Santiago Oaks from Mabury Entrance

This hike is geared down to be a more relaxed and moderate pace but still get a good workout without doing a roadrunner pace.

Lying peacefully in east Orange alongside the Santiago Creek the 1,758 acres Santiago Oaks Regional Park is a natures paradise.
We will start out hiking as a group on a trail with beautiful houses on one side and the Santiago Creek on the other.
After about 10 minutes we enter the actual park, we will hike on both flat shady trails and some hills for a good workout.
We will first go to the picnic area where there are bathrooms and then on to the Historic Dam with a small waterfall. Then we will take the Santiago Creek Trail to the Oak trail up to the Bumble trail and down on the other side then the Coachwhip trail up to Barham ridge then to the flagpole and get on either Oak OR Cactus to the Santiago Creek trail and back to the trail head.
Terrain can be uneven so shoes with good traction are recommended. The different trails chosen will vary from week to week.
Go time: 8:am
Distance: 7+ mi.
Elev. gain: 800-1,000 ft.
Duration: 2-3 hrs.
Difficulty: Moderate
Attention Dog Lovers: This is a dog friendly park & hike, However your canine buddies are required to be on a leash at ALL times as a courtesy and safety to all hikers, Please obey park rules!
NOTE: Rain or extreme heat or low attendance may cancel hike. Please check meetup on the morning of the event.
DIRECTIONS:
From Serrano Ave. in Orange, go south on Orange Park Blvd. After 0.3 miles, the street curves at the end and becomes Mabury Ave. Make a u-turn right after the curve to park along the fence. For your GPS or internet map program - use the closest house address of 6531 E. Mabury Ave., Orange. We will meet in front of the opening in the brown fence area across the street from address above.
NOTE: This is a residential neighborhood so please be respectful by keeping voices low (turn your boom box down).
NECESSITIES: Adequate water (1 to 3 liters), snack, hat, sunscreen, hiking or trail running shoes, and a friendly attitude.
PARK INFO: For more information about the park, visit: OCPARKS
Disclaimer & Safety Notice: Not So Casual Hikes are challenging outings designed for hikers in strong shape who know their limits and show up prepared. Organizers are volunteers—not guides—and cannot be responsible for your pace, navigation, or safety. We hike at a steady pace and the group may spread out. Please be prepared to navigate independently if you fall behind, though we’ll aim to check in at major junctions when possible. By signing up, you accept full responsibility for your fitness, gear, hydration, and navigation, and agree to hold harmless the Organizer, Co-Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and fellow participants for any incidents or injuries. Participation also means you agree to Meetup’s Terms of Service. Hiking carries inherent risks, including trip/fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak, ticks, snakes, coyotes, or mountain lions. Be prepared for sun exposure, heat, or marine layer conditions depending on the day.