Activity Cards

This is a recurring Saturday morning program on the trails of O’Neill Regional Park. This is a leisurely walk through the scenic oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub hills. Along the way we stop often for interpretive topics of plant and wildlife ecology, also local history of the park and surrounding areas, including some stunning view spots. All four seasons have their own special traits.

The walk meets at the Nature Center at 9:00 AM and usually lasts until approximately 10:30/11:00 AM. It is about 1-and 1/4-mile, round trip. Since we are on the fire road, the walk can take place even when the dirt trails are closed after rain.

This walk is appropriate for all ages. We are on the fire roads, so dogs on leashes and strollers can be accommodated. There is a slight incline for most of the hike, with a short moderate section in the middle.

Hike details:

Date and Time: Every Saturday morning, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, all seasons.

Fees: $5 for park daily fee, campers free. Walk is free.

Meeting Place: In front of Nature Center. Parking available in Nature Center parking lot.

Distance and Difficulty: approximately 1 and 1/4 mile, easy.

Elevation gain and Pace: slight gain, leisurely pace.

Interpretive Level: Medium focused on plants, wildlife, local history, views.

What to bring: Comfortable clothing, walking shoes, water, sunscreen, hat.

Ages: All ages can participate, strollers and dogs on leashes acceptable.

*Weather: rain cancels.

Spend your morning nurturing Coast Live Oak seedlings within a beautiful oak woodland in OC Parks’ Baker Canyon. This activity will involve watering the planted oaks, weeding around them, and adding mulch.

Help us restore a beautiful area in Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park’s Baker Meadow. No previous experience is necessary, just a desire to work outside and get dirty! Snake chaps, gloves, and tools will be provided; please feel free to bring your own if you have them. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, close-toed shoes, and sun protection. Note: This is a wilderness area, there are natural hazards such as rattlesnakes, which are occasionally seen here.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Join OC Parks staff and volunteers for our monthly program where art meets ecology! Come explore the natural world through the lens of creativity by making your own mosaic coaster.

This program will feature a brief nature walk focused on observing patterns in nature. From the veins on a leaf to the ripples on the water, there are patterns everywhere in both the living and nonliving parts of the Bay. Through guided and individual observations, you’ll be able to reflect on what these patterns mean to you. We’ll then create our own mosaic coasters based on the patterns we witnessed.

All program materials will be provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. This program is designed for ages 14 and up.

We will begin outside of the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. The program and parking are free.

Adverse weather may move the program fully indoors.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Emma Boulter at emma.boulter@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.