Fall in love with Orange County’s fossils this Valentine’s Day!

Come along for the fun, we’re going on a paleo run! Don’t be late, it won’t be drab – we’re going to look for shells and crab!

Join us for a guided tour of the Clark Regional Park hillside fossil bed, followed by a visit to the Interpretive Center. Closed-toe shoes are required due to uneven terrain, and sun protection and water are recommended.

The program will begin next to parking lot A and then we will walk north across Rosecrans Avenue to visit the fossil bed. After the hillside exploration we will return to the south side of Rosecrans Avenue and view the fossil exhibits at the Interpretive Center.

Advance registration is required for all participants. Learn more and register here. 

Participants age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

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

Rain or heat advisory may cancel this program.

*This program takes place at the George Key Ranch Historic Park, 625 W. Bastanchury Road, Placentia, CA 92870*

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 the George Key Ranch Historic Park, complete activities and take the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Oath to earn a unique Jr. Ranger badge.

This program is designed for ages 7-12, but all are welcome.

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program. Sunscreen, sturdy footwear and water are recommended. Additionally, this program is entirely outside, so please plan accordingly.

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 Sarah Hoemke at sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com.

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

Embark on a journey through the stars at our Starr Party! For more than 25 years, Caspers Wilderness Park has been a hub for stargazing, earning California’s first “Star Park” designation in 2013.

Join us outdoors for the Starr Party, where telescopes and expert guidance will help you explore the night sky until approximately 8:30 p.m. The program features interactive activities, perfect for families and space enthusiasts of all ages. Equipment will be provided but feel free to bring binoculars, telescopes or cameras.

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 recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. 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. 

*This program takes place at Carbon Canyon Regional Park, 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, CA 92823* 

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 a 1.5 mile round-trip trail to the redwood grove, complete activities and take the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Oath to earn a unique Jr. Ranger badge. The program will meet in parking lot A.

Please note that the program content is tailored for ages 7 to 12. Younger siblings are welcome to join, but the badges and activities will be reserved for those that fit within the designated age range.

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program. Sunscreen, sturdy footwear and water are recommended. Additionally, this program is entirely outside, so please plan accordingly.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. Inclement weather will cancel the program.

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Sarah Hoemke at sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com

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

*This program takes place at Peters Canyon Regional Park, 8548 E. Canyon View Ave., Orange, CA 92869*

The OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program encourages park guests to explore the outdoor world 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 Peters Canyon Regional Park, complete activities and take the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Oath to earn a unique Jr. Ranger badge. The program will begin at the parking lot near the flagpole.

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 is free and parking in the lot is $3 per vehicle. Inclement weather will cancel the program.

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

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

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

Celebrate more than 125 years of recreation at Irvine Regional Park by hiking through its history! Learn about the park's early ranching history and transformation into the "Picnic Grounds" that would eventually become Irvine Park. Stops will include the nature center, lake, centennial arch and more.

The walk will begin in front of the nature center near parking lot T and will cover approximately 1 mile over varied terrain with no 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.

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.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

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

OC Public Works will perform maintenance repairs along the Santa Ana River Trail between Weir Canyon Road/La Palma Avenue and Lincoln Avenue to provide smoother surface for trail users.

Santa Ana River Trail will remain open during maintenance.

WHAT: 

• Work will begin on the existing Santa Ana River Trail between Weir Canyon Road/La Palma Avenue and Lincoln Avenue.
• Work will include removal and replacement of damaged sections of asphalt concrete trail and re-establishing striping and stenciling.
• Traffic control measures such as flag personnel, changeable message signs and extensive delineation of the work area will be present and moved daily to accommodate the work area.
• Bicycle riders should anticipate needing to walk their bikes around the work sites.

WHEN: 

Anticipated Construction Duration:
Jan. 5 - February 2026

Working Days/Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Eric Vega, Construction Inspector
714-936-5753

Maria Villafana, Sup. Construction Inspector
714-659-0892

ProjectInfo@ocpw.ocgov.com
ocpublicworks.com 

Experience the beauty of Gypsum Canyon Wilderness on a peaceful winter hike the whole family will enjoy! Admire views of the Fremont and Weir Canyon Nature Preserves, look for mushrooms and unique rock formations, and watch for local wildlife along the trail.

It’s the perfect way to spend time outdoors and explore nature together!

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-2 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering. To learn more about the staging areas and activity locations, please visit our Staging Areas Playlist page.

Learn more and register here.

There are critters in your backyard: big ones, little ones, furry ones, ones with feathers, and ones with scales. They go about their business and pay little attention to you. In fact, they would rather not be bothered unless you were a tempting morsel of food. Round Canyon is teeming with wildlife, and waiting for you to experience the solitary bobcat, the elusive ring-tailed cat, the mighty great horned owl, and playful ground squirrels, among many others.

The hike will average 2-3 miles round-trip at an easy pace with lots of discussion about wildlife along the way. This program is for participants who would like a slower-paced hike. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes and bring water for the hike.

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.

Understanding the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings system will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land. To learn more about the staging areas and activity locations, please visit our Staging Areas Playlist page.

Learn more and register here.