Leader: Liz M

Directions: From the 5 Freeway, exit on Alicia and head west. Turn right into Laguna Hills Community Center parking lot that is the first driveway after Paseo De Valencia.

About the Run: Starting from the Community Center, we will run up Paseo De Valencia, turn left on Laguna Hills Dr., and run down to Sheep Hills Park. At the park, we will pick up the Aliso Creek Trail and run on the trail up to the Mormon Church at the entrance to Aliso Woods. Instead of going into Aliso Woods, we will cross Alicia (there is a special pedestrian light) and go into Laguna Niguel Regional Park and run around the scenic reservoir. The main 10-mile run would then head back, re-crossing Alicia at the same light, and back along the creek trail. Distance can be added at the far end of the reservoir (before turning to make the loop), by running out and back on a branch of the trail that heads out to the Laguna Niguel YMCA (turn around at Crown Valley Parkway) or by going into Aliso Woods after running around the reservoir.

After the Run: We can head over towards the Mission Viejo Snail’s Pace and grab food at the Surfin Donuts or the new Philz on the other side of Alicia (both approximately 1.2 miles away). Other options include Balvina’s Mexican Kitchen near the Laguna Hills Mall (also about 1 mile away).

Normally we can grab breakfast just across Paseo De Valencia at Bagel Me! (25461 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653), but Yelp reports they are temporarily closed as of January 2024.