About this Event
Discover Who’s Awake When Orange County Goes Dark
WHERE TO MEET — PARKING LOT Q —
As daylight fades, Irvine Regional Park becomes a very different place. The daytime crowds quiet down, shadows stretch beneath the trees, and Orange County’s nocturnal wildlife begins to stir.
Join Naturalist For You and Barefoot Joel for a two-hour guided after-dark nature walk through Irvine Regional Park, California’s oldest regional park, as we listen and look for owls, bats, reptiles, insects and other creatures that come alive at night.
We’ll explore how darkness changes the way animals hunt, communicate, navigate and survive. Along the way, Joel will help you slow down, listen carefully and begin noticing the clues that reveal what may be living around us—even when the animals themselves remain hidden.
Owls will be a special focus of the evening. We’ll search for signs of owl activity, including potential roosting areas and hunting zones, and look on the ground for feathers, droppings, pellets and other evidence they may leave behind.
We’ll also explore the specialized adaptations that make owls such remarkable nighttime hunters—from extraordinary hearing and low-light vision to nearly silent flight—and discover the habitats they depend on for food, shelter, nesting and survival.
As we walk, we’ll listen and watch for other nocturnal wildlife, including bats, reptiles, insects and anything else the night happens to reveal.
This isn’t simply a hike in the dark—it’s a chance to experience a familiar Orange County landscape in an entirely different way and learn how a naturalist reads the clues left behind after sunset.
WHERE TO MEET — PARKING LOT Q —
WHAT TO EXPECT
Approximately 2 hours total • Roughly 1–1.5 miles round-trip • Easy walking with minimal elevation gain • Some uneven terrain • Frequent stops for listening, observation and searching for wildlife signs • Minors must be accompanied by an adult • Suitable for curious beginners, families and experienced nature lovers.
PARKING
Parking is $5. Irvine Regional Park closes at 9:00 PM.
WHAT TO BRING
Sturdy closed-toe walking shoes, water and light or warm layers. Temperatures can drop after sunset. Bring a small flashlight or headlamp for safety when needed; red light is preferred to help preserve everyone’s night vision and reduce disturbance to wildlife.
WILDLIFE & NATURE NOTE:
We will always do our best to find, observe and interpret the wildlife and natural activity highlighted during this experience. Owls and other nocturnal animals are wild, and their activity changes with weather, temperature, season and other conditions, so specific species, calls or wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
SUPPORT SAVE ORANGE HILLS
All donations and proceeds support Save Orange Hills, a project of Naturalist For You, a 501(c)(3) environmental education nonprofit. Tax ID: 20-824602. Donations are tax deductible.
Support Save Orange Hills
Please call, text or email Kristin @ 714-390-9118 or [email protected] with any questions.
Event venue & nearby stays
Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, United States
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