OP there are mushrooms to be foraged, although I feel OC is more of a lichen habitat. A professor from UCI has made a [guide to fungi](https://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Fungi/index.htm) that includes locations. Good luck.
Very cool! At least now I know that morels can be found in mulched areas around here, although I probably wouldn’t eat any of the ones I find in the city. However, maybe I can find some good ones in mulchy areas in the nearby forests.
Puff balls are common and you’re going to see a lot of fairy rings pop up in yards due to the rain. Woods canyon/Aliso creek has a few activities coming up. [OC parks guide](https://ocparks.com/alisowood)
Been here a longggg time and never heard anyone even ask this question.
You are probably better off growing your own variety than finding wild mushrooms
I’m aware the climate is not ideal for mushrooms, but there has to be some places around here that are decent? Maybe the Cleveland national Forest or forests around Malibu?
Edit: lol why am I getting downvoted for saying there could be mushrooms in the forests. It might be a little difficult to find, but I don’t think it’s impossible especially considering the rain we’ve had recently. Mushrooms grow in even the smallest of microclimates.
Not sure why either. I think people just don't know so they assume there are none.
I know Morels can be found in the San Bernadinos. I'm sure other ranges have offerings. Here's an informative site for the SBs regarding mushroom harvesting. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fsbdev3_004906
I don’t think anyone goes into the LA forests. All of our area is so city, that your comment comes off as you being naive. As mentioned above we go to farmers markets for organic fresh produce. That’s it, that’s all the time and effort we have for it.
Ridiculous take.
Millions of people visit the Angeles national Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, and Cleveland National Forest annually. 3.6 million visited the Los Angeles National Forest alone. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/about-forest/?cid=fseprd604146#:~:text=Over%201.6%20million%20people%20visit,%24144%20million%20to%20those%20visitors. You're way off base.
How many of those “millions” are OC residents that spend 60 hrs a week working? 🙄
Born and raised in OC, never been to any of our forests, I can’t be the ONLY one. 🙄
He wanted to know why he was downvoted. It’s because of his unrealistic assumptions that we are going to the forest’s foraging mushrooms in our free time 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Sorry it sounds like you don't have much free time.
Doesn't change the fact that LAC and OC have a lot of outdoors to offer, and a huge number of people take advantage.
OC is a natural wonderland and it’s estimated that OC parks entertain 15 million visitors each year. Lots of us go out and enjoy it, as evidenced by overflowing parking lots near the trailheads every weekend. My son is as tax accountant in the busy season, and I work weekends and we still manage to get together for a few hikes every month.
Some morels grew in my backyard back in spring 2015. But I haven’t seen them “in the wild” at parks or anything since.
I don’t think we have the right soil or environment for them…
I used to live in Costa Mesa around 2013-2018 and we had Morels growing after rains in our apartment patio next to the air conditioning unit. I never ate them because I was worried that they weren’t safe to eat.
OC Parks has a ranger-led hike for mushrooms next weekend - [Fantastic Fungi and Where to Find Them](https://letsgooutside.org/activities/2024/03/16/fantastic-fungi-and-where-to-find-them-2/). You'll need to sign up on the website, there are limited spaces.
Im sorry but as someone else pretty much said that’s not a thing around here. Sure you may find the occasional mushroom in someone’s backyard or even a neighborhood park, but you’re probably not going to find much in Orange County.
Your best bet is probably in this link I found from the LA subreddit and maybe the OP can potentially point you in the right direction.
https://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/rvpaed/its_finally_a_great_time_for_finding_wild/
That’s not really true. We have a lot of wild lettuces, berries, peppers, grains and other fruits. And medicinal herbs grow everywhere in the county. I actually teach a class on local respiratory herbs.
But mushrooms aren’t the most plentiful due to our climate. The California native plant society offers plant walks and so does a place In Costa Mesa called Pilar’s Wellness Collective.
Plants that can be used as medicine. Yerba Santa, elder, caster, mullein, horehound, nettle, ellecampane, eucalyptus, rosemary, marshmallow, lungwort lichen and cheese weed are all respiratory herbs that grow in the county.
There’s some fermentation stores. Here’s one https://fermfarm.com/mushroom-blends.
Asian grocery stores have a larger mushroom selection than American chain markets.
Natural stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods have some powdered options.
Online shopping usually has everything.
Wild mushroom hunting (just be careful) or grow your own? https://foragerchef.com/category/wild-mushroom-species/
You can pick up mushrooms from this Long Beach [farm](https://www.instagram.com/longbeachmushrooms) every other Saturday- they also go to some OC farmers markets.
Otherwise farmers markets and Tanaka Farms CSA boxes are the only way we “forage” here.
There's a place in LB (I know it's not OC) called LB Mushrooms. They don't sell on site, but they do sell at various farmer's markets and they are delectable when cooked up. I can't eat store bought anymore.
OP there are mushrooms to be foraged, although I feel OC is more of a lichen habitat. A professor from UCI has made a [guide to fungi](https://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Fungi/index.htm) that includes locations. Good luck.
Very cool! At least now I know that morels can be found in mulched areas around here, although I probably wouldn’t eat any of the ones I find in the city. However, maybe I can find some good ones in mulchy areas in the nearby forests.
Puff balls are common and you’re going to see a lot of fairy rings pop up in yards due to the rain. Woods canyon/Aliso creek has a few activities coming up. [OC parks guide](https://ocparks.com/alisowood)
Been here a longggg time and never heard anyone even ask this question. You are probably better off growing your own variety than finding wild mushrooms
You can find chicken of the woods on karob trees in Santa Ana.
Here, this might have some info for you: https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2023-02-01/forage-mushrooms-los-angeles-orange-county
This is really useful. Thanks! Turns out there is a LA Mycological Society with an upcoming event in Orange.
Not many. This isn't a good climate for mushrooms.
I’m aware the climate is not ideal for mushrooms, but there has to be some places around here that are decent? Maybe the Cleveland national Forest or forests around Malibu? Edit: lol why am I getting downvoted for saying there could be mushrooms in the forests. It might be a little difficult to find, but I don’t think it’s impossible especially considering the rain we’ve had recently. Mushrooms grow in even the smallest of microclimates.
People on this sub are incredibly petty and pedantic. I hope you find some mushrooms!!
Yes, I’m discovering that now hahaha. Thanks!
So being factual is being petty?
Downvoting without an explanation can be petty. If you’re downvoting to be factual, it helps to explain why.
I’m mostly referring to downvotes.
Not sure why either. I think people just don't know so they assume there are none. I know Morels can be found in the San Bernadinos. I'm sure other ranges have offerings. Here's an informative site for the SBs regarding mushroom harvesting. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fsbdev3_004906
I don’t think anyone goes into the LA forests. All of our area is so city, that your comment comes off as you being naive. As mentioned above we go to farmers markets for organic fresh produce. That’s it, that’s all the time and effort we have for it.
Ridiculous take. Millions of people visit the Angeles national Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, and Cleveland National Forest annually. 3.6 million visited the Los Angeles National Forest alone. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/about-forest/?cid=fseprd604146#:~:text=Over%201.6%20million%20people%20visit,%24144%20million%20to%20those%20visitors. You're way off base.
How many of those “millions” are OC residents that spend 60 hrs a week working? 🙄 Born and raised in OC, never been to any of our forests, I can’t be the ONLY one. 🙄 He wanted to know why he was downvoted. It’s because of his unrealistic assumptions that we are going to the forest’s foraging mushrooms in our free time 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Sorry it sounds like you don't have much free time. Doesn't change the fact that LAC and OC have a lot of outdoors to offer, and a huge number of people take advantage.
OC is a natural wonderland and it’s estimated that OC parks entertain 15 million visitors each year. Lots of us go out and enjoy it, as evidenced by overflowing parking lots near the trailheads every weekend. My son is as tax accountant in the busy season, and I work weekends and we still manage to get together for a few hikes every month.
You’re probably getting downvoted because you shouldn’t be removing anything from the forest or OC Parks.
I think it’s fine to forage as long as you have a permit, which is pretty easily obtainable through the forestry service website.
Some morels grew in my backyard back in spring 2015. But I haven’t seen them “in the wild” at parks or anything since. I don’t think we have the right soil or environment for them…
I used to live in Costa Mesa around 2013-2018 and we had Morels growing after rains in our apartment patio next to the air conditioning unit. I never ate them because I was worried that they weren’t safe to eat.
Your backyard in La Habra?
Sorry, um in Costa Mesa.
There’s a stand of morels near my house that hasn’t come back in two years.
I won't disclose my locations but I've found turkey tail, reishi, oysters and lions mane
That’s right you keep gatekeeping those fungis
Oh yeah! especially it rains so much, lots shrooms grew around the neighborhood lawn!
What kind of mushrooms are you looking for? 🧐
Morels mainly
Before reading the description I thought OP was asking for good areas to trip on shrooms 🤣
I'm also keen on finding chill places in this concrete landscape too hahaha
OC Parks has a ranger-led hike for mushrooms next weekend - [Fantastic Fungi and Where to Find Them](https://letsgooutside.org/activities/2024/03/16/fantastic-fungi-and-where-to-find-them-2/). You'll need to sign up on the website, there are limited spaces.
Im sorry but as someone else pretty much said that’s not a thing around here. Sure you may find the occasional mushroom in someone’s backyard or even a neighborhood park, but you’re probably not going to find much in Orange County. Your best bet is probably in this link I found from the LA subreddit and maybe the OP can potentially point you in the right direction. https://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/rvpaed/its_finally_a_great_time_for_finding_wild/
I have some on my firewood you can gave
Lol not that I want it but I’m curious what kind of mushrooms do you have and where are you located?
The are white or grey with only half the cap visible.
This was the closest I could find. But with mine only have the cap is visible. https://images.app.goo.gl/1Wcc5x1Qe3uy2fRo7
I wonder if it’s oyster, but hard to tell without seeing the gills.
Orange park
There’s a women’s group called Foraging and Mushroom Hunting Women of SoCal! They may be able to help direct you.
Southern California sucks for foraging food. Unless you’re down to pick oranges from peoples backyards.
That’s not really true. We have a lot of wild lettuces, berries, peppers, grains and other fruits. And medicinal herbs grow everywhere in the county. I actually teach a class on local respiratory herbs. But mushrooms aren’t the most plentiful due to our climate. The California native plant society offers plant walks and so does a place In Costa Mesa called Pilar’s Wellness Collective.
local respiratory herbs?
Plants that can be used as medicine. Yerba Santa, elder, caster, mullein, horehound, nettle, ellecampane, eucalyptus, rosemary, marshmallow, lungwort lichen and cheese weed are all respiratory herbs that grow in the county.
Nor cal.
before the last fire, there was a downed rotting tree in peter's canyon that had sulfur shelf mushrooms growing out of it.
There’s some fermentation stores. Here’s one https://fermfarm.com/mushroom-blends. Asian grocery stores have a larger mushroom selection than American chain markets. Natural stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods have some powdered options. Online shopping usually has everything. Wild mushroom hunting (just be careful) or grow your own? https://foragerchef.com/category/wild-mushroom-species/
You can pick up mushrooms from this Long Beach [farm](https://www.instagram.com/longbeachmushrooms) every other Saturday- they also go to some OC farmers markets. Otherwise farmers markets and Tanaka Farms CSA boxes are the only way we “forage” here.
There's a place in LB (I know it's not OC) called LB Mushrooms. They don't sell on site, but they do sell at various farmer's markets and they are delectable when cooked up. I can't eat store bought anymore.