Santiago Oaks Regional Park — Attraction in Orange

I visited Santiago Oaks Regional Park with my dog, Peyton, to explore some of the trails and get a feel for the area. This park is a peaceful, tucked-away gem in Orange, California, offering a calm and scenic escape from the busier parts of town. The road leading in is a slow, winding 15 mph drive through quiet residential neighborhoods with beautiful homes—and a strong equestrian presence.

I did not upload very many pictures or video because I only spent an hour here because it was too hot for my dog. You can literally spend all day here. Also, make sure you bring lots of water and hiking gear or very comfortable shoes.

While there are no horse rentals at Santiago Oaks, the surrounding area is horse-friendly, with private stables nearby. You’ll see signs along the road reminding drivers to share the road with horses, and it's common to see riders passing through the neighborhoods and into the park. Equestrians are welcome to ride their own horses throughout Santiago Oaks and on the trails that weave through both the park and the surrounding community.

Parking costs $5 on weekends, $3 on weekdays, and $15 on holidays. Inside the park, there are several hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate. Some trails include stairs, so wear good shoes, bring water, and come prepared if you’re planning a longer hike.

The park is very dog-friendly—Peyton enjoyed every minute. It's quiet, shaded in many areas, and well-maintained. Amenities include clean restrooms, a small children’s play area, and multiple barbecue and picnic spots.

Santiago Oaks also has a designated area for weddings and events, offering a natural, scenic setting. Whether you're hiking, riding, relaxing, or celebrating, the park offers a refreshing and versatile...

An Orange County park great for quick wilderness hikes with the kids! A picnic area is provided with a restroom facility nearby. There’s several trails to choose from, including those surrounding the parking lot, which are mostly shaded. There’s the old dam and waterfalls a short distance from the parking lot. Higher up, hiking, biking and even some horse riding trails meander through the hills to awesome view spots, though without cover, so sun exposure may be a consideration. The park, trails and restrooms are well maintained and make for a nice short-stop getaway, without being too time consuming! I’ve recently reviewed parks with connecting trails with Irvine Regional Park and the Fred Barrera Park at the Santa Ana Mountains Trailhead by the Anaheim Hills Elementary School. A note of caution if traversing the hills away from the parking lot is to be aware of the wildlife, sun exposure and the time. Seasonal changes with operating hours should be noted if parked within the designated lots. I’d also want to return...

The hiking, scenery, and flora were mostly very nice here. However, nearly at the top of one of the hills, a bike rider came down so fast I had to quickly jump out of the way to avoid getting hit. The trail was steep and narrow here and if the rider had hit me, we might have both tumbled over the edge and suffered serious injuries. Luckily, I was hiking upwards and looking up at the trail, or I would not have seen them on time.

I don’t know why they allow bikes on the narrow trails, this is obviously very dangerous. I like riding sometimes too, but on the smaller trails, it is not appropriate and someone will get hurt. I like to relax on a hike, not constantly be on guard about getting run into. I think the biking is not compatible with the function and aesthetic of many trails here. This is even worse with the rise in e-bikes that allow nearly anyone, skilled rider or not, to ascend the hills. Please consider designating some areas...