Has anyone else noticed that right now, as I type this, we have a rare opportunity on our hands? We're in this first week of May, within the perfect window between the "wet/windy season" (I put that in quotes in case someone from any other region of the nation outside of Orange County happens to be reading. Let's face it: our wet and windy season means a night rain and lows of 55 degrees- total cheesecake to the extremes that our East coast and mid-west cousins have to weather three seasons of the year). What was I saying? Right: we're in the perfect window between the "wet/windy season" and the dry hot mess that inevitably hits right in time for graduation.
I'm here to encourage you to redeem the time, Orange County! Make the most of this window and all that its glorious splendor has to offer us! Get out and enjoy the world! Nature! Green things! Leave the beach for another day- for one of those hotter than hot August days, the "it's so hot I'm sweating in places I didn't know I had glands" days- and while we have the perfect in-between, hit up the great outdoors of our very own OC Parks for a rousing, refreshing, good time.
Here are just a few upcoming opportunities for you to experience nature in OC:
May 9th, 16th, and 23rd – Nature Hikes
From 9 – 10 a.m.
Join our Park Rangers for an easy 1-mile hike on the Nature Trail. The trail takes you through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. A wide variety of plant and animal life is found in these areas. For all ages.
Location: Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: FREE Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2208 or (714) 277-9023
May 6th – Fitness Hikes at Ridge Park
From 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (700-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Reservations required.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Meet at Ridge Park Staging Area (Newport Coast Drive to Ridge Park Road east to end; meet at the gate).
Donation: $2 per person Parking: FREE
Contact: (949) 923-2235 or (949) 923-3702
May 6th, 13th, 20th, or 27th – See the Redwoods Nature Hike with the Ranger
From 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Hike with the Ranger on the Nature Trail to the Redwood Grove. The Ranger will carry field guides for tracks and birds or you can bring your own. We will observe nature in action! All ages welcome.
Location: Carbon Canyon Regional Park. 4442 Carbon Canyon Road,
Brea, CA 92823
Brea, CA 92823
Website: http://www.ocparks.com/carboncanyon/
Cost: FREE Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-3160 or (714)973-3162
May 6th – Junior Ranger Program #4 – Caring for Park Plants/Animals
From 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Learn what park plants and animals need to survive. Learn to use some of the tools rangers use to help take care of the park. Second through fourth graders, ages 7 to 10, can earn a Junior Ranger badge by participating in six workshops: Ranger’s Life, Finding Your Way, Keeping People Safe, Caring for the Park Plants and Animals, Hiking in the Park and Teaching Visitors.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: $5 per student Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235 or (949)923-3702
Special Instructions: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405).
May 7th and 21st – Elder Trek
From 9 - 11 a.m.
Enjoy the outdoors and learn about diverse plant life on this easy, level, 2-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists. Reservations required.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Donation: $2 per person Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235 or (949) 923-3702
Special Instructions: Meet at Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405).
May 8th – Wildflower Hike
From 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Learn to identify native spring bloomers with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this moderate, but steep and rocky, 3.5-mile hike. Reservations required.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road,
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: http://www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Donation: $2 per person Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949)923-2235 or (949)923-3702
Special Instructions: Meet at James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Road).
May 8th – Volunteer Training & Orientation
From 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Learn about various volunteer opportunities with Laguna Canyon Foundation. No experience required.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road,
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: FREE Parking: FREE
Contact: (949) 923-2235 or (949) 923-3702
Special Instructions: For information, e-mail volunteer@lagunacanyon.org. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405).
May 8th – Exploring the Night Skies
From 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Join the Orange County Astronomers for a night of star gazing and excitement at Caspers Wilderness Park. Come look through telescopes to see the wonders of the night sky. Astronomers will on hand to answer questions. All ages welcome.
Location: Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: FREE Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2210 or (949) 923-2207
Special Instructions: Bad weather may cancel.
May 9th and 23rd – Endurance Hike
From 8:30 – 11 a.m.
Experience an excellent workout in the great outdoors. Join the Park Ranger for a 6.3-mile hike around Peters Canyon Regional Park.
Location: Peters Canyon Regional Park. 8545 E. Canyon View Ave,
Orange, CA 92869
Orange, CA 92869
Cost: FREE Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-6639 or (714) 973-6611
Special Instructions: Participants must be at least 18 years of age, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bring plenty of water.
May 9th – Second Sundays
From 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join Preserve staff and other volunteers in enhancing the Bay’s habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup and Butterfly Garden maintenance.
Location: Upper Newport Bay - Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: FREE Parking: FREE
Contact: (949) 923-2290
Special Instructions: No experience is necessary; water, snacks and tools are provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please phone (949) 923–2275, or e-mail unbic@ocparks.com to register or receive monthly e-mail notifications. Minors aged 15 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times.
May 11th – Exploring Biodiversity for Seniors
From 9 - 11 a.m.
Learn about the diversity of animal and plant species as you explore our ever-changing wilderness on this easy 1.5-mile hike over rocky and uneven terrain. Reservations required.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Donation: $2 per person Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235 or (949) 923-3702
Special Instructions: Meet at James Dilley Preserve (ask for directions when making reservations).
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