Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
| Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park | |
| Protected area | |
 Aliso Canyon and the Pacific Ocean
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| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Cities | Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel |
| Location | Orange County, California |
| - coordinates | 33°32′28″N 117°44′13″W / 33.54111°N 117.73694°WCoordinates: 33°32′28″N 117°44′13″W / 33.54111°N 117.73694°W |
| Highest point | Temple Hill |
| - elevation | 1,036 ft (316 m) |
| - coordinates | 33°33′18″N 117°45′29″W / 33.55500°N 117.75806°W |
| Lowest point | Aliso Creek |
| - elevation | 14 ft (4 m) |
| Area | 4,500 acres (1,821 ha) |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Management | OC Parks |
 Location of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park in California
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| Website: OC Parks | |
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 4,500 acres (1,800 ha) 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.
The park was originally inhabited by the Acjachemen and Tongva Native Americans who used Aliso Creek as the boundary between their respective territories to the south and north. The relationship between the two tribes was mostly peaceful. Because Aliso Canyon was one of the few places in what is now south Orange County with perennial streams and springs – as well as providing easy access from inland areas to the Pacific Ocean – it was a major wintering spot for native peoples. The Acjachemen village of Niguili was located in what is now the park, near the confluence of Aliso Creek and Sulphur Creek.
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