Hollywood A-Listers, surfers, skateboarders, tourists and locals alike will find something to suit their needs here. Santa Monica is as diverse, beautiful, and fun as any community in So Cal.
Wildflowers are usually abundant in April and May. In wet years there is water in Big Laguna Lake by December or January. Ducks and other birds can be found at the lake. The trail presents a number of options to the user. A return to the trailhead parking can be made by cutting through the Laguna Campground or by taking the Pacific Crest Trail north.
Details
Length:
6.7 miles
Difficulty:
Easy
Time:
2.5 - 3.5 hours
Trailhead Elevation:
5400
Elevation Range:
5400 feet to 5960
Elevation Change:
560
Season:
Year Round
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
To reach the upper end, take Sunrise Highway from I-8 (near Pine Valley) and drive north 13.5 miles to just past the second cattle guard on the highway. Vehicles should park on either side of the highway on the paved turnouts. The access to the Big Laguna trail is via the Nobel Canyon trail that departs the western turnout and is marked by a small sign. Follow the Nobel Canyon trail about 100 yards to reach the Big Laguna trail junction. The other end of the Big Laguna trail makes a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail about ¼ mile northeast of the Laguna Station (the Forest Service fire station).
Below are the Free Visitor Guides for San Diego. More Visitor Guides are available in California. Click here to view them all!
Carlsbad Southern California
Carlsbad
Southern CaliforniaCarlsbad is known as "The Village by the Sea," due to its proximity to the glistening Pacific Ocean. There is a European feel to the town where visitors can enjoy a variety of unique events and activities. Yes, I’d like to receive regular email updates on activities, events, deals and more from Visit Carlsbad! Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country
Temecula Valley
Southern California Wine CountryThe vineyards of California have produced some of the best wines the world over. A sampling at a local winery in Stockton is a great way to experience what is special about this beautiful part of California. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Oceanside Southern California
Oceanside
Southern CaliforniaOceanside is a classic California beach community with its warm sandy beaches, historic wooden pier and Cape Cod-style harbor village complete with unlimited water sports and recreation. Offering a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle, visitors still experience the casual spirit that made Southern California’s beach culture legendary. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
We also have the following visitor guides in California. Click on any additional guides you would like to receive.
Carlsbad Southern California
Carlsbad
Southern CaliforniaCarlsbad is known as "The Village by the Sea," due to its proximity to the glistening Pacific Ocean. There is a European feel to the town where visitors can enjoy a variety of unique events and activities. Yes, I’d like to receive regular email updates on activities, events, deals and more from Visit Carlsbad! Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country
Temecula Valley
Southern California Wine CountryThe vineyards of California have produced some of the best wines the world over. A sampling at a local winery in Stockton is a great way to experience what is special about this beautiful part of California. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Lake Havasu City Western Arizona
Lake Havasu City
Western ArizonaWelcome to Lake Havasu City…where you can Play Like You Mean It®! Located on the Arizona shoreline of Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City is a destination for boaters, water sport enthusiasts, hikers, nature lovers, car enthusiasts and history buffs. It attracts 775,000 visitors a year with its calm waters, beautiful beaches and desert weather with more than 300 sunny days a year. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Newport Beach Southern California
Newport Beach
Southern CaliforniaVisit sunny Newport Beach, California! Named one of the cleanest beaches in the United States, Newport Beach is a paradise for beach-going visitors. With over 10 miles of beaches ideal for families, surfing, body boarding or just sunbathing, Newport is the ideal OC beach destination. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Sonoma County Wine Country
Sonoma County
Wine CountryVisit Sonoma Wine Country. Eat, drink and converse like a local. Because when you're here, you're more than a guest, you're a new friend. Whether you want to sightsee, shop, dine, take in a show, relax or play (or all of the above), simply request our free Visitor Guide to help you get started. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Visalia Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks
Visalia
Sequoia and King's Canyon National ParksSometimes referred to as the "Gateway to the Sequoias," our city lies within miles of the Sierra Nevadas, the tallest mountain range in the contiguous United States. Visalia is the closest major city to Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks, home to the some of the largest vegetation on Earth: the Giant Sequoia trees. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Costa Mesa Southern California
Costa Mesa
Southern CaliforniaKnown as the "City of the Arts", this area of Southern California is home to the famed Orange County Performing Artscenter as well as the South Coast Repertory. Art, theater, fine dining and the shimmering sea provide visitors with a memorable and delightful experience. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Carmel-By-The-Sea Monterey Peninsula
Carmel-By-The-Sea
Monterey PeninsulaIn Carmel-by-the-Sea you can dine at a number of four-star restaurants or eat al fresco at the beach. You can collect art or just covet art at almost 100 galleries and antique shops and you can buy anything from trinkets to Tiffanys. Even those who travel the world are unlikely to encounter another place that has so much to offer in one location. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Yosemite/Mariposa County Yosemite National Park Area
Yosemite/Mariposa County
Yosemite National Park AreaOrder your free Yosemite / Mariposa County vacation planner now for all the information you need for a memorable journey to Yosemite, and also to encourage you to explore the rest of Mariposa County, both as a home base from which to appreciate the Park, and as a delightful setting for other outdoor experiences. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Oceanside Southern California
Oceanside
Southern CaliforniaOceanside is a classic California beach community with its warm sandy beaches, historic wooden pier and Cape Cod-style harbor village complete with unlimited water sports and recreation. Offering a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle, visitors still experience the casual spirit that made Southern California’s beach culture legendary. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Visit Buena Park Southern California
Visit Buena Park
Southern CaliforniaWith thrilling attractions, interactive dining experiences, and plenty of shopping options, Buena Park offers fun on just about every corner. A vacation hot spot, the lively city of Buena Park is not only known for it's premier location in Orange County but for its world famous entertainment - including Knott's Berry Farm®, Soak City USA Water Park, Knott’s Independence Hall, Medieval Times, and Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Santa Rosa Sonoma County
Santa Rosa
Sonoma CountyWelcome to Santa Rosa, where everything comes together. Wine country and farm country, redwood forests and rivers, lakes and ocean. And in the center, our charming downtown lined with intriguing shops and restaurants that delight casual diners and epicureans alike. So come, dip into California's Cornucopia, and fill up on our place of plenty. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Catalina Island Southern California
Catalina Island
Southern CaliforniaDiscover the magical island of Catalina, just off the coast of Southern California. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a place to bring the entire family, or just need a few days to unwind, Catalina Island is the perfect destination. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Vallejo Bay Area
Vallejo
Bay AreaYour Bay Area Fun Starts Here. Explore San Francisco and the Napa/Sonoma wine country and stay in our affordable hotels. Attractions include Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Mare Island Historic Park, Jelly Belly factory, Sonoma Raceway, world-class golf, unique shopping, a thriving downtown arts & entertainment district, and direct ferry service to and from San Francisco! Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
We also have visitor guides available in states highlighted in blue below. Click on any state to see what's available.
Alaska
Arizona
California
Canada
Colorado
Idaho
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Washington
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