Aerial photograph of Orange County, California. Can you find your house? Fullerton College?
Orange County has a variety of interesting and enjoyable places for you to learn about nature.
Aerial photograph of Orange County, California. Can you find your house?
Fullerton College?
Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton
A nice local break from the hurly burly craziness.
Oak Canyon Nature Center, Anaheim Hills
For a small park, this one feels big. Great views from the top of Roadrunner
Trail.
Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, Newport Beach
Thanks to the dedication of Frank and Fran Robinson and the Friends of Newport
Bay.
Always something new to surprise and delight.
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Trabuco Canyon
Caspers Wilderness Park, San Juan Capistrano
The closest there is to pristine coastal sage scrub and chaparral.
These trails are for adults only, and husky ones at that. Never walk alone here
and carry a big and durable walking stick. Mountain lions could be watching.
Thomas Riley Wilderness Park, Ladera Ranch
Respectable and bite-sized retreat surrounded by the new planned community of
Ladera Ranch.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Laguna Beach
Beautiful ocean vistas, wide trails, gentle inclines.
Aliso Creek Wilderness Park, Laguna Niguel
One of my favorites. Too big to walk in one day. Bring your binoculars and a big
lunch.
Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, Modjeska Canyon
Great spot for watching migratory riparian birds. Trails lead up the mountain to
nearby Harding Canyon and the top of Santiago Peak.
Ocean Institute, Dana Point
Completely remade in 2002-2003. Lots of opportunities for organized outings.
Meander through the new facilities, check out the aquaria and artificial tide
pools.
Sit on the jetty and enjoy the pounding surf with Catalina Island on the
horizon.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach
The best spot in Orange County for marine and aquatic birds. Take advantage of
this rare coastal open space while you can.
Crystal Cove State Park, Corona del Mar
Lovely bluffs topped with natural coastal sage scrub. Wrenching geologic
sandstone formations make up sheer walls lining the beach. A unique and
picturesque setting. Go at low tide.
Orange County Zoo at Irvine Park, Villa Park
Smallish, but accomplishes its mission well by representing some of the most
interesting and familiar animals that are native to Orange County.
Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana
Affordable and close. An eclectic mix of animals from all over the world. If you
like lemurs, you'll love the Santa Ana Zoo.
Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Newport Bay, Newport Beach
Dedicated to educating visitors about the wildlife and ecological value of
coastal marshes and estuaries.
Overlooks Upper Newport Bay. Trails along the upper bay's northern shore.