CLIPBOARD : DISCOVERY : SANTIAGO OAKS REGIONAL PARK

Development has obscured most of Orange County’s natural beauty, but there are still a few places where it can be seen in all its glory.

One is Santiago Oaks Regional Park, which hugs Santiago Creek in east Orange. Here, majestic oaks rise out of canyons and sycamores line the edge of the creek, wildflowers bloom, thousands of birds flit from tree to tree, and lizards--lots of lizards--scamper across hiking trails.

The 350-acre plant and animal reserve is operated by the county Harbors, Beaches and Parks department.

A system of hiking, bicycling and equestrian trails winds through the park and connects up with the Anaheim Hills trail system. Guided nature tours along the park’s .28-mile Windes Trail are offered at 1 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday and by appointment, according to senior park ranger Joe Cook.

The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including mule deers, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks, opossums and raccoons, as well as rattlesnakes, kingsnakes and gopher snakes.

The presence of mountain lions is mentioned on warning signs throughout the park, with the most recent sighting (April 11) duly noted at the entrance. Because of the animal’s presence, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Visitors are also warned about poison oak--which grows in abundance here--with the admonishment “leaves of three, leave it be” on signs along trails.

A ranch house that dates back to 1938 has been converted into the park’s nature center, where there are wildlife observation areas, exhibits, an audio-visual center and a library.

The park is one of the county’s premier sites for bird-watching, with more than 130 species observed here. Varieties include the great horned owl, great blue heron, California quail and red-tailed hawk, bushtit, rufous-sided towhee and acorn woodpecker.

To help novice bird-watchers, a guide detailing these and other birds’ identifying characteristics is available at the park’s nature center.

Amenities include picnic tables, barbecue pits (for coal fires only), a children’s play area and a horseshoe pit.

Hours: 7 a.m. to sunset daily year-round

Address: 2145 N. Windes Drive, Orange

Telephone: (714) 538-4400

Miscellaneous information: There is a $2 per entry fee for autos and a $10 fee for buses. An annual day-use pass that would allow you entry to all county-run urban, regional and wilderness parks is also available for $30 ($7.50 for those 60 years and older or handicapped).