Wieder Regional Park: Futuristic Structures in a Natural Setting

The Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach has a playground area that’s just a preview of what will one day be a 106 acre regional park.

See OCParks.com official history for more information on the future of this land. 

In case you’re curious, Harriett M. Wieder was the first woman on the Orange County Board of Supervisors and served as mayor of Huntington Beach.

How to Get to Wieder Regional Park: The park is easily accessible from Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. Turn onto Seapoint Avenue and turn left into the parking lot before Seapoint hits Garfield. It’s a little tricky to find since the entrance looks very natural, but you’ll know you’ve gone to far when hit Garfield.  From Interstate 405, it’s probably easiest to take the Beach Blvd exit, bear right onto Main, turn right on Garfield and then left on Seapoint. MAP TO WIEDER REGIONAL PARK IN HUNTINGTON BEACH

Highlights:

Wonderful sea breeze to help keep you cool while you play.

Very unique play structures both for toddlers and bigger kids. The big kid play structure looks more like a work of art than a playground, and the toddler structures are spread out and encourage exploring and fun. (You can find another Kompan structure at Sweet Shade Park in Irvine).

The toddler area is well away from the parking lot, and sheltered from the street by plants and fencing.

Large grassy area for playing and picnicking.

Two bench swings and two baby swings. The regular swings are rigid and were easy for my toddler to use on his own, which was a really nice change from the swings we normally find.

The mini-motorcycle ride-on toys are popular because three kids can ride all at once.

There are lots of opportunities to spot nature here with bird life from the nearby ecological preserve. Go on a mini-adventure with your kids and see what they spot.

Fitness equipment out in nature at the far end of the park.

Outside of the play area, you can explore some of the hiking trails and paths in this area.

If you go out the entrance and walk towards the beach there are wide dirt trails and you may stumble upon wildlflowers in spring.

This photo shows a whole field of fiddlenecks.

If you go out the entrance and WALK up the hill to your left, you’ll hit Overlook Park. It’s a simple park with trails and native habitat to explore and does give a pretty amazing view of Rancho Palos Verdes, Catalina Island, and more on a clear day.

This is what it looked like on a Saturday in early 2022. Beautiful with the little tip of Catalina visible and the ocean with a cool breeze blowing.

Be Aware:

• The plants that are along the fencing aren’t planted very closely together, and I spotted some toddlers wandering off into the underbrush.
• You may be competing for the few parking spots in the lot. It can fill up quickly.

Checklist:

• Dedicated FREE parking lot even though it is an OC Parks park
• Recycled rubber play surface with some lawn areas
• Restrooms
• Picnic area
• Trails for exploring and interpretive signs near the overlook explaining Huntington Beach’s oil history and some of the birds you may see.
• Official OCPark.com Harriett Wieder Park page
• Nearest public library branch: Huntington Beach Central Library

Parks near Wieder Regional Park

• Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve – South Entrance
• Peter Green Park in Huntington Beach
• Huntington Beach Central Park West

Originally published in September 2010.