October 1, 12, 15, 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.
October 1 – 31 – Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Weekdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Weekends
Irvine Park Railroad’s eighth annual pumpkin patch is fun for the entire family! The pumpkin patch opens daily at 10 a.m. beginning Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Activities include train rides, hay rides, a friendly haunted house, a hay maze, a moon bounce, face painting (weekends only), picture stands, and a lot more.
Admission into the pumpkin patch is free. Prices for all other activities vary. For additional information and costs, please visit www.irvineparkrailroad.com.
Location: Irvine Regional Park. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: www.ocparks.com/irvinepark/
Cost: Free Parking: $3 per vehicle weekdays, $5 per vehicle weekends
Contact: (714) 973-6847
Special Instructions: All ages.
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31– 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.
October 4, 11, 18, 25 – 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.
October 5, 12, 19, 26 – Redwood Grove Hike
8:30 – 10 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 morning at 8:30 a.m. and Sunday mornings 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].
October 5, 12, 26 – 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. Meet at the Nature Center just inside the main entrance.
October 5 – 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. Rain will cancel walk.
October 5 – 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 in the park, 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. 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). For questions call (949) 497-8324.
October 5 – Bats of Orange County
6:15 – 7:30 p.m.
Join Park Ranger Brad Barker as we learn about those mysterious creatures of the night – bats. Ranger Barker will lead a 45 minute presentation learning about the bats of Orange County. Then, join us for a 30 minute round trip walk as we looks for bats and listen for their echolocation using a bat detector. Come early to look at a bat skeleton and skull.
Location: O’Neill Regional Park. 30982 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Website: www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/
Cost: Free Parking: Free for program participants
Contact: (949) 923-2260
Special Instructions: All ages welcome. Event is outdoors and dependent on weather conditions.
October 5, 12, 19, 26 – 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.
October 5, 12, 19, 26 – 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!
October 6, 13, 20, 27 – 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. If rain, hike canceled.
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: For more information, call the park at (949) 923-2210. Wear comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended.
October 6 – 1st Sunday Restoration Program at Talbert Nature Preserve
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Come join us for some R&R at Talbert Regional Park in Costa Mesa as we kick off the first community based Talbert Restoration & Revitalization Project. Learn about the native plants and wildlife of our Coastal zone. We will meet the 1st Sunday of each month 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the corner of 19th St. and Balboa Blvd. in Costa Mesa. Each volunteer will receive a coupon for a free barbecue corn at the Lion’s Club annual Fish Fry carnival event! Contact (714) 376-7414 for more information.
Location: Talbert Nature Preserve. 1298 Victoria Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627.
Website: www.ocparks.com/talbert/
Cost: Free Parking: Free
October 6, 13, 20, 27 – Redwood Grove 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 morning at 8:30 a.m. and Sunday mornings 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].
October 6 – Nature Center Open
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The 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.
October 11 – Discovery Hike
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Explore beautiful Wood Canyon and discover its wildlife with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this moderate, but steep, uneven and rocky 5-mile hike (200-ft. elevation gain).
Location: Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Website: https://ocparks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons/
Cost: $2 donation per person Parking: Free
Contact: (949) 497-8324
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Canyon View Staging Area, Gate 7 (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Glenwood [turns into Pacific Park] and right on Canyon Vistas to Canyon View Park). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
October 11, 18, 30, 31 – Bats, Cats & Spiders – Toddler Program
10 – 11 a.m.
Come learn about creatures that are associated with Halloween! Class includes hands-on learning, fun, spooky 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. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo. Please note spaces fill quickly for toddler classes.
October 12 – Prehistoric OC
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Cooper Center and OC Parks present Prehistoric OC 2013 “Climate Change and Extinction,” with exhibits, demonstrations, games and more highlighting local archaeological and paleontological history.
Location: Clark Regional Park. 8800 Rosecrans Ave., Buena Park, CA 90621
Website: https://ocparks.com/parks/ralph/
Cost: Free Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973–3170
Special Instructions: For more information, visit: https://ocparks.com/civicax/inc/blobfetch.aspx?BlobID=30149.
October 12 – Weekend at the Nix Nature Center – Amazing Raptors: Hawks, Owls & Falcons
1 – 4 p.m.
Get a close-up look at live hawks, owls, and falcons from the Orange County Bird of Prey Center. Learn to identify raptors in flight. Dissect an owl pellet. Find out how owls fly silently and discover other raptor survival secrets! Live raptor presentation by Peggy Chase (for ages 8 and up) from 2 to 3 p.m. Activities from 1 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Cost: Free Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. No hiking involved. Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5-miles south of I-5/405). For questions call: 949-497-8324.
October 12 – Mars and Stars
6 – 9 p.m.
OC Parks and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have teamed up to present an educational program titled “Exploring Other Worlds – Mars.”
There will be many activities, including:
- A JPL presentation by Eric Blood, an Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Engineer who assisted with the landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars.
- Kids’ crafts and activities.
October 22 – Book Hike
9 – 11 a.m.
Engage your brain along with your body on a 4-mile hike (300-ft. elevation gain) over uneven and rocky terrain in beautiful Aliso & Wood Canyon while we share our favorite books. Come prepared to contribute a title or two and leave with the anticipation of some great new reads as well as a relaxed and exercised body. Led by a Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist and reader.
Location: Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Website: https://ocparks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons/
Cost: Free Parking: Free
Contact: (949) 497-8324
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. A hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes, water and snack are recommended. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Canyon View Staging Area (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Glenwood [turns into Pacific Park] and right on Canyon Vistas. Meet at the entrance to Canyon View Park). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
October 26 – Wieder Work Days
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join park staff and other volunteers with enhancing Wieder Regional Park’s natural resources. Located on the coastal bluffs of Huntington Beach, this unique habitat overlooks the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and Pacific Ocean. Activities may include non-native plant removal, trail maintenance or trash cleanup. No experience is necessary; water, snacks and tools are provided.
Location: Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park. 19251 Seapoint Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/wiederpark/
Cost: Free Parking: Free
Contact: (949) 923-2290
Special Instructions: Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please phone (949) 923-2275, or email [email protected] to register. Rain cancels the event.
October 26 – Halloween Zoo-tacular!
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fun activities include trick-or-treating (kids ages 12 & under), spooky crafts, a scavenger hunt (kids ages 12 & under), and face painting! First 100 children (ages 12 & under) in costume receive a special gift! Come see the zoo animals receive treat filled pumpkins throughout the day! Reservations are not needed. Activities are free with paid zoo admission
Location: Orange County Zoo. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/
Cost: $2 per person Parking: $5 per vehicle weekends
Contact: (714) 973-6847
Special Instructions: For more information, or if you would like to volunteer for this event (must be at least 18 years old), call Marcy at (714) 973-6846.
October 26 – Family Hike
3 – 5 p.m.
Join us on this very enjoyable, easy 2-mile hike over moderate but uneven terrain (100-ft. elevation gain). Families welcome. You will hike in one of the most diverse areas in the park, 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. Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). For questions call (949) 497-8324.
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.
https://www.ocparks.com
