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Adaptation Spotlight: Butterfly Wings

Butterfly wings are an incredible adaptation. Join OC Park naturalists as we look at butterfly wings under a microscope and take a hike to look for these amazing creatures in flight.

This program is designed for ages 7 to 12. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. 

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Shelbi Richardson at shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com.

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program.

Monarch butterfly sits on a white poppy

Explorers Hike: West Canyon Loop

Join OC Parks on a guided hike and learn about key landmarks, trail connections, scenic viewpoints and the incredible wildlife and native plants within Laguna Coast Wilderness Park! We’ll share tips for exploring and stewarding the land responsibly along the way. This program is perfect for first-time visitors, new volunteers or anyone who wants to feel more at home in the coastal canyons. 

This hike is approximately 4 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain. Closed-toe shoes, sun protection and plenty of water are recommended. 

The program is designed for ages 12 and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program. 

Butterfly

Family Hike

​​​​​​*This program begins at the James Dilley Preserve, 350 Artisan Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651*

Enjoy an easy 2.5-mile hike with your family at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park! Starting at the James Dilley Preserve, we will hike one of the most diverse areas of the park to Barbara’s Lake and back. The hike is moderate but includes uneven terrain and approximately 45 feet of elevation gain. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water.

Participants 18 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program. 

Family Hike

Keep it Wild – Laguna Coast

Join OC Parks and Laguna Canyon Foundation at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park as we learn and work together to create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call the canyon home. 

Volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities including removing non-native plants, cleaning up the creek or planting native plants. No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided. Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring water. 

The program will meet at the Nix Nature Center parking lot. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

This program is designed for ages 16 and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The program and parking are free. Participants will receive a parking voucher after signing in. 

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel this program. 


 

Nix

Trail Stewardship – Laguna Ridge

*This program begins at Laguna Canyon Foundation Headquarters, 10 Phillips St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651*

If you use the wilderness parks for hiking, biking, photography or just relaxing, trail work might be for you! Join us as we work together to protect the fragile habitat and increase the sustainability of trails at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 

No experience is necessary and gloves and tools will be provided. Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring water. Expect to hike up to 4 miles while carrying tools. 

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

Participants must be 16 or older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

The program and parking are free for volunteers. 

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program. 

Trail stewardship laurel

The Wonders of Laguna Coast: An Earth Day Celebration Hike

Celebrate Earth Day with OC Parks and LCF naturalists as we hike the James Dilley Preserve and learn about the history of the park and the importance of protecting it. 

Participants will hike about 2.5 miles on moderately steep trails with interpretive stops along the way.

This program is designed for ages 12 and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program. 

cactus

Fitness Hike – Ridge Park

*This program begins at the Bommer Ridge Trail West Entrance, Ridge Park Road, Newport Beach, CA 92657*

Please be aware this is a fitness hike and not for beginners; the pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. 

Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 6.6-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

Participants must be 16 or older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

The program and parking are free. Limited street parking is available nearby.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program. 

Fitness Hike- Ridge

Native Plant and Wildflower Hike

*This program begins at the James Dilley Preserve, 350 Artisan Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651*

Join OC Parks and Laguna Canyon Foundation naturalists to learn about the seasonal life of California native plants on this enjoyable 2.5-mile hike with 175 feet of elevation gain over moderately uneven terrain. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring plenty of water.

This program will meet in the James Dilley Preserve parking lot.

This program is designed for ages 16 and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program. 

Native Plant Hike

Land Tending with LCF – Laguna Coast

*This program begins at Laguna Canyon Foundation Headquarters, 10 Phillips St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651*

Join OC Parks and Laguna Canyon Foundation at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park as we learn and work together to create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call the canyon home. Depending on the time of year, volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities, including removal of non-native plants, hand watering, seed collection and/or planting of native plants. Come help restore the land we all enjoy!

No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided. Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring water. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

Participants must be 16 or older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

The program and parking are free for volunteers. 

Adverse weather, including rain or heat advisory, may cancel the program.

land tending

Keep it Wild – Native Plant Nursery at Willow

*This program begins at the Willow Staging Area, 20070 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651*

Join OC Parks and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers in beautiful Laguna Coast Wilderness Park at our native plant nursery as we care for native plants from their seed stage to their mature, ready-to-be planted stage. Volunteers may collect seeds, sow seeds in flats, bump plants up, plant at restoration sites, sterilize plant containers and help maintain the nursery.

Participants should wear closed-toe shoes, layered clothing and sun protection. This program is for ages 16 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian.

The program is free and participants will receive a parking voucher. 

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program. 

Keep it Wild
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