Notes about your surroundingsIn With the Tide--Examine...

Notes about your surroundings

In With the Tide--Examine life in a tide pool during a guided walk offered at Crystal Cove State Park at 10 a.m. both Saturday and next Sunday. Following the walk, a docent will be available to answer questions at the tide pool site. The meeting point is Pelican Point Parking Lot 4. If dry land is more appealing, a three- to five-mile hike covering varying terrain is scheduled both days, beginning at 9 a.m. from the Crystal Cove Interpretive Center in the El Moro Canyon area. Good hiking boots, drinking water and binoculars are recommended. Hikes and tide pool walks also are offered on upcoming weekends. Crystal Cove is between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach on Coast Highway. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities including mountain biking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, surfing and diving. Information: (714) 497-7647.

Hop to It--Children can test their athletic prowess against top contenders in the animal kingdom at the Santa Ana Zoo’s Olympic games Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Youngsters may find the competition formidable: a kangaroo can jump a distance of 44 feet in one hop and a cheetah has been clocked at 72 mph in the 100-yard dash. The purpose: to give an understanding of the physical adaptations that help animals survive. The Zoo Olympics are included with regular zoo admission, which is $3.50 for adults, $1.50 for children 3 to 12. Information: (714) 953-8555. The zoo is in Prentice Park, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana.

Biting Commentary--Current research on shark attacks, sharks and cancer and the dangers of shark overfishing will be discussed at a workshop offered by Orange Coast College’s Community Education Office. It meets 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 17-31 in the college’s Student Center classroom. Cost is $75. Information: (714) 432-5880.

Peak Performance--Hiking the lower peaks of Southern California is the subject of the monthly meeting of the Sierra Club, Orange County chapter. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at REI, 1411 S. Village Way, Santa Ana. Free.