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/events is required for this event. No walk-ups. Register here.
Each participant must register individually. For group registration, please email volunteer@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.
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.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (405 South to 133 south to stoplight at 73 turn-off; make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right).

Parking: $3

Please note: 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 the Overflow/gravel lot and meet at the volunteer shed just a few yards west of the Overflow/gravel 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

The OC California Native Plant Society’s 22^nd annual Native Plant Garden Tour will showcase landscapes that are water-wise, aesthetically pleasing, and beneficial to pollinators and wildlife.

More information and registration here.

Come start your week with us on our Super Treks in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. Join us as we explore Bommer Canyon and Crystal Cove State Park. After hiking up to Bommer Ridge, we drop down and loop through Crystal Cove State Park. Along the way, we will be rewarded with views of the ocean and spectacular canyons. There will be several steep ascents and descents.
Participants must be able to hike 11 miles with an elevation gain of 1800 feet at an average moving rate of 3 miles per hour. All participants must carry their own water! Please come prepared with a pack, plenty of water, snacks, sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. Under-prepared participants may be denied access to the event.

Join us every Monday night for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. 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.

Come along with us on this morning hike through beautiful Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. You’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of The Sinks as well as sweeping views of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. This hike involves steep climbs and descents on both double and single-track trails.

Join us as we explore the Irvine Open Space Preserve on this hike through Bommer and Shady Canyons. We’ll begin at the Cattle Camp, where ranch equipment of old still stands. After a steep ascent on the East Fork trail, we’ll make our way across part of Serrano Ridge and descend into Shady Canyon to the Butterfly Valley trail. Here, you’ll experience some of the most mature Coastal Sage Scrub in all of Orange County. After a short stop we’ll return the same way. Total round trip distance is 9 miles with an elevation gain of 1500 feet at an average moving rate of 2.5 miles per hour. All participants must carry their own water! Please come prepared with a pack, plenty of water, snacks, sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. Under-prepared participants may be denied access to the event.

Ready for a workout? Forget the gym for the day and head outside! Join us for an exhilarating morning fitness hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. This hike allows you to choose between a 3, 6, or 8 mile route, all of which are conducted at the speed of about 3.0 to 3.5 miles per hour. The footing on the asphalt paved road is smoother than dirt roads and single track trails normally found in Limestone Canyon Nature 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 walk for anyone who wants a “wilderness experience” without getting dirty! The 6 and 8 mile routes experience two fairly steep ascents and descents. The 3 mile route takes you to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. 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.

Come and explore Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve trail system. Beginning from the Oasis Senior Center, we’ll hike up through the almost 3-mile length of the canyon, then along San Joaquin Hills Road for a bit, stopping at Canyon Watch Park where we will take in the panoramic view of the reserve and the Pacific coastline before descending back into the canyon along the Bobcat Trail. Please bring water, a light trail snack, sturdy closed-toe shoes and supplies to keep you safe during the journey. Sunscreen and a hat are highly recommended. This activity is conducted at a walking pace, approximately 3 miles per hour.

Explore Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, where you might see deer, bobcats, and hawks. Learn about acorn woodpeckers – the hippies of the bird world – and the wonderful ways of woodrats, as well as the peculiar nature of certain plants. Enjoy wildlife sounds, smells, and sights on this moderate 5-mile hike on rocky terrain (with less than 500 ft. elevation gain)

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: Meet at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Canyon View Staging Area. From Pacific Park/Canyon Vistas intersection, go northwest on Canyon Vistas. Park legally (note street signs) on or near Canyon Vistas, preferably between Coastal Oak and Madia (22144 region of Canyon Vistas). We will meet on the paved sidewalk easement leading toward Wood Canyon Trail. Parking: Free.

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

Spend the morning in a beautiful oak woodland weeding, watering and mulching Coast Live Oak seedlings in Weir Canyon. To get to the planting site we will travel for 15 minutes in a safari style truck giving you majestic views of Weir Canyon. We may be using shovels and small handheld tools. No experience necessary.

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.

Curious to learn about the plants among us, who’s sus and who’s not? For Wildfire Awareness Month spend the morning learning about fire dependency, resiliency, and management 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 knowledge about local flora and fauna!

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 as there is no shade along this route.

Come join us at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a slow-paced hike that offers an approachable experience for all skill levels to embrace their senses to explore the local flora and fauna. The hike is 3-4.5 miles in length with elevation gain. We will hike along Oven Canyon trail through mixed habitat and then up through a single-track trail with switch backs and elevation gain to 3 different overlook points with a spectacular view of Orange County.

Join OC Parks for an interpretive bike ride around Upper Newport Bay! Participants will have the opportunity to get their heart rate up and pedal around the Bay, all while learning about local ecology and history.

This moderately-paced ride will cover a 10 mile section of the Back Bay Loop trail over the course of 2 and a half hours. We will remain on the paved portion of the trail and will have interpretative stops along the way.

Participants must provide their own bike and helmet. Minors must have a parent/guardian present at all times.

Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Change: 155 feet

Advance registration required. Rain or adverse weather will cancel the event.

Leave the weekday chaos behind and dive into the peaceful beauty of OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon with our energizing after-work cardio hike. Forget about the day’s worries as we trek through stunning landscapes, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the scenic views. Come along for a journey through winding paths and picturesque vistas, where we can recharge and refresh ourselves in the tranquility of nature.

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.

Come out and join us on a breathtaking hike from the Irvine Open Space Preserve into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. This week’s docent-led hike begins in the Agua Chinon wash, continues to The Sinks, and may include a side trip to Box Springs, a natural year-round source of fresh water.

Maximum distance is just short of 8 miles, with some sustained climbing in one section. Participants must wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes. Remember to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and all other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail. This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.

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, 5.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (750-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: Willow Staging Area, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Meet at Willow Staging Area, west side of Laguna Canyon Rd., just south of El Toro Rd.

Parking: $3/vehicle

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

Spend your morning helping to water and weed within the new butterfly habitat islands in Limestone. With your help we will be able to maintain “islands” of host and nectar plants for butterflies in decline in Limestone Canyon. You will be transported from via a safari style truck from butterfly island to butterfly island through a beautiful oak woodland.