Category: Bommer Canyon

Landmark Focus: Explore Historic Bommer Canyon

1/22/2020

A family hike in Bommer Canyon

The City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve is home to a historically rich landmark known as Bommer Canyon. With over 4,000 acres of land, Bommer Canyon extends across tall sycamore groves to rough rock outcrops. Bommer Canyon’s vibrant nature and extensive history attracts walkers, hikers and nature enthusiasts for a spectacular outdoor experience!

Since 2005, Irvine Ranch Conservancy has been managing Bommer Canyon for the City of Irvine by restoring the natural habitat and developing community programs for visitors to enjoy. The land in Bommer Canyon was acquired in the early 1800’s by a man named Don Jose Sepulveda. In 1864, the land was then sold to Flint Bixby & Co. and their silent partner, James Irvine. Soon after, Irvine bought out his partners and took ownership of the land that became known as Rancho San Joaquin, Rancho Los Lomas de Santiago, Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana and eventually Bommer Canyon.

Experience the Great Outdoors from the Mountains to the Sea

7/26/2018

Buck Gully, Newport Beach

Take a staycation this summer and explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

With southern California’s beautiful year-round weather, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are the perfect place to have a “staycation.” From the mountains to the sea, Orange County residents can find large geologic wonders, wide open spaces, and a coastal oasis in their own backyard. From OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon to the City of Newport’s Buck Gully and the City of Irvine’s Bommer Canyon, the Landmarks offer visitors a wealth of open spaces and nature preserves to escape the everyday stresses of life. Nature lovers can discover the hidden gems of Orange County during a staycation on the Landmarks this summer and beyond.

Explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks from the Mountains to the Sea

4/5/2018

Buck Gully

Collaborative efforts create opportunities for public programs in the City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach, OC Parks and beyond

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks span across nearly 40,000 acres of open spaces that stretch from expansive canyons to oak woodlands and picturesque shorelines. One of the world’s bio-diversity hot spots, the Landmarks are home to biological treasures and unique geological features where hundreds of species of plants and wildlife thrive. Protecting and preserving the lands is a unified effort that involves the dedicated work of many who help support, preserve and restore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

A diverse network of partners contribute to the preservation of the Landmarks, helping protect and restore tens of thousands of acres of natural habitat. The Landmarks span open spaces in the City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach, OC Parks, and beyond. The collaborative efforts of landowners and managers ensure visitors have an opportunity to connect with nature in meaningful ways.

Enjoy Nature at Your Own Pace with Self-Guided Access Trails

1/12/2018

Visit the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and start the New Year Outdoors

January represents a fresh start as a new year arrives, and can be a time to re-set and focus on goals to achieve in the New Year. While half the country is greeted with cold temperatures and snow in the winter months, Southern California residents have an opportunity to get outside in the sunshine and start the New Year off on the right foot. Grab a pair of hiking boots and enjoy favorable temperatures and fresh air on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Hikers and bikers can take advantage of the warm weather and hit the trails daily for self-guided access on several of Orange County’s vast open spaces and preserves.

Experience the Natural Habitat of the City of Irvine

1/5/2018

Hikers enjoy Bommer Canyon in the City of Irvine.

Explore the open spaces in the City of Irvine during programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Located in central Orange County, the City of Irvine is a thriving metropolis where thousands of people work, study, and live. However, just miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life are expansive open spaces and protected nature preserves. From Bommer Canyon to the riparian community of Agua Chinon to paved Hicks Haul Road, the City of Irvine offers the community an array of parks, preserves, and programs on Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Choose Your Own Adventure During Wilderness Access Days

12/8/2017

A mountain biker enjoys Bommer Canyon.

Explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks during Wilderness Access Days to enjoy self-guided access on the lands

Whether visitors are newcomers looking to discover the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks for the first time or returning to the lands for a new adventure, Wilderness Access Days give visitors of all skill levels and interests the chance to get outside and connect with nature. Keep reading for more information on Wilderness Access Days and to register for the next program!

Wilderness Access Days give the community self-guided access through the open spaces on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians have an opportunity to explore trails within the City of Irvine’s Bommer Canyon, and OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve and Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park.

Rise and Shine on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

11/3/2017

Hikers enjoy an early morning stroll on Hicks Haul Road in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

Don't let Daylight Savings Time keep you indoors, explore the lands during morning programs for fresh air and exercise on the Landmarks

The clocks turn back on Sunday, November 5, but there's still plenty of time to explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! The Landmarks are home to many self-guided trails and activities across the open spaces, and with the end of daylight savings time comes earlier mornings that give trail enthusiasts more time to start their day in the great outdoors. Rise and shine on the Landmarks this fall and throughout the year by registering for a morning program.

“The Landmarks are home to many morning fitness, recreational, and interpretive programs that allow the community to start their day with fresh air, sweeping views, and exercise” commented Dave Raetz, Irvine Ranch Conservancy Deputy Director. “Whether visitors are looking to kick off their day with an invigorating 8-mile hike through Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve or ease into the day with a morning of Tai Chi in Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, there’s a wide variety of programs to suit all ages and interests on the Landmarks.”

Discover the History of Bommer Canyon and Explore the lands on Wilderness Access Day June 17

6/9/2017

Bommer Canyon is rich with history, and nature lovers can explore the historic open space during Wilderness Access Day and beyond.

Bommer Canyon is part of more than 4,000 acres located on the southern portion of the Irvine Open Space Preserve, stretching across sycamore groves and rough rock outcrops. The majestic lands have a history steeped in ranching and agriculture, and outdoor enthusiasts can explore the trails during the upcoming Wilderness Access Day on Saturday, June 17. Hikers age 8 and older can also register for Exploring Bommer: Life on the Ranch, a guided interpretive program on the same day. Discover the history of Bommer Canyon and explore the land for a day of fresh air and adventure on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks!

Celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

3/23/2017

Enjoy Take a Walk in the Park Day at locations including the City of Irvine's Quail Hill trails.

Hit the trails and connect with nature on Thursday, March 30 in recognition of National Take A Walk in the Park Day.

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

Looking for a reason to enjoy the great outdoors? National Take a Walk in the Park Day on Thursday, March 30 is the perfect catalyst to enjoy fresh air and exercise on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. The Mediterranean climate that occurs on the Landmarks in Southern California is found in only five locations across the globe, but contains nearly 20 percent of the world’s known plant species. With a vibrant wildflower season in bloom, there’s never been a better time to visit the lands. Register for a program or explore designated trails for self-guided access in celebration of National Take a Walk in the Park Day.

Trade TV for the Trails

4/21/2016

Embrace Screen-Free Week and explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

With all the technology people have right at their fingertips, it can be easy at times to forget what adventures await outdoors. National Screen-Free Week, May 2-8, is a program by the non-profit Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood encouraging people to put their smartphones away and embrace life beyond digital entertainment. Multiple locations within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are close to Orange County residents, so it’s the perfect place to go to grab a breath of fresh air and connect with the outdoors.

Seeing "Green" Around the Landmarks

3/11/2016

Visitors can see how green the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks currently are on a variety of upcoming programs.

From the dark leaves of coastal scrub oak and black sage, to the bright hues of coyote brush and coastal prickly pear cactus, St. Patrick’s Day green is a common color around the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this time of year. Recent rains and the winter season – when native plants come out of dormancy – have made the green shades even more prominent.

There are a variety of activities out on the Landmarks the week of St. Patrick’s Day to spot green in full force, whether during a fast-paced hike, an interactive outdoor adventure or volunteer opportunities giving back.

Interpretive Programs Connect People with Nature

2/12/2016

Interpretive programs give visitors to the Landmarks a chance to learn about wildlife like this burrowing owl.

Trained naturalists help interpret the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks for the public in unique, memorable ways.

Spring is quickly approaching, making it the perfect time for those seeking greater appreciation of the outdoors to – as the saying goes – stop and smell the roses. But regardless if wildflowers are in bloom, interpretive programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks provide year-round opportunities for visitors to slow down and connect to the land in unique, memorable ways.

Programs on LetsGoOutside.org are broken up into categories – such as interpretive, hiking & fitness, and stewardship – to help visitors find what they’re looking for when visiting the Landmarks. Interpretive programs focus on helping people enjoy their time outdoors while also learning about nature. So if you’ve learned something new about the Landmarks while out on the trails that leaves you feeling more connected to the land, guess what – you’ve just had an interpretive experience! The National Association for Interpretation defines interpretation as “a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource.”

Not Too Late for New Year’s Resolutions

1/22/2016

Limestone Canyon photo courtesy of Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteer Alex Gurrola.

Whether it’s staying fit, giving back to community or spending time with the family, give your New Year’s resolution a second wind at the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Already slipping on your New Year’s resolutions? You may find the solution out on the trails.

A study by Franklin Covey showed that 35 percent of people will have already broken those commendable promises by the end of January. If you’re at risk for joining that group, let the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks give your New Year’s resolution a second wind. Year after year, the most popular resolutions include getting healthy, trying something new, giving back to the community, and spending more time with the family; whichever of these resonate with you most, there’s an activity outdoors that can help you still make 2016 your best year yet.

Giving Newcomers to Nature Education and Exploration

1/1/2016

New programs provide visitors with some extra guidance at Wilderness Access Days.

Wilderness Access Days have always been a great way for beginners to connect with Orange County’s only National Natural Landmark, allowing folks to independently explore nature while knowing that highly trained volunteers were on hand throughout the trail system to help along the way. Now, newcomers to nature looking for even more expert guidance can get the most out of their time on the trails through new guided walks available at every Wilderness Access Day.

End the Year with Yoga

12/11/2015

Gather for 2015's last yoga class in Bommer Canyon. The program picks up again in the New Year.

End the year with a relaxing combination of hiking and yoga at Morning Yoga in Bommer Canyon on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. This is the last chance to gather in the City of Irvine’s picturesque Bommer Canyon for this Irvine Ranch Conservancy-led program before it breaks for the holiday season and resumes in the New Year.

Rich in both Irvine Ranch lore and nature’s wonders, Bommer Canyon beckons walkers, hikers and yoga enthusiasts to enjoy the beautiful ancient oaks, sycamore groves and rough rock outcrops. Morning yoga participants will begin with a hike around a 1-mile loop, strolling through the local meadow and finding unity within nature. The hike will end at the yoga mats for a 45- to 60-minute guided yoga class, as the canyon slowly begins to warm for the day.

Conservancy Celebrates 10 Years of Stewardship

11/13/2015

Irvine Ranch Conservancy invites visitors to a special Wilderness Access Day on Nov. 21 in Bommer Canyon to recognize its partners.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy, a pioneering non-profit managing more than 30,000 acres of open space parks in Orange County, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over the last decade, the organization has partnered with public agencies such as OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach to connect people to globally-significant local wildlands.

“We started out with one trail and eight volunteers, and today we manage more than 150 miles of trails and support more than 800 volunteers who help provide nearly 2,000 public activities each year,” said Michael O’Connell, the Conservancy’s founding and current Executive Director. “With that capacity, our ability to offer opportunities for the community to connect to and help take care of these public natural resources has grown exponentially.”

New Nature Garden in Bommer Canyon

10/1/2015

Garden offers opportunity for up-close learning about native plants.

Bommer Canyon is one of the most popular sites in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Visitors wander along the trails on foot and bicycle, enjoying the natural habitat. Many people want to know more about the plants and animals that live in this canyon, and the new Bommer Nature Garden will help visitors get up-close to the flora, fauna and history of this natural area.

In 1867, Bommer Canyon served as the hub of James Irvine’s cattle operations. More than a century later the cattle operations ceased, and then in the early 1980s the City of Irvine purchased the property to create an open space preserve. Today, remnants of the cattle operations infrastructure dot the hills, embedded in the natural space to remind visitors of the site’s history.

Family Hike: Explore Bommer Together

6/12/2015

A docent-led hike during Wilderness Access Day teaches parents the fundamentals of family hiking.

Hiking with kids can sometimes be a challenge. Making decisions about where to take them, how far to hike, what to bring and how to keep them interested and engaged along the trail can be tricky. A docent-led activity during the upcoming Wilderness Access Day in Bommer Canyon is designed to engage young minds while teaching adults important tips for successful family hiking.

Families are invited to register for the Exploring Bommer: All About Kids Family Hike, which will take place during Wilderness Access Day in Bommer Canyon on Saturday, June 20. The short 1.5-mile interpretive hike in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve will take about 2 hours (out-and-back, 1 hour each direction) and is specifically designed for families with kids ages 3-6, although all ages are welcome.

Hitting the Trails in Summer

6/5/2015

Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks locations offer a variety of outdoor activities for adventurous families.

Sunday, June 21, is the official start of summer. As schools begin to let out, and as kids look for ways to fill their days, you can help steer them away from the television remote or video game controller and toward some healthy outdoor adventures. While there are plenty of scheduled, docent-led activities for families, it may not always be easy to plan ahead. For busy families, there are also plenty of fun destinations open daily within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks that can help create lasting family memories.

Winter Bird Migration in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

1/2/2015

Winter is a great time to see a variety of birds as they return to Southern California for nesting season.

Did you know that hundreds of bird species are migrating to and through Orange County throughout the year, and that the winter migration period is an especially good time to see a variety of birds in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as they make their way south along the Pacific Flyway Migration that spans the west coast of the Americas?

These regular seasonal movements of bird populations, known as migrations, are in response to changing weather as well as availability of food and nesting locations. Most bird species travel south in the winter in search of more temperate climates.

Learn New Outdoor Skills with Hikes for the Whole Family

11/13/2014

Learn about the geology and ecology that make the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks so valuable and unique.

As fall begins to change into winter don’t miss the opportunity to explore the changing landscape of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks with hikes geared toward every age and ability level. With a seemingly endless hot season wrapping up, take advantage of great hiking weather as you experience the beautiful geological features and wildlife found in your own backyard.

Exploring Historic Bommer Canyon

11/7/2014

Some trails in this former ranch area were once walked by cattle and cowboys.

Bommer Canyon in the City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve is rich in both history and natural beauty. Up until 1998, this permanently-preserved open space had cattle grazing in Bommer Meadow and round-ups taking place just beyond Cattle Camp. Now hikers and bikers have replaced cattle and cowboys, but historic structures and equipment can still be seen from the trails.

The name Bommer Canyon first appeared on Orange County maps in the 1940s, according to Phil Brigandi’s definitive name guide, Orange County Place Names A to Z. Brigandi says that the name origin of this former cattle ranch is not quite clear, but may have come from “a corruption of ‘bummer’ – cowboy slang for a calf that lost its mother.” Whatever the origin, the name Bommer Canyon is now synonymous with the shady Cattle Camp events area, winding trails through rocky outcrops, and family-friendly meadow trails.

How to Prepare for Hitting the Trails

9/12/2014

Free workshop will cover equipment, maps, safety and basic guidelines for walking and hiking in the local wilderness.

Any experienced hiker will tell you that preparedness is key to a safe and successful hike. Even in the urban-adjacent trails of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, basic outdoor preparedness can make your outdoor experience enjoyable. If you are ready to do some outdoor exploring and want to be prepared, the City of Irvine and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy will offer an “Introduction to Walking and Hiking in the Outdoors” workshop in Bommer Canyon on Saturday, September 20. This activity is free and aimed to provide a good foundation of knowledge for people new to hiking.

Savor the End of Summer

8/8/2014

Make the most of the last weeks of summer with outdoor fun for the whole family.

Summer vacation is quickly coming to an end and kids will be going back to school soon. Make the most of the remaining days of summer with these upcoming, kid-friendly activities on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Participants of all ages will learn about how native animals live in our local areas.

Just like families, butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are always on the move. Search for these fascinating creatures at Popular Pollinators on Thursday, August 14 from 9am – 11am. This docent-led activity is in OC Parks' Limestone Canyon, which has a large number of native plants and trees making it an ideal spot to see these pollinators in action. This easy, 2.5-mile hike is for ages 8 and up.

Catch a Spring Sunset This Week

5/9/2014

Free programs in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks take advantage of cool evenings.

Longer days and milder weather are an invitation to get outside in the evening, perhaps to take in a spring sunset. From easy family walks to challenging fitness hikes,www.LetsGoOutside.org is your source for a variety of convenient evening programs in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Free evening programs this week include fitness hikes in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve on the paved Hicks Haul Road. These hikes are offered on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with the Thursday hike at a slower pace, perfect for beginners. A Friday evening hike will also be available this Friday in the same area along Hicks Haul Road. Sunset yoga and a full moon hike are both on Wednesday at Bommer Canyon in the City of Irvine.

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