Orange County, Calif. – The County of Orange and OC Parks invite you to experience the annual Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill Historical Park on Saturday, May 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Travel back in time to explore Orange County’s rancho era, and enjoy hands-on activities, music, dancing and more in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Rancho Days Fiesta will feature a wide variety of activities, exhibitors and vibrant performances and demonstrations for the whole family including piñata breaking and crafts. The celebration will also feature Charro horse riding and roping demonstrations, along with Native American and Folklórico dancing. Historic buildings will be open and available for tours, courtesy of the Amigos de la Colina docents.
Heritage Hill Historical Park preserves some of Orange County’s rich cultural heritage and represents distinct eras in the early development of Saddleback Valley and the town of El Toro. Experience the rancho era with OC Parks during Rancho Days Fiesta. Pets are welcome outdoors only on leashes no longer than six feet. Admission and parking are free.
Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Contact: (949) 923-2230
###
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
Celebrate summertime outdoors with 10 free concerts + 12 free movie screenings at OC Parks June 17 – September 2.
(Orange County, Calif.) – The County of Orange and OC Parks are pleased to present the annual OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series. Enjoy summer nights at regional parks with free live music and movie screenings in a family-friendly atmosphere. All events will include free parking with food and drink available for purchase.
OC Parks Summer Concert Series returns with 10 free outdoor concerts on Thursday evenings, June 23 – August 25 from 5 – 8 p.m. Enjoy live music under the summer sky at Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.
The concert series kicks off with Ozomatli on June 23 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, followed by popular local and renowned touring artists including Donavon Frankenreiter, Yachty by Nature, DSB, The Aquabats, Uptown Funk, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sweet and Tender Hooligans, and Tijuana Dogs.
Featured in Rolling Stone as one of “10 New Artists You Need to Know,” The New Respects will close out the 2022 OC Parks Summer Concert Series with a performance at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.
OC Parks Sunset Cinema film series brings the big screen to your favorite regional parks. Twelve free movie screenings will take place Friday nights from June 17 – September 2 around sunset at Craig Regional Park, Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Yorba Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park, and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. Guests of all ages can enjoy recent favorites and popular classics with pre-show entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. and show times at approximately 8 p.m. after sundown.
Friday night films kick off on June 17 and include Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), The Princess Bride (1987), Encanto (2021), The Mummy (1999), Onward (2020), Mean Girls (2004), Jungle Cruise (2021), The School of Rock (2003), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Back to the Future (1985), Luca (2021) and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).
“The County of Orange and OC Parks are excited to bring another year of exceptional entertainment to the community,” said Doug Chaffee, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Enjoying a free concert or movie with friends and family is a great opportunity for visitors of all ages to experience our parks across the county.”
OC Parks Summer Concert Series and OC Parks Sunset Cinema film series are open to the public of all ages and free to attend with free parking. Food trucks will be serving at each location and a beer and wine garden will be available to those 21 and over. Gather friends and family and enjoy free concerts and movie screenings this summer with OC Parks.
Thursday nights, 5 p.m. (Event starts at 5 p.m., live music begins at 6 p.m.)
Date: June 23
Concert: Ozomatli @ Craig Regional Park
Date: June 30
Concert: Donavon Frankenreiter @ Craig Regional Park
Date: July 7
Concert: Yachty by Nature @ Mason Regional Park
Date: July 14
Concert: DSB @ Mason Regional Park
Date: July 21
Concert: The Aquabats! @ Irvine Regional Park
Date: July 28
Concert: Uptown Funk @ Irvine Regional Park
Date: August 4
Concert: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Mile Square Regional Park
Date: August 11
Concert: Sweet and Tender Hooligans @ Mile Square Regional Park
Date: August 18
Concert: Tijuana Dogs @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
Date: August 25
Concert: The New Respects @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
OC Parks Sunset Cinema
Friday nights, 6 p.m. (Event starts at 6 p.m., movie begins at sunset)
Date: June 17
Movie: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) @ Craig Regional Park
Date: June 24
Movie: The Princess Bride (1987) @ Craig Regional Park
Date: July 1
Movie: Encanto (2021) @ Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Date: July 8
Movie: The Mummy (1999) @ Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Date: July 15
Movie: Onward (2020) @ Yorba Regional Park
Date: July 22
Movie: Mean Girls (2004) @ Yorba Regional Park
Date: July 29
Movie: Jungle Cruise (2021) @ Irvine Regional Park
Date: August 5
Movie: The School of Rock (2003) @ Irvine Regional Park
Date: August 12
Movie: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) @ Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Date: August 19
Movie: Back to the Future (1985) @ Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Date: August 26
Movie: Luca (2021) @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
Date: September 2
Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
###
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
Project Summary: The proposed project consists of the redesign and expansion of an existing 20-year old, 50-seat amphitheater adjacent to the park’s Nature Center. This is needed because seating capacity is limited and does not serve average attendance, which often exceeds three times the amphitheater’s capacity. The proposed project increases seating capacity to 120, with access and designated seating in compliance with ADA standards. Pathway lighting will be installed along the tiered seating area and the site will be regraded to create terraced seating that is adequately sized for all guests. The project also includes native landscape planting to enhance the park’s natural setting, and additional canopy trees will be planted on the periphery of the seating area to provide shade.
When:
Anticipated Construction Duration: March through May 2022
Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The construction schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other factors.
The clocks spring forward early March 13, marking the beginning of daylight-saving time and OC Parks’ spring-summer operating schedule.
Most regional parks close at 9 p.m. for the spring and summer, and wilderness parks close at sunset year-round.
Spring-summer hours for the following regional parks are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.:
Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Clark Regional Park
Craig Regional Park
Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Mason Regional Park
Mile Square Regional Park
Tri-City Regional Park
Yorba Regional Park
Irvine Regional Park (opens at 6 a.m.)
Wilderness parks and the following regional parks are open at 7 a.m. and close at sunset year-round:
O’Neill Regional Park
Peters Canyon Regional Park
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Caspers Wilderness Park
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (parking lots open at 8 a.m.)
Riley Wilderness Park
Talbert Regional Park
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Wieder Regional Park
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Irvine Lake will continue to operate Friday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hours for OC Parks’ beaches vary but are generally between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Salt Creek Beach opens at 5 a.m. and will close at 12 a.m. Thousand Steps Beach opens at 6 a.m. and will close at 9 p.m.
OC Parks facilities will remain on these operating hours until daylight-saving time ends Nov. 6, 2022.
Project Summary: OC Parks in collaboration with OC Public Works will complete asphalt pavement and concrete remedial repairs of the Carbon Canyon Regional Park parking lots. Construction will be done in six phases starting Jan. 24, 2022. Access to the park will be maintained for the duration of the project.
What: In each of the parking lots, the contractor will start with the required removal and replacement of damaged concrete curb, gutter and curb ramps and drainage improvements. Once the new concrete has cured, asphalt pavement grind and overlay will commence.
When:
Anticipated Construction Duration: Jan. 24 to July 2022
(Orange, Calif.) – Chairman Donald P. Wagner of the Orange County Board of Supervisors along with OC Parks staff cut the ribbon on a new shade structure at the Falcon Flats group area at Irvine Regional Park in Orange on March 27.
Falcon Flats group area is the largest reservable group area in Irvine Regional Park. It can accommodate groups up to 350 people and is the only fully covered shelter within the park. The new shade structure, completed by OC Public Works, is ADA accessible and features new barbecue grills, electrical outlets and a food prep counter.
Falcon Flats can be reserved by calling the park office at (714) 973-6835.
ORANGE, Calif.— OC Zoo veterinarians and staff are caring for two mountain lion kittens found outside a Thousand Oaks office complex.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) brought the two female kittens to a local veterinary hospital in Orange County for treatment when they appeared to languish without any sign of their mother. Following further assessment and treatment the two kittens were transported to the OC Zoo in Orange, Calif. where they will later be housed in a new habitat.
“OC Parks and I are thrilled to welcome these newest residents of our zoo,” said Supervisor Wagner after meeting the two cats. “They’re a great present to the people of Orange County this holiday season.” Wagner continued, “Once they’re a bit more comfortable in their new home, and our large mammal enclosure is ready for them early next year, we’ll introduce Orange County’s newest stars to what I am sure will be their adoring public.”
An employee at a Thousand Oaks office building that abuts open space reported Nov. 29 seeing four small mountain lion kittens under a picnic table near their building. According to the National Park Service (NPS), the animals appeared to be about six weeks old and were alone and thin, but in stable condition.
NPS biologists captured and examined the kittens, fitting them with tiny tracking collars, and monitored them with trail cameras to see if their mother returned. After a few days, with no sign of the mother, they noticed one of the kittens was in particularly poor health. CDFW rescued the kittens that day, Dec. 1, and took them to a local veterinarian.
Two of the kittens died overnight. CDFW took the two surviving kittens to the veterinary hospital in Orange County the next day. Subsequently, the two kittens were transported to the OC Zoo for further care.
According to the NPS, their mother was likely killed or abandoned the kittens. Due to their very young age, they cannot be released back into the wild.
The OC Zoo will continue to care for the kittens. The animals are not yet available for the public to view.
The zoo will house them in its upcoming large mammal habitat. The habitat is currently under construction and scheduled to open early next year.
The OC Zoo, inside Irvine Regional Park, focuses on animals native to the southwestern U.S., including black bear, mountain lion, eagle, beaver, porcupine, bobcat and more. Many are injured, orphaned, confiscated or not releasable into the wild.
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
The public access staircase at Thousand Steps Beach in south Laguna Beach reopened at 6 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.
The stairs closed Sept. 20 for extensive repairs to the concrete steps and railings.
The 219 stairs were originally installed in 1978, and the stairway leading to Thousand Steps Beach had been deteriorating over the last several years. Maintenance patching has been completed on several occasions but had not lasted.
The repair project performed major repairs on the stairway to provide a safe way to access Thousand Steps Beach.
Work included a multi-step process of hand chipping, cleaning, priming and finish application to the existing concrete. Railings were cleaned, primed, painted, replaced and welded as needed. The wood steps and railing were replaced at the sand level.
Hours at Thousand Steps Beach are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
