It’s May and the weather has been beautiful, time to get out and enjoy nature. Check out the following list of events offered at local OC Parks throughout Orange County.
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Guided Interpretive Hike (10 – 11 a.m.)
Join our naturalists on a nature walk and learn about the local plants, animals and history of Irvine Regional Park. Light to moderate walking on both paved paths and trails.
- Location: Irvine Regional Park. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869 Website: www.ocparks.com/irvinepark/
- Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
- Contact: (714) 973–6835
- Special Instructions: All ages welcome. Meet at the Nature Center near the OC Zoo in parking lot #19.
May 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30 – Modjeska House Tour (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Docent-led tour of the Arden: Helena Modjeska House and Gardens
- 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.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Ranger Led 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.
- 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: Meet at Old Corral Day Use area. Wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes. Sunscreen, water and insect repellent are recommended. Rain will cancel hike.
May 3 – Rancho Days Fiesta (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Come explore the rich history of Orange County’s ranchos and native American tribes! Visitors will experience the past through music, dance, crafts, food, and first-person presentations. All of the historic buildings will be open for tours, courtesy of the Amigos de la Colina docents.
- Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park. 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630-2534
- Website: https://ocparks.com/historic/heritage/
- Cost: $5 per adult and children over 3, children under 3 are free Parking: Free
- Contact: (949) 923-2235
- Special Instructions: All tickets will be sold at the gate on the day of the event.
May 7, 14, 28 – 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, storytelling, hands-on activities or outdoor nature walks. Come prepared for an exciting outdoor experience!
- Location: Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. 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 5 years recommended. Space is limited and registration is required. Please call (949) 923-2275, or email [email protected] to register.
May 15 – Tot Walk (9 – 11 a.m.)
Join Ranger Zak along with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers and bring your young ones (infant to age three) to explore Aliso’s wild backyard, a local oc parks. 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/
- Parking: $3 per vehicle
- Contact: (949) 497-8324
- Special Instructions: Online reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Ranger Headquarters, 28373 Alicia Parkway (from southbound Aliso Creek Road, turn right on Alicia Parkway, first right on Awma Road, left into parking lot). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
May 15 – Magnificent Mammals – Preschool Program (10:15 – 11:15 a.m.)
Come learn all about animals covered in fur! 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. Please note the Easter-themed classes fill up quickly! 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.
May 16 – 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 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 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
May 16 – Orange County Bird of Prey Center (5 – 6 p.m.)
Join Orange County Bird of Prey Center volunteer Peggy Chase and learn about our local raptors. Enjoy the opportunity to see these majestic interesting birds up close
- Location: Laguna Niguel Regional Park. 28241 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
- Website: https://ocparks.com/lagunaniguelpark/
- Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
- Contact: (949) 497-8324
- Special Instructions: Reservations encouraged, visit: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Meet at the amphitheater. Program is free. For questions, call (949) 497-8324 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
May 17 – Family Bandito Bike Ride to Dripping Cave (8:30 – 10:30 a.m.)
Join a band of bike wielding young explorers on a ride to Aliso’s most intriguing attraction. We’ll learn the mysterious legends of this famed bandit hideout as well as its previous inhabitants- the native Ajachamen people. Earn a Ranger badge for being an accomplice on the journey.
- 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: Ages 8 and up (or peddled by adult) who can comfortably ride 5 miles (150 ft. elevation gain), dirt trails with some sandy sections. Bike, helmet, water, snack and weather appropriate clothing/shoes are required. Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Ranger Headquarters, 28373 Alicia Parkway (from southbound Aliso Creek Road, turn right on Alicia Parkway, first right on Awma Road, left into parking lot). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 M-F or (949) 923-2200 Sat – Sun.
May 17 – Restoration Day (8:30 – 11:30 a.m.)
Want to enjoy the outdoors and help take care of park ecosystems? Join us for Restoration Days at Peters Canyon Regional Park every third Sunday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Recommended to bring water and snacks, have sunscreen, and wear pants, long sleeve shirts and boots.
- Location: Peters Canyon Regional Park. 8548 E. Canyon View Ave., Orange, CA 92869
- Website: https://ocparks.com/peterscanyon/
- Cost: Free
- Contact: (714) 973-6611
- Special Instructions: Please register by calling (714) 973-6611 or emailing [email protected].
May 20 – Down on the Farm – Preschool Program (10:15 – 11:15 a.m.)
Come learn all about farm animals including chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, 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: For ages 3 to 4 years old. PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. Parent must accompany child for duration of program. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo.
May 23 – Geology Hike at Willow (1 – 4 p.m.)
Enjoy an afternoon of 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. 20101 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Website: https://ocparks.com/parks/lagunac/
- Parking: $3 per vehicle
- Contact: (949) 923-2235
- Special Instructions: Register online with the link below:
www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Willow Canyon Staging Area (south of El Toro Rd intersection). For questions call: 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri & 949-923-2235 Sat/Sun.
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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.
Local OC Parks offer 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.
https://www.ocparks.com
