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San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas

by Michele Whiteaker

San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas feels like home to our family. We go at least once a year, if not more. The gardens used to be named … Continue reading

Popular Posts

10 Best Orange County Playgrounds

10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)

by Michele Whiteaker

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 … Continue reading

Accessible Playgrounds in Orange County

Accessible Playgrounds in Orange County

by Michele Whiteaker

Accessible playgrounds in Orange County have play equipment designed for children with special needs. Many times, that means the actual play … Continue reading

Play Trips and Park Tips

California Botanic Garden in Claremont: Wonderland of Spring Flowers

California Botanic Garden (formerly Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens) in Claremont offers acres of lovely grounds for connecting to nature.

Cherry Park Lake Forest

Cherry Park in Lake Forest: Accessible Playground in the Neighborhood

Cherry Park in Lake Forest features fun and universally accessible playgrounds for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds as of February 2021.

Quail Hill Loop Trail in Irvine

Quail Hill Loop Trail in Irvine where you can take a self-guided hike along a dirt trail with views. Part of Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

portola park lake forest

Portola Park in Lake Forest

Portola Park in Lake Forest opened in 2020 with a pickleball court, sand volleyball court, dog park, a few fitness stations, and playground.

San Onofre Beach Trail 4

San Onofre Beach Trail 4 is one of six trails leading down to the beach from the bluffs at San Onofre State Beach. Dogs are allowed on Trail 1 and Trail 6 (but not in between). This isn’t the first time I’ve written about this California State Park. You can find my post on San […]

StoryWalk plaque with background of blue sky and surrounding nature

StoryWalk and Mesa Trail at O’Neill Regional Park

The StoryWalk and Mesa Trail area of O’Neill Regional Park is quite a ways from the entrance of the park which is off Live Oak Canyon Road. You would normally enter O’Neill Park from Trabuco Canyon, but you actually approach O’Neill from Rancho Santa Margarita to get to this part of the park. Directions to […]

View of Dana Point Harbor

Dana Point Bluff Top Trail

The Dana Point Bluff Top Trail above Dana Point Harbor is less of a hike and more of a place to stroll. It takes less than 10 minutes to leisurely make it from one end to the other along the bluff between the streets of Violet Lantern and Amber Lantern in Dana Point. Location of […]

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve – PCH Entrance

I posted about Bolsa Chica Wetlands at the start of my blogging career circa 2008. I’d been wanting to explore more of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve ever since I read this post about it on a blog in 2009. Back then we visited the interpretive center and took a hike to the heron nesting ground. My son was […]

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michele profile photoWriter mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize nature time since 2008. UNOFFICIAL information provided as a FREE community resource to over 300,000 OC families each year. Click to subscribe to my FREE email inspiring you with creative play ideas.

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