Join OC Parks Naturalists along with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers and bring your young ones (infant to age three) to explore Laguna Coast’s wild backyard. Listen to a story, play a game, and take a leisurely stroll on Mary’s Trail. Come join the fun! For questions, call 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri or 949-923-2200 Sat/Sun.

Online reservations required www.lagunacanyon.org/events.

Upper Newport Bay’s long running and popular story time is back! Wild tales will be offered every Friday and include an outdoor story time in our newly renovated amphitheater, an age appropriate hike, and a craft project in our classroom. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.

Activities are designed for ages 2-4 but all are welcome.

Current CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be observed.

All Minors under 16 must be accompanied by a parent of guardian at all times.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

Join us for a strenuous, extremely challenging, fast-paced cardio hike in Fremont Canyon. This is an advanced 16 mile cardio hike, completed in less than 4 hours and includes 3500 ft of elevation gain. This hike is for experienced, physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of multiple steep climbs and descents. There are no rest stops and the average 4 miles per hour fast-pace can be extremely difficult over steep terrain in the wilderness setting.

Please bring a minimum of 100 oz. water and trail snacks.  Come prepared with a pack, sturdy closed-toed hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail for this extreme fast-paced hike in a wilderness area. Each participant must carry his or her own pack and water.  Under-prepared participants may be denied access to this program.

Every year, winter rains push tons of trash down river beds, flood control channels, and storm sewers and it all ends up in Newport Bay.

In recognition of World Wetlands Day, join us for a trash cleanup in the back bay to help prevent all this plastic and other trash from ending up in the Ocean.

Participants should come prepared to get muddy! Gloves, bags, and all tools will be provided.

Minors aged 16 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times.

Rain will cancel the event.

Walk-ins welcome, but registration is suggested.

For more information call 949-923-2277 or email nathan.taxel@ocparks.com

Explore the starry skies and natural wonders of space through high-powered telescopes with the guidance of OC Parks volunteers. This is a family friendly experience open to all park visitors (camping not required).

For 25 years, Caspers Park has been home to monthly public family-friendly stargazing events, often led by astronomer and astrophotographer Allan White. Awarded California’s first “Star Park” distinction in 2013, Caspers Park is about 9 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean where there is less marine layer distortion and light pollution from nearby urban areas. The Milky Way is often visible to the naked eye here!

Visitors are encouraged to dress in warm layers and bring along a blanket and camp chairs if desired. Visitors may also bring along their own binoculars, telescopes, and photography equipment, although none are required to participate. No advance registration required or fee collected at the event, with the exception of park admission. Caspers Park does not allow dogs of any size (except documented Service Animals) as they pose a risk to the wild habitats of the park. Restrooms and drinking fountains available, no Wifi or concessions.

Please note that cloudy weather cancels the event. Visitors are highly encouraged to call the park at (949) 923-2210 the day of the event to confirm that it will proceed as planned. Event is held at the Nature Center inside the park with free parking close by.

Join us on this interpretative hike to learn about the geologic evolution of Orange County, as well as historic mining activities of the county . We’ll hike up to our turnaround point, the Fremont Weather Station, where winds are sometimes clocked at up to 100 mph, and then stop by the site of an abandoned coal mine as we return to the staging area.

This challenging hike includes steep hills with a 1200-foot elevation change, but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and the Cleveland National Forest.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Come join us for a fun themed craft project anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.!

Crafty Kids Sunday features FREE craft activities in the Muth Interpretive Center’s Discovery Classroom.

All ages are welcome, recommended for ages 2 to 10 years old. No registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be observed.

Enjoy an early afternoon family hike in Black Star Canyon, part of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. We will hike along a flat trail and cross a 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. Be ready to enjoy the sounds and smells of early evening.

Join us on this early morning advanced hike with Irvine Ranch Conservancy enjoying parks adjacent to the Landmarks and through beautiful Weir Canyon. You will go through two parks adjacent to the Landmarks, they are OC Parks managed Regional Parks (Irvine Regional, Santiago Oaks Regional)  We start in Irvine Regional Park, hike over to Santiago Oaks, and finish with a scenic hike down beautiful Weir Canyon Preserve in then Irvine Ranch Open Space.

Distance is 8 miles with several steep climbs and descents.

Join us every Monday night 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 about 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!

Please join IRC staff and volunteers as we work along the Dripping Springs trail.  Spend the morning working through grassland, coastal sage scrub and woodland habitats and then hike to Dripping Springs, a natural water source dripping out of an earthquake fault and down a gorgeous fern-covered rock face. Your work on the trail will benefit the rare plants and animals that this unique feature supports!

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.

Join us for an exhilarating morning fitness hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. This hike is a 6-mile route as a group – which is conducted at the speed of about 3.0 to 3.5 miles per hour.

The group may spread out for social distance reasons but generally will remain together for the entire hike.

The footing on the asphalt paved road is smoother than dirt roads and single-track trails normally found in Limestone Preserve but is beginning to show its age with cracks, crevices, and an occasional dip. Otherwise, the terrain is smooth, so this is a great hike for anyone who wants a “wilderness experience” without getting dirty! We will have two fairly steep hill ascents and descents. Along the way, you will have sweeping views of much of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. Various animals, like hawks, deer, and lizards are also frequently seen in this area.

Discover unique historical tales about the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as we celebrate different cultures together! Each month, a different culture and celebration will be highlighted, with the possibility of the program presented in multiple languages which will allow for everyone to fully enjoy the beauty of the land.

This month we will focus on the Chinese Lunar New Year. Come explore how people who are born in the Year of the Tiger are brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. They are very charming and well-liked by others, just like those who enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks!

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.

Come along with us on this epic hike from the bottom of Fremont Canyon to the bold, sandstone outcrops marking the ridgeline locally known as “Mini Moab.” This extremely challenging out-and-back hike is for experienced, physically fit distance hikers. We climb steeply along ranch roads past an abandoned coal mine, the Fremont Weather Station, remnants of a rare stand of Tecate cypress, and Lizard Rock. Less than a mile after entering the Coal Canyon Ecological Reserve, we reach our destination. The view from Mini Moab is nothing short of spectacular! After a break for snacks and to enjoy the view, we’ll retrace our steps back to the Fremont Staging Area.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-5 activity on the land.

Join us every Wednesday night 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.

This week in the Irvine Ranch Open Space, we’ll hike in the remote Fremont Canyon. The hike is just under 6 miles and includes a steep hill. We will hike from the mouth of Fremont Canyon, past a historic coal mine, to the Fremont Weather Station. After enjoying a spectacular view, we will hike back the same way to our starting point. 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 shoes.

Participants must be able to hike 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1200 feet at an average moving rate of 3 miles per hour. Each hiker must carry his/her own water and supplies.

Experience the wonders of two preserves located on the beautiful Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks preserve located adjacent to Irvine Regional Park, Fremont and Weir Canyon. We begin our equestrian ride atop the Waterworks trail an old filled-in V ditch that served to water the vast acres of the old Irvine Ranch of Orange County. We parallel Santiago Creek and enter the mouth of Fremont Canyon where native flora and fauna abound and find refuge from the sprawling urban environment. We turn and head toward Weir Canyon along the MWD trail and find ourselves gaining elevation and on little hills. As we head into the canyons we find hawks overhead and the coastal sage scrub turn into chaparral. We may find wildflowers or native grasses sprouting and certainly, we will hear sounds from Irvine Park. Serenity will be found as we enter the quietness of Weir Canyon where Oaks abound and restoration continues where Ox carts once traversed. After travelling back in time, we make our way back to the park and toward our original starting point going through Lower Weir Canyon and back into the park.

This ride travels on wide trails and single tracks with several moderate to steeper climbs. Equestrians who have trail riding experience and their own fit and able horse are welcome. You will need to transport your horse to the staging area. Owners of unshod horses, please note that footing will include areas of gravel and distances over asphalt pavement. Please bring water on the ride.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.