Get Out In Rancho Santa Margarita: OC Parks Events Near You This Nov.

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 November 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.

For a full list of November events being held by OC Parks, visit the county's website.

Here's a rundown on the schedule of OC Parks events for November near Rancho Santa Margarita:

Event: Wilderness Access Day

• Location: Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd., Silverado.
• Date, Time: Nov. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Info: Black Star Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, offers pleasant introductory trails for beginner hikers and families as well as challenging experiences for seasoned trail users. Designated trails are available for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use. A variety of trail loops offer extended exploration throughout the canyons. Take time to explore the local plant communities and beautiful scenery in easy 30-minute walks or take in 7+ miles in a strong cardio trek.
  • Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities

Event: Restoration Day: Planting in Peters Canyon

• Location: Peters Canyon Regional Park, 8548 E. Canyon View Ave., Orange.
• Date, Time: Nov. 6, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Info: Lend a helping hand to improve native habitat in Peters Canyon Regional Park. Dedicate the morning to seasonally appropriate restoration, such as 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, and wear sun protection and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in.
  • Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities

Event: Aqua Chinon and the Sinks Exploration

• Location: Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd., Silverado.
• Date, Time: Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Info: Start your weekend off by exploring the Agua Chinon wash and the Sinks through this self-guided opportunity. 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 a strenuous 9.5-mile trek. Whether traveling on-foot or wheels, this exploration day is a treasure waiting to be discovered by hikers and mountain bikers alike. Visitors to the Open Space during this activity can hike or bike to the East and West Sinks viewing areas.
  • Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities

Event: Looking for Native Animals in your Backyard: Round Canyon

• Location: Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd., Silverado.
• Date, Time: Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Info: There are critters in your backyard: big ones, little ones, furry ones, ones with feathers and ones with scales. They go about their business and pay little attention to you. In fact, they would rather not be bothered unless you were a tempting morsel of food. Round Canyon is teeming with wildlife and waiting for you to experience the solitary bobcat, the elusive ring-tailed cat, the mighty great horned owl and playful ground squirrels, among many others.
  • Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities

Event: Trail Stewardship Event - Sunflower

• Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 18751 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach.
• Date, Time: Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Info: Ready to get to work? Residents can up close and personal with the trails you use; you’ll see them in a whole new way. No experience necessary. This is FUN hard work. Whatever your skill level is, there is a job to do: clearing drains to get the water off the trail, pruning vegetation back to keep users on the trail, moving dirt to rebuild eroded tread and restoring impacted areas are just some of the tasks we will accomplish. We will be using tools such as loppers, picks, shovels and McLeods to improve the user experience, protect the fragile habitat and increase the sustainability of our trails. Expect to hike up to 4 miles while carrying tools. Gloves and tools provided.
  • Registration: lagunacanyon.org/event

Event: Toddler Treks: Scampering Squirrels

• Location: Nature Center at Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd., Irvine.
• Date, Time: Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Info: Those scampering squirrels have quite the busy lives. They’re hiding so many acorns to keep as food for winter, but sometimes they may forget where one is buried! Hear tales about these silly squirrels and create your own memory game to play at home. This fun program is for children ages 2 – 6 years. Space is limited; parents must register themselves and each child.
  • Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities

Event: Cool Fall Birds of Red Rocks

• Location: Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd.
• Date, Time: Nov. 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Info: It’s easy to think many of the birds we see and hear look and act the same, but do they? Bring your binoculars and join us on a slow to medium-paced walk in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space as we search for resident and visiting birds of the local coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, riparian and grassland habitats. Participants will discuss the diverse features of birds we observe and how they match the season, their habitat and lifestyle. Residents will travel mostly on ranch roads, usually without shade. Beginners to advanced bird enthusiasts are welcome. Please wear sturdy shoes suitable for hiking and bring water, along with sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen. Bring a small birding field guide if you have one. A few binoculars will be available to borrow.
  • Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities