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California Travel Guide
Irvine - Parks
Irvine Company Accepts Donation For Preservation and Guided Recreation
On
June 29 of 2010 the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to
accept a donation of 20,000 acres from the Irvine Company to the
County for preservation and guided recreation calling it the
Irvine Ranch Open Space
adjacent to existing County Regional and Wilderness Parks.
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks stretch in a giant green crescent from Weir Canyon near the 91 Freeway at the north end of the Irvine Ranch… connect with the Cleveland National Forest along the ranch’s northeastern border... continue south where they include the massive regional open space network in the northern and southern hillsides of Irvine… and extend all the way to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Crystal Cove State Park near Laguna Beach.
The gifted land encompasses a large portion of the Historic Irvine Ranch, which is designated a Natural Landmark by both the State of California and the U.S. Department of Interior. This honor recognizes the geological and ecological significance and the exceptional value of these lands to California and the entire nation.
This acreage has now become Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, Orange County’s newest Wilderness Park. Black Star Canyon is an easy gateway to the backcountry of the Cleveland National Forest and the northern Santa Ana Mountains. Black Star Canyon is well-known for many historical stories from both ranching days and the Gabrileno or Tongva people who were its first residents. Visitors are awed by soaring red rock cliffs, sweeping vistas of Irvine Lake and the Pacific Coast, as well as diverse sage scrub and chaparral habitats with many rare species of plants and animals. Until the late 1800s the area was even home to many California grizzly bears.
Black star Canyon was previously known as Canon de los Indios (Canyon of the Indians) in Mexican times. Many tales are passed down about local residents including an infamous armed conflict in 1831 between trappers led by William Wolfskill and Native Americans that left many dead. As a result of this conflict, some people consider the area to be haunted even to this day. The Black Star Coal Mining Company opened a mine near the mouth of the canyon in 1877, which gave the canyon its present name. The mine operated off and on until the early 1900s.
Irvine Regional is Orange County’s oldest park, a historic landmark, and the very first regional park in the State of California. Some of Orange County’s oldest coast live oak and California sycamore trees can be found at the park, which offers 477 acres of shady picnic grounds, hiking and equestrian trails, stables, softball fields, volleyball courts, a lagoon with paddleboats, the Orange County Zoo, and even a steam-driven train.
Irvine - Parks 2
Irvine Parks Offer A Variety Of Recreation
Nearby
is Irvine Lake that is
nestled at the base of the Cleveland National Forest, the
700-acre man-made lake has offered a wide variety of outdoor
activities for decades. Many Orange County residents grew up
fishing and camping at Irvine Lake. Among the activities are
seasonal fishing for trout, bluegill, bass and catfish, pleasure
boating, youth overnight camps, and birthday parties, reunions
and other gatherings. Privately operated. For more information,
call the Irvine lake office at 714.649.9111.
Loma Ridge: marks the northern view of the City of Irvine and is the first set of foothills leading up to the Santa Ana Mountains. The area is both admired and respected for its elevation gain - it features a more than 400-foot ascent in less than half a mile, with an even steeper initial grade. The payoff? Spectacular views of Irvine and the entire coastal plain along with cool breezes in the grassland, shady woodland and coastal sage scrub habitats.
Peters Canyon Regional Park: Open daily, this popular Orange County park consists of streamside habitats and freshwater marshes, abundant wildlife, and beautiful vistas, as well as hiking, walking and biking trails from which to appreciate it all. The park has the option of a steep hill that challenges even the fittest hikers and bikers, or a bypass trail for the less adventurous. The area also contains a small lake where migrating waterfowl and wading birds are frequently seen.
Weir Canyon Wilderness Area: With its deep canyons and steep hillsides, Weir Canyon contains one of the largest and healthiest oak woodlands in Orange County along with an abundance of rare habitats and wildlife. A variety of docent-led hikes, equestrian and mountain bike rides are scheduled and conducted by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Pre-registration for docent-led activities is required due to the area's sensitive habitat, but programs are frequent and free.
“The Irvine Ranch Open Space gift creates more opportunities for people to connect with the land and experience Orange County’s natural resources for themselves,” OC Parks Director Mark Denny said. “With that opportunity comes the responsibility of effective stewardship for this land to preserve it for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all visitors. We are honored to take on that responsibility.”
By Merle Exit
Plan Your Trip
Learn more about Irvine, California Parks
Information regarding tour schedules and public programs and activities in the Irvine Ranch Open Space are available online at Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks website: http://www.irlandmarks.org/.
To plan your trip to Irvine, California call the Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau at 1-877-478-4637 or www.destinationirvine.com.
To learn more about events and attractions throughout California, visit the California Travel and Tourism Commission for packages and to order a Free Vacation Guide at www. visitcalifornia.com.
Social Networks -
- FaceBook - Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irvine-CA/Destination-Irvine/140467269507
- California Travel and Tourism - http://www.visitcalifornia.com/Campaign/Social-Facebook/
- Twitter - Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks - http://twitter.com/IRNLandmarks
- Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau - http://twitter.com/IrvineCVB
- California Travel and Tourism - http://www.visitcalifornia.com/Campaign/Social-Twitter/
- YouTube - Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau - http://www.youtube.com/user/DestinationIrvine?feature=mhum
- California Travel and Tourism Commission - http://www.visitcalifornia.com/Campaign/Social-YouTube/
About The Author
Learn more about Merle Exit
Humorous
Adventures With Merle - For Journalist and
Photographer, Merle Exit, life traveling
with her friends Esther & Eunice is always a
humorous adventure. As a comedian, Merle finds
laughter around every corner on her travels.
And, she never misses an photo opportunity with
Esther and Eunice. Join Merle Exit, comedienne,
journalist and radio personality, on her
"journey of destinations" on
www.merleswhirls.com where you'll find links
to her blog site and radio show.
Follow this link to view current features by this author --->