largest park, at 227 acres. Another great spot for birdwatching, locals say you can see anywhere from 25 to 70 species , depending on what time of year you visit. Among the feathered friends you might encounter are hooded orioles, green herons, belted kingfishers, grosbeaks, and red-winged blackbirds. Local Yelp reviewers also say you can spend time at the park biking, playing frisbee, and even using the pickleball courts to improve your game while on vacation.

The park is also home to a 44-acre lake that's known as both the Laguna Niguel Lake and Sulfur Creek Reservoir. Fishing here requires a permit for anyone 16 and older. Some reviewers on Yelp recount catching bass and bluegills as well as catfish (the latter of which are regularly stocked), and say the trout as especially large in size, recommending fishing for those from December through April. And if fishing isn't your thing, it's also just a lovely spot to walk around or sit by and read or picnic near.

The Niguel Botanical Preserve is one of the biggest draws to the town. While it began as a community vegetable garden in the 1980s, the volunteer-run preserve is now a public, 18-acre garden featuring plants from all over the world. Spot Brachychiton, Grevillea, and Acacia plants in the Australian garden, then check out the Soap Back Tree and Chilean Pitcher Sage in the Chilean Garden. There's also an oval-shaped, 45 by 24 foot labyrinth to explore. Here, you'll get to see some bougainvillea, which are the official flower of the city.

Laguna Niguel is just over an hour south of Los Angeles via I-5 or the 405, and an hour and a half north of San Diego also on the I-5. If you're flying in, the closest airport is John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, about 23 minutes away. Renting and driving a car is ideal, but if needed, you could also take the OCTA (Orange County Transit Authority), though a trip from the airport to the center of town will take around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Once there, you'll quickly realize Laguna Niguel is a very residential area, meaning you won't find hotels of any kind within the city limits. Instead, you'll need to look just outside for your accommodations. On the higher end, there's The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, which is actually in nearby Dana Point. Rooms here range from $850 to $1,200 a night on average. More affordable options can be located inland in Mission Viejo, like the Hampton Inn & Suites Mission Viejo, where a nightly stay will only set you back $120 to $200 a night. 

And once you're done exploring all that Laguna Niguel has to offer, head nearby to check out one of California's prettiest beaches that is still off tourists' radar.