Join us for a scenic, fast-paced, challenging, distance hike in the beautiful Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. This hike is for physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of multiple steep climbs and descents. This 10–13 mile hike offers sweeping views of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains as well as possible wildlife sightings. This hike may include a visit to The Sinks and/or Dripping Springs.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Join us for an intermediate level ride on OC Parks’ newest trails in the recently opened Saddleback Wilderness.

This cross country-style ride will be moderately paced and include a mix of mild terrain with some brief punchy climbs. The ride will reach a summit with panoramic views stretching from the mountain to the sea. Periodic breaks and trailside interpretation will be sprinkled in along the way. Depending on group pace, this ride will cover up to 8 miles and with 800 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 need to provide their own mountain bike and should come prepared with water, snacks, sun protection and any other gear needed for a ride in a remote area. Minors must wear helmets and be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times to participate. Rain or muddy conditions will cancel the event.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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.Please visit our website.
– Each participant must register individually. For group registration, please email derek_b@lagunacanyon.org for availability.
– 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.
– Minimum age of 16 years old accompanied by a parent/guardian. If under 18 years old, a waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian, provided at the start of the event.
– 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.

Enjoy a 3+ mile hike and gentle yoga practice in nature. The hike through Baker Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, includes some elevation 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.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Come join Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists to learn about the seasonal life of California Native Plants with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this enjoyable 2.5 mile hike (175-ft. elevation gain) over moderately uneven terrain.

Please note the following safety precautions and protocols:

– Pre-registration on lagunacanyon.org is required for this event. No walk-ups. Please visit our website.
– Each participant must register individually. For group registration, please email derek_b@lagunacanyon.org for availability.
– 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.
– Minimum age of 16 years old accompanied by a parent/guardian. If under 18 years old, a waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian, provided at the start of the event.
– 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: James Dilley Preserve, 350 Artisan Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Parking: $3/vehicle

Around 25,000 plants have been installed at our Big Canyon restoration site, and we would love your help protecting the new plantings from invasive plants. Invasive plants pose a huge threat to displacing native plant communities and wildlife at the Bay, second only to habitat loss. By removing invasive weeds, we will ensure the Big Canyon project site thrives with native plants for years to come. No prior plant ID/weeding experience necessary.

Minors must have a legal guardian present at all times.

To register, go to: RestoreBigCanyon.eventbrite.com

Interested in bringing out a large group of 15 or more? Please contact Zachery Flores at zachery.flores@newportbay.org for more information on how to sign up.

Time & Location
We will meet at 9am at the project site entrance. A map with directions will be included in your confirmation email following registration. From the parking location, the project site is a short 5-minute walk into the canyon. NOTE: There are no restrooms at this location.

What to Bring/Wear
Be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. We also recommend wearing breathable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Hand tools, shovels, and gloves will be provided. All volunteers not yet fully vaccinated must wear a face mask while on the project site. Face masks are optional for fully vaccinated volunteers.

Experience the wonders of two preserve areas located on OCParks’ beautiful Irvine Ranch Open Space, Fremont and Weir Canyons. 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.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Join us Friday mornings in our native plant nursery for 3 hours of hands-on volunteer driven fun! Bring a friend and help us grow native plants for restoration projects around the Upper Newport Bay. Each week, you will have the opportunity to assist in seasonal activities like seed collection, sowing seed flats, transplanting seedlings, pruning, processing cuttings, composting, pot washing, weeding, and maintaining nursery space.

Minors must have a legal guardian present at all times.

This volunteer work will take place outdoors at the Back Bay Science Center. Although most of the work will be conducted under shade, volunteers should be prepared to stand and be exposed to changing weather for various lengths of time. Please bring sturdy closed-toe shoes, hiking or outdoor working attire, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and a hat. Free parking and public restrooms are available on site. No experience necessary. Training and tools will be provided.

To register, go to: SowandGrowFridays.eventbrite.com

Wild Tales is back!

Wild Tales will be offered every Friday. Each session will include a kid friendly hike, story time and craft project.

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

All minors under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian at all times.

Being that our easy hikes are on dirt trails, wearing clothes and shoes fit for such trail conditions are recommended.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

Join us in OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a challenging docent-led mountain bike ride for very experienced off-road riders in excellent cardio shape. Climb challenging State Spur to Cathedral Rock, and then descend into Fremont Canyon while passing some of Orange County’s most spectacular geological formations. The ride continues out to Mini-Moab and then over to Sierra Peak, passing the Tecate Cypress forest, then past Sierra Peak, and over to the last descent down through historic Black Star Canyon.

Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the Nature Preserve. Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-5 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Come search for evidence that animals leave behind in nature. 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.

Reviewing the 1-through-5  Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Spot local native and seasonal resident birds with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this 1-mile hike over moderate but uneven terrain (up to 50-ft elevation gain) through one of the most diverse plant communities in the United States. No experience necessary! for ages 12 and up (minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Wear hiking or walking shoes and bring your binoculars.

Please note the following safety precautions and protocols:
• Pre-registration on lagunacanyon.org is required for this event. No walk-ups. Please visit our website.
• Each participant must register individually.
• Group sizes will be minimized for safety purposes. For group registration, please email derek@lagunacanyon.org for availability.
• Each individual adult must sign the liability waiver – provided by the lead volunteers – when they arrive at the event.
• If under 18 years old, a waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian, provided at the start of the event.
• 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: Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, (28373 Alicia Pkwy, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656).

Parking: $3/vehicle

Please note: Preregistration is required due to limited parking capacity.

This activity listing is for equestrian riders only. Hikers, please register for the “Saddleback Wilderness Access: Morning Hiker Session (No Bikers)” activity.

Come explore 2.7 miles of new equestrian friendly trails at Saddleback Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, through this self-guided opportunity. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking and equestrian use only (bike users may only sign up for the afternoon bike only session). OC Parks is responding to public feedback indicating strong interest for user group specific access opportunities.

There are multiple trail loop options which vary in distance and level of difficulty. Choices range from an easy one-mile loop to multiple figure-8 configurations for those looking to maximize their mileage. Regardless of distance, nearly all options feature scenic views including a destination vista point offering 360-degree perspectives from the mountains to the sea.

Equestrian riders who have trail riding experience with a fit and able horse and the ability to transport their horse to the staging area are welcome. Saddleback is a dry facility. There is no water available for horses on site. Due to space constraints and radius limitations in the staging area, the maximum combined vehicle + trailer length that can be accommodated is 50′.

Please review our Trail Tips page and FAQ page to prepare for your experience in the wilderness area.

Please note: Preregistration is required due to limited parking capacity.

This activity listing is for hikers only. Equestrians, please register for the “Saddleback Wilderness Access: Morning Equestrian Session (No Bikers)” activity.

Come explore 3.3 miles of new trails at Saddleback Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, through this self-guided opportunity. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking and equestrian use only (bike users may only sign up for the afternoon bike only session). OC Parks is responding to public feedback indicating strong interest for user group specific access opportunities.

There are multiple trail loop options which vary in distance and level of difficulty. Choices range from an easy one-mile loop to multiple figure-8 configurations for those looking to maximize their mileage. Regardless of distance, nearly all options feature scenic views including a destination vista point offering 360-degree perspectives from the mountains to the sea.

Please review our Trail Tips page and FAQ page to prepare for your experience in the wilderness area.

Volunteers needed to assist the OC Zoo with their annual Star Wars Day! Volunteers may be helping at craft tables, games, photo area, handing out special gift for first 100 kids, helping take photos for visitors, and giving breaks to other volunteers.