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Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills: Dive Into Undersea Fossils

Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills: Dive Into Undersea Fossils

Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills is the most common name I’ve heard for this amazing fossil-themed park behind the Laguna Hills Community Center at the corner of Alicia and Paseo De Valencia.

I’ve also heard it called: Dino Park and Prehistoric Park. It’s a great run-around park with 2 different levels and all sorts of play equipment.

Check out my one minute “park teaser” video a little further down in the post for a quick overview.

Dinosaur Park Laguna Hills view of turtles and cave area with diggers

Directions to Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills: Exit Interstate 5 at Alicia Parkway and head towards Laguna Hills (away from Mission Viejo).  Dinosaur Park is ahead on your right at the corner of Alicia Parkway and Paseo De Valencia – behind the Laguna Hills Community Center. [Address: 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills). MAP TO DINOSAUR PARK NEAR LAGUNA HILLS COMMUNITY CENTER

Dino Park in Laguna Hills view of metal slides and tunnel with fossils

Highlights:

  • Different areas appropriate for different ages
  • Concrete turtles sculptures
  • Very clean indoor bathrooms at the Community Center
  • Close to soccer fields so plenty of room to run
  • Beautiful rose garden and flowering trees
  • Fun discovering fossils in the rock walls and playing on “whale bones”
Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills view of jeep and whale fossil
  • Tunnels, bridges, and stairs for exploring
  • 2 bench swings and one baby swing (on upper level)
  • Great for birthdays and big gatherings
  • Visit the inside of the beautiful Laguna Hills Community Center for learning more fossil history and visiting the small public library
  • Renovation in 2011 resulted in: replacing a lot of the sand with recycled rubber surfacing — and automating the turtle fountains with sensors.  They go off for 3 minutes at a time. (The city knows they are popular — and are trying to keep them functioning ALL year. Wanna know how you can help? Remind kids not to jam sticks or sand into where the water comes out. Thanks!)
  • A mom & reader of this blog actually encouraged the City to install shade covers over parts of the playground in 2017.
Dino Park in Laguna Hills view of dinosaur spring toys and small childrens playground

Be Aware:

  • Access to tall tunnel slide on upper play area is precarious for toddlers
  • The metal slides connecting upper to lower play areas can get really hot during summer
  • Some parents don’t like this park because their younger child will want to play on the lower level — and the older child will want to play on the upper level.  So the parent runs around to be able to keep an eye on everybody.
  • It backs up to Laguna Hills High School, so there are sometimes high school students there — at lunch and outside of school hours during the school year. One parent reported: “Too many high school kids cursing and hanging out on the playground around the kids.” Now, I have to say that I have NEVER had this experience in the 15+ years I’ve visited this park — but I also try to avoid times when high school kids would be there – or if I’m uncomfortable we just leave. That’s why I always include “Nearby Parks” in my posts so you can have an alternative when something unexpected or unpleasant comes up!
  • May also compete for space with Community Center programs, city events, and soccer games at certain times of year
Tire swing at Dino Park in Laguna Hills

Checklist:

  • Plentiful parking near Community Center
  • Play surface: Recycled rubber and sand
  • Bathroom building near to playground
  • Numerous drinking fountains
  • Subway across the street in Ralphs shopping center
  • Shade covers, trees, and patio cover over picnic area
  • Large picnic area with shade near snack bar, as well as two accessible picnic tables on upper level near swings with shade covers
  • Most impressive picnic area with COVERED barbecue grills
  • If the snack bar happens to be open, a portion of proceeds benefit the Laguna Hills Little League
  • Visit the City of Laguna Hills website for making reservations (it’s under “Community Center & Sports Complex)
  • Nearby public library: The Laguna Hills Technology branch of the Orange County Public Library system (it’s small, but it does have a selection of childrens’ books available for check-out)
Tunnel slide and twisty slide backlit by sunrise at Laguna Hills Dino Park

Nearby parks:

Picnic area at Laguna Hills Dino Park

Originally published in October 2008.

Oscar Gonzalez

Monday 17th of November 2014

That's a great review of the park. I've added it to my list of places to check out. It looks very interesting and like a great place to explore!

Paleontologist C. J. Stadum

Tuesday 5th of November 2013

You forgot to add Fossil Reef Park - where you can walk across a real 17 million year old sea floor and see fossils of prehistoric shells. The park was dedicated by the Orange County Historical Commission as Orange County Historical Site #28. It is in the housing tract just west of playground on Villas Lomas Street.

keri

Thursday 31st of May 2012

I just found your blog- thanks so much! I have two boys under the age of 4- so I'm always looking for outdoor activities. Keep it up!

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