The Irvine Ranch Open Space Long Distance series is designed for experienced hikers who thrive on long days, big climbs, and the satisfaction of pushing physical and mental limits. This hike covers approximately 17.5 miles with 3,200 feet of elevation gain, traversing some of the most rugged and remote sections of the Irvine Ranch Open Space. This route combines steep ascents, rolling ridgelines, and exposed terrain with panoramic views that make every step worth the effort. This is not a casual stroll — it’s a test of endurance, pacing, and preparation.

Participants should have prior experience with strenuous, half-day or full-day hikes and be comfortable navigating challenging terrain in varying conditions.

Self-Sufficiency is Required

There are no water sources, food stations, or supply drops along this route. Every participant is responsible for carrying all the gear, water, and nutrition they will need for the day. We strongly recommend:

Water: Minimum 70 oz per person (more in hot weather)

Food/Snacks: High-calorie, easily portable items to sustain 7 hours of hiking (energy bars, trail mix, sandwiches, electrolyte chews)

Gear: Closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), extra layers, basic first-aid kit, trekking poles (optional but recommended)

Under-prepared participants may be denied access to the hike.

Pace & Timing Expect to be on the trail for 7 hours, with extended climbs and limited shade. A steady, sustainable pace is critical. We will take short breaks as needed, but hikers should be able to maintain consistent forward progress throughout the day.

Important Notes This hike is physically demanding and not suitable for beginners. There will be no early exit points — once you commit, you must be prepared to complete the route. 

Learn more and register here 

Come explore OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. This scenic hike involves steep climbs and descents on both double and singletrack trails and around 1100’ of accumulated climbing elevation. Though challenging, the hike rewards you with sweeping views of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and Santa Ana Mountains. On clear days you can see Catalina Island and even beyond Orange County into the Los Angeles Basin.

Please arrive 15 minutes early, ready to hike; the Baker hiker entry gate will close promptly 5 minutes before the start time.

Please come prepared with a sturdy day pack, water, snacks, closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. All participants must carry their own day pack and water and be comfortable hiking an average moving pace of 3 miles per hour.  Please make sure you bring around 70 oz. (2 quarts) of water and trail snacks. 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-4 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  

Join us in beautiful Weir Canyon for this moderate paced cardio hike. Along the trail, you’ll pass through coastal sage scrub, grasslands, and oak woodlands where deer and bobcats are frequently observed. Multiple steep climbs and descents, and sweeping views, are included throughout this 6-mile hike. Please make sure you are in excellent physical condition! Even though this is a slower cardio hike, it is faster than a walk. You must be able to hike 3+ miles per hour the entire time without stopping.
 

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.  If you’re unable to participate, please cancel your registration promptly so others may register.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land. Please review our Trail Tips and FAQ pages to ensure you arrive prepared for this hike.

Learn more and register here 

Join us Sunday morning in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a fitness-focused hike on the Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails in Limestone Canyon. Hikers will enjoy wonderful views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. The hike starts at Hicks Haul Road staging area and will cover a distance of 8.25 miles, about 5 miles of the hike is on paved surface and rest on trails. Participants are expected to hike close to 3.5 miles per hour and come prepared with closed toe hiking boots or shoes, water, trail snacks, sunscreen, hat, day pack or fanny pack, and any other necessary equipment or supplies you might need to keep you safe on this 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.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 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 

Take in stunning views of the surrounding hillsides and hike atop the iconic red rocks at the newly opened Red Rock Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.

This morning hike will guide visitors through beautiful hills and valleys to the top of the infamous red rocks and past a model airplane field. Spectacular views of Irvine Lake and the Irvine Ranch Open Space will be enjoyed along the way.

Participants must be able to hike 7 1/2 miles with an elevation gain of 1100 feet at an average moving rate of 3 miles per hour.

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-4 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
 

(Santa Ana, Calif.) – Admire the creativity of local artists at Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries art exhibit, now on display at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.). 

The collection is made up of 110 original paintings from more than 50 local artists featuring unique art depicting diverse scenes of nature and life in Southern California, cityscapes, florals and more. The exhibit is hosted by OC Parks, in partnership with Southern California Plein Air Painters Association (SOCALPAPA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the tradition of plein air painting. The collection will include plein air pieces and original artwork of all sizes across a variety of mediums including oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic and more. Gallery artwork is available for purchase, with sales going directly to the artists. 

“The exhibit highlights both the beauty of Orange County and the many diverse perspectives that talented local artists bring to our communities,” said Vicente Sarmiento, Second District Supervisor. “Having a dedicated space at the historic Orange County Courthouse is a great way to honor their work, highlight their passion, and create new connections through art.”

Plein air, the French term for “open air,” is the practice of painting outside which provides artists a dynamic artistic experience to capture the spirit and essence of subjects while being outdoors. In addition to focusing on plein-air painting, SOCALPAPA aims to bring artists together, promoting arts education and supporting local conservation efforts that protect our natural landscape.

Members’ paintings are also on display year-round in the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center located at OC Parks’ Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. The artwork in the center often illustrates parks, wilderness areas and coastal spaces, similarly to what is showcased in the Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries exhibit.

Admission to Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries 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. through April 3. Metered parking is available at the on-site lot and surrounding street parking. Additional parking is available at lot P8 (301 W. 5th Street). Parking fees apply.

For information about Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries art exhibit and the Old Orange County Courthouse, please visit ocparks.com/historic-sites/old-orange-county-courthouse.

Read this release in:

• Chinese-Traditional
• Korean
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• Vietnamese

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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 takes places at Clark Regional Park, 8800 Rosecrans Ave, Buena Park, CA 90621*

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 Clark Regional Park, complete activities and take the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Oath to earn a unique Jr. Ranger badge.

We will meet in front of the Interpretive Center and take a half-mile walk through geologic time.

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 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 Sarah Hoemke at sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com

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

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 trip 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. 

Enjoy a morning at Clark Regional Park and learn about the rocks around us! Participants will visit the Interpretive Center, listen to a story, take a short walk in the park and make a geology themed craft. Activities are designed for ages 2 to 6 but all are welcome.

The program will begin in front of the Interpretive Center.

Minors age 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

Advance registration is required. Space is limited; parents must register themselves and each child. Learn more and register here.

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

Learn about native, introduced and invasive plants and join us as we work toward restoring healthy habitat areas at Clark Regional Park by managing and expanding the garden as conditions permit. Experience the satisfaction of weeding invasive plants and observing our local biodiversity as it grows!

The program will begin in parking lot H and the activity will take place within a quarter mile of the parking lot. No experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided. Be prepared to remove weeds using hand tools or to spread mulch. Long sleeves and pants, closed-toe shoes, sun protection and water are recommended.

Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more and register here.

Minors 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

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

For questions or group registration, please email Resource Specialist Sarah Hoemke at sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com or call (714) 973-6671.

Rain or heat advisory may cancel this program.