Orange County and its Nature Centers
What are Nature Centers?
Reference
If you're not quite ready to hit the back country but still want to know what it's like out there, you can visit any number of nature
centers and interpretive centers located throughout the county. At them you will find displays, hands-on exhibits and a wealth
of information on Orange County's natural world. See also our Sanctuaries & Preserves page for additional places to
go.
Nature & Interpretive Centers
The following OC Parks have a nature or interpretive center. Call for hours.
Carbon Canyon Regional
Park - Brea
Caspers Wilderness Park - San Juan Capistrano
Clark Regional Park - Buena Park
Craig Regional Park - Fullerton
Irvine Regional
Park - Orange
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park - Nix Nature Center - Laguna Beach
O'Neill Regional Park - Trabuco Canyon
Santiago Oaks
Regional Park - Orange
Talbert Nature Preserve - Costa Mesa
Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park - Coto de Caza
Muth Interpretive Center -
Upper Newport Bay, Newport Beach
The following are operated by cities or organizations:
Oak Canyon - Anaheim
Environmental
Nature Center - Newport Beach
Shipley Nature Center - Huntington Beach
Turtle Rock Nature Center - Irvine
Nature Centers in Orange County are the perfect place to examine the natural environment in a safe, abbreviated way. Operated
by the county, cities and private organizations, nature centers give children and adults the chance to see, touch and learn about
the indigenous plants and animals.
Read great reviews of a few nature centers at
Museums & Institutes
The following are dedicated to preserving a part of Orange County's natural resources through education
and displays.
Irvine Museum - Irvine
Ocean Institute - Dana Point
Orange County Zoo - Irvine
Things to Do
OC Explorer