Looking for some Spring time family fun things to do with the kids now that the weather is crazy warm? OC Parks offers a variety of activities for the whole family. Mark your calendar for the family fun events listed below:
For the youngest of explorers, celebrate Spring Time Family Fun with these Preschool programs are available at the Orange County Zoo:
March 13, 18, 27 – Bonkers for Bunnies – Preschool Program
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Come learn all about bunnies and meet some up close! Class includes hands-on learning and fun crafts.
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.
March 15 – St. Paddy’s Day in the Garden
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Be the lucky ones to find a frolicking leprechaun’s pot of gold! Explore the Native Garden for evidence of other woodland creatures. Wear your favorite green shirt and we’ll make useful eco-green crafts to take home.
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: Ages 3 to 7. 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.
March 20 – 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. 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.
March 25 – Animal Art I – Preschool Program
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Join us for an hour of creativity and fun with an animal theme! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo animals up close. Come ready to get a little messy!
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.
Family Activities include:
March 14 – California Native Plants & Wildflowers
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Learn about the seasonal life of California native plants with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this enjoyable 2.5-mile hike (45-ft elevation gain) over moderately uneven terrain.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
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 M-F or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
March 14 – Family Hike
3 – 5 p.m.
Come and enjoy an easy, 2.5-mile family hike over moderate but uneven terrain (45-ft. elevation gain) through one of the most diverse areas of the park to Barbara’s Lake and back. Hike is led by Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
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 M-F or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
March 14 – Astronomy Night
6:30 – 9:30 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 Venus, Mars and Jupiter. Take a guided tour of the 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 the parks for weather/sky updates or additional information.
March 15 – Beginning Mountain Bike Ride
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Learn mountain biking basics and trail etiquette on this 6.8-mile ride over steep and uneven terrain (800-ft. elevation gain) while enjoying canyon views. Please come prepared with a bike suitable for off-pavement riding, sturdy shoes, helmet, gloves, water and snack. Led by Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer mountain bike trail assistants.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Parking: Free
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions: Online reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Ridge Park Staging Area (Newport Coast Drive to Ridge Park Rd. east to end; meet at the gate.) For questions, call (949) 497-8324 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
March 18 – Book Hike in the Wilderness
9 – 11 a.m.
Join us for a wonderful 4-mile hike in beautiful Aliso & Wood Canyons while we share and discuss 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 & reader. Elevation gain of 300 ft. on terrain that can be uneven and rocky.
Location: Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Website: https://ocparks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons/
Parking: Free
Contact: (949) 497-8324
Special Instructions: Online 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 Road, 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 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
March 18 – Birds of Mason Regional Park
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Led by an OC Parks volunteer and experienced birdwatcher, this is a beginner-friendly program about the birds of William R. Mason Regional Park. On an easy walk of 1/2 mile around Mason, we will view and discuss a variety of birds that use the park. We’ll check for different types of ducks, geese, and grebes in the ponds. We’ll look and listen for songbirds on the trees and bushes. We may also spot shorebirds and hawks.
Location: Mason Regional Park. 18712 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Website: www.ocparks.com/masonpark
Cost: Free Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2220
Special Instructions: Water, sunscreen, a hat and comfortable shoes are recommended. Bring your binoculars to get a better view of the birds! Turn left at the stop sign after the entrance gate and park in Parking Lot B. We will meet at the picnic table near the Ranger Office by the park entrance. Rain will cancel event.
March 21 – Mile Square Kids Fishing Derby
7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
OC Parks, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Angler Chronicles host the anticipated annual Kids’ Fishing Derby at the North Lake at Mile Square Regional Park.
Kids ages 6-15 fish for free at the Fishing Derby and compete to win prizes.
The lake will be stocked with trout and catfish for the derby. Fishing clinics will be head on-site and a limited quantity of fishing rods will be available for loan.
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: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Rain will not cancel event. Event will be held at the North Lake near the intersection of Edinger and Euclid.
March 21 – Keep It Wild Volunteer Day
8 – 11 a.m.
Come on out and help restore the wild lands we so enjoy! What better way to start a Saturday morning than to join Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks staff in an invigorating project of non-native plant removal an/or planting native plants. Help us make a healthier environment for 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 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.
March 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 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.
March 21 – Edible and Useful Plant Hike
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Early pioneers found their uses for local and introduced plants, and now science is finding out about potentially valuable medicines in our wild backyard. Learn about these edible and useful plants during a moderate, but steep, uneven 2-mile hike (400-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist, Karin Klein (author of 50 Hikes in Orange County)
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
March 21 – Just Beyond the Spring Equinox
2:30 – 5 p.m.
Enjoy the canyon views, look for wildflowers and find out what “makes the spring” on this interpretive, moderate, 3.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (600-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers and OC Parks staff.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
March 21 – World of Wolves
7 – 8 p.m.
Wolf Haven International will present World of Wolves II, a family friendly educational program about wolf behavior, biology and social structure.
The program will discuss the history of wolves in North America and specifically the history of wolves in California, the future of wolves in California, and the infamous OR-7 (aka Journey), the first documented wild wolf in California in over 90-years!
The program includes engaging video footage of both wild wolves and wolves at Wolf Haven International, plus hands-on portions with animal skulls, tracks and antlers.
Location: O’Neill Regional Park. 30982 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Website: www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/
Contact: (949) 923-2260
March 27 – Documentary Movie Night – Mile…Mile & A Half
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
OC Parks invites you to watch a documentary film screening of Mile… Mile & A Half. In an epic snow year, five friends leave their daily lives behind to hike California’s historic John Muir Trail from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous US). Their goal to complete the 219-mile journey in 25 days, while capturing the amazing sights and sounds they encounter along the way.
Inspired by their bond, humor, artistry and dedication, the group continues to grow to include other artists, musicians and adventure seekers. Before they all reach the summit, hikers and viewers alike affirm the old adage — it’s about the journey, not the destination.
Location: Irvine Regional Park. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869 Website: www.ocparks.com/irvinepark/
Contact: (714) 973–6835
Special Instructions: Please RSVP to Park Ranger Nicole Bengtson at [email protected]. The film will be shown indoors at the Soda Fountain Pavilion near parking lot 19. Please note, this is not a children’s film. No dogs.
March 28 – Peralta Adobe Antique Automobile Show
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
OC Parks invites you to come see vintage antique cars of the 1930s and 1940s from the Antique Automobile Club of America at the Peralta Adobe Historic Site on Saturday, March 28. Docents will be on hand at this free event to guide you through the adobe and explain its history as the Canyon Cafe from the 1920s to the 1960s. Members of the automobile club will display original cars from this storied period of the adobe’s cafe past, and will explain and answer questions on automotive history. Come and receive exclusive offers from Slater’s 50/50, located a minute’s walk from the adobe, and enter a drawing for a chance to win special merchandise and coupons. This event is brought to you in partnership with the Orange County Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, Slater’s 50/50 and Tarbell, Realtors. Location: Peralta Adobe. 6398 E. Santa Ana Canyon, Anaheim, CA 92807
Website: https://www.ocparks.com/peraltaadobe/
Cost: Free
Contact: (714) 973-3190
March 29 – Persian New Year Celebration
7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, March 29from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. members of the Persian community and their guests will gather at William R. Mason Regional Park to celebrate the Persian New Year (PNY) “Sizdeh Bedar.” The event historically attracts thousands of people, which will result in periods of severe traffic and increased public pedestrians on public roadways (carpooling is strongly encouraged). It is suggested to make alternate arrangements to park in other “legal parking” locations in the area; for example, University High School will have event parking available for a fee. The Parking Fee at Mason is $15 per vehicle, per entry for this event, and 2015 Annual Passes will be accepted. Parking within Mason Regional Park is limited to 600 vehicles, (RV’s and/or other over-sized vehicles will not be allowed into the park), and will be strictly enforced. Once on-site parking fills to capacity, the park entry gate will be closed and no additional vehicles will be admitted; the entry gate will remain closed for the remainder of the day. Park exit gates will remain operational for the duration of the day. To ensure the enjoyment of this event at Mason Regional Park, we request all park visitors make a concerted effort to remind their community participants that the following regulations and County Ordinances are enforced for their personal safety and protection. Failure to comply may result in citation, eviction, or both. Vehicles are not permitted on the grass and sidewalk areas; also, curbside parking or stopping is not permitted at any time. Do not drive to a picnic shelter to unload and/or load supplies (this may result in vehicle eviction). Picnic shelters will be on a first-come first-served basis, provided someone remains at the shelter to hold it. Roping off an area to “reserve” it is not permitted. Alcohol is not allowed anywhere in the park. Visitors may have small personal radios or “boom boxes”, provided they keep the volume at courteous levels – this will be at the discretion of the park rangers. No other amplified sound of any type will be permitted; this includes car stereos and karaoke machines. Both the City of Irvine and the County of Orange join in wishing the Persian community a very happy New Year. We are committed to making this event safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Location: Mason Regional Park. 18712 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Website: www.ocparks.com/masonpark
Cost: Free Parking: $15 (per vehicle – per entry)
Contact: (949) 923-2220
Special Instructions: All ages welcome.
March 29 – Family Science Sundays
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free activities in the Muth Interpretive Center classroom once a month, each with a different educational theme to explore. The activities are self guided and may include hands on exhibits, outside activities, crafts and more. Storytime at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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: Email [email protected] for more information.
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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.
https://www.ocparks.com
