Loma Ridge Peak is a highlight of this natural space nestled against Irvine's Orchard Hills Village. The 2,600 acres of the City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve North offer a variety of trails accessible by docent-led tours.
Park Information
1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA
The park is only accessible via docent-led hikes and bike rides; register at Let’s Go Outside.
2,600acres of the Reserve's protected land1designation as a Natural National Landmark
More about Irvine Open Space Preserve North
The City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve North offers rolling hills and thousands of acres of wide-open space, which can be explored on one of the many docent-led hiking experiences offered throughout the year. Each experience begins at the Orchard Hills Trailhead in Irvine.
The Preserve’s Inner Loop Trail is perfect for casual and beginner-level hikers, offering just over a mile of gently sloping trail. For those who are able and willing to put in a bit more work, the Outer Loop Trail is a strenuous three-mile hike with incredible payoff: some of the most spectacular views the NROC has to offer. On a clear day, your sights will include Catalina Island, Palos Verdes Peninsula, and, if you break out binocs, even the Hollywood sign! Register here to get in on the action.
Choose your own adventure: Irvine's Open Space Preserve has got the nature. How do you want to enjoy it?
Expect the unexpected on your adventure. Tell a friend or family member where you are going and what time you plan to return, keep an eye on local weather reports, bring plenty of water, and carry emergency essentials with you. Some areas of the NROC do not have cell service, so you may not be able to rely on your smartphone for routing or communication. It’s smart to have a warm layer, rain jacket, and headlamp in your pack, along with means to stay hydrated and fueled beyond what you expect you’ll need, especially in the more remote areas of the Reserve.
Each park within the NROC has its own activities, hours, and guidelines, all rooted in respect for the land. Before you visit, check out their site so there are no surprises.
Nurturing the beauty of this nature is a communal effort—love your wild by taking nothing from the Reserve and leave no trace behind.
You are bound to see some exciting wildlife on the Reserve, and we do mean wild. Respecting the animals’ space will ensure your safety and theirs.
Though encountering them is rare, some larger or venomous animals could be threatening—the best thing to do is stay calm and be prepared. If you encounter a mountain lion, maintain eye contact, speak firmly, make yourself look larger, and slowly back away—do not crouch or run. If you see a snake on the trail, stop and give it space—most bites happen when people try to move or handle snakes. Walk around from a safe distance.
Ticks are also a natural part of Orange County’s wildlands, especially in grassy or brushy areas. Stay on designated trails, wear long sleeves and pants, and do a tick check after your hike. A little awareness goes a long way!
We’ve got hundreds of miles of established trails—staying on them ensures your safety and minimizes disruption of the incredible habitats you’re exploring.
E-bikes are great for urban settings. And hugely destructive for natural spaces. To ensure our habitats’ survival, e-bikes are not permitted on the Reserve.
We love dogs, but even leashed pets disrupt natural habitats. Help us keep the Reserve’s ecosystems in balance by either leaving your dog(s) at home or making sure you bring them to a dog-friendly area of the Reserve. Find out more about the parks that welcome pets here.
Take a few deep breaths instead! This safeguards the health of other visitors, prevents waste and wildfires, and protects our plant and animal life from pollution.
The Reserve is a thriving ecosystem of thousands of plant and animal species. Here are a few that call Irvine Open Space home.
