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Hiking Through History

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.

santiago oaks dam

World Ranger Day Guided Hike

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.

Ranger smokey hat

Butterfly Garden Site Prep

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.

Monarch butterfly sits on a white poppy

Explore the Universe: Space Ranger Program and Starr Party

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. 

Caspers Park Starr Party

Explore the Universe: Space Ranger Program and Starr Party

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. 

Caspers Park Starr Party

Explore the Universe: Space Ranger Program and Starr Party

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. 

Caspers Park Starr Party

Summer Birdwatching

Summer is here and so is nesting season! Join an experienced OC Parks volunteer and stroll through Irvine Regional Park searching high in the trees for our flittering friends and low in the shrubs for bouncing birds.  

Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting our feathered friends!  

This walk begins at the Irvine Regional Park Nature Center. 

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

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

Inclement weather will cancel the program. 

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

fauna bird acorn woodpecker

Summer Birdwatching

Summer is here and so is nesting season! Join an experienced OC Parks volunteer and stroll through Santiago Oaks Regional Park searching high in the trees for our flittering friends and low in the shrubs for bouncing birds.  

Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting our feathered friends!  

This walk begins at the Santiago Oaks Regional Park Nature Center. 

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

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

Inclement weather will cancel the program. 

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

Turkey vulture flying

Summer Birdwatching

Summer is here and so is nesting season! Join an experienced OC Parks volunteer and stroll through Peters Canyon Regional Park searching high in the trees for our flittering friends and low in the shrubs for bouncing birds.

Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting our feathered friends!

This walk begins next to the park office. 

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

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

Inclement weather will cancel the program. 

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

roadrunner with lizard

Phone Photo Friday

The best camera is the one you have with you, and for most, it's also your cell phone!

Join us for a beginner’s program to taking better photos with your cell phone. Each session will cover photography theory basics, phone camera settings and editing techniques, with time to practice in the park.

The program will begin outside the Peters Canyon Regional Park ranger station. Be prepared to hike around and explore the landscape at your leisure.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program and strollers are not recommended. Sun protection, sturdy footwear and water are encouraged. Most importantly, don't forget your phone!

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

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

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

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

prickly pear cactus peters canyon
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