Spring and winter are the best seasons for birding this park. Check the riparian habitat along the creek by walking the edge of parking lot, or take the path next to the ball fields. You can also look into the creek bottom from the foot bridge. There are trails to the west and east of the main park that will take you into the nearby foothills. See the Orcutt Trails Hotspots for trail maps and birding opportunities into the surrounding hills.

Species typical of oak woodland are found here all year. Western migrants will move through during spring migration. Look for Wrentit, California Thrasher, Cassin’s Kingbird, as well as woodpeckers, hummingbirds, quail, and several other common species. Sparrows are common in winter. American Pipit will occasionally be found on the ball fields.

The 26-acre Orcutt Community Park is located in south Santa Maria Valley near the Orcutt Hills. The main entrance is at 5800 South Bradley Road. Take the roadway down the hill to the parking lots.

Hotspot boundaries: Sage Crest Drive (north), hills and open fields (east), the south side of the of the ball fields along the walking path (south), Orcutt Hill Road (west).

The park opened in 2009 as part of the larger Rice Ranch development into the Orcutt Hills. Orcutt Community Park is situated in a wide valley formed by Pine Canyon. Pine Canyon Creek runs through the park's center and supports a nice riparian corridor along much of its length. An entrance trail is also available from Sage Crest Drive that meanders downhill through oak woodland and terminates at the parking lot.

Park features include softball and soccer fields, a 2-acre dog park, a playground structure, reservation areas with picnic tables, a pedestrian footbridge over the creek, and a circular walking path around the ball field. Hours are 8:00 AM to sunset. A park host is usually on site. Weekends may be busy, especially during sporting events.

Orcutt Community Park also provides access to the Orcutt Trails complex of hiking trails which provides access to unique habitats not found anywhere else in the Santa Maria area. See Orcutt Trail West--Orcutt Hill and Open Space Trails, and  Orcutt Trail East--Black Oak and Brodie Trails. Due to the ongoing development of the entire area, some of these trails may be impacted by construction or future access rights.

Orcutt Trails Overview map