Want to explore nature in a whole new way? Join OC Parks naturalists for a sensory adventure where we will listen, smell, touch and even taste as we make our way to beautiful Barbara’s Lake. This program is a fun, hands-on experience for the entire family!

All are welcome. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or 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. 

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program.  

For questions, please email shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com.

*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. 

Join OC Parks for a fun morning of fishing at Mile Square Regional Park!

This clinic is designed to teach families how to fish responsibly with a chance to catch a few fish. Please meet at the south lake near the park ranger station and Euclid Street entrance. Whether this is your first time fishing or you’re a seasoned angler, this fun and hands-on educational program will have instructors available to demonstrate, assist and answer any questions. No experience is necessary!  

All needed equipment and bait will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own. Participants 16 and older planning to fish must have a California state fishing license. Fishing licenses can be purchased online here. All California Department of Fish and Wildlife rules and regulations apply.  

Participants will learn how to catch and release fish, but you may bring your own cooler to take your catches home, if you choose. Please note there is a five-fish limit on trout.  

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

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

For questions call (657) 735-3596 or email averil.lough@ocparks.com.

BAY VIEW TRAIL PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE CLOSURE WITH DETOURS 
OC Public Works will perform maintenance at the Bay View Trail pedestrian bridge at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. A detour along Mesa Drive will be available for trail users to connect with the trail. 

WHAT: 

• A portion of Bay View Trail, including the pedestrian bridge, will be closed for repairs for the duration of the project, including weekends. 
• Bay View Trail west of Mesa Drive will be open up to the bridge closure, approximately .75 miles. 
• Pedestrian and bicycle traffic control measures such as construction signage and changeable message signs will be present. 
• Detour signs will be placed in the bike lane and sidewalk areas as shown on the attached map.

WHEN: 

Anticipated Construction Closure:
December 9, 2024 - January 3, 2025

Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The construction schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other factors.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Sr. Construction Inspector Ammy Bello 
(714) 949-3790

Sup. Construction Inspector Raymond Marcial
(714) 667-4992

ProjectInfo@ocpw.ocgov.com
ocpublicworks.com 

*This program begins at Canyon View Park, 22144 Canyon Vistas, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656*

Explore Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park where you might see deer, bobcats and hawks. Learn about acorn woodpeckers, the wonderful ways of woodrats and the peculiar nature of certain plants. Enjoy wildlife sounds, smells and sights on this moderate 5-mile hike on rocky terrain with less than 500 feet of elevation gain. 

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.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather may cancel this program. 

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends. 

Enter a world of creativity and make nature-themed crafts and artwork with your little ones. We’ll exclusively use Earth-friendly materials that have either been found in nature, reused from ordinary daily products, or have been responsibly sourced. "Sphere" not, an enjoyable new project will be planned for each program!  

Please wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection, and bring snacks and water. This program begins at the Aliso and Wood Visitor Center at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. Carpooling, walking or biking is encouraged due to limited parking on-site. 

Inclement weather may cancel this program. Participants 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

*This program begins at Canyon View Park, 22144 Canyon Vistas, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656*

Get up close with the trails you use and see them in a whole new way as we work together to protect the fragile habitat and increase the sustainability of trails at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 

Stewardship activities include clearing drains to remove water, pruning vegetation, moving dirt to rebuild eroded tread and restoring impacted areas. No experience 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. 

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

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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

Inclement weather may cancel this program. 

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends. 

Spot local native and seasonal resident birds with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this slow and easy 2-mile hike through Laguna Niguel Regional Park - no experience necessary! Wear hiking or walking shoes and sun protection, and bring binoculars and water.

This program is 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 $5 per vehicle. 

Inclement weather may cancel this program.

For questions, call 949-497-8324 or 949-923-2200. When calling, please mention the Bird Walk at Laguna Niguel Regional Park. 

*This program begins at Aliso Viejo Community Park, 150 Cedarbrook, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656*

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

Depending on the time of year, volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities including removing non-native plants, hand watering, seed collection and/or planting of 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. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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

Rain or muddy trail conditions may cancel this program. 

For questions call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends. 

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 very strenuous, fast-paced, 8-mile hike over very steep and uneven terrain with approximately 730 feet of elevation gain. This route begins at Aliso Creek Trail East, continues up Sheep Run and down Meadows Trail. Your hard work will be rewarded with sweeping views of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park! Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and sun protection, and bring water.

Advance registration required.

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.

Please review safety precautions and protocols when registering. 

For questions call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends.