Over 101 Outdoor Places to Visit for Kids
Over 101 outdoor places to visit for kids in Orange County, with family-friendly beaches, parks, gardens, farms, nature walks, and fitness.
Finding Orange County Parks
Family Activities in Orange County
Newport Dunes Christmas Lights in Newport Beach (2023)
The 2023 Newport Dunes Christmas lights in Newport Beach are a display of festive lighted Christmas trees on the bay + outdoor ice skating.
Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad (2023)
The 2023 Christmas Train and Santa’s Village at the Irvine Park Railroad is a family tradition – and fun to be at the park after dark!
Holiday Lights at Dana Point Harbor 2023
Holiday lights at Dana Point Harbor 2023 – lights on November 15th. It’s a festive light display that your kids will love.
Candlelight Walk & Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
Go for a 2023 Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest to see holiday lights and luminaria at this historic park.
Beach Christmas Tree at Crystal Cove
The beach Christmas tree at Crystal Cove State Park appears in December. It’s perfect for festive family photos or celebrating the season.
Things to Do Outdoors in Orange County
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.
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.
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 …
7+ Kid-Friendly Farm and Garden Outings
Kid-friendly garden and farm outings for families. Nature preserves, botanic gardens, farms, and more in OC, LA, and San Diego counties.
5 Family Walks in Orange County
Make a day out of these 5 family walks all over Orange County, CA.
Destination Playgrounds
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.