The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center is right across from the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA and part of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. I wish the center was there during my college days as a Y lifeguard and swim instructor. I would have spent a lot of time there! The views are incredible and … Continue Reading
Popular Posts
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 … Continue reading
Splash Parks and Water Play in Orange County
Orange County Splash Parks and Water Play Updated for Summer 2018 One of Fun Orange County Parks' regular readers asked about local "spray … Continue reading
Play Trips and Park Tips
West Newport Park in Newport Beach
West Newport Park in Newport Beach is the long park you can see when you’re driving between Huntington Beach and Newport Beach on Coast Highway. Restaurants and shops are on one side and there’s a long and skinny park on the other side, just a block away from the beach. There are 3 playgrounds along […]
Orchard Park in Irvine
We discovered Orchard Park in Irvine when we were playing around Castle Park and Heritage Park. It’s halfway in between those parks in Irvine’s Northwood neighborhood. The park is tucked away along a busy street, so you can almost miss it when you drive by. There are plenty of shade trees and a big lawn area. […]
Family-Friendly Walks near Dana Point Harbor (with Route Maps)
Family-friendly walks near Dana Point Harbor definitions depend a little on your family’s ability level and patience for long walks. These 5 walks are a mixture of streets, walking trails and urban hiking in the area, but it’s hard to get these maps across in words. So this post is an experiment in maps. Each map gives […]
Huntington Beach Playground Near Pier (All Inclusive)
How about an all-inclusive Huntington Beach playground in the sand north of the Huntington Beach Pier? Yes, please. In the works for a LONG time, this beach playground is partially the result of “a local mom who saw a need, asked a question and went with the flow” according to her “Huntington Beach Playground in […]
Fairy Trail Hike at Oso Creek in Mission Viejo
The Fairy Trail hike at Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo is an artistic and miniature fantasyland brought to you by the same Fairyologist who created the Aliso Summit Fairy Trail. You may have read my posts about the Oso Viejo Community Park Playground and the Oso Creek Trail on this blog. In both of those […]
7+ Kid-Friendly Farm and Garden Outings
Are you looking for kid-friendly farm and garden outings around Southern California? I remember being allowed to wander through botanic gardens on my own. I guess my mom was probably watching, but my eyes were facing forward and I was an explorer in a new world! What was around the next bend? What exotic plants […]
17+ Family-Friendly Nature and Interpretive Centers in OC
Family-friendly nature centers are home to my favorite rangers and resource specialists. Our family loves our visits to these hubs of wilderness displays and outdoor enrichment. We can’t wait to put our hands on the interactive displays and Eagle Scout projects. We can stamp out animal tracks in the sand, pan for gold, see historical and archaeological […]
Marina Park in Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula
Marina Park in the Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula is the first harbor-side playground on the Peninsula. There is already Peninsula Park playground at the Balboa Pier and the smaller 38th Street Park and Newport Island Park, but I predict Marina Park will serve as a community hub for its location near the Balboa Fun Zone […]