San Miguel Accessible Park in Newport Beach is among the top parks for its manageable size and variety of equipment. I discovered this playground while checking into nearby Bonita Canyon Sports Park.
How to Get to San Miguel Park in Newport Beach: The easiest way to reach San Miguel Drive is from MacArthur Blvd. Turn one way and you'll drive into Fashion Island - turn the other way and you'll drive past Roger's Gardens on your left, cross San Joaquin Drive, and pass Gelson's on your right eventually ending up at the park. The parking lot is off San Miguel Drive near the corner of Spyglass Hill Road. MAP TO SAN MIGUEL PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH
Highlights:
- Quiet neighborhood with a central place for families to sit in the shade while supervising the play on every structure. [The shades are not up at the moment, but I will update when they are replaced over the picnic areas.]
- Ideal for birthday parties with grills, picnic tables, and restrooms
- There are two 5-12 year old play areas (one more accessible than the other) and some 2-5 year old play areas near the swings.
- New 4-person teeter totter and "San Miguel Beach Store" clubhouse-style equipment for pretend play.
- The most accessible play structure is at the back of the playground with ramps and a roller slide. It says it's rated for 5-12 year olds.
- There are also some interactive panels and balancing apparatus at the back of the structure.
- I also wanted to make sure I included a photo of what the access looks like behind the slide.
- 2 baby swings in the center of the playground + 1 bench swing and 1 adaptive swing closer to the parking lot by the diggers
- Kids liked the "amphitheater" style steps by the bench swings for putting on shows and climbing
- Expansive field on one side of the park for running out the wiggles
- Or stroll along the walking path past the basketball court and handball courts
Be Aware:
- Talked to a mom who said it can get busy during soccer/sports games on the adjoining field - or there can be competition for birthday parties
- It's easy to miss the turn for the parking lot. Definitely approach from the direction of San Joaquin Hills Drive. The turn into the parking lot is a small driveway past the handball courts.
- There is a ton of sand on the sidewalk near the sand pit where the diggers are, so watch your step (it's slippery!).
- When I first visited this park, there were 2 cute little footbridges and a large wooden shade structure. Then they added some cool boulders which you can see in the photos below, but those were replaced on the 2025 renovation. It's definitely been updated over the years with a restroom building, complete with a bottle refill station. And now it has accessible features.
Checklist:
- Parking in a small dedicated lot
- Recycled rubber play surface with a sand box
- Restrooms right on the playground
- Water bottle refill station outside the restroom
- Shade covers over picnic tables
- Extremely easy to view kids making for a very relaxing play day
- Basketball court
- Handball / racquetball courts (I've seen people using it to practice tennis or do crossfit exercises)
- Official City of Newport Beach website for San Miguel Park
- Nearest public library branch: Newport Beach Public Library
Parks Nearby San Miguel Park in Newport Beach:
Originally published in February 2009.
Photo Archive of Old Playground (Before 2025 Renovation)
