2013 OCR Outdoors Archive Stories

The Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling, which bills itself as "NASCAR on bikes" and the biggest criterium bike race in the United States, ran Sunday with a series of races for amateurs and children and culminating with the Pro/Category 1 race with $15,000 in purse money. The all-day event also included a Cinco de Mayo Street Festival featu

The San Clemente Trail Run attracted about 240 competitors to the Forster Ranch Ridgeline Trail on Saturday for 5K and 10K races, with proceeds benefiting Family Assistance Ministries and the Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation. SEE A SLIDESHOW HERE.

The Salt Creek Half Marathon in Dana Point took a wrong turn about a half-mile into the event Sunday morning when a race volunteer mistakenly directed runners off the course, leading to an apology from race organizer Go Forward Racing. Runners were directed onto a side path leading them to Sea Terrace Park before continuing on to Pacific

The Salt Creek Half Marathon and accompanying 5K, 10K and 1K runs drew competitors to Salt Creek Beach park in Dana Point on Sunday morning to take on the Salt Creek Regional Corridor trail. The Boston Marathon bombings six days earlier were on the minds of some of Sunday's runners. Inspired by the "B Strong" campaign he saw on T

The Salt Creek Half Marathon – which also includes a 5K, 10K and 1K Kids' Run – hits the road Sunday at Salt Creek Beach park in Dana Point. Runners will take on the Salt Creek Regional Corridor trail, which includes pavement, blacktop and some softer dirt sections. Here are the details: When: 8 a.m. Sunday

The hillsides and landscapes of Orange County are starting to show an array of colors. The wildflower season in Orange County is short-lived with variables in play such as temperature, terrain, altitude and rainfall, so grab a camera and head out for a wildflower hike. It's best to catch the wildflower bloom at its peak by visiting earli

It's been many years since I bushwhacked my way through chaparral and stands of bamboo to view the hidden grove of redwood trees on the back end of Carbon Canyon Regional Park. I recall a rutted, muddy, insect infested trail that would not encourage city slickers to push on. On a recent weekday morning I revisited the trail and fou

The annual Grunion Run helped kick off the second weekend of Dana Point's Festival of Whales on Saturday with 10K and 5K races and a 1K kids' run through Doheny State Beach park. SEE PHO

People who frequent my blog funorangecountyparks.com generally want information on which playgrounds are best for their families, which parks to visit, or where to go for outdoor fun in Orange County. Readers come to me for free or low-cost outdoor play trips and information on parks, beaches

Many of us choose to live in Orange County for the weather. But a significant draw is our open spaces. If it was just the weather, we could live in the concrete landscape otherwise known as Los Angeles. Sure, South County has more parkland than North County. But North County has the massive and diverse Chino Hills State Park.

Fresh food and fresh art come together on March 10th as The Sawdust Art Festival hosts “Sustain Local Art and Cuisine.” Hosted at the Sawdust grounds from 3 to 7 p.m. under the umbrella of Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau’s Laguna A La Carte annual event, the fundraiser will feature the art of local arti

The San Juan Hills Trail Run traveled the hills above San Juan Capistrano on Sunday afternoon, with about 155 athletes competing in 5K, 10K and 1K Kids' races. SEE A SLIDESHOW HERE.

Mountain biking is gaining traction as an organized, competitive sport in high schools across Southern California — and Orange County. The SoCal High School Cycling League had 14 teams and 77 regular riders when it was first created in 2009. It now has 34 teams registered and more than 300 riders expected to participate in the 2013

A Headlands walking tour in Dana Point on Saturday gave guests a chance to explore the Dana Point Preserve, Hilltop Park and Harbor Point Park. The tour was led by Nature Interpretive Center docent Dawn White and Cal State Fullerton professor emeritus Joel Weintraub.