Spend some time outside as a family this summer with these free and low-cost activities.
While summer is a prime time to visit an amusement park, it’s also a great time for families to find amusements in parks. This August, families can have some memorable outdoor adventures at various OC parks and other local sites.
For those with little ones, there are several ongoing programs happening multiple times in August. Wild Tales storytimes and hikes occur every Friday (10 am-11 am) at Upper Newport Bay’s Muth Interpretive Center. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park hosts themed Little Explorers nature outings on Aug. 1 and 6 (9:30 am-10:30 am). Meanwhile, a Tot Trails hike takes place Aug. 5 at Irvine Regional Park (10 am-11 am), while Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park has a Tot Walk on Aug. 21 (9 am-10:30 am).
Jr. Ranger Adventures, aimed for kids 7-12, occur at various parks (at various times) throughout the month. Programs, which include activities that let youths earn Jr. Ranger badges, are held at Mason Regional Park (Aug. 5), Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve (Aug. 5), Clark Regional Park (Aug. 6), Heritage Hill Historical Park (Aug. 7), George Key Ranch Historic Park (Aug. 14), Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park (Aug. 14), Mile Square Regional Park (Aug. 15), Peters Canyon Regional Park (Aug. 15) and Old Orange County Court House (Aug. 20).
Families can go park exploring on Exploration Days, which take place (8 am-1 pm) at Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park’s Mesa Loop (Aug. 1), Agua Chinon and the Sinks at Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve (Aug. 15) and Saddleback Wilderness Park (Aug. 22), while the similarly themed Wilderness Access Day occurs Aug. 8 at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness area (8 am-2 pm). Family Hikes, usually recommended for ages 5 and up, happen at Baker Canyon (Aug. 1 and Aug. 22), Red Rock Wilderness (Aug. 8), Agua Chinon (Aug. 15) and Round Canyon (Aug. 29). All are at 4:30 pm-7:30 pm, except Round Canyon is 4 pm-6:30 pm. These activities typically require registration but are free.
If your family includes a dog, you should know that Newport Bay Nature Preserve will do a free Paws on the Trail hike Aug. 1 (9:30 am-11:30 am). If avian activities are more your thing, the Environmental Nature Center’s Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary holds an Earlybird Sunday bird walk for all ages and all levels on Aug. 30 (8 am-9:30 am). It’s $5 for non-members. Register online.
Night owls have adventures too. Peters Canyon Regional Park has a Parks After Dark event on Aug. 15 (8 pm-10 pm) where folks can look for the nocturnal creatures (including owls) that reside in the park. This event isn’t recommended for some children. Register and get more details online. Aug. 7 offers a Starry, Starry Night time at Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve (7:30 pm-9:30 pm). It’s designed for kids 5-12, but all are welcome. Register and get more info online. The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo hosts a Partial Lunar Eclipse Viewing Event on Aug. 27 (7:30 pm-9:30 pm) for ages 8 and up. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for ages 8-17. Sign up online.
Crystal Cove State Park’s monthly Coastal Ecology Hike occurs Aug. 22 (10:30 am-12 pm). Hikers (recommended ages 5 and older) can explore the shoreline and bluff top habitats along with learning about the Cove’s ecology. Register online. Also, the Cove’s weekly drop-in Family Art Days run Wednesdays through Aug. 26 (10:30 am-1 pm). These events are free. — Michael Berick
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