El Modena Open Space Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

This trail features terrific views of north Orange County, from Newport Beach to Long Beach. See if you can spot Disneyland, Angels Stadium, and on a clear day, downtown Los Angeles, the Queen Mary in Long Beach, Mt Baldy and much of the San Gabriel Mountains.

The trail starts as a sandy path popular with dog walkers, then climbs up a rough, rocky stretch to the first of three hilltops.

Once up top, the alternating singletrack and wide sandy path follows the rolling hills for the rest of the hike, up to the top of the final hilltop. Bonus points if you can find the USGS 1932 marker at the top, although I think the local hoodlums have since defaced the marker.

On the return, you can choose to follow the singletrack back, or your can take the nearby North Cameron St. Bike Path, which offers an easier route home.

Red-tailed hawks are often seen riding the air currents flowing up the hillsides. Lots of pear cactus and sagebrush.