Limestone Canyon is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Join us for an afternoon, moderately paced, 5.5-mile fitness hike. The hike may include a few short rest stops along the way and will be a great introduction to fitness, cardio-style hikes as well as OC Parks’ magnificent Irvine Ranch Open Space.  Views of Limestone Canyon, and the surrounding wilderness, from Limestone Ridge will be the highlight of our tour.

Please bring a minimum of 48 oz. water. Come prepared with a pack, sturdy closed-toed hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail for this hike in a wilderness area. Each participant must carry his or her own pack and water.  Under-prepared participants may be denied access to this program.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level 3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Learn more and register here.

Looking for a way to give back to nature this fall? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine! Every day at the farm is different; depending on the needs of the farm we will be harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, planting new seeds in the annual plots, working in our native plant demo garden or tending to younger seedlings in our nursery.

Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required! 

The seed collected will be used for habitat restoration within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. These plants were specially selected to support local wildlife and promote resilience in the ecosystem. Come help us heal the wildlands within the Landmarks! When you sign up, check the confirmation email to see tips on how to be prepared for your time with us.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe, including water, snacks, sun protection, long pants, closed-toe footwear, first aid, additional items needed to address health needs, etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• Please note our Minors Policy for all public activities: All minors (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by their respective guardian. Both guardian and their accompanying minor(s) must be registered for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy led activity they wish to attend.

Note: Activity leaders may turn away participants who are under-prepared and wearing improper attire for work at the Native Seed Farm. This is for your own safety and to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone who attends.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 2 activity. Activities may include bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, long periods of standing, reaching, pulling, grabbing, and pushing.

Learn more and register here.

(Santa Ana, Calif.) – Chicano history and culture intersect at The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana art exhibit. Now open to the public at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.), the collection features images depicting urban life and the Chicano experience between 1969 and 2001. 

The exhibition consists of limited-edition digital reproductions, known as giclées, of original paintings from 26 prominent Chicano artists from the private collection of actor and comedian, Cheech Marin. Marin's collection now serves as the foundation of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum, which opened in June 2022.

The prints were created through a national art project led by Marin with the late Richard S. Duardo of Modern Multiples Fine Art Editions and Melissa Richardson Banks of CauseConnect. In addition to the giclées, a 25-minute documentary about Chicano art and linocut portraits of each artist created by Artemio Rodriguez are on display. The exhibit will be at the Courthouse exhibit gallery through the end of the year.

“Preserving the cultural heritage within our diverse and historic communities is so important, including depictions of the story and struggle of Mexican Americans and Latinos in the Southwest. I wanted to help bring this exhibit here, since many of our residents do not have the opportunity to visit the museum in Riverside and because Orange County has played a vital role in the Chicano movement. I am very proud to have this incredible art experience available for residents and visitors at the historic Old Orange County Courthouse,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento. “We join the community in celebrating Chicano Heritage Month by hosting The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana exhibition.”

The Chicano Movement has been shaped by notable leaders and activists such as Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and more for several decades. Marin has been captivated by artistic expressions of the Chicano culture and has amassed his own renowned private collection over the last 40 years. The Chicano Collection was produced to advance Chicano art as a recognized school of American art, increase public accessibility to this work in cities nationwide and help audiences understand and appreciate the richness of the culture. 

Admission to The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana exhibit is free and open to view at the Old Orange County Courthouse gallery Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning August 8. Metered parking is available at the onsite lot and surrounding street parking.

For information about The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana art exhibit or the Old Orange County Courthouse, please visit https://www.ocparks.com/historic-sites/old-orange-county-courthouse.

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OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

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

Come and enjoy an easy, 2.5-mile family hike over moderate but uneven terrain with approximately 45 feet of elevation gain. Starting at the James Dilley Preserve, we will hike one of the most diverse areas of the park to Barbara’s Lake and back. 

Wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring plenty of water.

Advance reservation required. Learn more and register here.

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

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program. 

Join OC Parks and Laguna Canyon Foundation for a habitat restoration stewardship event in 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, seed collection, and/or planting of native plants. Come out and join the team to help restore the wild lands 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. This program is for ages 16 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian.

We will meet at the Nix Nature Center in the parking lot.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program and parking are free. After signing in, participants will receive a parking voucher that will need to be displayed on your car's dashboard.

Rain or muddy conditions will cancel the program.

Join OC Park naturalists as we explore the wonder of trees! We will use our senses to observe trees, learn how trees grow and marvel at their majesty!

This program is for ages 7 and older. We will meet at the trail entrance that leads to the Native Plant Garden and Butterfly Garden. Wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring water. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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

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

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program.

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

Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced 5.5 mile hike over steep and uneven terrain with 750 feet of elevation gain. Please be aware this is a fitness hike and not for beginners. The pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. 

Participants must be 16 years or older. 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.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program.

Join a naturalist on a guided nature meditation walk at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 

Unplug and relax outdoors, allowing your natural sense of wonder to engage in playful activities, deepening connections with the outside world and ourselves. At the end of this brief walk, we will end with a tea ceremony of reciprocity. Please note that this program involves making and drinking tea from sustainably sourced native plants. Be sure to notify park staff upon arrival of any food allergies or sensitivities. This program will begin on the patio of Nix Nature Center. 

This program is for ages 10 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian.

Wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring water. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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

Rain or heat advisory will cancel this program. 

Nature can inspire the creativity in all of us. In this program you will learn about different leaf adaptations and make your own leaf printed (or painted) bandana.

This program is designed for ages 12 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water. 

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

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program.

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

Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous and fast-paced 6.6 mile hike over steep and uneven terrain with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Please be aware this is a fitness hike and not for beginners. The pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. 

We will meet at the Bommer Ridge Trail west entrance located at the Ridge Park cul-de-sac in Newport Coast. 

Wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring water.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and street parking is available.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program.