Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. This hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve is done at an easy walking pace. This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Recharge your batteries with a refreshing mid-week hike through the Agua Chinon Wash in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. This hike will visit The Sinks and other possible destinations such as Box Springs, Dripping Springs, Loma Ridge, Limestone Canyon, Limestone Ridge or the “water tank” beyond the East Sinks viewing area.

This hike involves multiple steep climbs and descents, with 2100+ feet of accumulated climbing elevation, but is done at a moderate pace of approximately 3 mph. Please bring plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes. Hike distance is 12-14 miles. This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

Join us every Wednesday night in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at an average of 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water.

Curious to learn about the plants among us, who’s sus and who’s not? Join us for a hike at the Bommer Canyon Preserve, part of City of Irvine’s Irvine Ranch Open Space, where we’ll look at local flora, talk about native and non-native species, and learn how different plants impact our ecosystems. Learning to identify plants, both native and non-native, is a great way to cultivate a relationship to our local wildlands.  

This hike will either take us up Ridge Route or East Fork trail, not the entire loop. This activity is geared towards participants who are curious about our local plants and ecosystem. Please bring water and all items needed to keep you safe during our walk. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended.

This week in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, we’ll hike in Limestone Canyon to Dripping Springs. The hike is a 7-mile loop hike which includes some hills and descents. In addition to the springs, we will enjoy panoramic views of the wildlands from East Loma. Please bring water, a trail snack, sun screen, hat, and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, and wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking boots. Participants must be able to hike 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1300 feet at an average moving rate of 3 miles per hour. Each hiker must carry his/her own water and supplies.

Volunteer-only Invasive Pull: Star Thistle, etc.

Coordinated with IRC Staff Isaac Ostmann

Gypsum Canyon Road – Trails 1 – 5, Oven Canyon

Please be aware this is a Fitness Hike and not for beginners; the pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 4.8-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (650-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers.

Please note the following safety precautions and protocols:

Pre-registration on lagunacanyon.org is required for this event. No walk-ups. Register here.
Each participant must register individually. For group registration or questions, please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org.
Group sizes will be minimized for safety purposes.
Each individual adult must sign the liability waiver – provided by the lead volunteers – when they arrive at the event.
Participants must be at least 16 years old and those younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A waiver, provided on arrival, must be signed by each participant at the start of the program.
Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed hiking shoes, and sun protection.
In an effort to protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.

Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Greenbelt Preserve (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road; and make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right.).

Parking: $3/vehicle.

Please note: Wet or muddy trail conditions may lead to cancellation of this event.

Please join IRC staff water milkweed and nectar plants for the Monarch butterfly in Bommer Canyon. With your help we will create islands of Milkweed and nectar plants that will help support the seasonal migration of Monach butterflies. We may be using shovels and small handheld tools. No experience necessary.

Trail Crew Weed Pull: Buck Gully

Coordinated with IRC Staff, Adam Maywhort

Nature Storytime Experience for Kids and Families

This collaboration between OC Public Libraries and Irvine Ranch Conservancy is an exciting nature experience for the community to learn more about the natural environment surrounding Orange County. Click here to learn more: IRC Presents: The Skunk – LibCal – Orange County (CA) Public Library

The in-person live discussion includes storybooks, activities, and a craft we begin together. The Nature Storytime series is about native plants and animals on the Irvine Ranch Landmarks.  To learn more about nature in your backyard and the land the Irvine Ranch Conservancy manages, please EXPLORE the Landmarks.  To go on a virtual hike, visit our IRNaturalLandmarks Channel 

Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. This hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve is done at an easy walking pace. This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Spring? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine! Every day at the farm is different; depending on the needs of the farm we will be harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, planting new seeds in the annual plots, working in our native plant demo garden, or tending to younger seedlings in our nursery.

Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required! 

Join an intermediate-level ride on OC Parks’ newest trails in the recently opened Red Rock Wilderness!

This ride will be moderately paced and include a mix of sustained singletrack climbs and fun twisty descents. Participants will reach a ridgeline lookout with panoramic views of Black Star Canyon, Santiago Canyon and Irvine Lake. Periodic breaks and trailside interpretation will be sprinkled in along the way. This ride will be approximately 8 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 3 activity on the land. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the park and participants must provide their own mountain bikes to participate.

Participants should come prepared with water, snacks, sun protection and any other gear needed for a ride in a remote area. Minors must be experienced and capable riders, wear helmets and be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times to participate. Rain or adverse weather conditions will cancel the program.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

Join us at Bommer Canyon for a moderate 3.5 mile hike before experiencing a gentle yoga practice at the newly reopened Cattle Camp. This historic old west setting connects us with the history of The Irvine Ranch and the barn’s outdoor dance floor is perfect for yoga. The hike is highlighted with beautiful views of the canyon and the yoga is suitable for those with little or no experience, slower in pace and gentle in practice. Our focus on breath calms the nervous system and has a positive effect on mental, emotional and physical health. If you have never been to the Cattle Camp before you will be surprised how connected you feel to the cowboys that worked on this land. Please bring water, a yoga mat plus a large beach towel and wear shoes appropriate for hiking (no cowboy boots please).

Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like planting native plants or removing non-native plants can greatly improve habitat for wildlife. You can be part of that positive impact while enjoying the beauty of Buck Gully near Newport Beach. Come help us with a variety of activities ranging from seed collection to weeding invasive plants.

This activity takes place on sloped terrain and sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended. All training, tools, and gloves will be provided to ensure your safety and comfort. Rattlesnakes are occasionally seen here and generally avoid people, but protective gear will be provided.

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn all about the Newport Back Bay.

Our Wild Tales program is offered every Friday from 10:00-11:00am and includes a story time, an age-appropriate hike, and a themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for the preschool level (ages 2-5), but all are welcome to attend. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

Advance registration is required.

Adverse weather conditions may move the program indoors or cancel it.

Experience the serenity of Bommer Canyon during this moderate-paced hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. We’ll experience mature coastal sage scrub and fantastic views overlooking the city of Irvine and the hillsides to the north. This hike is just over 3 miles and includes 700 feet of total climbing elevation with several very steep inclines. The steepest section ascends 300 feet in a quarter-mile. Participants must be in good physical condition and should be able to hike steep hills.

Limestone Canyon is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Join us for an afternoon, moderately paced, 5.5-mile fitness hike. The hike may include a few short rest stops along the way and will be a great introduction to fitness, cardio-style hikes as well as OC Parks’ magnificent Irvine Ranch Open Space.  Views of Limestone Canyon, and the surrounding wilderness, from Limestone Ridge will be the highlight of our tour.

Join us for a strenuous, extremely challenging, fast-paced, early morning cardio hike in Limestone Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Along the way we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and possible wildlife sightings.  This is an 8 mile cardio hike, completed in 2.5+ hours, includes a 1000+ foot elevation change. This hike is for experienced, physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of multiple steep climbs and descents. This hike is much faster than a regular walking hike. We average four (4) miles per hour fast-paced and is extremely difficult over steep terrain in the wilderness setting.

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.