{"id":205672,"date":"2026-03-05T14:44:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T14:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/205672\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:44:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T14:44:08","slug":"free-things-to-do-family-friendly-outdoor-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/205672\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Things to Do: Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Saturday, take the kids on a scavenger hunt<\/a> through Newport Back Bay, or hit the trails at Fremont Canyon for a challenging mountain bike<\/a> excursion.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, consider going on a fitness hike<\/a> starting on the paved Hicks Haul Road.<\/p>\n

This is 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

Family-Friendly Scavenger Hunt<\/p>\n

\"\"A group with parents and children walks onto a hike along trails near the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center.<\/p>\n

Take the kids to a scavenger hunt<\/a> along the trails near the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. The event will also have educational activities and prizes for those who complete the scavenger hunt.<\/p>\n

All are welcome to participate, but the program is designed for children aged 7 through 12. The scavenger hunt takes 45 minutes to complete, and participants may start anytime between 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

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

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact Resource Specialist Emma Boulter at emma.boulter@ocparks.com or at (657) 692-5401<\/p>\n

Beginner Sewing Class<\/p>\n

Adults are invited to learn basic sewing machine skills<\/a> at the San Clemente Library. Attendees will work on a basic project like a napkin or pouch.<\/p>\n

Those that are interested must register by calling the library or in-person.<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (949) 492-3493<\/p>\n

Visit the Balboa Island Museum<\/p>\n

Learn about Newport Beach history at the Balboa Island Museum<\/a>. The museum features exhibits on surfing, fishing and The Wedge<\/a> \u2013 a surf spot known for 30 foot waves.<\/p>\n

When: March 7 & 8, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 210 B. Marine Ave., Balboa Island, CA 92662<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the museum at (949) 675-3952<\/p>\n

info@balboaislandmuseum.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Central Orange County<\/p>\n

Mountain Bike Ride<\/p>\n

\"\"A view of Fremont Canyon on Oct. 27, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Embark on a 25-mile, docent-led mountain bike ride<\/a> through Fremont and Weir Canyons to Sierra Peak.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Registration<\/a> is required for participation.<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA 92869<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

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

Fitness Hike<\/p>\n

\"\"Hicks Haul Road on April 10, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

See panoramic views of Orange County on a fitness hike<\/a> through Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails in Limestone Canyon.<\/p>\n

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

When: March 8, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 11911 Hicks Haul Rd., Irvine, CA 92602<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

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

Mahjong at the Library<\/p>\n

Children over the age of 6 and adults are welcome to a Mahjong meetup<\/a> at the Mesa Verde Library in Costa Mesa.<\/p>\n

Attendees will learn Hong Kong-style rules.<\/p>\n

When: March 8, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 2969 Mesa Verde Dr. E., Costa Mesa, CA 92626<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (714) 546-5274<\/p>\n

South Orange County<\/p>\n

Outdoor Volunteering<\/p>\n

\"\"Marjorie Rhodes, Laguna Canyon Foundation Restoration Project Manager, stops to talk to a volunteer about the native plant seed that they are collecting in Laguna Beach, Calif. on Oct. 5, 2024. Credit: FASHION CASTILLO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Spend time volunteering in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park<\/a> alongside Laguna Canyon Foundation staff. Assist with removing weeds, watering, collecting seeds and planting native species.<\/p>\n

No experience is necessary, but registration<\/a> is required.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

Where: Aliso & Wood Canyons Visitor Center, 28373 Alicia Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org.<\/p>\n

Sign Language Storytime\u00a0<\/p>\n

Take your child to a storytime<\/a> featuring baby sign language at the Mission Viejo Library. Attendees will learn basic signs through stories and songs.<\/p>\n

The program is geared towards children aged 2 through 6.<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.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

Photojournalist Talk<\/p>\n

Attend a talk<\/a> with photojournalist and canyon resident Leo Hetzel at the Library of the Canyons. Hetzel will talk about his work as an award-winning Long Beach Press-Telegram photographer and his photography from the last five decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 7531 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (714) 649-2216<\/p>\n

North Orange County<\/p>\n

Knit at the Library<\/p>\n

Work on a knitting or crochet project<\/a> in a group at the Yorba Linda Public Library.<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 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

Board Games<\/p>\n

Enjoy playing board games<\/a> and other games at the Fullerton Public Library. The<\/p>\n

North Orange County Boardgamers Game Day is held the first Saturday of each month.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

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

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

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

Financial Planning Workshop<\/p>\n

Learn about budgeting for emergencies and long-term planning as a family during a workshop<\/a> at the Placentia Library.<\/p>\n

When: March 7, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870<\/p>\n

Cost: Free<\/p>\n

For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906<\/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":"This Saturday, take the kids on a scavenger hunt through Newport Back Bay, or hit the trails at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":205673,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,4799,4800,4801,2267],"class_list":["post-205672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-free-things-to-do-this-weekend-across-oc","tag-oc-parks","tag-oc-public-libraries","tag-voice-of-oc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205672","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=205672"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205672\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/205673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=205672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=205672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=205672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}