The El Modena Open Space is a compact little park where the trails offer both good workouts and good views, making it a solid choice for a morning or afternoon hike with your dog. Located at the east end of Orange, it’s convenient to reach from either the 55 freeway (take the Chapman exit and head east for 2 miles, then left on Cannon Street for 1.3 miles) or the 91 freeway (take Imperial Highway south for 3.9 miles and turn right onto Patria Court). You can park on the side of Patria Court and get going pretty quickly.

The loop offers a nice variety of vistas across northwest Orange County and the Santa Anas. On clear days you’ll spot even more — Catalina, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown L.A., the San Gabriels, and sometimes even a sliver of the Santa Monica Mountains. The elevation gain gives you a solid workout, though it’s manageable for most dogs in decent shape.

The main tradeoff is that the last mile of the loop runs along Cannon Street, so you’ll hear road noise during that stretch. It’s not ideal for a completely peaceful hike, but the views and the relatively close location make up for it if you’re based in Orange County and want something quick and accessible. The trails themselves are well-maintained and straightforward to follow, which helps when you’re navigating with a dog on leash.

Bring water for both you and your dog — there’s no shade to speak of once you get up on the ridges, and the sun exposure is pretty direct. The parking situation on Patria Court works fine, just be mindful of residents if it’s a busy time. Early morning visits tend to be quieter, both from the trail traffic and the Cannon Street noise.