Activities and Programs

Join us for a relaxed, beginner-friendly hike through scenic Round Canyon, where we’ll explore the natural world using the iNaturalist app. As we walk along this fairly flat and easy trail, we’ll pause to observe plants, insects, birds, and other interesting finds—learning how to photograph and identify them with iNaturalist.

This activity is perfect for those curious about local wildlife, or anyone who wants to learn how to use iNaturalist to contribute to community science. We’ll guide you through the process of creating observations and highlight how your contributions support research and conservation in our area.

The hike will cover 2–3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a moderate level of interpretation. This is a great outing for those looking for a slower-paced experience with time to stop, observe, and engage with the environment.

Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes, bring water, and please download and set up the free iNaturalist app on your phone before the hike.

Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. During this hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, you may travel at various hiking speeds based on your comfort level.  This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip up to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Join us for an evening/night mountain bike ride through Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve and Red Rock Wilderness, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will ride approximately 12 miles, with 1500′ of climbing along a variety singletrack trails and ranch roads. The route will vary based on trail conditions/availability.

This ride is not recommended as a first time night ride. Bring adequate lights, a jacket, plenty of water, spare tubes, tools and all other equipment to be self-sufficient on the trails. Hopefully we will see some of our local nocturnal critters. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the Nature Preserve.

Enjoy a five mile out and back hike to warm up your legs before practicing yoga in nature. The hike is highlighted with a short but steep climb at a medium pace and takes us to a 360-degree view of the Quail Hill neighborhood. The yoga is suitable for those with little or no experience and features basic poses centered on the muscles used for hiking, biking and other sports. Our focus on breath calms the nervous system and has positive effects on mental, emotional and physical health. If you have never done a yoga hike before you will be surprised how connected you feel to nature. Please bring water, your own yoga mat plus a large beach towel, and wear shoes appropriate for hiking on trails.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Autumn? 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, weeding, trimming, or planting seed of our beautiful native plants.

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

Take a leisurely ride on beautiful Hall Canyon and Helo trail in the Black Star Wilderness Area, home of oak woodlands, grasslands, and coastal sage scrub. View evidence of the old ranch days when cattle once roamed the area and see wildflowers that are native to our area. You will see amazing views of the local canyons and red rock. Evidence of a more recent use of the land is an area used for helicopter landings and a large metal ball and chain the military and OC Fire departments used for training.

The OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program encourages park guests to explore the outdoor world within OC Parks by developing a sense of belonging, becoming a part of nature and feeling empowered to be stewards of Orange County’s natural and cultural resources. 

Earn yourself a William Mason Regional Park Jr. Ranger Badge by completing this Jr. Ranger adventure! We will be learning about what makes an animal invasive and watching the behavior of Mason’s turtles.   

Age: Designed for 8 to 12 years of age, but all are welcome to participate. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Location: Mason Regional Park at 18712 University Drive, Irvine (Exit I-405 at Culver Drive south, turn right (west/south) on University Drive, left at San Joaquin/park entrance – park in Parking Lot A. 

Parking: $5/car at Mason Regional Park 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. 
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 shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com with any questions.  

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

Join us on this moderate-paced hike over the ridge and the through beautiful Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will enjoy short breaks at the East and West Sinks viewing platforms before hiking back through the canyon. We will enjoy a view of wonderful vistas in addition to a spectacular view of The Sinks. This hike involves hiking on both double and single-track trails with an elevation gain of 1000 ft.

Join us in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a challenging docent-led mountain bike ride for very experienced off-road riders in excellent cardio shape through Fremont and Weir Canyons to Sierra Peak.

We will climb out of Irvine Regional Park on Coal Mine Road to the Fremont Canyon Weather Station and then continue on past the Tecate Cypress grove, Lizard Rock and Mini-Moab on the way to Sierra Peak . We will return to the staging area via much of the same route but will finish by riding through Upper Blind Canyon to Weir Canyon.

Join us in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a challenging, docent-led mountain bike ride through Fremont Canyon to the unique geological formation known as Lizard Rock. This 16-mile out-and back ride, with approximately 2,500 feet of elevation gain is designed for experienced off-road riders in excellent cardio shape and will take up to 3 hours to complete.

The ride begins at the Weir (Outdoor Education Center) Staging Area inside Irvine Regional Park. We’ll climb out of the park on Coal Mine Road, passing the Fremont Canyon Weather Station and a grove of rare Tecate Cypress. Upon reaching Lizard Rock, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of upper Fremont Canyon, Sierra Peak, Cathedral Rock, and a sandstone formation locally known as Mini-Moab. We will return to the staging area via the same route.

While the ride is entirely on fire roads, be prepared for steep sections (both uphill and downhill) and potentially loose rocks and soil. We’ll regroup and rest as needed, with multiple opportunities for snack and water breaks.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Autumn? 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, weeding, trimming, or planting seed of our beautiful native plants.

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

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation at one of our Land Tending days in Berns Canyon Preserve 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. 

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. 

Access is first come, first served until parking capacity is reached. No registration required.

Equestrians, while space is not guaranteed we encourage you to please email info@irconservancy.org to coordinate parking.

Come explore 6 miles of new trails at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness through this self-guided opportunity.

Located within OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, Gypsum Canyon Wilderness features seven new trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Two lookout points offer sweeping views of the surrounding canyons and unique prehistoric rock formations. Multiple loop options that vary in distance and range from easy to moderate in difficulty are available for self-guided exploration.

Gypsum Canyon Wilderness is comprised of protected and preserved native habitats that a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, red-tailed hawks, California gnatcatchers and bobcats, call home.

Rain or inclement weather will cancel the program.

Gypsum Canyon Wilderness is located at 390 South Gypsum Canyon Road, Anaheim, CA 92887.

Join us this Fall for a rare opportunity to draw or paint animals in the wild (they are mounted so it’s not too wild) in Irvine’s Open Space Preserve! If landscapes or relics of the past are more interesting to you, we will have those too. Be inspired by the scenic hills or the nature garden that has been staged with native animals along with interpretive signs that tell the story of the Irvine Ranch.

We are excited to have Jessica Beck (jessicadamsky.com), Saddleback College Art Teacher and Professional Artist, as our special guest for this event! Jessica will demonstrate how to sketch animals and help anyone who needs a little inspiration or instruction. If you prefer to just get started, you are welcome to take a walk around the garden or Cattle Camp to find your perfect setting. Please bring a portable chair, sketch pad, easel, paints, pens, pencils or pastels, and other art supplies as they are not included. Minimum age: 18.

Come enjoy and learn about the bounty of the local flora and fauna. We will talk about how the animals and early settlers of the area survived and thrived with what nature has to offer. We will discuss how over-grazing, weather, and seasonal patterns affected the daily availability of food in times when there were no grocery or convenience stores.  Buckwheat graham crackers, prickly pear jam, and lemonade berry drink are a few of the tempting treats that we will taste-test. After a few snacks, we will take a short stroll along Baker Canyon and take in all the bounty of nature.

Escape into the stunning landscapes of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks with a one of kind family hiking experience. Our guided walk features a friendly horse, offering a special opportunity to interact with these magnificent animals while exploring the natural beauty of Southern California. This walk is perfect for all ages and abilities. It’s a chance to create long-lasting memories and foster a love for both horses and nature.

Please note: This hiking activity is for educational purposes. Participants should not bring their own horses as this is not an equestrian ride.

Join us for a leisurely walk through the Native Seed Farm to see plants maturing throughout the year. We’ll stick to the hard-pack roads around the fields – bring your camera to take photos or simply enjoy the scenery. You’ll learn about the plants we grow and why we grow them and see pollinators in action.

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.

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.