If you want to commit to a New Year's workout routine, you buy a gym membership. How about committing to explore more of Orange County's finest parks, beaches, and wilderness? Buy an annual parking pass.
To get the most value out of your pass, buy it early and go often. It's only $80/year for a combo pass which includes parks and beaches. That comes out to less than $7 a month!! I bet you spend more on Netflix and you probably spend at least TEN TIMES that on your cell phone or monthly cable TV tier. Invest in outdoor time, too!
I go to a A LOT of parks and I can honestly say that OCParks amaze me on every visit. I'm entering the 4th year of working on this website and I still haven't explored them all. I've been to Irvine Regional Park countless times, but still there are more trails to hike and activities to try.
The OCParks.com monthly calendar is brimming with events and activities. Some special events to take notice of include:
- Limestone Canyon Wilderness Access Day on January 7,
- Nature's Adventures with Ranger Lynn January 13 and 27 at Upper Newport Bay,
- a Morning Stroll to Barbara's Lake at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park,
- and an Introduction to Mountain Bike Riding on January 29 also at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
Regional Park locations:
- Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Brea
- Caspers Wilderness Park, San Juan Capistrano (plus Nature Center)
- Clark Regional Park, Buena Park (plus Interpretive Center)
- Craig Regional Park, Fullerton
- Irvine Regional Park, Irvine
- Laguna Niguel Regional Park, Laguna Niguel
- Mason Regional Park, Irvine
- Mile Square Regional Park, Fountain Valley
- O’Neill Regional Park, Trabuco Canyon
- Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange
- Yorba Regional Park, Anaheim
Wilderness Park locations:
- Aliso & Wood Canyons, Laguna Niguel
- Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
- Peters Canyon Regional Park, Orange
- Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza
- Limestone-Whiting Wilderness Park, Trabuco Canyon
Beach locations:
- Aliso Beach Park, South Laguna Beach
- Capistrano Beach, Capistrano Beach
- Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point
- Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point
The possibilities are endless! OCParks.com has a comprehensive list of amenities where you can search for parks that meet your criteria. Visit OCParks.com and buy an annual parking pass now.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary 2011 and 2012 annual passes from OCParks. In years past, I've gladly bought my own and would have again this year. I like to support my local parks! Read my full disclosure policy.
