*This program takes place at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651*

The OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program encourages park guests to explore the outdoor world within OC Parks by developing a sense of belonging, becoming a part of nature and feeling empowered to be stewards of Orange County’s natural and cultural resources. 

Participants will explore Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, complete activities and take the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Oath to earn a unique Jr. Ranger badge. 

This program is designed for ages 7 to 12, but all are welcome. 

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program. Sunscreen, sturdy footwear and water are recommended.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. Inclement weather may cancel the program. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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

Click here to learn more about the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program.

Join OC Parks naturalists for story time and short hike with your little ones (ages 3 to 6) as we learn about spiders!  

Advance registration required. Please register all participants, including children. Learn more and register here.

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

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

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

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

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-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain with 1,150 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 is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

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

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

Enjoy a moderate 3.8-mile hike through Laurel and Willow canyons with approximately 600 feet of elevation gain. Discover various plant communities, from coastal sage scrub to oak woodlands, and enjoy a view of the ocean at the top. Minimal interpretation is provided, but questions are welcome. 

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

Advance registration required. Please register all participants, including children. Learn more and register here.

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

Adverse weather may cancel the program.

Discover the beauty and resilience of cactus! In this program, we’ll explore the fascinating world of cacti including how they survive in harsh environments, their unique shapes and their ecological importance. After learning about these incredible plants, participants will design and create their own cactus-inspired resin sculpture to take home. 

This program is designed for ages 12 and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Closed-toe shoes, sun protection and plenty of water are recommended. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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

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

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

​​​​​​*This program begins at the James Dilley Preserve, 350 Artisan Dr., 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. 

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. 

Dates shown are week of stocking. Schedule is subject to change and will be updated as available.

California Fishing License required age 16+ at all parks besides Irvine Lake.

Week of Nov. 24-28, 2025    

• Carbon Canyon Regional Park
• Irvine Lake
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park

Week of Dec. 8-12, 2025  

• Clark Regional Park
• Irvine Lake
• Mile Square Regional Park
• Tri-City Regional Park
• Yorba Regional Park

Week of Dec. 15-19, 2025            

• Carbon Canyon Regional Park
• Clark Regional Park
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park 
• Mile Square Regional Park
• Yorba Regional Park

Week of Jan. 5-9, 2026               

• Clark Regional Park
• Irvine Lake
• Irvine Regional Park
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park

​​​​Week of Jan. 12-16, 2026

• Carbon Canyon Regional Park
• Irvine Lake
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park
• Yorba Regional Park

Week of Jan. 19-23, 2026 

• Irvine Lake
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park
• Mile Square Regional Park
• Tri-City Regional Park

Week of Jan. 26-30, 2026

• Clark Regional Park
• Irvine Lake
• Irvine Regional Park
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park
• Mile Square Regional Park

Week of Feb. 2-6, 2026

• Irvine Lake
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park
• Mile Square Regional Park
• Yorba Regional Park

Week of Feb. 9-13, 2026

• Carbon Regional Park
• Clark Regional Park
• Irvine Lake
• Irvine Regional Park
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park

Week of Feb. 16-20, 2026

• Irvine Lake
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park
• Mile Square Regional Park
• Yorba Regional Park

Week of Feb. 23-27, 2026

• Clark Regional Park
• Irvine Lake
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park
• Mile Square Regional Park
• Tri-City Regional Park

The clocks fall back early Nov. 2, marking the end of daylight saving time and the beginning of OC Parks’ fall-winter operating schedule. Most regional parks close at 6 p.m. for the fall and winter, and wilderness parks close at sunset year-round.

Fall-winter hours for the following regional parks are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

• Carbon Canyon Regional Park
• Clark Regional Park
• Craig Regional Park
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park
• Mason Regional Park
• Mile Square Regional Park
• Tri-City Regional Park
• Yorba Regional Park
• Irvine Regional Park (opens at 6 a.m.)

Wilderness parks and the following regional parks open at 7 a.m. and close at sunset year-round:

• Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
• Caspers Wilderness Park
• Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (parking lots open at 8 a.m.)
• O’Neill Regional Park
• Peters Canyon Regional Park  
• Riley Wilderness Park
• Santiago Oaks Regional Park
• Talbert Regional Park
• Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
• Wieder Regional Park
• Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Irvine Lake will continue to operate Friday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Salt Creek Beach and Strands Beach open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight. Capistrano Beach and Bayside Beach (in Newport Harbor next to the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol facility) open at 6 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

OC Parks facilities will remain on these operating hours until daylight saving time and spring-summer hours return March 8, 2026, through Nov. 1, 2026.

Phase I has been completed as of Feb. 27, 2026. Phase II work will begin fall 2026. 

OC Public Works will perform pedestrian bridge improvements within the Wilderness Area at Mason Regional Park, east of Culver Drive. This work will help reduce flooding and improve public safety in this area. 

Trail closures are necessary to complete this important work and maintain public safety.

WHAT: 

• Crews are installing eight (8) pedestrian bridges in two phases throughout the Wilderness Area at the locations shown above.
• Phase I will include six (6) bridges. Phase II will include work on the remaining two (2) bridges once Phase I is complete.
• Trail closures are necessary near the work areas to accommodate these important trail improvements.
• Pedestrians can use open, available trails connecting Rockview to University Dr. at Goldenglow St. and University Dr. at Yale Ave. during Phase I.
• Sidewalks along Culver Dr. and University Dr. are also available to bypass the work areas.
• Intermittent closures may occur along the open areas to allow for passing construction vehicles.

Your safety is our top priority! This is an active construction area. Please observe all trail closure signs, barriers, flaggers and project vehicles moving in and out of the work area.

WHEN: 

Anticipated Construction Duration:
Fall 2025 — Spring 2026

Working Days/Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Trail closures in effect at all times. The construction schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other factors.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Larry Quach, Project Manager
714-245-4593

Mario Garcia, Supervising Inspector
714-599-0681

ProjectInfo@ocpw.ocgov.com
ocpublicworks.com