Get Out In Seal Beach: OC Parks Events Near You

SEAL BEACH, CA —Now that the sizzling heat has cooled down, it's time to think about getting out in Orange County.

OC Parks announced a whole slew of scheduled events for the month of September designed to get Orange County residents out and engaged with all of the natural beauty the county's parks, beaches and trails have to offer.

Here's a rundown on the schedule of OC Parks events for October across Orange County:

• October 5, 13, 18, 20 – Halloween Animal Art Preschool Program
  • 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. | OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park

This program is for ages 3-4 only. Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts and meeting zoo creatures up close! Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for the entire program. Phone registration is required. Parking is $3 per vehicle. Registration: Call (714) 973-6846.

• October 6, 13, 20, 27 – Wild Tales
  • 10 – 10:45 a.m. | Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Join OC Parks staff for Wild Tales, offered every Friday. Each session will include a kid-friendly hike, story time and craft project. Activities are designed for ages 2-4 but all are welcome. Wearing clothes and shoes fit for hiking on dirt trails are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested. If the session fills up, priority will be given to those who signed up in advance. More information: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

• October 7 – Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon
  • 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve

Start your weekend exploring numerous opportunities found throughout magnificent Limestone Canyon. Designated trails will be open for self-guided trail use in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Trail routes vary in distance and level of difficulty with choices ranging from easy one-hour walks to strenuous 15-mile cardio treks. Whether traveling on foot or wheels, Wilderness Access Day in Limestone Canyon is a treasure waiting to be discovered by hikers and mountain bikers alike. Advance registration required. Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

• October 13-15 & 20-22 – Fall-O-Ween
  • 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Heritage Hill Historical Park

Join OC Parks at Heritage Hill Historical Park this fall for the third annual Fall-O-Ween! Tour the decorated historical grounds during special park hours and take your picture at a variety of fall and Halloween-themed photo opportunities. Find your way through the straw maze and complete a scavenger hunt for ghoulish goodies at this family-friendly event. Costumes are encouraged and pets are welcome on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Be sure to bring your camera! Event and parking are free. More information: ocparks.com/heritagehill.

• October 13 – Boo at the Oaks
  • 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. | Santiago Oaks Regional Park

The night is full of creepy creatures and scary sounds…unless you know what’s out there! Visit Santiago Oaks Regional Park after dark to discover critters that call this canyon home. The evening is filled with fun nature stations, creative crafts, scavenger hunts for prizes and night hikes! Costumes are welcome but must be safe for hiking on dirt trails in the dark. Strollers are not recommended as we will walk across the creek’s stepping stones. No pets please. Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

• October 14 – Wilderness Access Day: Saddleback Wilderness
  • 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Saddleback Wilderness

Come explore 3.3 miles of new trails at Saddleback Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, through this self-guided opportunity. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use. There are multiple trail loop options which vary in distance and level of difficulty. Choices range from an easy one-mile loop to multiple figure-8 configurations for those looking to maximize their mileage. Regardless of distance, nearly all options feature scenic views including a destination vista point offering 360-degree perspectives from the mountains to the sea. No registration required. Access is first-come, first-served until parking capacity is reached. More information: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

• October 14 – Backyard Bugs
  • 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth and make up 80% of all known species. There are more varieties of bugs than all other types of animals combined! Join us on a family-friendly trek around Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park to learn all about these amazing animals who have perfected the art of ecological specialization. Insects may have a reputation for being icky, but they're essential pollinators needed to sustain life on our planet! This program begins at the park’s Visitor Center. Minors 16 and younger must have a legal guardian present at all times. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring snacks and water. Advance registration required. Registration: ocparks.com/events.

• October 14 – Prehistoric OC at Clark Park
  • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Ralph B. Clark Regional Park

Join OC Parks for Prehistoric OC, a free event inviting families to explore the natural and cultural history of Orange County. Enjoy fun and educational activities presented by OC Parks archaeologists and paleontologists along with exhibitors from local cultural, paleontological and geological organizations. Prehistoric OC coincides with Indigenous Peoples’ Day October 9, the National Park Service’s National Fossil Day October 11, the American Institute for Archaeology’s National Archaeology Day October 21 and California Archaeology Month. Families can enjoy free educational entertainment with hands-on activities, programs and demonstrations. More information: ocparks.com/events.

• October 17 – Toddler Treks: Bats are Nighttime Superheroes!
  • 10 – 11 a.m. | Irvine Regional Park

This program is geared for ages 2-6. Bats are superheroes of the night! Learn about the important role of bats as they help protect us and our environment. Listen to a fun story about a little bat learning to hear the night then create your own nocturnal friend to take home. Space is limited; parents/guardians must register themselves and each child. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

• October 19 – Preschool Paleontology: Art & Storytime
  • 10 – 10:45 a.m. | Ralph B. Clark Regional Park

Listen to a story, make a craft to take home and enjoy a morning at the Interpretive Center at Clark Regional Park. This month we will dig into sensational shells! Activities are designed for ages 2-5 but all are welcome. Space is limited; parents must register themselves and each child. Minors under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

• October 20 – Restorative Bird Watching
  • 8– 10 a.m. | Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens

Many studies show bird watching can have a positive impact on our mental health and state of mind. This slow-paced and accessible bird walk will encourage bird watching practices designed to emphasize these benefits by connecting to nature, guided observation, building community, sharing stories, encouraging creativity and practicing mindfulness. No prior birdwatching experience is required, and loaner binoculars will be available on a first-come, first-served, basis. Advance registration required. Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

• October 20 – Tot Walk
  • 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Join OC Parks naturalists and bring your young ones (infant to age 3) to explore Aliso’s wild backyard. Take a leisurely stroll through the garden and the creek. We will see bugs, plants and birds while exploring! OC Parks staff may even lead a game or introduce a local resident to the children. Come join the fun! This program begins at the Visitor Center at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and bring snacks and water. Please note most of the trail is not stroller friendly. Advance registration required. More information: ocparks.com/events.

• October 21 – Fall Bird Walk
  • 8 – 10 a.m. | Mile Square Regional Park

Mile Square Regional Park has some of the highest bird diversity in Orange County! This gentle-paced walk led by highly trained OC Parks Volunteers will help bird watchers of all experience levels discover what the park has to offer. All are welcome and loaner binoculars will be available. Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

• October 28 – Halloween Zoo-Tacular at the OC Zoo
  • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park

This event is for children ages 12 and under. Join us for Halloween fun, including a scavenger hunt, trick-or-treating and spooky crafts! The first 100 children in costume will receive a free gift. Come see zoo animals receive treat-filled pumpkins throughout the day. Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 and under free). More information: ocparks.com/events

• October 28 – Boo at the Bay: Family Halloween Party
  • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Visit the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for a fun family Halloween party featuring spooky stories, creepy crafts, weird science experiments, bizarre animals and hair-raising games. All children who attend in costume will receive ghoulish door prizes! The event will also feature booths and exhibits from Orange County Bird of Prey Center, Environmental Nature Center and the OC Parks Archaeology and Paleontology departments. Event and parking are free. More information: ocparks.com/events.