Enjoy a 3+ mile hike and gentle yoga practice in nature. The hike through Baker Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, includes an elevation gain of approximately 500′ and will be a nice warm up for a gentle morning yoga flow under a shaded canopy. Please bring water, your own yoga mat and large beach towel. Mats will not be provided; we will drop mats at secure location while hiking. Closed-toe shoes, water, hats and sunscreen recommended for the hike.

Join OC Parks staff and volunteers with your furry friend(s) (maximum of 2 dogs per person) for a dog walk at Upper Newport Bay. Come enjoy an easy, 3-mile hike over easy but uneven, unpaved terrain with approximately 75 feet of elevation gain. We will stop along the way to learn about the Bay as well as how to keep both your dog and the wildlife safe when out on our trails.

Please wear closed-toe shoes, have sun-protection as needed, and bring water for both you and your four-legged friends.

To ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for all participants, we have a few important guidelines:
1. Behavioral Expectations – We welcome well socialized dogs that are up to date on their vaccines.
2. Leash Requirement – To ensure the safety of other participants and wildlife, we thank you for keeping your dog leashed at all times within the nature preserve.
3. Owner Responsibility – Owners are fully responsible for their dog’s behavior and asked to keep a close watch on their canine companions.

Adverse weather will cancel the program. The program and parking are free.

Space is limited and advance registration is recommended.

Visitors to Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm are first greeted by the Demonstration Garden, filled with lush shrubs, bushes, and flowers. Our garden hosts a variety of native plant species which support a healthy local ecosystem! Join us as we provide inspiration and guidance for creating a regionally suitable plant garden for your own home.

Ranger Reserves needed to provide excellent customer service and resource protection at Santiago Oaks Regional Park during wedding and reception. The events are limited to 100 people which includes all vendors, wedding party and guests. Alcohol is allowed only with a permit obtained in advance from the Permits Department and served by a licensed bartender under the supervision of a security guard.

The rocks of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park tell a story dating back millions of years. Join OC Park and LCF volunteers as they take you on a journey through history. You will discover volcanic intrusions, explore rock formations 40 million years old, and experience the only naturally occurring lake in Orange County. This program starts at the Nix Nature Center where we will discuss the rock formations of Orange County for about one hour. Then we will head out on trail, where we will be hiking and exploring about 1 mile up Little Sycamore Trail. The program will end with an easy walk to Barbara’s Lake, making our hike about 3 miles total over relatively flat terrain.

Age: 7 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: Nix Nature Center, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach 92651, East side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133).

Parking: $3/car at Nix Nature Center parking lot. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
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.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

Join us in the back-country wilderness for a journey filled with beautiful sights that are photographic and artistic sketching opportunities. Our journey begins in the afternoon. We will be deep in a secluded canyon, where time is measured in centuries, even millennia, in the sandstone cliffs of this ancient place called Limestone Canyon. You will board a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a 13-mile tour of the canyon and hills surrounding it. We will stop frequently for 15-30 minutes to admire the views, take photos, sketch landscapes, and answer questions.

Enjoy an afternoon family hike in Black Star Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will hike along a flat trail and cross a dry creek as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer. The hike will average 3-4 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium level of interpretation. This program is for participants who would enjoy a slower-paced and level hike. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes and bring water for the hike.

Inspired by the Japanese practice of “shinrin-yoku,” or “forest bathing,” this walk invites you to take a break from the busy world and immerse yourself in nature. Throughout the program, you will be encouraged to explore your surroundings using all your senses to deepen your connection with nature.

This is a guided, slow-paced walk with frequent opportunities to meditate and relax, designed for participants ages 16 and older. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or other comfortable seating and their favorite tea or water for the closing tea ceremony. Please wear comfortable attire and be prepared to walk on uneven terrain.

The program will begin outside the Santiago Oaks Nature Center. Please arrive on time to experience the full sequence of the program.

Registration is required. Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

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

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at 657-253-3681 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

You will enjoy a gorgeous sunset with panoramic views of Orange County while hiking in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space on the paved Hicks Haul Road. This hike travels 6 miles, out and back crossing over Loma Ridge. This is the perfect activity for you to get your work-out in and view the sunset. The hike is conducted at an average pace of 3 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. 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.

We love the nightlife! Explore Santiago Oaks Regional Park as we set out to search for nighttime critters that call the park home. From humble toads to graceful owls, you never know what you’ll see!

The program will begin outside the Nature Center. Wearing layers, sturdy footwear and bringing water are recommended. Red-tinted flashlights are highly encouraged. This hike is not recommended for very small children or strollers. Children must be accompanied by a guardian during the program.

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

Advance registration is required.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

The title says it all. This is your chance to venture deep in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. Join us for a challenging and beautiful adventure. Hike distance is up to 14 miles and is designed for advanced hikers. Participants must be physically fit and have distance hiking experience. Singletrack trails, steep climbs and descents are numerous. Over 2800 feet of accumulated climbing elevation is experienced on this route.

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.

Join us Sunday morning in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a fitness-focused hike on the Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails in Limestone Canyon. Hikers will enjoy wonderful views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. The hike starts at Hicks Haul Road staging area and will cover a distance of 8 miles, about 5 miles of the hike is on paved surface and rest on trails. Participants are expected to hike close to 3 miles per hour and come prepared with closed toe hiking boots or shoes, water, trail snacks, sunscreen, hat, day pack or fanny pack, and any other necessary equipment or supplies you might need to keep you safe on this hike.

Enjoy miles of lush oak studded canyons, fascinating rock formations and sweeping views from the Overlook Trail in the tranquility of the Weir Canyon back country, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. On a clear day we’ll be rewarded with glorious views of the San Gabriel and Santa Ana mountains. This is a fitness hike and features an 1800 ft accumulated elevation gain. There are multiple steep climbs and steep descents. Please make sure you are in excellent physical condition! You must be able to hike uphill at an average pace of 3 mph without stopping. A backpack and water are required. Please bring snack, sun screen, hat and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes.

Be inspired by both the natural beauty and recent history of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve, as we explore this protected area and the collaboration that made it possible. Buck Gully is a natural coastal canyon that opened to the public in 2012 with the installation of four bridges to provide safe public access. The bridges allow exploration of the entire Buck Gully Reserve, and also provide unique vantages and viewing platforms from which to pause and observe the abundant life in and around the stream that runs through the gully year-round. Our guided program starts with a short walk from the Oasis Senior Center to the beginning of the Buck Gully trail, with a visually dramatic entrance into this special canyon. We’ll cross two bridges on the first section of our walk, and then enter the canopied singletrack portion of the trail as we pass by the third bridge. At the fourth and last bridge, we will pause to enjoy the shaded beauty of this hidden refuge, and then retrace our route back to the Oasis.

Visitors to IRC’s Native Seed Farm are first greeted by our Demonstration Garden, providing inspiration for regionally suitable plant gardens. Our garden hosts a variety of native plant species which support a healthy local ecosystem!

IRC Volunteers are invited to help at our monthly Garden Maintenance Day! Our tasks each day are to be determined, but we’ll be tackling whatever jobs are a top priority to keep our Garden teeming with native plant life. Weeding, clearing, cutting, digging, watering, whatever it takes! Activities may include bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, long periods of standing, reaching, pulling, grabbing, and pushing.

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks at one of our Land Tending days in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park as we learn and work together to create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call the canyon their home. Depending on the time of year, volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities, including removal of non-native plants, hand watering, seed collection, and/or planting of native plants. No experience is necessary. Come out and join the team to help restore the wild lands we all enjoy!

Age: 16 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: Laguna Canyon Foundation Headquarters (10 Phillips St. Laguna Beach, CA 92651, West side of highway 133)

Parking: Free parking for Land Tending volunteers at LCF Headquarters. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, long pants, and sun protection. Gloves and tools are provided. Long sleeves are recommended.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
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.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org or marjorie@lagunacanyon.org with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

Do you want to unplug and relax in nature? Join Laguna Canyon Foundation Volunteers on a guided walk to experience the outdoors in a new way and allow your natural sense of wonder to take you to a mindful space outside.

We will walk less than 1 mile on relatively flat terrain and take stops along the way to engage in playful activities and mindfulness exercises to deepen our connection with the natural environment and ourselves. Our walk will end with a tea ceremony focused on reciprocity, a segue from the special, quiet space we share on our walk, back to the busy world.

Disclaimer: This program involves drinking tea made from sustainably sourced native plants. If you have food allergies or sensitivities, please be sure to notify park staff upon arrival.

Age: 10 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: Nix Nature Center, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach 92651, East side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133).

Parking: $3/car at Nix Nature Center parking lot. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 1/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection. A yoga mat or portable chair is recommended. Sitting materials will be provided for those who need them. For the program, expect to quiet your cellphones.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
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.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

Join Mile Square Regional Park staff and volunteers in enhancing the Nature Area habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup, and Butterfly Garden maintenance.

No experience is necessary; please bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks, water, wear closed toe shoes and a long sleeve shirt is recommended. Tools are provided. Please arrive on time, as work will begin promptly at 9 am.

Please note, this is a weekly reoccurring activity and space is limited. Please park in Parking Lot H and walk to the volunteer shed west of the overflow lot entrance.

• Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
• Minors ages 16 and younger must have a legal guardian present at all times.
• Rain or heat advisories cancel the event

A slow-paced beginner mountain bike ride for adults in Limestone Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, through sycamores, oaks, and habitat native to California. The route takes us to The Sinks, Orange County’s own mini “Grand Canyon.” Along the way, we will stop and talk about the local habitat, and hope to see some of our local native animals and raptors. For mountain bikers with a minimum of six months of trail experience who would like to join IRC-certified volunteers on an 8 – 9 mile ride with 400 – 800 feet of elevation gain.  This ride is for adult riders only. Allow up to 2.5 hours of riding time. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the Nature Preserve.