PLANNING AHEAD

NEW YEAR’S

Nature lovers can count down to 1999 in the Santa Monica Mountains with a “Welcome in the New Year Hike” at 8:30 tonight. (310) 479-5717.

WINTER CAMELLIAS

The Orange County Camellia Society meets 7 to 9 p.m., Monday at 10 Calle Cabrillo, Foothill Ranch. Call Marty Hammond at (949) 830-3478.

VOLUNTEER

Docents are needed to lead tours of the Orange County Natural History Museum in Laguna Niguel. Minimum age is 18. (949) 487-9155.

ART

The Suiseki show at the Huntington Library’s gardens features Japanese stones of spiritual bliss, through Monday. (626) 405-2141.

WHALES

The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium presents “Whalewatch.” With some luck, you can see gray whales swim by San Pedro. (310) 548-7562.