10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)
My 10 best Orange County playgrounds list by feature + choices for best slides, best bank of swings, best spiderwebs. Printable checklist!
Finding Orange County Parks
Spring Activities for Families
10 Orange County Things to Do in Spring with GIANT Coloring Sheet
List of outdoor things to do in spring around Orange County, California. Find wildflowers, hike to a lake, or U-pick fruit at the farms.
2023 OC Summer Camps with Outdoor Themes
2023 OC summer camps list with outdoor themes for kids to play & learn outside. Summer nature camps for kids (science, animals, engineering).
9 Places to Ride Carousels and Merry-Go-Rounds in Orange County
Ride all 9+ carousels and merry-go-rounds in Orange County after you learn about where to find them, costs, and even a little history!
7 Places to See Redwoods in Orange County
7 places to see redwoods in Orange County with the 7th spot just outside OC. Take a mini-tour of the redwood groves and learn highlights!
Caspers Wilderness Park Playground for Families
Caspers Wilderness Park’s playground off Ortega Highway outside San Juan Capistrano has gorgeous views and an old-fashioned teeter-totter.
Valley Oak Park in Irvine
Valley Oak Park in Irvine one of my favorite parks for family picnics, birthday parties, and easy for watching multiple kids.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.