Category: Nighttime

Spring Forward Into Evening Activities on the Landmarks

3/4/2020

A sunset hike in Orchard Hills

Daylight savings time will take place this Sunday, March 8. Irvine Ranch Conservancy encourages nature lovers to make use of their extra hour of sunlight by participating in evening activities on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partners, OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach, offer a variety of evening activities throughout the week that are great for all skill levels.

Evening activities are the perfect opportunity to de-stress from your day, get in a workout and experience the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as the sun sets. From introductory to fitness-based activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Take advantage of daylight savings time and sign up for an evening activity on the Landmarks today!

Switch Up Your Evening Routine with Irvine Ranch Conservancy Activities

3/7/2019

Hikers enjoying the sunset

Daylight savings time provides an extra hour of sunlight for you to get outside

As winter fades away and the clocks spring forward on Sunday, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. If you’re stuck indoors all day and need a way to de-stress, take advantage of the extra hour of sunlight and sign up for one of the many evening activities Irvine Ranch Conservancy offers. Take a stroll at your own pace, get in an evening workout or learn about nature with an interpretive activity. There’s a wide variety of evening activities to choose from, so get out and explore the Landmarks as the sun goes down!

Nature lovers looking for a leisurely paced hike can sign up for the Twilight Hike in Orchard Hills on Tuesday, March 12 from 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. Take in the sights and relax during this evening hike, as you make your way around the Orchard Hills loop trail and watch the sky change color. Hikers looking for a moderately paced evening hike should try the Orchard Hills Evening Hike. Occurring weekly, this two-hour hike provides fantastic ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline. Meandering around an avocado orchard, these two activities will reward hikers with spectacular views of Orange County and a chance to experience Orchard Hills before and after sunset.

Explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks by Twilight or Moonlight

10/10/2018

A moonlit landscape

Register for evening and nighttime guided activities and discover what flora and fauna thrives as the sun sets

As the sun sets earlier in the day and evening hours are extended, hikers, bikers, and equestrians can experience their favorite open spaces on Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks by registering for a moonlight, twilight, or evening hike. Visitors can enjoy the crisp air of the wildlands as the sun sets, and possibly spot creatures that prefer moonlight! Outdoor enthusiasts can escape the light and noise of urban neighborhoods and enjoy the serenity of the Landmarks as nature’s day shift concludes and the night shift begins.

Nocturnal and diurnal are familiar terms for periods of activity in plants and wildlife. Nocturnal animals like opossums, field mice, bats and owls thrive at night, under the moonlight, and diurnal animals like humans are most active during the day. However, there is another major category of animal activity and that is crepuscular, a term drawn from the Latin word for “twilight” and used for animals who are active primarily at dawn or dusk. These fickle crepuscular animals such as skunks, rabbits, and deer love the early morning sunlight and twilight, and lucky nature lovers may catch a glimpse of these creatures during activities on the Landmarks.

Discover the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks at Dusk this Spring

3/23/2018

Orchard Hills at sunset

Take advantage of daylight savings time and spend evenings on the Landmarks

Spring has arrived and with it comes daylight savings time! With clocks turning forward an hour, nature lovers can enjoy longer days and warmer weather outdoors. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of extended daylight hours by exploring a calendar full of evening programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Hikers of all ages can take a break from long days spent indoors as they get outside, enjoy fresh air, and discover native species on the local lands.

Enjoy Cooler Temperatures During Evening Programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

8/11/2017

Discover the Landmarks’ many rare and native species in the soft light of dusk by registering for a free program on the open spaces.

Fresh air is vital to a healthy, happy lifestyle, and nature lovers can enjoy the great outdoors during cool evening temperatures on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Whether looking to avoid the heat or take a break from spending too much time indoors, hikers of all ages can enjoy fresh air on the lands at dusk. Make the most of long summer days and learn about the local lands through an interpretive program, fitness program, or give back to the land through a stewardship program. Enjoy a calendar full of evening activities offered at various difficulty levels and distances on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks!

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.”

Share the Landmarks with Someone Special

2/5/2016

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to spot hearts out in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Give those who matter most to you the gift of quality time together outdoors this Valentine’s Day.

Wildflowers are starting to bloom; the sun is out a bit longer each night; and if you look up in the sky, you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of raptors courting – all sure signs Valentine’s Day is nearing in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Rather than book a reservation at a crowded, overpriced restaurant to celebrate, surprise your loved one this year with an outdoor adventure.

Whether it’s a romantic night hike, an adventurous outing, or an excursion for the whole family, show the people who matter most to you one of the most special sights in Orange County by exploring the Landmarks together this Valentine’s Day. Read more below to see which activity is right for you.

New Loop Trail is Both Simple and Breathtaking

1/1/2016

The Mesa Loop Trail opens for docent-led activities and spectacular plateau views.

There’s an area in OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon that locals call “the Mesa,” and it certainly lives up to its name. Standing at the top of the Library Trail along the Mesa Loop, you can take in a 360° view that includes Black Star Canyon, Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, and Cleveland National Forest. Beginning in January, visitors can check out this view for themselves during a variety of docent-led activities provided by OC Parks and led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Events kick off Tuesday, Jan. 19, with Quick Cardio on the Mesa, where visitors can explore the sights and smells of coastal sagebrush and the vista of the canyons while getting a workout in. Additional programs tailored to different interests ensure there are a variety of ways to connect to the land, including Twilight Trek on the Mesa on Friday, Jan. 22, for night owls; family-focused activities such as Morning on the Mesa Loop Family Hike on Saturday, Feb. 13; and even Art on the Landmarks for those seeking inspiration from nature. There is a new program to enjoy on the Mesa Loop nearly every week throughout the winter, and you can register for them at www.LetsGoOutside.org/activities.

Visit the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks by Moonlight

11/26/2014

Take advantage of monthly full moon activities and experience natural surroundings in a way you might not have experienced them before.

If you want to experience one of your favorite canyons in a new way, or want to hear coyotes howling to each other while on the prowl, then grab your sturdy shoes, warm clothing and a flashlight and sign up for one of the popular upcoming full moon activities. The lunar phase known as a “full moon” occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. This is when the moon reflects the most light towards Earth—naturally illuminating beautiful landscapes on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Family Fun for Fall

9/26/2014

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Bring the whole family to fun activities on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

The end of summer doesn't have to be the end of family fun outdoors -- with the kids back in school and the weather starting to cool off, families may be in the search of activities they can enjoy together on the weekend. In OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, Irvine Ranch Conservancy naturalists are leading several activities next weekend that are perfect for families.

A unique way to spend time with the family is by having an adventure under the open sky at night. Come discover the brightness of a full moon’s light at the Full Moon Hike in Black Star Canyon on Saturday, October 4. This easy 3-mile nature walk is open to ages 8 and up.

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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.

Love is in the Air and in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks!

2/7/2014

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Show your love for the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this Valentine's Day.

Days are getting longer, spring is on the way and love is in the air. Valentine’s Day must be getting near. Instead of dinner and a movie or the usual chocolates, do something different this year and spend time with loved ones outdoors.

Enjoy an evening hike under the full moon this Valentine’s Day. The City of Irvine has partnered with Irvine Ranch Conservancy to host a “Full Moon Hike – Bommer Canyon” on February 14. Full moon hikes are extremely popular as participants can experience the Irvine Open Space at night when trails are usually closed. The activity is on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is open to all over the age of 8.

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Celebrate Spring with a Sunset Hike

4/26/2013

Activity in Baker Canyon commemorates “Walpurgis Night,” a European celebration of spring.

Across Europe, May Day is celebrated as Walpurgis Night – an evening of song and dance that commemorates the arrival of spring. Learn more about the ways that different countries put their own spin on this traditional holiday during “Celebrate Cultures in Nature: Walpurgis Night” on Wednesday, May 1.

Named for Saint Walpurga, Walpurgis Night is traditionally celebrated outdoors. For instance, people of Finland celebrate with carnivals and picnics, and the holiday is as important in that country as Christmas. In Germany, people begin gathering on April 30, celebrating through to May 1. German folklore says that witches gathered on a nearby mountain called the Brocken to await the arrival of spring.

New Hike Explores the New Moon in Orchard Hills

11/30/2012

Listen for nighttime critters during “Sounds of the Night.”

The lunar phase called “new moon” is when the moon is between the earth and the sun, obscuring the moon's reflected light. The new moon is significant to many religions and cultures, signifying a new month or even a new beginning. Taking a cue from the new moon, the City of Irvine and Irvine Ranch Conservancy are offering a new hike that takes place in the total darkness produced by this lunar phase.

“Sounds of the Night in Orchard Hills” is the opposite of the full moon hikes – rather than your eyes adjusting to the brightness of the full moon, the new moon casts no light. The hike will move slowly, wandering through Orchard Hills in Irvine. Although there are some ups and downs walking through the hills, it is not strenuous, and it will be an easy to moderate hike for most.

Cool Outdoor Activities for Cool Spring Evenings

3/23/2012

Enjoy local open space and great weather with free programs in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

It’s officially spring, and the later daylight hours combined with mild weather are an invitation to get outside in the evening. To help you take your workout outside, www.LetsGoOutside.org is your source for a variety of convenient day and evening programs in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

From easy family walks to challenging fitness hikes, it’s easy to find an activity that will let you enjoy the outdoors while taking in a spring sunset. The last week of March alone offers a different activity nearly every evening, and is indicative of the many activities offered every week by the Conservancy and its partners.