Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff and volunteers in enhancing the bay’s habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, removing trash and Butterfly Garden maintenance.

No experience necessary. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks and a refillable water bottle. Water and tools will be provided.

Minors 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. 

The program and parking are free. 

Advance registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more and register here.

Adverse weather will cancel the program. 

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

*Please note advance registration is now REQUIRED for Wild Tales.*

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn about Upper Newport Bay.

Wild Tales is offered every Friday from 10-11 a.m. and includes a story time, age-appropriate hike and themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for ages 2 to 5, but all are welcome to attend. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

The program and parking are free. Adverse weather may cancel the program or move it fully indoors.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here. Registration opens two weeks prior to the program date.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

*Please note advance registration is now REQUIRED for Wild Tales.*

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn about Upper Newport Bay.

Wild Tales is offered every Friday from 10-11 a.m. and includes a story time, age-appropriate hike and themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for ages 2 to 5, but all are welcome to attend. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

The program and parking are free. Adverse weather may cancel the program or move it fully indoors.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here. Registration opens two weeks prior to the program date.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

*Please note advance registration is now REQUIRED for Wild Tales.*

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn about Upper Newport Bay.

Wild Tales is offered every Friday from 10-11 a.m. and includes a story time, age-appropriate hike and themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for ages 2 to 5, but all are welcome to attend. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

The program and parking are free. Adverse weather may cancel the program or move it fully indoors.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here. Registration opens two weeks prior to the program date.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

Celebrate 50 years of recreation at Santiago Oaks Regional Park by hiking through its history! Learn about the Windes family that called this park home, the flood of 1969 and the grassroots effort to preserve Barham Ranch as parkland. Stops will include the Historic and Villa Park dams, the Historic Orange Grove, nature center and more.

The walk will begin in front of the nature center located near the park entrance and travel approximately 2 miles with little elevation gain.

Advance registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more and register here.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program and strollers are not recommended. Sun protection, sturdy footwear and plenty of water are strongly encouraged.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle.

Inclement weather may cancel the program.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Celebrate World Ranger Day with OC Parks and join us on a guided nature hike through Santiago Oaks Regional Park.

The program will begin at the nature center. Sturdy footwear, water and snacks are recommended. This hike is not recommended for very small children or strollers. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program.

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

Advance registration is recommended but not required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Shelly Marshall at shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Join us at Santiago Oaks Regional Park and lend a hand to help OC Parks staff prepare for a new butterfly garden! We will be removing invasive species, cleaning up excess debris, trimming large shrubs and preparing the area for new plantings of native species.

The new butterfly garden site is located next to the nature center. General purpose gardening gloves and long pants are recommended. Tools and gloves will be available on-site. 

The program and parking are free for volunteers. Please notify the park attendant you are volunteering when you arrive. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and snacks. The program will begin at the nature center.

This is a Level 2 difficulty rating for habitat restoration.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Shelly Marshall at 657-253-3681 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Embark on a journey through the stars at our Space Ranger Program and Starr Party! The Space Ranger Program begins one hour before sundown and features interactive activities and a short talk, perfect for families and space enthusiasts of all ages. 

Once the sun sets, join us outdoors for the Starr Party, where telescopes and expert guidance will help you explore the night sky until approximately 9 p.m. Visitors may attend one or both activities. No equipment needed, just your curiosity!

This is a family-friendly program recommended for children ages 5 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All activities will take place at the nature center. 

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. 

Advance registration is required for the Space Ranger portion of the program. Learn more and register here.

Participants may call (949) 923-2210 to confirm we’re clear for takeoff!

Rain or inclement weather may cancel this program. 

Embark on a journey through the stars at our Space Ranger Program and Starr Party! The Space Ranger Program begins one hour before sundown and features interactive activities and a short talk, perfect for families and space enthusiasts of all ages. 

Once the sun sets, join us outdoors for the Starr Party, where telescopes and expert guidance will help you explore the night sky until approximately 9 p.m. Visitors may attend one or both activities. No equipment needed, just your curiosity!

This is a family-friendly program recommended for children ages 5 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All activities will take place at the nature center. 

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. 

Advance registration is required for the Space Ranger portion of the program. Learn more and register here.

Participants may call (949) 923-2210 to confirm we’re clear for takeoff!

Rain or inclement weather may cancel this program. 

Embark on a journey through the stars at our Space Ranger Program and Starr Party! The Space Ranger Program begins one hour before sundown and features interactive activities and a short talk, perfect for families and space enthusiasts of all ages. 

Once the sun sets, join us outdoors for the Starr Party, where telescopes and expert guidance will help you explore the night sky until approximately 9 p.m. Visitors may attend one or both activities. No equipment needed, just your curiosity!

This is a family-friendly program recommended for children ages 5 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All activities will take place at the nature center. 

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. 

Advance registration is required for the Space Ranger portion of the program.  Learn more and register here.

Participants may call (949) 923-2210 to confirm we’re clear for takeoff!

Rain or inclement weather may cancel this program.