Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by embarking on a hike in the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness or by taking the kids to a bilingual storytime at the La Palma Library.
On Sunday, spend time volunteering in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park or try art journaling at the Laguna Niguel Library.
This is just a handful of the many free events and activities happening throughout Orange County – funded by public tax dollars.
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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.
You can cut through the noise every morning by reading the free Voice of OC daily email newsletter.
You can also bookmark the Voice of OC calendar to stay ahead of key civic meetings impacting your quality of life during the week.
That same kind of watchdog reporting now fuels a vibrant weekend calendar, choc full of free public services and assets your tax dollars finance.
Here are a few noteworthy free events happening this weekend.
North Orange County
Morning Meditation
Start the day with a guided meditation session at the Yorba Linda Public Library.
When: July 12, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873
Adult Craft
Enjoy an hour of adults-only crafting at the Brea Library. No crafting experience is necessary and all supplies will be provided.
Registration required. To register, email or call the library.
When: June 12, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 1 Civic Center Cr., Brea, CA 92821
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at ocpl.brea@occr.ocgov.com or (714) 671-1722
Wilderness Access Day
Explore six miles of trails in the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness on a wilderness access day. The region features prehistoric rock formations formed 16 to 20 million years ago.
Although no registration is required, access is first-come, first-served until parking capacity is reached.
When: July 12, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 390 South Gypsum Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA 92887
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
[Read: 500 Acres of Sweeping Views in the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness]
Central Orange County
Japanese Storytime
Take the kids to hear songs and stories in Japanese at the La Palma Library’s bilingual storytime.
When: July 12, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 7842 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 523-8585
Dungeons & Dragons Club
Teenagers grades 6-12 are welcome to the Orange Public Library to play Dungeons & Dragons, a tabletop roleplaying game.
Registration is required.
When: July 12, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 407 E Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92866
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 288-2400
Morning Fitness Hike
Enjoy panoramic views of Orange County on a fitness hike through Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails.
Registration is required.
When: July 13, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: 11911 Hicks Haul Rd., Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Coastal Orange County
Drone Flying Demo
Take the kids to a hands-on drone flying demonstration at the Laguna Beach Library. Hands-on drone flying is offered on a first come, first served basis.
When: June 12, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-1733
50 Years at the Central Library
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Huntington Beach Central Library. Hear about the library’s history from City Archivist Kathie Schey and receive a look at original design materials, personal notes and artifacts from the branch’s architect Dion Neutra.
Registration is required.
When: June 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481
Outdoor Volunteer Opportunity
Spend Sunday morning volunteering in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Depending on the season, volunteers will assist with land stewardship activities, such as non-native plant removal, seed collection, hand watering and planting.
No experience necessary, and tools will be provided. Advanced registration is required.
When: July 13, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 10 Phillips St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For questions, please contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org or marjorie@lagunacanyon.org
South Orange County
Family Board Games
Take the kids to play board games at the Foothill Ranch Library.
When: July 12, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 855-8072
Teen Summer Volunteer Orientation
Teens in grades 7-12 are welcome to the Rancho Santa Margarita Library’s summer volunteer orientation. Earn volunteer service hours by assisting with the summer reading program at the branch.
When: July 12, 10:00 a.m.. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 459-6094
Art Journaling
Enjoy an adult art journaling group at the Laguna Niguel Library on Sunday afternoon. Learn a new art technique from artist Deborah Goldman for use in the journal.
Registration is required due to limited spaces available.
When: July 13, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free
For more details and to register, contact the library at (949) 249-5252
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
For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.