We love the nightlife! Explore the landscape of Santiago Oaks Regional Park as we set out to search for the nighttime critters that call this park home. From humble toads to graceful owls, you never know what you’ll see!
The program will begin at the nature center. Warm clothes, sturdy footwear and water are recommended. Red-tinted flashlights are highly encouraged. 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 $5 per vehicle.
Nature journaling is a wonderful tool for making observations, creating lasting memories and developing deeper connections with the world around us. This session will cover the basics of art theory and practices, journal anatomy and maximizing your senses.
The program will begin outside the nature center. Bring a nature journal and your own art materials such as pencils, pens or watercolors. A portable chair, sun protection, water and snacks are recommended. Be prepared to move along a short distance on the trail and sit to document the beauty around you.
The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle.
Join an experienced OC Parks volunteer and stroll through Peters Canyon Regional Park searching high in the trees for flittering friends and low in the scrubs for bouncing birds. Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting birds!
This walk begins near the flagpole by the park office.
Lend a helping hand to improve native habitat at Peters Canyon Regional Park. Dedicate the morning to caring for restoration sites and help our native plants and shrubs thrive. Be prepared for weeding, watering or planting as needed.
Strong gardening gloves, trail snacks, water, sun protection and wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty are highly recommended.
The program and parking are free. Parking passes will be made available to volunteers at check-in.
The program will begin in the parking lot and will proceed to the restoration site. Be prepared to hike a moderate distance with tools.
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 and learn how to take great 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 nature center. Be prepared to hike around and explore the landscape at your leisure, including various with some elevation gain.
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.
Join OC Parks staff and volunteers as we learn about our fabulous native butterfly pollinators. Participants will take a walk in the Nature Area and paint their own small ceramic butterfly to take home.
Makers Square is a monthly program exploring the unique historic and natural features of Orange County and beyond through hands-on creative projects. 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 parent/guardian. This program will utilize acrylic paint, so wearing clothes you don’t mind getting paint on is recommended. The program will be held in the Nature Area near parking lot H.
Join OC Parks staff and volunteers to observe the sights, sounds and smells of nature during an intimate nature walk led by a certified nature and forest therapy guide. Through a series of invitations, you will be encouraged to explore in the present moment and deepen your connection with nature.
Please note this is a slow-paced program designed for ages 14 and older.
Please wear comfortable attire. You may also bring a blanket, seating pad or small chair. The program and parking are free. Adverse weather will cancel the program.
Join OC Parks volunteers for a spring wildflower hike! We will be going on a 2.5-mile hike over easy but uneven terrain with approximately 150 feet of elevation gain. There will be interpretive stops along the way to learn about what’s in bloom at the Bay, as well as the animals that benefit from the flowers.
Please bring water, snacks, and sun protection as needed. This program is geared towards those 8 and up. Individuals 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Spend the morning in a beautiful oak woodland watering Coast Live Oak seedlings and native plants in Weir Canyon. To get to the planting site we will travel for 15 minutes in a safari style truck giving you majestic views of Weir Canyon. We may be using shovels and small handheld tools. No experience necessary.
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 Ratingswill help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.
Join us every Wednesday night in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at an average of 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water.
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 pagefor answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.
