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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.

The program and parking are free. Adverse weather may cancel the program or move it fully indoors.

Advance registration is recommended. 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.

Wild Tales at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Nature Journaling: Exploring Biodiversity at Clark Park

Nature journaling can be practiced in almost any space and combines observations with insights, questions and connections with the environment around us. It allows us to pay attention to details that might otherwise be overlooked and meditate on their forms and place within the natural world.

This program will begin at the Interpretive Center with an introduction to the basic techniques for beginning and maintaining your nature journal. We will start with a warm-up activity, then take a walk in the park to find a comfortable journaling space. Bring a sketch pad or journal and your own art materials such as pencils, pens or watercolors. A portable chair is recommended along with sun protection, water and snacks.

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

This program is recommended for ages 7 and older. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

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

Inclement weather may cancel the program.

Nature journal lupine

Explore! Fossils of the Ancient Sea Floor

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 tour will meet next to parking lot A for a brief introduction. We will then 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 visit the Interpretive Center.

Registration is required for all participants. Learn more and register here.

Participants ages 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.

Ammonite from collection

Preschool Paleontology: Art & Storytime

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

We will meet in front of the Interpretive Center.

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

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.

Flower Nature Creativity

Native Garden Restoration at Clark Park

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

The program will meet 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 pull weeds, rake, spread seeds, pot, or water plants. Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water.

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

Minors 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

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

For questions, please email sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com or call (714) 973-6671.

Rain or heat advisory may cancel this program.

Milkweed beetles

OC Parks Sunset Cinema Series - Hercules (1997)

The County of Orange and OC Parks are excited to welcome the return of the OC Parks Sunset Cinema film series, featuring 12 free movies at Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Yorba Regional Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. Sunset Cinema takes place Friday evenings June 6 - August 29 and is open to all ages. 

Friday, June 27 features Hercules (G, 1997) at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton. 

Get ready for a memorable night of movies under the stars as you enjoy a mix of recent favorites and timeless classics, all free of charge with free parking. Bring your picnic essentials and arrive early at 6 p.m. for exciting pre-show entertainment leading up to the film showtime which starts around 8 p.m. after sunset. Treat yourself to delicious bites and beverages available for purchase from our selection of food trucks and concessions onsite.

Event: Free

Parking: Free starting at 6 p.m.

Location: The movie will take place at the south end of the park near ball fields 3 and 4. Parking attendants and event signage will direct patrons to the closest available parking.

Hercules at Craig Regional Park

Create in the Park: Get Out and Sketch!

Join OC Parks at George Key Ranch Historic Park for Create in the Park! Professional artist, Dori Dewberry, will guide you through the basics of sketching in plein air. Artists of all levels are welcome to explore and sketch the tranquil gardens, citrus grove, farm equipment and historic home. A guided tour about the history of George Key Ranch will also be included.

This program is designed for ages 12 and older. Materials are not provided, only art instruction. A list of recommended materials will be made available to all registered participants in advance of the program. Sun protection, water and snacks are recommended.

This program is free with free parking, but reservations are required due to limited parking on-site. Learn more and register here. 

For more information, contact the park office at keyranch@ocparks.com.

Artwork created at Key Ranch including images of the historic home and orange grove.

Create in the Park: Start Creating Outside

Join OC Parks at George Key Ranch Historic Park for Create in the Park! Professional artist, Dawn Buckingham, will guide you through the basics of plein air painting and provide tips on selecting and packing art supplies. The program includes a demonstration of sketching plans for your painting as well as creating your own sketch in pencil, ink, marker or paint. A guided tour about the history of George Key Ranch will also be included.

This program is designed for ages 12 and older. Materials are not provided, only art instruction. A list of recommended materials will be made available to all registered participants in advance of the program. Sun protection, water and snacks are recommended.

The program is free with free parking, but reservations are required due to limited parking on-site. Learn more and register here. 

For more information, contact the park office at keyranch@ocparks.com.

Artwork created at Key Ranch including images of the historic home and orange grove.

Create in the Park: Basics of Botanical Drawing

Join OC Parks at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens for Create in the Park! Professional artist, Dawn Buckingham, will provide instruction and tips for capturing trees, foliage and gardens in your art. Artists of all levels are welcome to enjoy the tranquil grounds and draw inspiration from the historic structures, water features and gardens. Learn the basics of botanical drawing as a foundation of your art. A guided tour about the history of Arden and Helena Modjeska’s artist life will also be included.

This program is designed for ages 12 and older. Materials are not provided, only art instruction. A list of recommended materials will be made available to all registered participants in advance of the program. Sun protection, water and snacks are recommended.

This program is free with free parking, but reservations are required due to limited parking on-site. Learn more and register here. 

For more information, contact the park office at (949) 923-2230.

nature journaling

Create in the Park: Starting with Simple Shapes

Join OC Parks at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens for Create in the Park! Professional artist, Dori Dewberry, will show you a fun way to approach picture making using simple shapes to craft successful compositions. Artists of all levels are welcome to enjoy the tranquil grounds and draw inspiration from the historic structures, water features and native garden. A guided tour about the history of Arden and Helena Modjeska’s artist life will also be included.

This program is designed for ages 12 and older. Materials are not provided, only art instruction. A list of recommended materials will be made available to all registered participants in advance of the program. Sun protection, water and snacks are recommended.

This program is free with free parking, but reservations are required due to limited parking on-site. Learn more and register here. 

For more information, contact the park office at (949) 923-2230.

Small painting of the home at Arden on an easel, the real house can be seen behind it.
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