Join us on a backcountry wilderness driving tour filled with great sightseeing opportunities. Our journey begins at the Augustine Staging Area, where you will board the back of an open-air, ten-seat, 4-wheel drive vehicle for a tour of Limestone Canyon.
 We will stop occasionally for 10-15 minutes or so to admire the views, take photos and answer questions.

Celebrate 50 years of recreation at Santiago Oaks Regional Park by hiking through its history! Learn about the Windes family that called this park home, the flood of 1969, and the grassroots effort to preserve Barham Ranch as park land. Stops will include the Historic and Villa Park Dams, the Historic Orange Grove, the Nature Center, and more.

The walk will begin in front of the Nature Center located near the parking lot and travel approximately 2 miles with little elevation gain.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the program and strollers are not recommended. Sun protection, sturdy footwear and plenty of water are strongly encouraged.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Come search for evidence that animals leave behind in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Mule deer, bobcats, coyotes and even mountain lions call this hidden canyon home. Gain the basic tracking techniques as we search for evidence such as tracks, fur, bones, homes, and even scat. You never know what you may find! Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting a little dusty. This program is focused on older children and adults.

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Planet Earth and make up 80% of all known species. There are more different kinds of bugs than all the other types of animals combined! Join us on a family friendly trek around the Mile Square Park Nature Area to learn all about these amazing animals who have perfected the art of ecological specialization. Insects may have a reputation for being icky, but in fact, they are essential pollinators who are needed to sustain life on our Planet

Participants should be prepared to walk on dirt trails and bring water, sun protection, and snacks.

The program begins begins in the overflow parking area, which is located in the gravel lot next to the Archery Range.

Walk ins are welcome, but space is limited so advance registration is encouraged.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program.

The event is free and parking is $5.

Questions? Contact Interpretive Programs Curator Nathan Taxel at nathan.taxel@ocparks.com or 714-972-6665.

Enjoy nature with friends and family in Round Canyon. We hike along a fairly flat trail as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer. This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. The hike averages 2-3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium level of interpretation. This program is for participants who would like a slower-paced and level hike. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes and bring water for the hike.

As the day starts to settle into the night in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, bats awaken, stir and streak into the evening sky. Come hear fascinating tales of our flying mammal. We will head out towards a popular roosting location as we watch our nighttime heroes begin their nightly adventures. This program is ideal to visually observe the bats in flight, though bat detectors are available to listen for their high-frequency calls. Be prepared to walk about 1/2 a mile. Dress warmly as it may be a chilly evening. A camping chair is welcome as we will have a short introductory presentation in the staging area before the walk.

Discover the hidden canyons and trails found in Black Star Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. These seldom-hiked trails offer fantastic vista views, wildflowers, secluded oasis of oaks, and rising rocky outcrops. Come take a stroll along the trails to discover the hidden gems of Orange County. We will listen to tales of how the geology was formed underfoot to tales of the plants and animals that call these protected habitats home. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for our hike as well as proper sun protection and, please bring plenty of water.

It’s easy to think many of the birds we see and hear look and act the same. But do they? Bring your binoculars and join us on a slow/medium paced walk in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, as we search for resident and visiting birds of the local coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, riparian, and grassland habitats. We will discuss the diverse features of the birds we observe and how they match the season, their habitat and lifestyle. We will travel mostly on ranch roads, usually without shade. Beginners to advanced bird enthusiasts are welcome. Please wear sturdy shoes suitable for hiking and bring water, along with sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen. Bring a small birding field guide if you have one. A few binoculars will be available to borrow.

Mile Square Regional Park has some of the highest bird diversity in Orange County and this gentle paced walk led by OC Parks staff will help bird watchers of all experience levels discover what the park has to offer. All are welcome and loaner binoculars will be available.

Participants should be prepared to walk on paved and dirt trails for up to 3 miles and bring water, sun protection, and snacks.

The program begins begins in the overflow parking area, which is located in the gravel lot next to the Archery Range.

Walk ins are welcome, but space is limited so advance registration is encouraged.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program.

The event is free and parking is $3.

Questions? Contact Interpretive Programs Curator Nathan Taxel at nathan.taxel@ocparks.com or 714-972-6665.

Cell phones are everywhere. Chances are, you’re reading this program description on one right now. Why not put that phone to greater use by getting outside and using it to engage with our parks? If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about that camera you carry with you every day, join us for a beginner’s program to taking better photos with your cell phone. Each session will cover photography theory basics, phone camera settings, editing techniques, with time to practice in the park.

The program will begin outside the Santiago Oaks Regional Park Nature Center. Be prepared to hike around and explore the landscape at your leisure.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the program and strollers are not recommended. Sun protection, wearing sturdy footwear, and bringing water are encouraged.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Walk-ins are welcome, registration is preferred.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist, Shelly Marshall at shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Spot local native and seasonal resident birds with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this slow and easy 2-mile walk through a landscaped suburban parkland setting at Mason Regional Park.

No experience necessary! For ages 12 and up (minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult).
Please wear hiking or walking shoes and bring water. You are welcome to bring your binoculars as well!
Online reservations required. Register here.
Each participant must register individually. For questions, please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Parking: $5/vehicle
Rain or muddy conditions will cancel the program.

Celebrate 50 years of recreation at Santiago Oaks Regional Park by hiking through its history! Learn about the Windes family that called this park home, the flood of 1969, and the grassroots effort to preserve Barham Ranch as park land. Stops will include the Historic and Villa Park Dams, the Historic Orange Grove, the Nature Center, and more.

The walk will begin in front of the Nature Center located near the parking lot and travel approximately 3 miles with little elevation gain.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the program and strollers are not recommended. Sun protection, sturdy footwear and plenty of water are strongly encouraged.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

It’s easy to think many of the birds we see and hear look and act the same. But do they? Bring your binoculars and join us on a slow/medium paced walk in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, as we search for resident and visiting birds of the local coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, riparian, and grassland habitats. We will discuss the diverse features of the birds we observe and how they match the season, their habitat and lifestyle. We will travel mostly on ranch roads, usually without shade. Beginners to advanced bird enthusiasts are welcome. Please wear sturdy shoes suitable for hiking and bring water, along with sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen. Bring a small birding field guide if you have one. A few binoculars will be available to borrow.

Spring is in the air and birds are rejoicing! Join an experienced OC Parks Volunteer as you stroll through Irvine Regional Park searching high in the trees for our flittering friends and low in the scrubs for bouncing birds. Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes, and an eye for spotting our feathered friends!

This walk begins at the Irvine Regional Park Nature Center. Inclement weather will cancel the program. Parking is $3 per vehicle.

Walk-ins welcome, but registration is recommended.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com

Hawks to owls, rabbits to opossums, butterflies to moths…daylight creatures have friends that match them at night! Hear a fun tale about diurnal and nocturnal critters and make a fun craft to take home.

This activity is perfect for wee little ones, 2-6 years of age. We will spend the first half of the morning enjoying our nature topic, then make a craft or listen to a story, and end by exploring the trails on an easy-paced walk that is suitable for little eager feet. Parents/guardians must register along with their child(ren).

Celebrate 50 years of recreation at Santiago Oaks Regional Park by hiking through its history! Learn about the Windes family that called this park home, the flood of 1969 and the grassroots effort to preserve Barham Ranch as parkland. Stops will include the Historic and Villa Park Dams, the Historic Orange Grove, the Nature Center and more.

The walk will begin in front of the Nature Center located near the parking lot and travel approximately 3 miles with little elevation gain.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the program and strollers are not recommended. Sun protection, sturdy footwear and plenty of water are strongly encouraged.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Join us as we explore the native seed farm while learning about plants, pollination, and pollinators. We’ll focus on the native plants grown at the farm as we talk about, and identify, the pollinators we find on them. Closed-toe shoes and water are required for the walk. Hats and sunscreen highly recommended.

Experience the serenity of the summer equinox while enjoying Baker Canyon. Plants and animals bast in the longest daylight hours of the year, gearing up for the approaching summer heat. Celebrate the official first day of summer at 1:50 p.m. while on the trails.

Join us for a slow-paced interpretive hike related to current IRC projects focused on research, monitoring, and conservation.  The series will rotate through the landscape based on the season and projects.

For this series, we will spend the spring morning hiking along beautiful Limestone Canyon where we will focus on the butterflies in Limestone Canyon, and the newly created butterfly habitat plots.  These plots were seeded and planted with a variety of both host and nectar plants to aid the documented, declining population of butterflies in the canyon. We will hike through Limestone canyon plot by plot, and up to Dripping Springs, a natural water source dripping out of an earthquake fault and down a gorgeous fern-covered rock face.

Nature journaling is a wonderful tool for nature observations, creating lasting memories, and making deeper connections with nature. Build upon your own sense of place to maximize mindfulness and relaxation. Each session will cover the basics of art theory and practices, journal anatomy, and immersing your senses in the wonders of nature.

Bring a nature journal and your own art materials such as pencils, pens, or watercolors. A portable chair is recommended along with sun protection, water, and snacks. Be prepared to move along the trail a short distance and sit to document the beauty around you.