Welcome new OC Hikers! Get involved with community walks, hikes, backpacking trips and events throughout the great OC and beyond. Our Kids in Need of Nature Program takes disadvantaged youth out into nature on hikes and outings; receives high praises from community, agencies and youth organizations.
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View our Exceptional Benefactors!

Trail: $5 USD - monthly Wilder: $25 USD - monthly Mount: $45 USD - monthly Peak: $125 USD - monthly

Trail: $35 USD - yearly Wilder: $100 USD - yearly Mount: $500 USD - yearly Peak: $1,000 USD - yearly

All donations are tax deductible.

Donations and payments are non-refundable.

"The only time I find peace and balance is when I am out on a hike." — A. Lock

"Join! Join! Join and discover awesome hikes in your backyard" — Nicole

"My doctor prescribed this group" — Jazmin

"I've always preferred shopping to the gym for my cardio, but last year a friend took me hiking to Top of the World...and now I'm hooked" — Tiffany

"I'm reclaiming my body and health back after Fighting Breast Cancer for the past 2 years, and am looking for hiking close to home and to meet new people!" — Julie

"I enjoy the outdoors, the OC Outdoors section of the Register, and would like to get connected with others and find out more about OC's outdoor options." — Mike

"Hiking sounds more fun than running." — Greg

"I want to take up hiking as a hobby. I think it is a more rejuvenating form of exercise compared to working out in a gym, which is what I do more often. I'd like to meet new people, and build stamina..." — Puja

"It's so nice nice to get away from the buzz of traffic, and city life. I believe nothing is more therapeutic than the sound of nature." — Jennie

"I've lived in Orange County for over 20 years but have never really appreciated the great outdoors right here in my back yard - I need to start making up for lost time!" — Vanessa

"Great exercise and tacos" — Marni

"I can't think of a better way to meet such a diverse group of people. I'm usually pretty shy when talking to people for the first time, but there is something about hiking with them that makes it easy. It doesn't even bother me if I'm a sweaty mess, everybody is still willing to talk to me." — Larry

"Meet strong hikers, engage in stimulating conversation, have some laughs and enjoy the peace of the wilderness together." — Mitch

"I hike because it makes me happy" — Angela

"You’re really missing out if you don’t" — Terri

"This is a diverse group with two main threads connecting us all — great people who love the outdoors!" — LeeAnne

"This is a fun group of people, and they have every kind of hike you might want." — Becky

"I want to re-vitalize my interest in hiking and backpacking. The idea of combining exercise, outdoor activity and social connection appeals to me." — Larry

"I am looking to explore the area since I moved from New York last year." — Patricia

"To find hikes for our cub scout pack" — Dieter

"To meet people & hike around Orange County" — Curtis

"Hiking is a fun way to exercise" — Sue

"To have other people to hike with...." — Ellyn

"So I can start hiking, make some friends and share some laughs!" — Jason

"I have a friend who is a member and I love to walk. I would love to meet new active friends." — Christiane

"I like being outside and want our kids to like it too." — Justin

"Need hiking buddies!" — Melaney

"I love hiking!" — Josh

"Hick's Canyon was my 1st hike with OCHC — if this is an example for things to come, I can't wait to make this club high on my priority list. Great organizer, great people, great healthy way to spend my time." — Carita

"I would recommend OCHC to anyone that wants to experience the outdoors with other people that enjoy the outdoors." — Martin

"This group rocks!" — Nina

"The most stellar group I have ever joined." — Tara F.

"Love it! It is a safe way for me and my children to enjoy hiking. Thank you." — Dawn

"The people are so nice and supportive of each other. Being able to bring your dogs on some of these hikes is an added bonus with this club." — Joanne H.

"This is an amazing group! Such a huge number of activities are offered — so everyone will be able to participate in something they feel is interesting and also challenging. The people in this group are really friendly!!" — Loretta Z.

"I love this club! The nicest people in Southern California, by far." — Pat V.

"I love OC Hiking Club because they have the friendliest, most caring and adventuresome people I have ever met. I look forward to weekends because I can't wait to go on my next hike and be with my hiking family!" — Margie

"The organizers are so passionate and experienced in hiking that I feel very comfortable trying new hikes with this group. Thank you!" — Kristen

"The people are one of a kind." — Crystal

"You sweat and you laugh. What more could you want?" — Katie S.

BEGINNER HIKES Beach Walk (Newport to Balboa Pier) Peters Canyon Crystal Cove Beginner Hikes Salt Creek (Advanced Beginner on asphalt) Oak Canyon Nature Center Balboa Island Walk and more… INTERMEDIATE HIKES Aliso and Woods Canyon/Top of the World—Alta Laguna Crystal Cove Intermediate Hikes Chino Hills Turtle Rock Switzer Falls/Bear Canyon Laguna Wilderness Area Whiting Ranch Peter’s Canyon San Mateo Canyon Wilderness La Jolla Canyon San Clemente Griffith Park and more…

NEW MEMBER FAQ

Conduct and Conflict of Interest Guidelines

1. Be nice!
2. OCHC requires members to choose their real names for their profile in any of the following formats: "Adam Smith," "Adam," "Adam S.".Names chosen by members as their profile-names should not be offensive in nature and may not, in any manner, be used for a personal, or a professional gain. Internet identities and code-names are inappropriate.
3. OCHC web site should not be used as a platform for promoting, or advertising professional skills, vocations, or businesses without a prior written approval by the Board.
4. While the Board understands that some personal and/or professional information may be included in the member's profile (such as education, occupation, and the nature of your business), promotion or advertising of a personal or a professional nature is not allowed. Members’ profiles should not contain any offensive, derogatory, or inappropriate language or photographs. The primary photo (visible on RSVPs and front page of profile) should be “family friendly” and reflect the face of the member.
5. When posting an RSVP for an event, or writing comments in the appropriate section, members should refrain from making comments that might be offensive to others, or are self-serving in promoting personal or professional matters.
6. Although members may want to share about themselves during OCHC activities, we ask that you avoid excessive "shop talk" or selling your wares to members during the events. Understanding that it is often unpleasant to fend off an aggressive sales pitch, especially during a hike, such behavior is not welcomed during OCHC events.
7. Members and hike organizers are encouraged to report to the Board any profiles, pictures, comments, RSVP, or aggressive sales pitch that violate the above guidelines, or otherwise are inappropriate.
8. OCHC Board has the broad discretion to, and reserves the right to delete any name, RSVP, comment, picture, or profile that violates the guidelines stated above, or that it deems inappropriate for any reason, and without prior notice, or warning to member.

Meet Us

• About Us
• Contact Us

Hikes

• My 1st Ten Hikes Worksheet
• Orange County Hikes
• Volunteers
• Wall of Fame
• Help Kids in Need Today!
• California Tidepools
• Crystal Cove Backcountry Map
• Crystal Cove State Beach
• Hiking with Dogs
• CA Streams Waterfalls
• Summer hiking dangerous for dogs
• Rescue of two missing teens

Hikesafe

• Hikesafe
• Heat and Sun
• Altitude Sickness
• Snakes
• Animals
• Cold and Snow
• Terrain
• Bugs
• Plants

Support OCHC

• Donations
• Merchandise
• Planned giving
• OC Hiking Grants Awards

More

• Help Kids In Need Today!
• Trail Ecology
• Photo Contest Wildflowers
• Privacy Policy
• Links
• Nature Photography 101
• Santiago Oaks Trail Map OC Parks