O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon has a distinctly wilderness feel with options for hiking and camping. I camped there with my husband when we were college students long ago. Rancho Santa Margarita sure cozied up next to it, huh? It's nestled back up in the foothills at the intersection of … Continue Reading
Popular Posts
Cedar Grove Park in Tustin: Under the Troll Bridge and Through the Woods
Cedar Grove Park in Tustin is a special place for picnics at the tables in the real cedar grove. See hummingbirds buzz around you and watch … Continue reading
Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine – Everything You Need to Know
Pretend City Children's Museum in Irvine opened in August 2009 when my kids were 4 and 8 years old. We were so excited to find an indoor play … Continue reading
Play Trips and Park Tips
Sunset Park: Where Moms Get to Talk While Kids Play
Sunset Park is a quiet neighborhood park with excellent opportunities for family playtime. The City of Dana Point completed improvements to the park in February 2008 — making it one of the more modern and safer play areas in Orange County. Expect beach weather with marine layer or fog in the mornings, clearing to bright […]
OC Great Park Playgrounds
Wondering what’s going on with the OC Great Park playgrounds? You’ve probably heard about the community ice center, the championship soccer stadium, and the tennis courts of the 194-acre Sports Complex. OC Great Park (OCGP) PUBLIC Playgrounds The OCGP has a number of PRIVATE playgrounds for residents only. But there are two kids play areas […]
Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Playground & Sensory Garden in San Clemente
Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Playground in San Clemente is part of the Vista Hermosa Aquatics Center and Sports Park. It’s a beautiful play space where children of all abilities can play together. It was built in two phases as the fundraising efforts of Courtney’s Sandcastle Foundation made each phase possible. Phase I was the playground and […]
Accessible Playgrounds in Orange County
Accessible playgrounds in Orange County have play equipment designed for children with special needs. Many times, that means the actual play structure has ramps that accommodate children in wheelchairs. It also means much of the play surface around the equipment is a flat recycled rubber surface. I’ve seen accessible swings and “boats” which fit wheelchairs and […]
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 […]
Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills: Dive Into Undersea Fossils
Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills is the most common name I’ve heard for this amazing fossil-themed park behind the Laguna Hills Community Center at the corner of Alicia and Paseo De Valencia. Check out my one minute “park teaser” for a quick overview. I’ve also heard it called: Dino Park and Prehistoric Park. It’s a […]
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 […]