Hiking Trail Guide: Santa Ana River-Fairview Park Banning Ranch Beach

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Santa Ana River-Fairview Park Banning Ranch Beach

Distance
6 miles

Elevation
100 feet gain

Difficulty
3/10

City
Costa Mesa ,CA (92627) Weather Map

Trailhead
From the 405 Freeway, exit south on Harbor Blvd. Continue south to Adams, turn right (west), and proceed to Placentia-turn left (south). The park entrance is located west of a stoplight (turn right into the parking lot). The hike begins on the paved asphalt trail-hike north, then follow the pavement downhill (west) to the Talbert Nature Preserve entrance-turn left, and stay on the trail left of the trail junctions.

Description

Lovers of nature, beaches, dogs (six-foot leashes required), bicycles, and free parking-rejoice!-this easy hike beginning in Costa Mesa's Fairview Park has something for everyone to appreciate!! The hike begins along an asphalt trail parallel to the parking lot (travel north along the trail and downhill), and continues through the well-signed Talbert Nature Preserve, which features a variety of coastal and wetland flora native to Southern California. One can continue through the Nature Center (suggested trail is the one that stays to the east of the coastal shrub islands) to reach the Santa Ana River Bicycle Trail, which continues past a beautiful and seasonally bird-studded pond and on to the beach located just at the mouth of the river and at the border of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. Use care when attempting to reach the beach by crossing underneath the PCH overpass (do NOTattempt to cross PCH!!). Retrace your steps to return to the Fairview Park parking lot.

Map / Directions: