It’s summer time and OC Parks event schedule is out. Mark your calendars for these fun outdoor activities – most to spend time in nature with your family.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Nature Hike
8 – 9 a.m.
Join our Park Rangers Sunday mornings for an easy 1-mile hike on the Nature Trail. The trail takes visitors through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. Meet at Old Corral Day Use area. Rain will cancel hike.
Location: Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Website: www.ocparks.com/caspers/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2210
Special Instructions: Wear comfortable clothing, hiking shoes. Sunscreen, water and insect repellent are recommended. For additional information, please call the park at (949) 923-2210.
June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 – Redwood Hike
9:30 – 11 a.m.
Join OC Parks’ trained staff on an easy 1.1-mile hike to the park’s Coastal Redwood grove. You will use your 5 senses to engage with nature as you stroll to the Redwoods. You will also have an opportunity to learn about our native plants along the way. The hike begins each Saturday and Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. from the park’s Nature Center. Don’t forget to visit our Nature Center when you are there, too!
Location: Carbon Canyon Regional Park. 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, CA 92823
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/carboncanyon/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-3160
Special Instructions: All ages. Participants should remember water, sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes. Meet at Nature Center located at east end of the park. Reservations preferred, please call (714) 973-3160 or email [email protected].
June 3, 14, 17, 28 – Modjeska House Tour
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Docent-led tour of the historic house and grounds.
Location: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630-2534
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/modjeskahouse/
Contact: (949) 923–2230
Cost: $5 per person
Special Instructions: Advance reservations required, call (949) 923-2230. Directions provided with reservations.
June 5, 12, 19 – Tideland Tykes
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join our preserve staff for a fun-filled parent and child experience that may include arts and crafts, story telling, hands-on activities or outdoor nature walks. Come prepared for an exciting outdoor experience!
Location: Upper Newport Bay. 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/uppernewportbay/
Cost: $5 per student Parking: Free
Contact: (949) 923-2290
Special Instructions: Ages 2 to 8 years recommended. Space is limited and registration is required. Please call (949) 923-2275, or email [email protected] to register.
June 6, 13, 20 – Wild Tales
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Visit with Preserve staff for story-telling fun! After a story, learn more about the natural history of the Bay through crafts, hands-on activities and nature walks. Come prepared for an exciting outdoor experience!
Location: Upper Newport Bay. 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/uppernewportbay/
Cost: $5 per student Parking: Free
Contact: (949) 923-2290
Special Instructions: Ages 2 to 8 years. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call (949) 923-2275, or email [email protected] to register.
June 7, 14, 21, 28 – Nature Walk
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Join our Naturalists on a nature walk and learn about Trabuco Canyon animals and nature. Light to moderate walk on mostly paved roads. Meet at the Nature Center just inside the main entrance of the park.
Location: O’Neill Regional Park. 30982 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Website: www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2260
Special Instructions: All ages welcome. Event is conditional on the weather.
June 7, 14, 21, 28 – Ranger Led Campfire Program
8 – 9 p.m.
Join us Saturday night at the amphitheater for this Ranger led talk on local animal life, set to the glow of fire light. This event is only open to those camping at O’Neill Regional Park. No access for day use after sunset.
Location: O’Neill Regional Park. 30982 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Website: www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/
Cost: Free
Contact: (949) 923-2260 or (949) 923-2256
Special Instructions: All ages welcome. Event is outdoors and dependent on weather conditions.
June 7, 14, 28 – Campfire Program
8 – 9 p.m.
Every Saturday night, join us for a campfire program that may include a slide presentation, wilderness safety, games and activities for children, animal adaptations, skins and skulls, a live animal demonstration and a chance to visit the Nature Center. Topics may vary weekly.
Location: Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Website: www.ocparks.com/caspers/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2210
Special Instructions: All ages welcome!
June 19 – What’s For Lunch – Preschool Program
10 – 11 a.m.
Find out what the animals in the zoo eat for lunch and dinner! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo animals up close!
Location: Orange County Zoo. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/
Cost: $5 per child (one parent included) Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-6846
Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. For ages 3 to 4 years old. Parent must accompany child for duration of program. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo.
June 20 – Tot Walk
9 – 11 a.m.
Join Ranger Zak and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers and bring your young ones (babies to 3 years old) to explore Aliso’s wild backyard. We will see bugs, animal tracks, plants, birds and have all kinds of outdoor fun!
Location: Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Website: https://ocparks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons/
Cost: Free Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 497-8324
Special Instructions: For babies to 3 years old. Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Ranger Headquarters, 28373 Alicia Pkwy (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Alicia, first right on Awma, left into parking lot). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
June 20 – A Morning Stroll to Barbara’s Lake
9 – 11:30 a.m.
Enjoy an outdoor stroll to Barbara’s Lake (Orange County’s only natural lake) on this leisurely paced, level, 2-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Cost: $2 donation per person Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions: All ages welcome! Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
June 20 – Animal Art II – Preschool Program
10 – 11 a.m.
Join us for an hour of creativity and fun with an animal theme! Come ready to get a little messy! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo animals up close! Different crafts than Animal Art I.
Location: Orange County Zoo. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/
Cost: $5 per child (one parent included) Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-6846
Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. For ages 3 to 4 years old. Parent must accompany child for duration of program. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo.
June 20 – Celebrating Yosemite at 150 Years
6 – 7 p.m.
OC Parks and the Yosemite Conservancy invite you to watch Ken Burns’ Yosemite: A Gathering of Spirit, a documentary film produced to honor the first time a government set aside land for public use and enjoyment that gave birth to the national park idea. We are excited to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Yosemite with this inspirational film that brings to life an amazing time in America’s conservation history. We hope that Yosemite lovers far and wide will join us for this unique experience.
Location: Irvine Regional Park. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: www.ocparks.com/irvinepark/
Contact: (714) 973–6835
Parking: Free
Special Instructions: Please RSVP to Park Ranger Nicole Crussell at [email protected] or call her at (714) 973-6837. The film will be shown at the Soda Fountain Pavilion near parking lot 19.
June 21 – Non Dot Adventures Ultimate MTB Time Trail
7:30– 10:30 a.m.
The following trails will be closed during the event from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Dreaded Hill Rd., Water Tank Rd., Cactus Hill Trail, Santiago Ranch Rd., Vulture View Rd., Sage Scrub Trail, Line Shack Rd & Serrano Cow Trail.
Location: Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. 26707 Portola Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92620
Website: https://ocparks.com/whitingranch/
Special Instructions: For more information and to register, visit: https://nondotadventures.com/.
June 21 – Keep It Wild Volunteer Day
8 – 11 a.m.
Come on out and help restore the wild lands we so enjoy! There’s no better way to start a Saturday morning than by joining Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks staff in an invigorating project of non-native plant removal and/or planting native plants. Help us make a healthier environment for the native wildlife and for ourselves.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Cost: Free Parking: Free for Keep It Wild Volunteers
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Little Sycamore Staging Are/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I 5/405). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
June 21 – Keep It Wild Volunteer Day
8 – 11 a.m.
Come on out and help restore the wild lands we so enjoy! There’s no better way to start a Saturday morning than by joining Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks staff in an invigorating project of non-native plant removal and/or planting native plants. Help us make a healthier environment for the native wildlife and for ourselves.
Location: Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Website: https://ocparks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons/
Cost: Free Parking: Free for Keep It Wild Volunteers!
Contact: (949) 497-8324
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Ranger Headquarters, 28373 Alicia Pkwy (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Alicia, first right on Awma, left into parking lot). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
June 21 – Star Party
8 – 9 p.m.
Come for a grand tour of the universe! Join Allan and other amateur astronomers and have a look in the telescopes to see Mercury, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. Take a guided tour of the summer constellations and learn the myths and facts about the cosmos. Observe the wonders of the night sky including nebulas, galaxies, star clusters and double stars.
Location: Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Website: www.ocparks.com/caspers/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2210
Special Instructions: Held only on evenings with clear skies (good weather). Call Park at (949) 923-2210 for weather-sky updates or additional info.
June 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 – Summer Camp at the Bay with Inside the Outdoors
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Calling all campers aged 6 to 18! Join Inside the Outdoors for summer nature fun at the bay! Together, we will explore our wild wetlands through games, activities and crafts.
Location: Upper Newport Bay. 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/uppernewportbay/
Cost: See link below for prices. Parking: Free
Contact: (949) 923-2290
Special Instructions: For more information, please see phone (949) 708-3885 or visit https://ito.ocde.us/Pages/Home.aspx.
June 25 – Under the Sea – Preschool Program
10 – 11 a.m.
Learn all about animals in the ocean including fish, dolphins, sharks, and more! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo animals up close!
Location: Orange County Zoo. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/
Cost: $5 per child (one parent included) Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-6846
Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. For ages 3 to 4 years old. Parent must accompany child for duration of program. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo.
June 26 – Animal Art – Program for 5-8 year olds
10 – 11 a.m.
Join us for an hour of creativity and fun with an animal theme! Come ready to get a little messy! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo animals up close!
Location: Orange County Zoo. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/
Cost: $5 per child (one parent included) Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-6846
Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. For ages 5 to 8 years old. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo.
June 26 – 2014 Summer Concert Series – No Duh with Verdell
6 – 8 p.m.
OC Parks welcomes back its annual concert series. Ten free concerts at Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park and Salt Creek Beach will present local musical artists performing live in the outdoors June through August. On Thursday, June 26, acclaimed No Doubt tribute band No Duh performing with Verdell will be playing at Craig Regional Park.
All of the OC Parks Summer Concerts are part of The World Famous KROQ’s ROQ N’ Surf summer series. Shows are from 6 to 8 p.m., free concert admission with free parking and open to the public of all ages. Food trucks will have food available for purchase at each location. Friends and families are invited to come out and enjoy great local live music under the stars at OC Parks this summer season.
Location: Craig Regional Park. 3300 State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92835.
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/craigpark/
Cost: Free Parking: Free
Contact: (714) 973-3180
Special Instructions: All ages welcome.
June 28 – Geology Hike at Willow
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Enjoy unspoiled canyon views and learn about the geology of this area. The rocks and fossils reveal fascinating stories about the park’s ancient environments. This will be a 3.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (600-ft. elevation gain).
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Cost: $2 donation per person Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Not for beginners. Hiking poles suggested. Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
June 29 – There’s More Than Meets The Eye At Clark Park
1 – 3:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered “Where are all the animals in the park?” but haven’t a clue? See the park through the eyes of a Ranger and discover the hidden clues. Find out what animals ruled the land in Clark Park 10,000 years ago and what animals rule today. Visit with Rangers at a Share and Show Exhibit located at Clark Park’s Fossil Museum front patio from 1 to 3 p.m. and discover the secrets of Clark Park. A moderate, 30–minute, ¾-of-a-mile, Ranger-led nature walk will follow. The walk will begin at the Share and Show Exhibit, continue past Elephant and Camel Hill and up Camel Hill, the highest point of Clark Park before looping back to the starting point. Fun activities will be available for both children and adults.
Location: Clark Regional Park. 8800 Rosecrans Ave., Buena Park, CA 90621
Website: https://ocparks.com/parks/ralph/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973–3170
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OC Parks:
The OC Parks system encompasses 26 regional, wilderness and historical facilities, as well as coastal areas throughout the County of Orange in California. Featuring nearly 60,000 acres of parkland, open space and shoreline, Orange County’s award-winning parks and programs are enjoyed by millions of residents and visitors each year, in ways as diverse as the parks themselves.
OC Parks offers wilderness hikes. Campgrounds. World-class mountain biking. Nature centers. Nationally recognized historic sites. Fishing. Surfing. And the list goes on. Whether a visitor comes to jog or camp; whether a family holds a reunion at a park or meets friends at the beach, OC Parks offers everything you need to make every day a great one.
