Category: Laguna Coast

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.

Giving Thanks for the Land

11/20/2015

Serve, study and sweat your way through Thanksgiving week in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

There is much for those of us in Orange County to be thankful for, not the least of which are the stunning views of both mountains and sea within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. This Thanksgiving, take the time to experience and appreciate some of these stunning lands in person. From fitness hikes and outdoor yoga, to mountain biking and habitat restoration opportunities, organizations such as OC Parks and City of Irvine are offering a variety of public programs this Thanksgiving holiday week suitable for all ages, interests and skill levels.

Improved Emerald Canyon Trail Reopens

7/4/2014

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Trail reopens after months of work by community members.

With the help of non-profit organizations, members of the public and community groups, OC Parks reopened the Emerald Canyon Trail at the end of June. The trail was closed due to extensive damage sustained after heavy rains in 2010. The trail reconstruction included constructing a 60-foot bridge over a landslide area.

The project is a partnership between OC Parks, as the land owner, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Laguna Canyon Foundation, as non-profit support groups focused on the protection and preservation of the open space. Working together with community groups such as SHARE Mountain Bike Club and other volunteers from the public, the challenging project made constant progress over a six-month period.

Spend Mother's Day with Mother Nature

5/2/2014

Treat your mom to time outdoors with these fun, free activities.

Spending Mother’s Day exploring the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks will not only shake up the brunch-and-flowers routine, but will create family memories that Mom will never forget. There are many different opportunities abound for spending time with your Mom – and Mother Nature – on Sunday, May 11.

Two programs are available for the active mom looking for a great workout on Mother’s Day. For a rewarding and relaxing activity, try Yiking. This popular program starts off with a strenuous hike and ends with a relaxing yoga session in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Another activity to get the heart pumping and the feet moving is Zumba. This aerobic workout is also offered on Sunday in Limestone Canyon, and is open to participants 12 and older.

Fun, Free Outdoor Spring Break Activities

3/28/2014

Spend time outdoors with your kids while they enjoy spring break.

Right about now, you’re checking out your kids’ school calendar and wondering how to transform their week of vacation into fun for the whole family. On behalf of the OC Parks and the City of Irvine, Irvine Ranch Conservancy will be hosting several family-friendly programs in April that are perfect for a spring break outing.

Most programs require pre-registration and an adult to accompany the kids, so use the links provided to find out more about these opportunities.

Restoring the Emerald Canyon Trail

1/24/2014

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Volunteers needed to help rebuild rain-damaged trail in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

While rain has eluded us this year, in 2010 the storms were so strong that local trails sustained heavy damage. One of those affected was Emerald Canyon Trail in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, and now OC Parks has announced a trail restoration and construction project that will repair this popular trail.

Volunteers are needed to help complete the project, which includes trail trimming, re-routing and maintenance along with the bridge installation. The first, up-trail bridge is a 16-foot long wooden structure, while the second bridge will span a 60-foot wide, 20-foot deep gully created by the storm damage. The work will span approximately 1.75 miles of the Emerald Canyon Trail. The first volunteer opportunity is February 1.