Activities and Programs

Join us every Monday night for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at about 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water.

Ready for a workout? Forget the gym for the day and head outside! Join us for an exhilarating morning fitness hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. This hike allows you to choose between a 3, 6, or 8 mile route, all of which are conducted at the speed of about 3.0 to 3.5 miles per hour. The footing on the asphalt paved road is smoother than dirt roads and single track trails normally found in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, but is beginning to show its age with cracks, crevices and an occasional dip. Otherwise, the terrain is smooth, so this is a great walk for anyone who wants a “wilderness experience” without getting dirty! The 6 and 8 mile routes experience two fairly steep ascents and descents. The 3 mile route takes you to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. Along the way, you will have sweeping views of much of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. Various animals, like hawks, deer, and lizards are also frequently seen in this area.

Looking for a way to give back to nature this Summer? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm! In this evening activity, attendees will learn about one to two (1-2) target species before assisting staff in weeding efforts around our native plant crops. Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required!

Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. During this hike in the Irvine Ranch Open Space, you may travel at various hiking speeds based on your comfort level.  This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip up to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Summer is here and so is nesting season! Join an experienced OC Parks volunteer as you stroll through Santiago Oaks Regional Park searching high in the trees for our flittering friends and low in the shrubs for bouncing birds.

Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting our feathered friends!

This walk begins at the Santiago Oaks Nature Center.

Walk-ins welcome, but registration is recommended.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

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

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

New to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park? Whether you’re a volunteer, a new hiker, or simply curious about this wild and beautiful landscape, join us for a welcoming orientation hike that will help you get your bearings—both on the trails and in the ecosystem.

This guided hike is designed to introduce you to key landmarks, trail connections, scenic viewpoints, and the incredible wildlife and native plants that call this place home. Along the way, we’ll share tips for exploring and stewarding the land responsibly. Perfect for first-time visitors, new volunteers, or anyone who wants to feel more at home in the coastal canyons.

This hike is approximately 4.2 miles long and has 660 feet of elevation gain, and includes views of the beautiful rock formations in the Canyon, the expanse of the South Coast Wilderness, and surrounding features.

Age: 12 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: Nix Nature Center, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach 92651, East side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133).

Parking: Free parking for volunteers at Nix Nature Center parking lot. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
To protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

Bring your little ones (ages 2 to 5) to learn more about rattlesnakes! This fun and engaging program includes story time, an age-appropriate hike and themed craft.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for the preschool level (ages 2-5), but all are welcome to attend. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

The program and parking are free. Please register all adults and children.

Explore the richness of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve as we hike during the beautiful early evening hours. The stream is running and the rich plant and animal life is enjoying the cool, shady canyon, making for a fantastic evening hike in a natural oasis amid the suburban surroundings. We’ll walk along San Joaquin Hills Road, which overlooks Buck Gully, for the first mile and then drop down into the canyon on the Bobcat Trail, looping back through the upper end of the gully along the Buck Gully Trail. This activity is conducted at a walking pace, approximately 3 miles per hour.

Leave the weekday chaos behind and dive into the peaceful beauty of Irvine Natural Landmarks with our energizing after-work cardio hike. Forget about the day’s worries as we trek through stunning landscapes, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the scenic views. Come along for a journey through winding paths and picturesque vistas, where we can recharge and refresh ourselves in the tranquility of nature.

Join us every Wednesday night in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at an average of 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water.

This week in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, we’ll be in Bommer Canyon, once part of the historic Irvine cattle ranch where corrals and ranch equipment still stand. The hike is a seven-mile loop with some climbing but rewards you with fantastic views overlooking the ocean and many Irvine locales. Please bring water, a trail snack, sunscreen, a hat, and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail. Get your boots out and register to hike the loop through the Laguna Coast Wilderness and back to Cattle Camp.

Visitors to IRC’s Native Seed Farm are first greeted by our Demonstration Garden, providing inspiration for regionally suitable plant gardens. Our garden hosts a variety of native plant species which support a healthy local ecosystem!

IRC Volunteers are invited to help at our monthly Garden Maintenance Day! Our tasks each day are to be determined, but we’ll be tackling whatever jobs are a top priority to keep our Garden teeming with native plant life. Weeding, clearing, cutting, digging, watering, whatever it takes! Activities may include bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, long periods of standing, reaching, pulling, grabbing, and pushing.

Please be aware this is a Fitness Hike and not for beginners; the pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. Join Laguna Canyon Foundation Volunteers to raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 5.3-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain with a 900-ft. elevation gain.

Please plan to arrive a few minutes early. This group leaves promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Age: 16 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road; and make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right.).

Parking: $3/car at James Dilley Preserve parking lot. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 4/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed hiking shoes, and sun protection. Hiking poles are recommended.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
To protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

Bring your horse and join us on the sage-scented trail up and down gentle hills. We will start from Irvine Park and proceed on the Irvine Regional Park Horseshoe Loop to Waterworks Trail that will take us under the towering overpass of the 241 Toll Road. We will see the foot of the Irvine Lake Dam and catch a glimpse of the heart of Fremont Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will pass the site of an enormous coal pile left by miners of yesteryear and then return to the park.

This is a walking ride that travels on single track trails and wide ranch roads. There will be several easy to moderate climbs. The ride will start and finish in Irvine Regional Park. Equestrians who have trail riding experience and their own fit and able horse are welcome.

Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. During this hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, you may travel at various hiking speeds based on your comfort level.  This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip up to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Come along with us on this morning hike through beautiful Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. You’ll be rewarded spectacular views of The Sinks as well as panoramic views of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. This hike involves a few steep climbs and descents on both double and single-track trails.

Please note that the route for this hike may be shortened or altered due to trail conditions or adverse weather.

Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like planting native plants or removing non-native plants can greatly improve habitat for wildlife. You can be part of that positive impact while enjoying the beauty of Buck Gully near Newport Beach. Come help us with a variety of activities ranging from seed collection to weeding invasive plants.

This activity takes place on sloped terrain and sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended. All training, tools, and gloves will be provided to ensure your safety and comfort. Rattlesnakes are occasionally seen here and generally avoid people, but protective gear will be provided.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Summer? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine! Every day at the farm is different; depending on the needs of the farm we will be harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, planting new seeds in the annual plots, working in our native plant demo garden, or tending to younger seedlings in our nursery.

Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required! 

Deeper your connection with nature on this gentle and meditative walk-through at Mile Square Regional Park. Inspired by the Japanese practice of “shinrin-yoku,” or “forest bathing,” you will discover the healing power of nature for yourself.

This slow-paced walk will begin with a guided meditation to help you tune in with your senses, followed by a series of invitations focusing on sense-based explorations. Throughout the program, will be encouraged to deepen your connection with nature, a proven process to help reduce stress and leave you feeling recharged.

Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or other comfortable seating and their favorite tea or water for the closing tea ceremony. Please note this program involves drinking tea from sustainably sourced native plants. Wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water.

We will meet at Freedom Hall.

Advance registration required.

This program is recommended for ages 16 and older. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

This program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. Please arrive on time to experience the full sequence of the program.

For questions, please call 714 973-6600

Inclement weather may cancel this program.

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 all about the Newport Back Bay.

Our Wild Tales program is offered every Friday from 10:00-11:00am and includes a story time, an age-appropriate hike, and a 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 the preschool level (ages 2-5), but all are welcome to attend. Minors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes. Additionally, please note that the hiking portion of the program occurs on a non-stroller friendly trail.

Advance registration is REQUIRED. In an effort to keep our program size manageable and engaging for participants, this program no longer accepts walk ups. Program and parking are free.

Adverse weather conditions may move the program indoors or cancel it.