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.
Finding Orange County Parks
Outdoor Holiday Activities in Orange County
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens 2022
Enchanted Forest of Light Descanso Gardens 2022 in La Cañada Flintridge is a magical experience for families who love the outdoors & nature.
Candlelight Walk & Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
Go for a 2022 Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest to see holiday lights and luminaria at this historic park.
Newport Dunes Christmas Lights in Newport Beach
The Newport Dunes Christmas lights in Newport Beach are a breathtaking display of festive lighted Christmas trees on the bay.
Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad
The 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 2022
Holiday lights at Dana Point Harbor 2022 – lights on November 16th. It’s a festive light display that your kids will love.
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.
Winter Activities for Families
Serrano Park in Orange
Serrano Park in Orange is an excellent spot for volleyball or basketball. The playground sits on a recycled rubber play surface.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Displays Sonoran Desert Life
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in Palm Desert displays Sonoran desert life and trails. It’s an amazing family-friendly day trip from OC.
30+ Train Parks and Railroad Museums Near Orange County
Train parks and railroad museums come in all shapes & sizes. Enjoy this list of 30+ places to go for train lovers in & near Orange County, CA.
Verde Park in San Clemente is Picnic Perfect
Verde Park in San Clemente is a very small neighborhood park which is good for preschoolers, tennis, and picnics.
Things to Do Outdoors in Orange County
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.
Best State Parks in Orange County for Kids & Families
List of all the best California State Parks in Orange County for kids and families with activity ideas for what to do when you visit.
17+ Kid Friendly Things to Do Near Dana Point Harbor
List of kid friendly things to do in Dana Point crafted from family exploring with kids during the past decade!
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.
7+ Beach Playgrounds Right in the Sand
Beach playgrounds in Orange County list on our coast from Seal Beach in the north to San Clemente in the south. 7 places for kids beach play.
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.
Laguna Beach Day Trip Ideas for Families
Laguna Beach day trip ideas for families wondering about where to take their kids for outdoor fun & places to eat. Includes beaches & parks.
Kid Friendly Things to Do Near San Clemente
Kid friendly things to do outdoors in San Clemente, California. Playgrounds, beaches, walks, outings, & restaurants.
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.
Destination Playgrounds
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 new 2022 playground 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.
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.
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.