Take a wag-worthy walk.
For the safety and well-being of the Reserve’s wildlife, it’s necessary to keep much of the Reserve dog-free. But there are a few beautiful spots where leashed dogs are welcome.
The NROC’s dog-friendly areas make for some of Orange County’s most scenic walks.
Stroll the path around Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve for serene views of the estuary, the bluffs, and the neighborhoods beyond. Leashed dogs are also welcome on the trails at Peters Canyon Regional Park, Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, and Talbert Regional Park.
The rest of the open space in the NROC is reserved for native wildlife and habitat, with a few exceptions that you won’t want to miss. Head to City of Irvine Open Space Preserve, which is dog-free, except on the Quail Hill Loop Trail where leashed dogs are welcome on the less than two-mile loop that offers a grand view of Saddleback Mountain. Crystal Cove State Park is also dog-free, to keep sensitive ecosystems in balance, but you can walk your leashed dog along the paved Coastal Bluff Trail, which offers some of the Reserve’s most striking ocean views. Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park also has several trails on which leashed dogs are allowed. Before visiting the Reserve with your pet, be sure to double check the regulations of the park you’re heading to.
