Get Out In Seal Beach: OC Parks January Events

SEAL BEACH, CA —Now that the holidays have drawn to a close, it's time to think about getting out in Seal Beach.

OC Parks announced a whole slew of scheduled events for the month of January 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 January across Orange County:

• Jan. 14 — Mesa Loop Nature Hike, Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park.
  • 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Join a moderately paced hike around the Mesa Loop Trail! Learn about some of the local flora and fauna that call the canyons home and take in striking views only this location can provide. This area was heavily affected by the Bond Fire and you’ll have a chance to see its recovery and talk about adaptations for surviving fire. Please bring plenty of water. Total hike is approximately 3 miles and 300-foot elevation gain. Click here to register.

• Jan. 18 — Bird Walk in Santiago Oaks, Santiago Oaks Regional Park.
  • 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Stroll through the park searching high and low for flittering friends. Listen for their sweet song and hear fun associations to help you remember these birds. This program is geared for all levels, though focused for a beginner-intermediate level birder. Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting our feathered friends. Click here to register.

• Jan. 20 — Nose, Toes and Ears Preschool Program, OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park.
  • 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts and meeting zoo creatures up close! Program is for ages 3-4 years old ONLY. Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for the entire program. Phone registration is required. Parking fee is $3 per car on weekdays. To register, call (714) 973-6846.

• Jan. 22 — History Hike: Irvine Regional Park's 125th Birthday, Irvine Regional Park.
  • 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Celebrate Irvine Regional Park’s 125th birthday and take a deeper look into California’s first County Park. Discover the fascinating details that make Irvine Regional Park unique to Orange County, including native flora and fauna, military use and architectural design. This walking history tour will travel about 1-2 miles at a leisurely pace. The event is free though there is a $5 parking fee per car. To register, click this link.

• Jan. 25 — Birds and Dinosaurs Preschool Program, OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park.
  • 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts and meeting zoo creatures up close! Program is for ages 3-4 years old ONLY. Cost is $5 per child (one parent included). Parent must accompany child for the entire program. Phone registration is required. Parking fee is $3 per car on weekdays. To register, call (714) 973-6846.

• Jan. 27 — Wildflower Walk, Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
  • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The saying goes “April showers bring May flowers,” but this year we expect early blooms! Come explore the native gardens at Carbon Canyon Regional Park and learn about the different wildflowers that grow here. Participants will also learn how to identify some of the invasive weeds that can be found in the park. They may have pretty flowers, but they can cause major problems. Participants can expect to walk approximately 2 miles over unpaved trails. Minors aged 16 and younger must have a legal guardian present at all times. The program is free, but parking is $3 per vehicle. To register, follow this link.

• Jan. 28 — Waterworks Nature Hike, Fremont Canyon.
  • 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Join an OC Parks staff-led interpretive nature hike along the “Waterworks Trail” in the Irvine Ranch Open Space. We’ll depart from Irvine Regional Park Lot P and head towards the beautiful Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve, part of the Landmarks on the backside of the Irvine Lake dam before crossing Santiago Creek and heading back on the other bank of the creek. Beautiful views are plentiful on this route. To register, follow this link.