The Mission Viejo Fairy Village is back for the Holiday Season 2019. The Caring Fairies will be at the Potocki Center for the Arts and the lower Oso Creek Fairy Trail for the holiday season from November 3rd though the end of December. This post has everything you need to know about the 2019 Holiday … Continue Reading
Popular Posts
14+ Thanksgiving Buffets in Orange County
Our family got in the habit of seeking out restaurant buffet options for Thanksgiving dinner back when we used to celebrate with my in-laws. It's … Continue reading
Best Outdoor Fall Family Traditions in OC 2019
October is my favorite month for families in Orange County! I made my picks of the best outdoor fall family traditions in OC based on … Continue reading
Play Trips and Park Tips
Redwoods in Brea: Hike a Dusty Trail to Reach the Lush & Shady Grove
Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea is home to some of the best playgrounds in Orange County and, surprisingly, a redwood grove. This is the only grove of redwoods in Orange County. A 4-acre lake sits at the center of this expansive park. With one of the biggest and best playgrounds around. You’ll spot birds […]
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 have never taken the trip over to the island. It’s a whole other world out there! You feel like you’ve traveled back in time to […]
10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)
The 10 best playgrounds (by feature) in Orange County may not be the ones you’d expect. The idea for this post came to mind after I rode an awesome zip track at Ronald Reagan Park in Anaheim Hills. It was the BEST zip track I’ve been on in a while. “People need to know about this!” […]
9 Things to Do When It’s Too Hot in OC
The big headline is the HEAT. I’ve lived in the hot, humid, and buggy South before. And I have also lived right near Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita where the high desert sure feels like the high desert. September and October are ALWAYS the hottest months in Southern California, but I ALWAYS feel the need to […]
Top 10+ OC Playgrounds with Shade Covers
Are you looking for OC playgrounds with shade covers? It’s still hot and not ideal, but at least these are playgrounds you can visit in a pinch to get the wiggles out. I also wrote about Cool Tips for Hot Playgrounds quite a few summers ago. Now that we’re seeing temps soar for summer, you might […]
How to Barbecue Near the Beach: Places and Tips for Grilling in OC
The first thing on my list every summer is to find places to barbecue near the beach. The list is shorter than I first expected, but there are still plenty of places to “grill out,” “cook out,” or “BBQ” and be near the beach. Just keep it really simple and it should be possible to […]
100+ Ideas for Kids Indoor Play in Orange County
Writing about kids indoor play areas in Orange County is a little hard for this mom/writer who MUCH prefers outdoor play experiences. But play is play no matter where you go and I’ve had a lot of moms ask me about where to play when it’s too hot outside or raining. Until I got into […]
Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park: Color It With Play
Open year-round (10AM-DUSK) – except for City-recognized holidays – and completely free to the public. The Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park is home to many happy childhood memories. In the 1970s, it opened with one structure: The Shack. What came after was created by the children. This undated historic photo shows just how long the Adventure […]