{"id":194864,"date":"2026-02-26T14:39:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/194864\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T14:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:39:09","slug":"bird-watching-and-trail-access","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/194864\/","title":{"rendered":"Bird Watching and Trail Access"},"content":{"rendered":"

Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by learning about birds on a walk<\/a> through the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, or go on a hike<\/a> in the Saddleback Wilderness.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, embark on an ultra distance hike<\/a> through the Irvine Ranch Open Space.<\/p>\n

These are just a handful of the many free events and activities happening throughout Orange County \u2013 funded by public tax dollars.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

CHECK OUT OUR FULL CALENDAR HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

Every week, Voice of OC reporters work hard to help residents stay connected to upcoming civic events, putting locals in a position to save tax dollars and hold leaders accountable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can cut through the noise every morning by reading the free Voice of OC daily email newsletter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sign up here.<\/a><\/p>\n

You can also bookmark the Voice of OC calendar to stay ahead of key civic meetings impacting your quality of life during the week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That same kind of watchdog reporting now fuels a vibrant weekend calendar, choc full of free public services and assets your tax dollars finance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here are a few noteworthy free events happening this weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Coastal Orange County<\/p>\n

Bird Walk<\/p>\n

\"\"A Cooper\u2019s Hawk at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve on Dec. 19, 2023. The Cooper\u2019s Hawk is one of more than 200 bird species that have been identified at the reserve. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Go on a \u201cbird walk<\/a>\u201d with volunteer docents at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, a feeding and nesting habitat for thousands of birds. People will learn about a variety of birds from birding experts.<\/p>\n

\u00a0When: February 28, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

Where: Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve South Parking Lot, 18000 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For questions, please email info@amigosdebolsachica.org<\/a> or call (714) 840-1575<\/p>\n

Volunteer Opportunity at Newport Back Bay<\/p>\n

\"\"A view of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. Volunteers are welcome to join preserve staff this Sunday in land tending. Activities can include non-native plant removal, watering, trash cleanup and more. Credit: CRYSTAL HENRIQUEZ, Voice of OC Credit: CRYSTAL HENRIQUEZ, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff and volunteers in restoring OC\u2019s natural habitat<\/a>. Activities can include non-native plant removal, watering, trash cleanup and more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Registration is required<\/a>, as space is limited.<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401\u00a0<\/p>\n

Craft Swap<\/p>\n

\"\"The Huntington Beach Public Library on Sept. 28, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Swap clean, new or gently used craft supplies during the craft swap<\/a> at the Huntington Beach Central Library.\u00a0<\/p>\n

People who donate supplies for the public to take home will receive an early entry ticket to this event. Early entry is from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m, while general entry is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No registration is required for attendance.<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481<\/p>\n

North Orange County<\/p>\n

Princess Project Pop-Up<\/p>\n

High school students in grades 9-12 are invited to select a free prom dress and accessory at a giveaway<\/a> at the Anaheim Central Library<\/p>\n

Attendees must reserve an appointment<\/a> and complete the liability waiver sent to their email after booking. A parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver for participants under the age of 18.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Participants must also bring proof of current high school enrollment such as a school email, progress report, school ID or report card to their appointment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Attendees will receive one free prom dress and one accessory. Multiple appointments for the same person will be cancelled.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When: February 27 & February 28, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 500 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details or questions, contact the library at (714) 765-1880 or email Princess Project at getadresssd@princessproject.org<\/p>\n

Family Movie Matinee<\/p>\n

Enjoy a screening<\/a> of the 2024 movie \u201cSketch\u201d on the Fullerton Public Library\u2019s 184-inch screen.<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326<\/p>\n

Talk on \u201cDemystifying\u201d AI<\/p>\n

Learn about artificial intelligence during a presentation<\/a> on different types and uses at the Yorba Linda Public Library. Attendees will receive an introduction to large language models and generative AI. No registration required.<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873<\/p>\n

Central Orange County<\/p>\n

Wilderness Access\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Mission Viejo resident Laurie Ha , 41, (right) and a friend finish hiking one of the newly opened trails at Saddleback Wilderness, part of OC Parks\u2019 Irvine Ranch Open Space in Orange, Calif. on Satuday, April 8, 2023. (CREDIT:Jack Sundblad\/VOICE OF OC)<\/p>\n

Hike 3.3 miles of trails in the Saddleback Wilderness during a scheduled access day<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

No registration is required, but access<\/a> is first-come, first-served until parking capacity is reached.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 3081 Santiago Canyon Rd., Orange, CA 92869<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Teen Cooking Class<\/p>\n

Teenagers are invited to the Westminster Library to learn to make pancakes<\/a>. No registration is required.<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 8180 13th St., Westminster, CA 92683<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (714) 893-5057<\/p>\n

Long Distance Hike<\/p>\n

\"\"One of the trails cutting through the Red Rock Wilderness open space on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Embark on a 17.5-mile hike<\/a> through the Irvine Ranch Open Space. The hike will include over 3,000 feet of elevation gain, travelling across steep ascents, rolling ridgelines and exposed terrain.<\/p>\n

Registration<\/a> is required.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When: March 1, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: Creek staging area<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org<\/a><\/p>\n

South Orange County<\/p>\n

Lunar New Year<\/p>\n

Celebrate Lunar New Year<\/a> at the Foothill Ranch Library. Event attendees will work on a craft, then watch a drum and lion dance performance by Thi\u00ean \u00c2n Performing Arts.<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (949) 855-8072<\/p>\n

Talk on Coping with Trauma<\/p>\n

Adults are invited to a talk<\/a> with a grief educator to learn about strategies for coping with changes in life such as loss, illness or trauma.<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (949) 459-6094<\/p>\n

Read to a Dog<\/p>\n

Take your child to practice their reading skills by reading to a therapy dog<\/a> at the Mission Viejo Library. Registration is not required, but the event is recommended for kids age 6 and up.<\/p>\n

When: February 28, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 100 Civic Ctr., Mission Viejo, CA 92691<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (949) 452-8343<\/p>\n

If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org<\/p>\n

For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by learning about birds on a walk through the Bolsa Chica Ecological…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":194865,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,91026,4799,4800,4801,16230,2267],"class_list":{"0":"post-194864","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-anaheim","8":"tag-anaheim","9":"tag-anaheim-headlines","10":"tag-anaheim-news","11":"tag-bolsa-chica-wetlands","12":"tag-free-things-to-do-this-weekend-across-oc","13":"tag-oc-parks","14":"tag-oc-public-libraries","15":"tag-ocpl","16":"tag-voice-of-oc"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=194864"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194864\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/194865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=194864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=194864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=194864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}