Fun Orange County Parks - OC Playgrounds and Nature Play Trips

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

Holidays Outdoors in Orange County

Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest featured photo

Candlelight Walk & Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest

Go for a 2023 Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest to see holiday lights and luminaria at this historic park.

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.

Christmas in Orange County: 29 Mostly FREE Things to Do with Kids (2024)

Christmas in Orange County list with 29 mostly FREE things to do. Includes places to go and also experience-gift ideas! Also home holiday fun!

Holiday Lights at Dana Point Harbor 2024

Holiday lights at Dana Point Harbor 2023 – lights on November 15th. It’s a festive light display that your kids will love.

Newport Dunes Christmas Lights in Newport Beach (2024)

The 2024 Newport Dunes Christmas lights in Newport Beach are a display of festive lighted Christmas trees on the bay.

Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad (2024)

The 2024 Christmas Train and Santa’s Village at the Irvine Park Railroad is a family tradition – and fun to be at the park after dark!

Things to Do Outdoors in Orange County

23+ Best Fishing Spots for Kids in Orange County

Best fishing spots for kids in Orange County including ALL the places to fish in OC plus resources to get you started!

Best Places to See Airplanes in Orange County

Best places to see airplanes in Orange County! Including aviation museums, restaurants with views of runways, and parks with planes or views.

15+ 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.

Parks Without Sand in Orange County feature photo

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spiderweb Parks in Orange County

Spiderweb parks in Orange County! This is the master list you’ve always wanted! These rope or rubber-coated climbers are especially popular with older kids. Remember playing on those playground domes when …

Destination Playgrounds

Pavion Park Accessible Playground in Mission Viejo

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.

Courtney's Sandcastle Accessible Playground San Clemente

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.