100+ Ideas for Kids Indoor Play in Orange County
Kids indoor play areas in Orange County with almost 150 ideas, including places to go like indoor playgrounds, libraries, and nature centers.
New Playgrounds in Orange County
List of new playgrounds in Orange County by year. These are the newest OC playgrounds for families to discover, especially if you haven’t visited for a while.
Finding Orange County Parks
Holidays Outdoors in Orange County
9 Places to Ride Carousels and Merry-Go-Rounds in Orange County
Ride all 9+ carousels and merry-go-rounds in Orange County after you learn about where to find them, costs, and even a little history!
7 Places to See Redwoods in Orange County
7 places to see redwoods in Orange County with the 7th spot just outside OC. Take a mini-tour of the redwood groves and learn highlights!
Caspers Wilderness Park Playground for Families
Caspers Wilderness Park’s playground off Ortega Highway outside San Juan Capistrano has gorgeous views and an old-fashioned teeter-totter.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Displays Sonoran Desert Life
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in Palm Desert displays Sonoran desert life and trails. It’s an amazing family-friendly day trip from OC.
30+ Train Parks and Railroad Museums Near Orange County
Train parks and railroad museums come in all shapes & sizes. Enjoy this list of 30+ places to go for train lovers in & near Orange County, CA.
The BIG List of Rainy Day Play Ideas for Orange County with Kids
Rainy day play ideas for Orange County with kids, including: rainy days indoors, outdoors, music playlists, books, and games.
Things to Do Outdoors in Orange County
23+ Best Fishing Spots for Kids in Orange County
Best fishing spots for kids in Orange County including ALL the places to fish in OC plus resources to get you started!
Best Places to See Airplanes in Orange County
Best places to see airplanes in Orange County! Including aviation museums, restaurants with views of runways, and parks with planes or views.
15+ Parks with Mommy and Me Baby Swings
List of parks with “Mommy and Me” baby swings or what I call “Swing with Me” swings for Orange County, CA. Swing face-to-face with your baby.
37+ Sand Free Parks in Orange County
Sand free parks in Orange County for families who prefer parks without sand in OC.
Fenced Parks in Orange County
List of fenced parks in Orange County for families planning easier play dates for multiples or those with a tendency to wander.
7 Best State Parks in Orange County for Kids & Families
List of all the best California State Parks in Orange County for families with kids plus activity ideas for what to do when you visit.
15+ Pirate Parks in Orange County
A list of 15 Pirate Parks in Orange County ranging from playgrounds with pirate ships to overall pirate themes.
20+ Parks with Big Slides in Orange County
Parks with big slides in Orange County, California. Long list includes tunnel, tube, corkscrew, and spiral slides for lots of playground fun.
20+ Parks with Workout Equipment in Orange County for Outdoor Fitness
List of 20+ parks with workout equipment in Orange County featuring outdoor fitness areas for when you want exercise outdoors.
Spiderweb Parks in Orange County
Spiderweb parks in Orange County! This is the master list you’ve always wanted! These rope or rubber-coated climbers are especially popular with older kids. Remember playing on those playground domes when …
Destination Playgrounds
Pavion Park in Mission Viejo
Pavion Park in Mission Viejo is a colorful universally accessible playground with flat play surfaces, spinners, and ramps for wheelchairs.
Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Playground & Sensory Garden in San Clemente
Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Playground & Sensory Garden in San Clemente provides inclusive play features in a contained setting.
Marina Park in Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula
Marina Park in Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula is bayside with harbor views and a nautical lighthouse theme. Near the Balboa Fun Zone.
Central Park in Huntington Beach for Kids and Families
Huntington Beach Central Park boasts an amazing playground on the west side and is an awesome 350-acre park for kids and families to explore.
Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda: Accessible Playground for All Pirates and Knights
Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda provides all sorts of play possibilities with fully accessible equipment. Ramps and wide pathways.
Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park
The Adventure Playground in Irvine at University Park allows children unstructured free play opportunities. Perfect for creativity & pretend!
Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach
Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach is a playground entirely fenced with a big blue rocketship, a gem-studded turtle sculpture, and trike track.
Laguna Main Beach Park Playground: Learn Your Ocean Lessons at the Lifeguard Tower
Main Beach Park in Laguna Beach offers a playground that helps kids learn ocean lessons at the playful lifeguard tower.
Castle Park (Northwood Community Park) in Irvine
Northwood Community Park in Irvine is also known as Castle Park. I think of it as a fortress fit for knights and princesses.
OC Great Park Playgrounds
Find out what OC Great Park playgrounds have to offer families with fun play features and also links to the public Bosque playground.
Catalina Island
How to Visit Catalina Island: A Brief Tutorial on the Basics
We go to Catalina Island every summer. We’ve been visiting Catalina ever since I was in high school – so that’s 20+ years. I’m surprised how many of my friends …
The Best Way to Cure Seasickness is Prevention: Tips for Whale Watching and Catalina Ferry Trips
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I’m a self-described “boat kid.” With over 30 years of boating experience with people who each have a different …
Two Harbors – Top 25 Things to Do on Catalina Island’s Quiet Side
Two Harbors is the other ferry drop-off I described in Friday’s post about how to get to Catalina Island. The photo above shows Isthmus Cove which makes up half of Two …
Avalon – Top 25 Things to Do in Catalina Island’s Popular Destination
Avalon is the more bustling tourist destination of Catalina Island.