Blog Archives

Explore the Beauty of Black Star Canyon

8/26/2016

Visit striking geological formations, take in scenic meadows, and travel historic trails on Wilderness Access Day.

OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park is home to the iconic Red Rocks, picturesque Baker Canyon, and serene Baker Meadow. On Wilderness Access Day: Black Star Canyon on Saturday, 9/3, visitors can hike, bike or enjoy an equestrian ride along designated trails at their own pace from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Take advantage of a day off from work this upcoming Labor Day Weekend and connect with the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Help Prevent Wildfires on the Landmarks

8/19/2016

Volunteer for the Orange County Fire Watch Program, and help monitor local wildlands for high-risk ignition points and suspicious activity.

California is suffering its fifth straight year of severe drought – when considering Orange County’s hotter-than-average temperatures, dry conditions, and recent fires such as the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park fire, the Sand fire in L.A., and the Blue Cut fire in San Bernardino County, the need for public support to lessen the risk of wildfire is greater than ever.

Make the Most of Summer at Buck Gully and the Beach

8/12/2016

Outdoor enthusiasts can begin their day connecting with the land out on the trails of Buck Gully Reserve, top, and then head to Crystal Cove State Park, bottom, for a quintessential summer day of surf, sand and sun.

Spend a day outdoors exploring land from the mountains to the sea, with outings at Buck Gully Reserve and Crystal Cove State Park.

Within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks is the City of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve, a coastal canyon near the Pacific Ocean that’s a perfect starting point for summertime adventure. Outdoor enthusiasts can begin their day connecting with the land out on the trails, exploring Buck Gully’s shrubland, grasslands and woodland areas. Then, head to Crystal Cove State Park for a quintessential summer day of surf, sand, and ocean breezes.

Buck Gully is open daily from dawn to dusk for self-guided access, offering nature lovers an opportunity to travel along trails at their convenience. Four bridges installed throughout the reserve in 2012 help visitors explore the area while keeping the native plants and animals safe. The vantages and views from the bridges are serene and peaceful, and allow trekkers to observe the stream that runs through Buck Gully year round. Hiking or biking along the trails and over the four bridges is a great way to work up a sweat before cooling off at Crystal Cove State Park. Click here to learn more about exploring Buck Gully and for a trail map of the reserve.

Catch 'em All at Quail Hill Loop

8/5/2016

Quail Hill is shown in the Pokémon Go app from the base of the loop trail. The Irvine Open Space Preserve Quail Hill trail map is a Pokémon Gym, seen in the foreground of the phone, as is the Vista Point, in the background of the app along the left side.

Explore the Irvine Open Space Preserve’s expansive beauty in a new way with friends, family and fellow Pokémon Go enthusiasts.

There are many things about the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve’s Quail Hill that make it an ideal place for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts to explore. It is an active restoration area, rich in native grassland habitat and home to a variety of wildlife including native birds, snakes, and – a newcomer to the area – Bellsprout, a plant-based Pokémon known for its stem-like body and poisonous defenses.

Pokémon Go is a location-based augmented reality game that allows iOS and Android users to locate, capture, train and battle virtual creatures known as Pokémon. The mobile app's popularity has skyrocketed with children and adults alike since its release in July. In the game, different Pokémon species reside in different locations that are often based on distinguishing geographical features. For example, the greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) and gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer) are native animals who call Quail Hill home; now, people playing Pokémon Go along Quail Hill Loop could spot these species’ Pokémon counterparts: Pidgey, a tiny bird with a sharp sense of direction, and Ekans, a purple snake. Whether you’re a skilled Pokémon Trainer, or can’t tell a Diglett from a Doduo, consider gathering your kids, family and friends to enjoy the open space’s expansive beauty in a new way.

Explore the Beauty of Black Star Canyon

Help Prevent Wildfires on the Landmarks

Make the Most of Summer at Buck Gully and the Beach

Catch 'em All at Quail Hill Loop

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