Borrego Canyon to Vista Point

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This hike offers the cool shade of Borrego Canyon as well as the great views of Vista Point all in a 4.9-mile round-trip hike.

Limestone Canyon and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is open from 7 am to sunset.
Parking fees are $3 per vehicle daily.

This hike is in mountain lion territory-use caution.

From the parking lot, head north on Borrego Canyon Trail. This trail slowly ascends Borrego Canyon and winds through the oak-covered canyon floor. The trail rises gently to the junction with Mustard Road at 1.5 miles; turn left to head west.

Here, the trail steepens considerably. Follow Mustard Road for about a half mile before turning right onto Vista Lookout Road. At 2.4 miles, you reach Vista Point, enjoy the great views of southern Orange County. To return, head back the way you came.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.

Riparian and oak woodland environments, grasslands and coastal sage scrub make this a great hike!
While you'll likely see typical animals indigenous to the region, it is unlikely you'll see a mountain lion; however, the park makes clear that this is mountain lion territory and users should practice caution while in the park.

The land now encompassing the park was originally part of Rancho Canada de Los Alisos and Rancho Lomas de Santiago. The area was acquired by Dwight Whiting in 1885. More than 1000 acres of this land were dedicated to opening a park in 1989. Since then, the park has grown to over 2500 acres.