Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo creatures up close! 

Program is for ages 3-4 years old ONLY. 

Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for entire program.

Phone registration is required. To register for a class, call 714-973-6846. 

Parking fee is $3 per vehicle on weekdays. 

Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo creatures up close! 

Program is for ages 3-4 years old ONLY. 

Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for entire program.

Phone registration is required. To register for a class, call 714-973-6846. 

Parking fee is $3 per vehicle on weekdays. 

Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo creatures up close! 

Program is for ages 3-4 years old ONLY. 

Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for entire program.

Phone registration is required. To register for a class, call 714-973-6846. 

Parking fee is $3 per vehicle on weekdays. 

Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo creatures up close! 

Program is for ages 3-4 years old ONLY. 

Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for entire program.

Phone registration is required. To register for a class, call 714-973-6846. 

Parking fee is $3 per vehicle on weekdays. 

Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo creatures up close! 

Program is for ages 3-4 years old ONLY. 

Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for entire program.

Phone registration is required. To register for a class, call 714-973-6846. 

Parking fee is $3 per vehicle on weekdays. 

Join us for holiday fun at the OC Zoo! Activities include visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and holiday crafts for kids.

Come see zoo animals receive treat-filled "gifts" and treats hidden inside Christmas trees throughout the day.

Reservations are not needed. Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 and under free).

Zoo coupons/free passes are not valid for this event.

Parking is $5 per vehicle on weekends.

(Lake Forest, Calif.) – Get in the holiday spirit at OC Parks’ Heritage Hill Historical Park this December with two weekends of family-friendly fun at Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights. 

Celebrate the joy of the season at the 39th annual Candlelight Walk Dec. 5-7, from 5 to 9 p.m. and stroll through the decorated historical grounds during special park hours. Enjoy live musical performances from carolers and brass band musicians, holiday-themed crafts for kids, enchanting puppet show productions of “The Wizard of Oz,” and a visit with Santa Claus! Light refreshments will be available for cash purchase.

The celebration continues with Holiday Lights Dec. 12-14, from 5 to 9 p.m. Explore the historical buildings decked out with dazzling light displays and seasonal décor. Snap festive pictures at holiday-themed photo opportunities throughout the park. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Pets are welcome to join the festivities outdoors on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Please note that additional entertainment will not be available during Holiday Lights.

“We’re excited to celebrate the holiday season once again with the return of Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill Historical Park,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “These events offer families a wonderful opportunity to enjoy festive traditions while exploring one of Orange County’s treasured historic landmarks.”

Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill Historical Park are free to attend with free parking. Inclement weather may cancel the events.

Heritage Hill Historical Park
25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 923-2230 

39th Annual Candlelight Walk
Dates: December 5, 6 and 7
Time: 5 - 9 p.m.
Cost & Parking: Free

Holiday Lights
Dates: December 12, 13 and 14
Time: 5 - 9 p.m.
Cost & Parking: Free

Read this release in:

• Chinese-Traditional
• Korean
• Spanish
• 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

(North Tustin, Calif.) – OC Parks is excited to announce the opening of Crawford Canyon Park, featuring new enhancements and amenities for the public of all ages to enjoy.

Surrounded by natural rolling landscapes and native plantings, the new 2.5-acre park includes two nature-themed playgrounds, exercise stations, picnic tables and more. Located at the corner of Newport Boulevard and Crawford Canyon Road in North Tustin, exterior sidewalk improvements allow for easy park access from nearby communities.

“Crawford Canyon Park is a beautiful new addition for the community, and I am thrilled to open it to the public,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “This inviting, walkable space is perfect for enjoying time outside, while creating lasting memories with family and friends. I am looking forward to seeing this area utilized, especially with all the great features it has to offer.”

Crawford Canyon Park is a passive community park featuring low-impact amenities such as playgrounds, water fountains, picnic tables and benches, a quarter-mile paved walkway and ADA parking stalls. 

The park’s carefully planned landscape includes native and drought-tolerant trees including coast live oaks, western sycamores and California pepper trees which add to the natural park aesthetic. Development of the park and its features reflect thoughtful public feedback received throughout the planning and design process.

Crawford Canyon Park will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the fall and winter, and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the spring and summer. Visit ocparks.com for more information. 

Read this release in:

• Chinese-Traditional
• Korean
• Spanish
• 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

If you are a beginner rider and perhaps have just completed one of the IRC mountain biking clinics or just want an enjoyable and relaxed ride in the Orange County wilderness, then join us on this docent led, group mountain bike ride in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

This ride starts at the Augustine Staging Area in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve and rides out Limestone Canyon Road to the geological feature call The Sinks. The ride is about 8 miles long and climbs slightly on the outbound portion, with no significant climbs, but does roll up and down throughout the route and has a total elevation gain of about 450 feet. Note this is the same route as the Evening Beginner Family Ride, just riding the route in the morning.

While not required, participants may consider first riding similar trails like Telegraph Canyon Road in Chino Hills State Park or Trabuco Canyon Road in O’Neill Regional Park.

Riders should bring sufficient water and food for a 2+ hour ride and carrying tools for any trail side repairs is always recommended.

Please review the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings to help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land. Note that Electric Mountain Bikes of any class or type are not permitted.

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 page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the Nature Preserve.

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.

Learn more and register here 

Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park has reopened. The park initially closed out of an abundance of caution on Nov. 4 due to mountain lion activity and remained closed following heavy rains which caused wet and muddy trail conditions. 

Due to the confirmed mountain lion sightings at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, visitors are advised to always stay alert of your surroundings. Please keep in mind the following tips:  

• Do NOT hike, cycle or jog alone
• Stay in groups. Keep everyone together, especially children
• Make noise while hiking to alert lions to your presence
• Hike during daytime hours when lions are less active

If you do see a mountain lion, do not run. Hold your ground, make noise, wave your arms and make yourself appear larger. Throw items at it to scare it away. Do not crouch down or turn your back. Report any sightings to the park office at 949-923-2245. Be sure to include approximate time, location and contact information if park rangers have additional questions.  

For more information about mountain lion risks, please see our mountain lion flyer.

For more information regarding mountain lions in California, please refer to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. 

Monday, November 10, 2025: Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park remains closed until further notice due to recent mountain lion activity and ongoing research being conducted in the park.

Due to recent mountain lion activity, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is closed until further notice.  

The park closed out of an abundance of caution on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, following two reported mountain lion sightings on Monday, Nov. 3. One sighting occurred at approximately 4 p.m. and the other around 5:30 p.m. In both instances, the reporting parties stated the mountain lion was following them but eventually ran off. Video of one incident was shared with OC Parks. It is unknown if the same mountain lion was involved in both sightings. 

Mountain lions are seen at OC Parks facilities, including Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and typically do not prompt park closures. However, given the behavior exhibited in these encounters, a closure was deemed necessary. 

OC Parks is working closely with wildlife researchers and biologists from UC Davis Wildlife Health Center to gather information about the animal and better understand its behavior, including deploying cameras to monitor activity and looking for evidence of the mountain lion within the park such as recent animal tracks and scat. The recent sightings have also been reported to California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  

Additional updates on the park status will be made as they become available. View our mountain lion flyer for more information about avoiding wildlife conflicts. 

For more information regarding mountain lions in California, please refer to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.