Lake Mission Viejo is a reservoir created for recreation in Mission Viejo, Orange County, California. The reservoir is formed by an earthfill dam across the canyon of Oso Creek, which is part of the Trabuco Creek and San Juan Creek drainage basin. The lake is not fed by urban runoff; it is maintained so as to be safe for contact.
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park encompasses approximately 2,500 acres of riparian and oak woodland canyons, rolling grassland hills and steep slopes of coastal sage scrub and chaparral. The park is highlighted by scenic rock formations, including the beautiful Red Rock Canyon. There are three intermittent streams: Borrego, Serrano and Aliso Creek meandering through the park, each hosting an abundance of wildlife. Remnants of the former cattle ranching days can be seen throughout the park.
The Oso Creek Trail offers just over four miles of paved pathway connecting Jeronimo Open Space Park and Oso Viejo Community Park in the suburban southern California city of Mission Viejo.
Much of the trail is tree-lined with creek views and dotted with mosaic artwork and benches. Unique features also include a butterfly garden, hedge maze, and peace obelisk. In the community park, you’ll find recreational amenities, such as a sprawling playground, baseball diamonds, and picnic tables.
O’Neill Regional Park is a major regional park and greenway in northeast Orange County, California in the United States, located along Trabuco Creek and Live Oak Canyon. The park encompasses 4,500 acres of canyon and riparian zone habitat, and includes campgrounds and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The park was first established in 1948 when the owners of the O’Neill Ranch donated 278 acres of land for recreation purposes. Numerous land acquisitions between 1948 and 1982 brought the park to its present size.
As a wildlife sanctuary, Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park is home to an abundant number of native plants and animal life. Old groves of Western Sycamores and Coast Live Oaks border the park’s two seasonally flowing creeks. The remaining land features rolling hills and canyons of Coastal Sage Scrub and grasslands.