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.

Activities held Saturday and Sunday will teach skills you can use forever.

If you’ve visited the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, you know that there is always something new to discover. Learn a new way to look at the land this weekend, through hikes, walks, rides and workouts that will introduce you to skills such as wildlife tracking, cactus planting, mountain biking and even Zumba.

Two very exciting Saturday activities will help visitors learn about the easiest way to “see” wildlife on the trails: animal tracking. By learning which prints are which and “whose scat is that,” you can tell what type of critter was on the trail before you. In Round Canyon, the City of Irvine presents Beginner Animal Tracking, which covers the basics of spotting and identifying animal tracks over a short, 1.5-mile walk. OC Parks is presenting Watching Wildlife in Fremont Canyon, a program that also covers tracking, and will include information about raptors flying overhead near Irvine Lake. This program includes a 4 mile hike with some hills and spectacular views. Both programs are for visitors age 12 and up, and are led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy naturalists.

In Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, there is a scenic 1,200-acre canyon called Agua Chinon. This unique area starts in an oak riparian habitat and travels up through coastal sage scrub to The Sinks, providing visitors with a great hike or ride as well as a peek into active habitat restoration. The diverse opportunities for recreation and volunteering along this one stretch of canyon makes Agua Chinon a popular destination for visitors of varied interests.

​OC Parks hosts regular hikes and rides along the Agua Chinon trail, led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and docents. You can also join Conservancy staff to participate in habitat restoration work on this beautiful bit of OC Parks open space. Many hikers walking by the restoration areas on their way to The Sinks are able to see the restoration as it progresses, and this personal connection leads them to become more actively involved in the project.

A picturesque, natural sandstone formation in Limestone Canyon has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

In the southern portion of OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve sits “The Sinks,” a striking geological formation consisting of dramatically exposed and layered sandstone cliffs. The raised viewing platform that overlooks an impressive view of The Sinks has become a popular destination for explorers of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. While the beauty of The Sinks is instantly understood by all who visit, the history of the formation is millions of years in the making

June 7 event features self-guided nature walks and activities for all ages.

Families and outdoors enthusiasts are invited to enjoy self-guided access in the magnificent Limestone Canyon at the fourth annual OC Parks Wilderness Celebration on June 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use.

The Wilderness Celebration will offer self-guided access to trail routes of varying distance and level of difficulty within this open space preserve. “The Sinks” – an Orange County landmark formed over millions of years – will be accessible via a 9-mile round trip hike over moderate terrain. The 5-mile long Shoestring Trail Loop will also be accessible, with many other options for visitors of all ages to choose their own route.