Top of the World (park)

Top of the World (officially known

as Alta Laguna Park) is a park
located in Laguna Beach,
California on Alta Laguna
Boulevard[1]. It is referenced to as
Top of the World because of its
elevation of 1,000 feet above
sea level, which provides scenic
Fig. 1 View of Top of the World
views of Laguna Beach and Orange park.

County[2]. Aside from the views, the park is known for its hiking and biking
trails. The area was also affected by wildfires in the summer of 2018[3].
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Location
3. Amenities
4. Top of the World Neighborhood
5. Trails
6. Wildfires

Introduction
Top of the World is a public park located in Laguna Beach, California.

Ideally located on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, its natural setting

provides for a quiet, recreational space for all ages. The park offers

panoramic views and is a family friendly spot for activities such as hiking,

playing sports, and spending time on the playground[4].

Location

The park is located towards the North end of

Alta Laguna Boulevard at 3299 Alta Laguna
Blvd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651[5]. Its
surrounding neighborhood is also referred to
as Top of the World neighborhood. The land
the park was built on was originally part of
the Juaneno or Acajchemem tribal land.
Ownership was transferred between
several individuals and companies before Fig. 2 Location of Top of the World on a California Map.

being taken over by Orange County

Parks.[6]

Amenities
Amenities at the park include[7]:
 Baseball field
 Basketball Court
 Benches
 Children’s playground
 Grassy area
 Handicap accessible
 Ocean view
 Picnic tables Fig. 3 Playground at Top of the World.

 Restrooms
 Tennis courts
Top of the World Neighborhood
The Top of the World community
was established in 1961. The
prices of homes in this
neighborhood range from about
$1,200,000-$5,500,000[8]. As of
2019, there are 2683 residents
with the average age of
residents being 57[9]. Local
Fig. 4 A house located in the Top of the World
schools include Top of the World neighborhood.

Elementary, a public school serving 639 students in grades K-5[10]. There is

also a neighborhood trolley and bus service provided by the city of
Laguna Beach. A Top of the World Trolley Schedule can be found
online[11].

Trails
Top of the World serves as a trail head for Aliso and Wood Canyons
Wilderness Park and has a 7.1 mile trail loop starting at the parking area.
Numerous trails lead into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park,
Laguna Beach, and other neighboring towns like Aliso Viejo[12]. Dogs are
allowed on some parts of the trail as long as they are leashed, and lots of
wildlife can be found along the way such as birds, snakes, and deer[13].
There are organizations that offer guided hiking tours and a hiking map
can be found online from the Official Visitors Center[14]. The Top of the
World Loop has an elevation
high of 1,025 feet and a low of
203 feet, as well as an ascent of
896 feet and a descent of -901
feet[15]. Trails located on the loop
include:
 West Ridge Trail
 Mathias Canyon Trail
Fig. 5 Beginning of the Top of the World Loop.
  Wood Canyon Trail
 Cholla Trail
Other nearby parks with hiking trails in the city of Laguna Beach
include[16]:
 Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
 Crystal Cove State Park
 Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Wildfires
A fire known as “The Aliso Fire”
broke out in June of 2018 affected
the Top of the World Community
and nearby city of Aliso Viejo. It
was first reported to be a 25-acre
brush fire and quickly spread to 250
acres. Immediate evacuation
orders were sent to the Top of the
Fig. 6 The fire as seen from Arch Bay Heights.
World neighborhood. About 2,000
residents were impacted and 1,5000 people evacuated their homes.
More than 400 firefighters, six air
tankers, and four helicopters
responded to the scene and
contained the fire after several
hours. One firefighter sustained a leg
injury. No houses were damaged
and residents were cleared to return
to their homes the following
Fig. 7 Smoke from the fire seen from the beach.
day[17][18].
References
1. “Alta Laguna Park.” Visit Laguna Beach,
www.visitlagunabeach.com/directory/alta-laguna-park/.
2. “Top of the World Loop Hiking Trail, Laguna Beach, California.”
Hiking Project, www.hikingproject.com/trail/7034119/top-of-the-
world-loop.
3. Suter, Leanne. “Brush Fire Prompts Evacuations in Laguna Beach,
Aliso Viejo.” ABC7 Los Angeles, 3 June 2018, abc7.com/brush-fire-
prompts-evacuations-in-laguna-beach-aliso-viejo/3553550/.
4. Whiteaker, Michele. “Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach | Top of the World.” Fun Orange
County Parks, 12 Apr. 2016, funorangecountyparks.com/alta-laguna-park-laguna-beach.html.
5. “Alta Laguna Park - Laguna Beach, CA.” Yelp, 3 May 2017,
www.yelp.com/biz/alta-laguna-park-laguna-beach-3.
6. “Top of the World Loop Hiking Trail, Laguna Beach, California.”
Hiking Project, www.hikingproject.com/trail/7034119/top-of-the-
world-loop.
7. “Alta Laguna Park.” Visit Laguna Beach,
www.visitlagunabeach.com/directory/alta-laguna-park/.
8. “Top Of The World - Laguna Beach, California.”
Neighborhoods.com,
Https://Static.neighborhoods.com/Neighborhoods-Default-
Logo.jpgNeighborhoods.com, www.neighborhoods.com/top-of-
the-world-laguna-beach-ca.
9. Nextdoor, nextdoor.com/neighborhood/tow--laguna-beach--ca/.
10. “Explore Top Of The World Elementary School in Laguna Beach,
CA.” Parenting, www.greatschools.org/california/laguna-
beach/3844-Top-Of-The-World-Elementary-School/.
11. “City of Laguna Beach.” City of Laguna Beach - City Council,
www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/transit_and_trolleys/citybus.htm.
12. “Alta Laguna Park.” Visit Laguna Beach,
www.visitlagunabeach.com/directory/alta-laguna-park/
13. “Top of the World Loop Hiking Trail, Laguna Beach, California.”
Hiking Project, www.hikingproject.com/trail/7034119/top-of-the-
world-loop.
14. “Laguna Beach Hikes, Trails & Maps.” Visit Laguna Beach, www.visitlagunabeach.com/things-
to-do/outdoors/hiking/.
15. “Top of the World Loop Hiking Trail, Laguna Beach, California.”
Hiking Project, www.hikingproject.com/trail/7034119/top-of-the-
world-loop.
16. “Laguna Beach Hikes, Trails & Maps.” Visit Laguna Beach, www.visitlagunabeach.com/things-
to-do/outdoors/hiking/.
17. Suter, Leanne. “Brush Fire Prompts Evacuations in Laguna Beach,
Aliso Viejo.” ABC7 Los Angeles, 3 June 2018, abc7.com/brush-fire-
prompts-evacuations-in-laguna-beach-aliso-viejo/3553550/.
18. Allison Jarrell. “250-Acre Blaze Forces Residents to Flee Top of the
World.” Laguna Beach Local News, 4 June 2018,
www.lagunabeachindy.com/250-acre-blaze-forces-residents-flee-
top-world/.
19. Fig. 1. Mercedcampgirl. “Photo: ‘View of Alta Laguna Park from a
Short Hike Nearby.’” Photo: “View of Alta Laguna Park from a Short
Hike Nearby,” 28 July 2018,
www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g32588-d3252692-
i71655229-Alta_Laguna_PArk-Laguna_Beach_California.html.
20. Fig. 2. NordNordWest. “File:USA California Location Map.svg.”
File:USA California Location Map.svg, 12 Mar. 2009,
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USA_California_location_map.svg.
21. Fig. 3. Cali1. “Photo: ‘Desert Plants Thrive Here.’” Photo: “Desert
Plants Thrive Here,” 27 Apr. 2014,
www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g32588-d3252692-
i93804853-Alta_Laguna_PArk-Laguna_Beach_California.html.
22. Fig. 4. “28851 Top Of The World Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.”
28851 Top Of The World Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651,
www.lagunabeachhomesforsale.com/search/details/2us/4/#.
23. Fig. 5. Moofypants. “Forth of July Weekend.” Forth of July Weekend,
5 July 2015, moofypants.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/alta-laguna-
park.jpg.
24. Fig. 6. John, Sande St. “250-Acre Blaze Forces Residents to Flee Top
of the World.” 250-Acre Blaze Forces Residents to Flee Top of the
World, 2 June 2018, www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-
content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_1949.jpeg.
25. Fig. 7. Craig, Charlie. “250-Acre Blaze Forces Residents to Flee Top of
the World.” 250-Acre Blaze Forces Residents to Flee Top of the
World, 2 June 2018, www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-
content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_6454.jpg.