May 2, 16, 23, 30 – Tideland Tykes 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join 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.
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.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – 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.
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 e-mail [email protected] to register.
May 4, 11, 18, 25 – Nature Walk 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Join Naturalist 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. Meet at the Nature Center just inside the main entrance.
May 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 – 5 Senses of Nature 9:30 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Join Josh, on a walk to the Redwoods on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Josh will help you use your five senses to engage with nature as you stroll to the Redwoods and hear the story of these majestic trees and how they came to Carbon Canyon Regional Park. The walks will be every Saturday and Sunday mornings and in the afternoons. You will also get a chance to visit the Nature Center.
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.
May 4 – Walk in Our Wild Side Nature Walk 10 – 11 a.m.
Join a Park Naturalist on an easy walk approximately 1 mile long in our Natural Area. See birds, hawks, insects, butterflies, and native plants. Recommended: Hat, binoculars, drinking water, and comfortable shoes.
Location: Mile Square Regional Park. 16801 Euclid, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/milesquare/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-6600
Special Instructions: Meet at the entrance of the Natural Area located next to Parking Lot F. Event conditional upon the weather.
May 4, 11, 18, 25 – 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
Special Instructions: All ages welcome! Event is outdoors and dependent on weather conditions.
May 4, 11, 18, 25 – 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!
May 5 – Nature Center Open 10 am – 2 p.m.
Nature Center open the 1st Sunday of each month. Join a Park Ranger for a tour of the nature center and learn about local history, flora and fauna.
Location: Santiago Oaks Regional Park. 2145 N. Windes Drive, Orange, CA 92869
Website: https://ocparks.com/santiagooaks/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle Contact: (714) 973-6620 Special Instructions: All ages.
May 5 – 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 hands on activities for all ages. Food will be available for purchase.
Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park. 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: www.ocparks.com/heritagehill
Cost: $4 adults, $3 children (ages 2 and under free) Parking: Free Contact: (949) 923-2230
May 7, 11, 21, 26 – Modjeska House Tour 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Docent-led tour of the historic house and grounds.
Mailing Address Online: 25151 Serrano Road. Lake Forest, CA 92630-2534
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/modjeskahouse/
Contact: (949) 923–2230 Special Instructions: Advance reservations required. Call (949) 923-2230. Directions provided with reservations.
May 9 – Animal Art I – Toddler Program 10 – 11 a.m.
Join us for an hour of fun and creativity with an animal theme! Come ready to get a little messy! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting animals up close. Please see special instructions.
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) 973-6847
Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. For ages 3 to 4 years old. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo. Please note spaces fill quickly for toddler classes.
May 11 – Family Hike 3 – 5 p.m.
Join us on this very enjoyable, easy 3-mile hike over moderate but uneven terrain (100-ft. elevation gain). Families welcome. You will hike in one of the most diverse areas, through a canopy of oaks past Barbara’s Lake and back. Led by Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers.
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. Ages 12 and up. James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Road).
May 12 – Second Sunday Restoration Program 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join Preserve staff and other volunteers in enhancing the Bay’s habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup and Butterfly Garden maintenance. No experience is necessary; water, snacks and tools are provided.
Location: Upper Newport Bay. 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/uppernewportbay/
Cost: Free Parking: Free Contact: (949) 923-2290
Special Instructions: Minors aged 16 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call (949) 923-2275, or email [email protected] to register. Program will be cancelled if inclement weather is present.
May 17 – Magnificent Mammals – Toddler Class 10 – 11 a.m.
Come learn all about animals covered with fur! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting 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) 973-6847
Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. For ages 3 to 4 years old. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo. Please note spaces fill quickly for toddler classes.
May 18 – 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 volunteers
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Rd/Sr-133 just north of 73 Toll Road).
May 19 – Laguna Niguel Bird Walk 8 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Garett Lepper for a morning of birding. This is a new area for our alternate third Sunday bird walks and there will be new birding areas to explore. This park attracts a wide variety of birds due to the landscaped park vegetation and the availability of water. We will look for resident birds, as well as fall and wintering species.
Location: Laguna Niguel Regional Park. 28241 La Paz Rd., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/lagunaniguelpark/
Parking: $5 per vehicle Contact: (949) 923-2240 Special Instructions: Meet at Shelter 3 parking lot.
May 24 – Down on the Farm – Toddler Class 10 – 11 a.m.
Come learn all about barnyard animals including pigs, goats, sheep, cows, chickens, and more! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting animals up close. Please see special instructions.
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) 973-6847
Special Instructions: PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. For ages 3 to 4 years old. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo. Please note spaces fill quickly for toddler classes.
May 26 – Family Sun Day Fun Day 2 – 4 p.m.
Families are invited to come play, explore, listen and connect with nature and each other. Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist and nature mentor Kimberly Leeds will guide you through nature activities and games to enliven your wilderness awareness. Bring your curiosity! The walk will be a maximum of 1 mile round trip.
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. Ages 12 and up. James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Rd/Sr-133 just north of 73 Toll Road). The terrain will be uneven and steep in some areas; be prepared to get dirty and get up close and personal with nature.
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.
https://www.ocparks.com
Awesome! Thinking of joining the family hike – my son loves hiking! Thanks for sharing!