Santa Ana River Bike Trail from Fairview Park

Nature Preserve, Grasslands, Wildflowers, MarshWetland Ecology, Beach Access 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 NOT attempt to cross PCH!!). Retrace your steps to return to the Fairview Park parking lot.