Get Out In Orange County: OC Parks Events

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —Now that the weather is finally starting to warm up, it's time to get out in Orange County.

OC Parks announced a whole slew of scheduled events for the month of May designed to get Orange County residents out and engaged with all of the natural beauty the county's parks, beaches and trails have to offer.

Here's a rundown on the schedule of OC Parks events for May across Orange County:

• May 1 — 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Adaptation Spotlight: Butterfly Wings, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
  • Join OC Parks naturalists as we learn about butterflies! Go for a short hike to look for butterflies and take an up-close look at the wings of butterflies. This program is for ages 7 and older. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water. Advance registration required. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 3, 10, 17 & 24 — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Toddler Treks, Upper Newport Bay Preserve.
  • Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn all about Upper Newport Bay. Toddler Treks is offered every Friday from 10-10:45 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. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes. Advance registration required.
    • Register here.
• May 3 — 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. — Animal Art I Preschool Program, Irvine Regional Park.
  • This program is for ages 3 to 4 only. Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts and meeting zoo creatures up close! Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for entire program. Phone registration is required. Parking is $3 per vehicle on weekdays.
    • Registration: Call (714) 973-6846
• May 3 — 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. —Sounds of the Evening, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
  • Join OC Parks naturalists on an evening walk where we will enjoy the sounds of nature. The sounds of an ecosystem can tell us a lot about its ecology if we listen close enough, so come enjoy a stroll along Mary’s Trail as we listen to what nature has to say. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water. Advance registration required. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 4 — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Wilderness Access Day, Black Star Canyon.
  • Black Star Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, offers pleasant introductory trails for beginner hikers and families as well as challenging experiences for seasoned trail users. Designated trails are available for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use. A variety of trail loops offer extended exploration throughout the canyons. Take time to explore the local plant communities and beautiful scenery in easy 30-minute walks or take in 7+ miles on a strong cardio trek.
• May 4 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Annual Rancho Days Fiesta, Heritage Hill Historical Park.
  • Come explore the rich history of Orange County's rancho era through hands-on activities, crafts, music, dance and more. Activities and performances include Native American and Folklorico dancing, early California ranching hands-on activities and exhibitors, music, piñata breaking and crafts for children, charro horse riding and roping demonstrations, historic building tours courtesy of the Amigos de la Colina docents and more. Pets are welcome outdoors only on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Event and parking are free.
• May 8 — 9:30 a.m. to noon — Biking the Bay, Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
  • Join OC Parks for an interpretive bike ride around Upper Newport Bay! Get your heart rate up and pedal around the Bay, all while learning about local ecology and history. Participants must bring their own bike. Advance registration required.
    • Register here.
• May 9 — 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — Little Explorers: Rocks!, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
  • The program is for ages 3 to 6 only. Join OC Park naturalists for story time and a short hike with your little ones (ages 3 to 6) as we explore the Willow Staging Area in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Our theme of the month is rocks! We will explore how rocks come in a variety of different shapes, sizes and colors. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water. Advance registration required. Please register all participants, including children. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 11 — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Wilderness Access Day: Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, Gypsum Canyon.
  • Come explore OC Parks’ newest trails at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness through this self-guided opportunity. Located within OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, Gypsum Canyon Wilderness features 6 miles of new trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Two lookout points offer sweeping views of the surrounding canyons and unique prehistoric rock formations, while seven new trails provide multiple loop options that vary in distance and range from easy to moderate in difficulty. Rain or inclement weather will cancel the program. Advance registration required.
    • Register here.
• May 11 — 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — Backyard Bugs, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
  • Join OC Parks on a family-friendly trek around Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park to learn all about these amazing animals who have perfected the art of ecological specialization. Insects may have a reputation for being icky, but they're essential pollinators needed to sustain life on our planet. Minors ages 16 and younger must have a legal guardian present at all times. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring snacks and water. Advance registration required. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 15 — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Preschool Paleontology: Art & Storytime, Ralph B. Clark Regional Park.
  • Listen to a story about ice age animals, make a craft and enjoy a morning at Clark Park. Activities are designed for ages 2 to 5, but all are welcome. Space is limited; parents must register themselves and each child. Minors under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian at all times. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 17 — 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — Tot Walk, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
  • Join OC Parks naturalists and bring your young ones (infant to age 3) to explore Aliso’s wild backyard. Take a leisurely stroll through the garden and the creek. We will see bugs, plants and birds while exploring. OC Parks staff may even lead a game or introduce a local resident to the children. Come join the fun! This program begins at the Aliso and Wood Visitor Center at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring snacks and water. Please note most of the trail is not stroller friendly. Advance registration required. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 17 — 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Nature Creativity: Resin Flower Coast, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
  • In this program, learn to identify wildflowers, discover why scientists press flowers and make your own pressed flower coaster out of resin to take home with you! This program is designed for ages 12 and older and participants should wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water. Advance registration required. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 18 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Modjeska's Spring Open House, Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens.
  • Join OC Parks at the annual spring open house at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens! Enjoy Shakespearean performances by the Modjeska Shakespeare Players, live music performances by The Orange Town Revival and docent-led tours of the iconic home and grounds. You can even taste one of the famous caramel and marshmallow Modjeska candies! The event is free with free parking, but reservations are required due to limited parking on-site.
    • Register here.
• May 23 — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Parks After Dark, Santiago Oaks Regional Park.
  • Explore the landscape of Santiago Oaks Regional Park as we set out to search for the nighttime critters that call the park home. From humble toads to graceful owls, you never know what you’ll see! Dress in layers, wear study footwear and bring water. Advance registration required. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 25 — 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Bird Walk, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
  • This program is for ages 12 and older (minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Spot local native and migratory birds on this 2-mile hike over moderate and uneven terrain with up to 50 feet of elevation gain to Barbara's Lake and back through one of the most diverse plant communities in the United States. No experience necessary. Wear hiking or walking shoes and bring your binoculars. Advanced registration required. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
    • Register here.
• May 30 — 10:15 a.m. to 11: 15 a.m. — Down on the Farm Preschool Program, OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park.
  • This program is for ages 3 to 4 only. Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo creatures up close! Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for entire program. Phone registration is required. Parking fee is $3 per vehicle on weekdays.
    • Registration: Call (714) 973-6846

For the full OC Parks May events calendar, visit the website.