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. 

Walk-ins are welcome, but advance registration is recommended. 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.

Bring your little ones and join OC Parks to learn more about mule deer! This fun and engaging program includes story time, an age-appropriate hike and themed craft.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for the preschool level (ages 2 to 5), but all are welcome to attend. 

Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes. The trail for the hiking portion of the program is not stroller-friendly.

The program and parking are free.

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

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

Adverse weather will move the program indoors. 

Come explore the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center and gather with family and friends for a festive morning painting holiday ornaments and learning about our local estuary.

All materials will be provided. You may show up any time between 10-11:30 a.m.

The program is designed for ages 6 and up but all are welcome. Minors under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

This program takes place inside of the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. 

The program and parking are free.

Advance registration is recommended. Learn more and register here.

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

Join OC Parks for an interpretive bike ride around Upper Newport Bay! Participants will have the opportunity to raise their heart rate and pedal around the bay while learning about local ecology and history.

This moderately-paced ride will cover a 10-mile section of the Back Bay Loop Trail over the course of 2.5 hours with approximately 155 feet of elevation gain. We will stay on the paved portion of the trail and make interpretive stops along the way.

This program will begin and end at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. The program and parking are free. 

Participants must provide their own bike and helmet. Minors must have a parent/guardian present at all times. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here. 

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

Adverse weather will cancel the program.

Join OC Parks staff and volunteers for our monthly program where art meets ecology! Come explore the natural world through the lens of creativity by creating your own holiday wreath.

This program will feature a brief nature walk to explore the bay’s winter foliage and blooms. We’ll then create our own holiday wreaths using trimmings from native plants! The star of the program will be the toyon plant. Also known as Christmas berry, this native plant produces bright red berries that will be a beautiful addition to our wreaths.

All program materials will be provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. This program is designed for ages 14 and older.

The program and parking are free.

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here. 

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

Adverse weather will move the program fully indoors.

*This program takes place at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660*

The OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program encourages park guests to find their own paths 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 Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, 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 and parking are free. Inclement weather will cancel the program.

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (949) 923-2277.

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

*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. Additionally, please note that the trail for the hiking portion of the program is not stroller-friendly.

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. Additionally, please note that the trail for the hiking portion of the program is not stroller-friendly.

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. Additionally, please note that the trail for the hiking portion of the program is not stroller-friendly.

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 the winter season at Arts at the Oaks! 

Learn about the rise of citrus agriculture in Orange County with a brief tour of the historic orange grove. After that, we'll create traditional citrus decorations using real dried oranges and fragrant spices to bring good tidings to your home and a friend’s for years to come!

Arts at the Oaks is a monthly program exploring the cultural and natural history of Orange County and beyond through hands-on creative expression.  Each month features a new artistic medium and topic to discover. No previous art experience is necessary and all are welcome to join and try something new!

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle.  Children must be accompanied by a guardian.  The program will be held below the Santiago Oaks Regional Park nature center.  

Advance registration is required.  Learn more and register here.

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