Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is a major regional park in the San Joaquin Hills of Orange County, California in the United States. Comprising 4500acre of rugged coastal canyons, open grassland and riparian woodland, the park borders the suburban cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel.Aliso and Wood Canyons is part of a larger park complex known as the South Coast Wilderness; surrounded by heavy suburban development and the Pacific Ocean, it is an important regional wildlife preserve. The park includes trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, a greenbelt and bikeway along Aliso Creek, and various geological features such as caves, springs and exposed marine fossil beds. The park is administered by the County of Orange under the OC Parks Department.The name "Aliso" originated in the 18th century when Spanish explorers named Aliso Creek, probably for the Alnus rhombifolia (white alder) tree native to the area. Wood Canyon was likely named for the groves of California live oak and sycamores that are found in the canyon.
