Get Out In Rancho Santa Margarita: OC Parks Events This February

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Are you looking to get out more in Orange County?

OC Parks announced a whole slew of scheduled events for the month of February 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 February near Rancho Santa Margarita:

Event: Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon, 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd., Silverado.

• Date/Time: Feb. 4, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Info: At this event, residents can explore 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. Wilderness Access Day in Limestone Canyon is a treasure waiting to be discovered by equestrian riders, hikers and mountain bikers alike.
  • To register, visit letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

Event: Paint & (Bring Your Own) Wine Nite: Love in the Wild: Orange County Zoo, 1 Irvine Park Rd.

• Date/Time: Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Info: This program is for adults 21 and over only. Are you looking for a great date idea or a fun time with friends? Join the OC Zoo after hours for an evening of creative fun! Come learn about courtship and mating in the animal world at this Valentine-themed program and meet some zoo animals up close! Participants may bring their own wine and glass to enjoy during the program. We kindly ask you please drink responsibly. All materials for a fun art project will be provided. Parking fee is $5 per car on weekends.
  • To register for the event, call 714-973-6846.

Event: Restoration Day: Watering and Planting in Peters Canyon Regional Park, 8548 Canyon View Ave, Orange.

• Date/Time: Feb. 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Info: Lend a hand to improve native habitat in Peters Canyon Regional Park. Dedicate the morning to seasonally appropriate restoration. Activities will include planting native shrubs that will encourage the local wildlife to thrive, watering recently planted natives or weeding restoration plots. Bring strong gardening gloves, trail snacks and water. Don’t forget to wear sun protection and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • To register for this event, visit letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.

Event: Tot Walk: Aliso and Wood Visitor Center, 28373 Alicia Pkwy, Aliso Viejo.

• Date/Time: Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Info: 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 to the creek and see bugs, plants and birds while exploring! OC Parks staff may even lead a game or introduce a local resident to the children. This program begins at the Aliso and Wood Visitor Center at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
  • For more information, visit ocparks.com/events.

Event: Slimy but Super Program for Ages 5-6, OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd.

• Date/Time: Feb. 25, 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
• Info: The program is for ages 5-6 years old 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 entire program. Phone registration is required. Parking fee is $5 per car on weekends.
  • To register, call 714-973-6846

Event: Beautiful Botany in Santiago Oaks, 2145 Windes Dr, Orange.

• Date/Time: Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Info: Discover what’s popping up in color at Santiago Oaks Regional Park! Our annual wildflowers are giving a nice showing along the trails. Let’s search for the colors of the rainbow as we stroll through the park.
  • To register, visit letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities.