Peter’s radio show is broadcasting from the Resort at Pelican Hill in California’s Newport Coast.

Read on to find out where the locals like to go.

Michael O’Connell, executive director of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy

If you can only see one place, that should be Crystal Cove State Park, located about halfway between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

There are 3.2 miles of completely unspoiled beaches along with shrub-covered bluffs that provide spectacular views of the coastline.

The hike down to the beach is well worth it and there are tide pools, great bodyboarding waves, rocky reefs for snorkeling and scuba, and tons of mostly empty sand.

While exploring Crystal Cove, grab a snack or a meal at Ruby’s Shake Shack on Pacific Coast Highway—locals have been going there for milkshakes and sandwiches for decades.

For more nature adventures, the backcountry of Crystal Cove State Park has lots of hikes and mountain biking trails heading up from El Moro and Emerald Canyon.Only a couple of miles further down the coast away from Newport is Laguna Canyon Road, which heads inland and passes three trailheads offering access to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, which is operated by OC Parks.

The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week and has a wide variety of hikes ranging from easy family walks to strenuous uphill climbs.  The reward is spectacular ocean views (many days, Catalina Island is visible 22 miles offshore). Sunsets from the ridges are some of the best I’ve ever seen.

For more great local spots, don’t miss this guide to one of The OC’s most enjoyable cities: Ask the Locals Travel Guide: Huntington Beach, California

Further inland on Jamboree Road just past the 73 Tollroad on the left is the James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center, also operated by OC Parks.

The building itself is a great example of green architecture with rammed earth walls and lots of glass, and there is a short interpretive nature trail as well as connections to other trails for longer hikes. Little Sycamore Canyon up to Serrano Ridge is spectacular.

In the city of Irvine, a very popular hike is the 3-mile Quail Hill Loop Trail, an easy hike accessible right off the 5 Freeway on Sand Canyon Avenue. This is one of the only hikes in the area that allows dogs (on-leash only). Quail Hill Loop also has a very cool, free, cell phone audio tour narrated by naturalists that helps visitors understand what they are seeing.

Also in Irvine, a brand-new trailhead opening in mid-April provides access toBommer Canyon which retains a lot of the facilities from the old cattle ranching days on the Irvine Ranch. With the dedication of the trailhead the main canyon will be open seven days a week, and once a month the City of Irvine sponsors Wilderness Access Days which open the rest of the preserve to hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. The entrance to Bommer Canyon, which is part of Irvine’s extensive Open Space Preserve system, is off Shady Canyon Road in Irvine.

One place not to be missed in spring and fall, especially for birders, is Upper Newport Bay estuary in the city of Newport Beach. More than 200 species of birds make this a world-class wildlife watching location. During the migration season in spring and fall there are tens of thousands of waterfowl and wading birds that stop in the Back Bay to rest and refuel before heading on their journey.  On any given day you can see up to 30,000 teals, buffleheads, mallards, canvasbacks, willets, avocets, terns and pelicans.

Check out more of the Golden State in our California Travel section.

To get there, head up PCH to Jamboree Road and make a right. Make a quick left on Back Bay Drive and the road goes past the Back Bay Science Center, which is definitely worth a stop to learn about the ecology of the bay. The cool thing about Back Bay Drive is that it continues along the bay almost right at the waterline (one-way only) and you can drive your car very slowly and see the wildlife.

Watch for bikes and walkers and don’t go more than 10 mph as the area is incredibly popular on weekends and any sunny day. Back Bay Drive ends up back on Jamboree Road inland from where you started. If you want to stay longer, a canoe or kayak tour can easily be arranged.

For those more adventurous or wanting to explore further afield, nearly 40,000 acres of natural open space have been preserved on the historicIrvine Ranch and been named a Natural Landmark by the US National Park Service and the State of California.

With a little advance planning, you can see parts of Orange County that not even the locals may have visited. With more than 900 programs offered each year by all the partners on the land, there will definitely be something going on during your visit.

Laura Davick, Founder & President Emeritus, Crystal Cove Alliance

Within Crystal Cove State Park is the Crystal Cove Historic District, a 12.3-acre coastal section with 46 historic beach cottages.

An insider’s tour of Crystal Cove takes place the first Saturday of every month, from10 a.m. to noon, led by yours truly. Among other local tales, you’ll learn the story behind the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages and how our local efforts saved them from being turned into a luxury resort.

Today, 21 of these cottages have been restored and are open to the public (you can even book an overnight stay) and another 24 are slated for restoration when enough funds are raised.

Follow it up with a leisurely 3.2-mile walk along the pristine beach. Once you’ve built up an appetite, head to The Beachcomber Café which is right on the water.

If it’s breakfast time, grab some hot beignets and a latte; later in the day, order some ahi tacos and a specialty cocktail and watch the sun set. (Tip: Put your name on the list before you take your walk!)

Related links on PeterGreenberg.com:

• Ask the Locals Travel Guide: Huntington Beach, California
• Family Outdoor Adventures: California State Parks Guide
• Off The Brochure Travel Guide: San Diego, California
• One-Tank Trips: Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
• Radio Guests – Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Coast, CA
  
• California Travel section
• Beach Vacations section