Santiago Oaks Regional Park offers trails, nature watching and even a place to get married

Editor’s Note: This launches a monthly feature on notable regional parks in Orange County, which is rich with places to get outside and have fun with the family and explore nature.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park, like many of the OC Parks properties, is a place that has something for every member of the family.

A flowing creek that cuts through the middle of the park is flanked by a playground, nature center and orange grove on one side and 18 miles of multi-use trails on the other.

The park serves hikers, bikers and equestrians who share its trails successfully, according to Park Ranger Aaron Smith.

A wedding venue and gazebo can be rented at the front of the park.

And Smith said it gets used every Saturday during wedding season, from March to October.

The park also has a small orange grove, a throwback to Orange County’s citrus industry.

Visitors can walk through the grove, which is operated by Sunkist and the county, but don’t pick the fruit.

Like much of Orange County’s open space, the park property was once ranch land.

Santiago Creek provided irrigation for agriculture and later the area provided a source of sand and gravel.

An underground dam forces the creek to the surface and makes a small pond where wildlife gather.

Orange County began acquiring land for the park in the late 1970s and steadily added acreage until Santiago Oaks Regional Park reached the 1,269 acres it is today.

The park connects to Wier Canyon and Irvine Regional Park.

So whether you take a walk under the canopy of oak, sycamore and eucalyptus trees, sit quietly listening to the birds or watch your kids romp around the playground, Santiago Oaks has something for everyone.

Get outside

Location: 145 N. Windes Drive, Orange; off Santiago Canyon Road

Hours: Open 365 days a year, 7 a.m. to sunset

Amenities:

• Small playground
• Nature center in a historic ranch house that features exhibits on local wildlife and the history of the area
• Wedding venue with capacity for 100 people
• Picnic area
• Barbecues
• Restroom building, which is just southeast of the parking lot and near the nature center
• A small amphitheater
• Historic dam
• Orange grove
• Trails include 18 miles of fire road and single track for hiking, biking and equestrian
• Dogs are allowed on leash

For more information: ocparks.com/santiagooaks