Splash into summer

It’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the treats of the season – concerts in the park, movies under the stars, hikes on nearby trails, community events at Spectrum Center, fishing at a picturesque lake and so much more. Sports, leisure, theater and wildlife are all on vivid display this summer, and you don’t have to go far from home to take part.

Summer at Spectrum

Irvine Spectrum Center is the place to be in summertime, as the center adds new activities this year to complement favorite staples of the season. Visit irvinespectrumcenter.com/summer for more details.

Catch the fishing spirit at Irvine Lake

Cast away your troubles with a visit to the 750-acre lake that is stocked with trout, bass and catfish. About 2 miles of shoreline invite anglers to set up for a day of recreation and relaxation. Popular with teens, fishing is a great way to gather together and test your skills or renew long-forgotten interests. Bring sunscreen and chairs. The lakeside shop sells bait, gear and snacks. Parking is $5, and the lake is open for fishing from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays-Sundays.

Take a hike at Bommer Canyon

The trails radiating from Bommer Canyon in the heart of Irvine will pique your interest. This expansive ecosystem is at the center of a network that offers a wide range of options for hikers, cyclists and naturalists of all ages. Many trails are open dawn to dusk for self-guided hikes, mountain biking and even horseback riding. Other spots within Bommer Canyon Preserve can only be accessed through guided programs and require preregistration. Challenge yourself with the ultradistance hike, a 17-mile trek deep into the Irvine Open Space Preserve, on July 19. If you’d like something a little more manageable, there’s a guided hike that’s not quite 5 miles, also July 19. Visit letsgooutside.org for more information.

Pitch-perfect play at Championship Stadium

Continue the World Cup fever by taking in a game or two at the spot where the U.S. men’s team practiced. Orange County Soccer Club is back at home with seven of nine games at Great Park on Saturdays starting July 11. A few facts about the team:

Behold the Bard at New Swan

The New Swan Shakespeare Festival at UC Irvine each summer is a beloved tradition for residents and visitors alike. This year, actors will impress with “Romeo & Juliet” as well as “The Merry Wives of Windsor Cove,” set in a surf town in the 1950s. Take your seat at the round outdoor theater on campus and settle in for an intimate night with performances of some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.

Watch for birds at San Joaquin Marsh

Summertime and the livin’ is easy … especially if you’re a bird enjoying the fruits – and the seeds, insects and fish – that are plentiful in the San Joaquin Marsh at this time of year. It’s a wonderful place for bird-watchers of all ages to visit. Here are a few birds you might see.

Vermilion flycatchers’ brilliant red plumage makes these small birds easy to see among foliage. Males perform elaborate courtship flights, fluttering 60-100 feet high while singing a rapid, twittering song.

No need to look up to spot a spotted towhee – these large sparrows are primarily ground foragers. They have red eyes, pinkish legs, a thick, conical bill and bright white spots on the wings and back.

Ospreys dive feet-first to seize fish, using reversible outer toes and barbed foot pads to help them grasp their slippery prey. Ospreys reuse large stick nests built on trees, cliffs or artificial structures such as utility poles and platforms.

Cinnamon teals are small, brilliantly colored ducks that feed primarily on aquatic vegetation. Their beaks are adapted to filter water to extract seeds and algae. Their vivid plumage endears them to photographers of every skill level.

Graceful snowy egrets are fun to watch as they stir up shallow waters in search of small crustaceans, insects and amphibians. They have distinctive black legs with bright yellow feet sometimes described as “golden slippers.”

Discover bullfrogs, birdlife and more at Barbara’s Lake

Head to Barbara’s Lake off Laguna Canyon Road for the perfect hike. An easy out-and‑back 2-mile walk affords picturesque views of Orange County’s only natural lake, which boasts a variety of waterfowl and wildlife, including hawks, egrets and raccoons. The lake is named after Barbara Stuart Rabinowitsh – a ballerina and choreographer who studied under George Balanchine – who helped found the Laguna Greenbelt and bequeathed part of her fortune to its preservation. Marvel at the birdlife, turtles and the occasional bullfrog. Keep an eye out for alien-looking chalk dudleya plant growing in summer and glorious live oaks and sycamores. Parking is $3 at the Dilley Green Belt Preserve kiosk just north of the 73 toll road.

Summer concerts in the parks

Mason Regional Park
July 9: Flashback Heart Attack

Irvine Regional Park
July 16: Queen Nation
July 23: Boy Band Review

Mike Ward Park
July 18: Jukebox
Aug. 15: Symphony in the Cities

Great Park – Pacific Symphony’s Summerfest
July 25: Music of “Star Wars”
Aug. 1: “Back to the Future” full-length film
Aug. 22: Music of ABBA

Peer into tide pools and more at Crystal Cove

The coastal gem of The Irvine Ranch, Crystal Cove State Park provides more than picturesque scenery and idyllic beaches. Sea urchins, crabs and other ocean dwellers are on vivid display at the tide pools – a star attraction. Take a one-hour historic district walking tour to learn more about the restored cottages and life there decades ago. Art lovers can participate in plein air painting on Wednesdays, and family art day takes place every Tuesday morning. There are backcountry and ecology hikes each
month and even a nature photography offering July 30. The summer is also the time for movies on the beach. Crystal Cove Conservancy offers intriguing programming all summer long.

Splash into the season

Little ones will find delight and cooler fun in the splash pads in Irvine. You’ll find them at Heritage Community Park and Irvine Spectrum Center.

For thrill-seekers, there’s no better place than Wild Rivers, which has added luxury cabanas and an extended entertainment schedule this year to go with the many slides and attractions.

Head to William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center on July 10 to join other water lovers for the Super Swim Lesson followed by activities, a water slide, inflatables and a showing of “Moana 2” on a huge screen at dusk. Or stop by Aug. 29 for the Splash-In Movie and Recreation Swim featuring “Shrek.”

Savor a staycation at Pelican Hill

Treat yourself to a five-star luxury experience at Resort at Pelican Hill. Get out on the green with a few rounds of golf on the two world‑class courses designed by Tom Fazio. You’ll find ocean views, natural landscape and serenity across the property. This summer, purchase day passes to Bella Vista Pool on Monday through Thursday. Or indulge in afternoon tea from noon to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Tune into music at The Market Place

Summer Music Series
Bring friends to Paradise Park for live acoustic music from 5 to 7 p.m.

July 18: Adam Lasher Trio
July 25: The Kalama Duo
Aug. 15: Ashley Felton Band
Aug. 22: Zach Churchill Duo

Summer Fun Fest
The whole family will enjoy games, crafts, music and more at this community-focused event. It all takes place at Date Palm Plaza from noon to 2 p.m. on Aug. 1.

Summer Sunsets
Try your hand at various lawn games while listening to live music and relaxing at sunset on select Tuesdays. 5-7 p.m., July 21, Aug. 18

Sunset movies

Bring your family and your picnic items to a local park for a cinema experience at dusk.

Kayak at Upper Newport Bay

Take advantage of the cool breeze and perfect weather at Upper Newport Bay by getting out on the water this summer. Join a two-hour guided kayak tour every Saturday with Newport Bay Conservancy to get a naturalist’s perspective on the wildlife in the bay and on the shoreline. No matter your level of experience, you’ll be matched with the right guide to ensure a worthwhile experience. Prefer to venture out on your own? Rent a stand-up paddle board or a single or double kayak at the Newport Aquatic Center and paddle around at your own pace to discover the various delights of the bay. Rentals begin at 7 a.m.