We go to Catalina Island every summer. We've been visiting Catalina ever since I was in high school - so that's 30+ years. I'm surprised how many of my friends have never taken the trip over to the island. Granted, it is expensive to get to the island. Even if you just want to take a day trip to Catalina! It's a whole other world out there! You feel like you've … [Read more...]
Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove with the Green Sea Dragon Slide
Photos of Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove say more about this park than I could ever relay in words. It's funky, fun, and HUGE! The number one comment I hear from visitors is that Atlantis Play Center feels safe because the kids are contained and outsiders can't come in without paying admission. In fact, the City website states "Adults are not allowed without … [Read more...]
10 Orange County Things to Do in Spring
It's not hard to find Orange County things to do in spring outdoors. It's usually beautiful playground weather and this season is full of events. Thanks to Jill at SandyToesandPopsicles.com for adding in her traditions and adventures to fill out the post with a few events to try which we paired with some of my favorite posts that I tend to share in the spring. Bonus … [Read more...]
Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach
Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach near Top of the World overlooks the 133/Laguna Canyon Road. I'm a pushover for parks with views and, so far, this one tops them all. It wasn't a crystal clear day when we first visited - but you can bet we have been back many times. We heard about this park from my nephew's T-ball coach who rides his bike to the top of Park Avenue. It … [Read more...]
Sunset Ridge Park in Newport Beach
We pass Sunset Ridge Park in Newport Beach all the time while driving on Coast Highway between Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. Do you know where the Jack in the Box is at the corner of Coast Highway and where you turn onto the Newport Peninsula at Balboa Blvd? Well, diagonally across that huge intersection is a hill covered with drought tolerant plants. It … [Read more...]
9 Ideas for Spring Break Family Activities Away From The Crowds
Sometimes families face challenges planning their spring break family activities. If you have school-age kids, they're home. If you don't then you're fighting crowds to do the things you normally do without competing with the droves of school kids. Here are 9 ideas for spring break activities away from the crowds. Check out my little inspirational video to get you … [Read more...]
Splash Parks and Water Play in Orange County
Orange County Splash Parks and Water Play (including Free Fountains, Splash Pads, Waterslides, and Hotels with Water Features) Always check official sources for the upcoming Summer 2026 to see if the splash park you want to visit is open. Reservations may be required! One of Fun Orange County Parks' regular readers asked about local "spray parks" for water play - and even … [Read more...]
Rancho Santa Margarita Central Park & Splash Pad
Rancho Santa Margarita Central Park & Splash Pad just became a more summer-friendly location because of the splash pad. However, if you are just going to the park it can get rather hot. I speak from experience - I think it was 95 degrees on the day I took photos and met my blogging friend, Kara-Noel. I always get turned around when I head to Rancho … [Read more...]
Irvine Regional Park=4 Playgrounds + 1 Zoo + 1 Railroad + 1 Lake + Lots of Ponies
Irvine Regional Park is located in Orange, but you'll pass through Tustin, Irvine, and Orange as you climb Jamboree to reach this massive regional park. I even filed it under all three cities since it's close to them all and worth a little extra drive. You can get in with your OC Parks annual pass or pay $3 at the gate on weekdays ($5 on weekends or more on holidays). … [Read more...]
7+ Kid-Friendly Farm and Garden Outings
Are you looking for kid-friendly farm and garden outings around Southern California? I remember being allowed to wander through botanic gardens on my own. I guess my mom was probably watching, but my eyes were facing forward and I was an explorer in a new world! What was around the next bend? What exotic plants made up this new landscape? There are … [Read more...]
2026 Wildflowers and Best Kid-Friendly Spots to See Them in Orange County
In Orange County, wildflowers tend to bloom starting in March. In general, expect to see wildflower blooms from March-May. Not all spots are kid-friendly because some require long car rides, super steep or remote trails, or desert locations. The 2026 wildflower bloom has already been happening since February in little patches because of the rain we got this year. Always … [Read more...]
17+ Kid Friendly Things to Do Near Dana Point Harbor
Dana Point Harbor makes up a huge part of my outdoor life. One day we can be down near the Ocean Institute enjoying Baby Beach and another day we are up on the Headlands hiking down to Strands Beach. Even though there is water all around and the bluffs are high above the surf, there are plenty of kid friendly things to do near Dana Point Harbor. Dogs are not allowed on … [Read more...]
Heritage Park in Irvine with Water Play Fountains
Heritage Park in Irvine comes highly recommended by a Fun Orange County Parks visitor because of its beautiful lake, community center, Fine Arts Center and Irvine Heritage Library. It's a great place for strolls and picnics. How to Get to Heritage Park in Irvine: From Interstate 5, take the Jeffrey Road off-ramp or Culver Drive off-ramp. Take Walnut (a right from Jeffrey, … [Read more...]
Fairy Trails in Orange County
The old Fairy Trail Hike at Oso Creek in Mission Viejo was an artistic and miniature fantasyland brought to you by the same Fairyologist (Andre) who created the Aliso Summit Fairy Trail. During the summer of 2018 and the holiday season of 2018/19, the hike was located below the Oso Viejo Community Park Playground and along the Oso Creek Trail. It is no longer … [Read more...]
10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)
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 an awesome zip track at Ronald Reagan Park in Anaheim Hills. It was the BEST zip track I've been on in a while. "People need to know about this!" is the first thought that crossed my mind. And there are so many other features for … [Read more...]
O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon
O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon has a distinctly wilderness feel with options for hiking and camping. I camped here with my husband when we were college students long ago. And we visit this park often ever since! The nature center at O'Neill Regional Park is on my list of 17+ Family-Friendly Nature Centers in Orange County. Rancho Santa Margarita sure … [Read more...]
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 StoryWalk and Mesa Trail at O'Neill Regional Park I've … [Read more...]
2026 OC Summer Camps with Outdoor Themes
2026 Orange County summer camps offerings will be much more varied than in the past few years. In fact, I came up with a list of 22+ summer camp possibilities! Camp providers in Orange County offer a number of OC summer camps with outdoor themes for families looking to enroll their kids in options to keep them active and learning outdoors this summer. Scroll through the … [Read more...]
University Community Park in Irvine for a Full Day of Play - and Reading
University Community Park in Irvine holds a strong spot in my mental checklist of Top 10 Parks in Orange County. I love the location and the arrangement of the play equipment. How to Get to University Community Park in Irvine: Exit Interstate 405 at Jeffrey Rd./University Dr. and turn towards the UC Irvine and Tanaka Farms. Turn right on Beech Tree Lane … [Read more...]
Mason Regional Park in Irvine
William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine is a massive park near UC Irvine and the Turtle Rock neighborhood. It's especially good for families who want to take long strolls/bike rides on winding sidewalks beneath towering sycamores. The park is relatively flat, so perfect for young riders. There are three separate playground areas each with different features. My … [Read more...]
Ultimate Guide to City Recreation Programs and Calendars in OC
Welcome to the ultimate guide to city recreation programs and calendars in OC with links to each city's community calendar or recreation classes and activities guides. If you live in Orange County, chances are you get a recreation guide mailed to you on a seasonal basis or at least a community newsletter. But we are all accustomed to traveling between many … [Read more...]
Strawberry Fields and Festivals: Sweet Red Goodness For The Picking
Strawberry season! A detour to the Carlsbad strawberry fields brought a rush of memories from a childhood filled with the decidedly California fruit which thrives along the coast. Rows upon rows of the plants with dark green shiny leaves and beautiful white blossoms fill crop land from San Diego north to Monterey Bay. From the blossoms, come a pale green version of … [Read more...]
150+ 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 the research about the best indoor playgrounds for kids in Orange County, I thought they … [Read more...]
New Playgrounds in Orange County
Wondering about the new playgrounds in Orange County? Each December since 2023, I get together with Heather from OCParentGuide to put together our lists for Instagram. We thought it might make it easier for you to find out more about these parks if I had a list to go along with it. These are the newest playgrounds by year from 2025 to 2024 to 2023. 2025 New OC … [Read more...]
15+ Winter Break Play Ideas
Winter break play ideas in and around Orange County created by me just for you! Ahhh, winter break. Time for being with family, sleeping in, and maybe some extra adventures? The ones that take a little more time and are a little more special? Whether you feel like the beach or the snow, I have play ideas for you. No matter if the weather is sunny or rainy, you'll find … [Read more...]
Holey Moley Golf Club & Hijinx Hotel at Irvine Spectrum
There is so much going on at the Holey Moley Golf Club & Hijinx Hotel in Irvine Spectrum that it feels like a grown-up playground. It's all fun! You can read this and be prepared OR just go and be surprised. (But probably make reservations first!) It officially opens on December 12th, 2025. Holey Moley Golf Club is described as: "a revolutionary mini golf … [Read more...]
Family Guide to Crystal Cove Historic District via Los Trancos
This is a family guide to the Crystal Cove Historic District via Los Trancos - the closest large parking lot to this location. The Crystal Cove Historic District & Cottages at Newport Coast are what most people associate with this state park. This park is popular for its cottages which are available for rental through ReserveCalifornia.com, the Beachcomber … [Read more...]
17 Outdoor-Places-to-Go Gifts for Southern California Families
They say the best gift is one you want yourself! I could go for ANY of these outdoor-places-to-go gifts perfect for Southern California families. Some are annual passes. Some are museum memberships. But they can all provide for an entire year of family fun! Picking just two or three of these outdoor gifts is probably plenty to keep you entertained for a little over $300 … [Read more...]
Caspers Wilderness Park Playground for Families
Caspers Wilderness Park outside of San Juan Capistrano / Rancho Mission Viejo is absolutely beautiful. I hiked and camped here with my husband when we were college students. We have visited the park and playground for over 20 years. Spring is my favorite time to visit because of the greenery, but I also love coming here in winter. It's an especially vibrant park in the … [Read more...]
7 Fun Ways to #OptOutside During Thanksgiving
It's natural for me to #OptOutside during Thanksgiving. I'm not much of a shopper and I'm online so much of my week that I crave the time outdoors. I came up with 7 somewhat silly ways to #OptOutside during Thanksgiving because somehow just saying "Go hike!" seems boring. Instead, I want you to lighten up a little. Let the kids lead a lot. And just make an effort to … [Read more...]
14+ Thanksgiving Buffet and Restaurant Dinners in Orange County 2025
Our family got in the habit of seeking out restaurant buffet options for Thanksgiving dinner back when we used to celebrate with my in-laws. It's kind of an annual hobby to figure out good places to go. Unfortunately, it takes some digging to find out which restaurants offer a Thanksgiving BUFFET (not just a dinner) and then it's challenging to navigate popular review sites … [Read more...]
Holiday Lights at Dana Point Harbor 2025
Are you looking to find out about holiday lights at Dana Point Harbor 2025? I feel like IlluminOcean in Dana Point Harbor made a big impression on people. It was a holiday lights extravaganza that lasted only one year (2014). IlluminOcean was, for the most part, not a static light display. Most of the lights moved or had some sort of animated features and sounds … [Read more...]
Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park in Irvine
Bill Barber Memorial Park's true name is Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. This playground is massive! Colonel William E. Barber died in April 2002 not far from the park which bears his name. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery having served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Colonel Barber received the Medal of Honor from President Truman for his … [Read more...]
Christmas in Orange County: 29 Mostly FREE Things to Do with Kids (2025)
I don't know if there are truly best things to do around Christmas in Orange County because what is BEST for one family may not be BEST for another. Instead, I like to highlight the family-friendly and mostly free things to do during the holidays. You know, those things that might become Christmas family traditions (or at least they have for our family!). I've also included … [Read more...]
Ridgecrest Park in Aliso Viejo
Ridgecrest Park in Aliso Viejo is a favorite for families because of all the play options. Shade covers over the playground make it a nice option for summer and hot days. If you're a sports player, there are tennis/pickleball courts, a full basketball court, 2 bocce ball courts, 2 horseshoe pits, and a World Trail fitness course. Views of Saddleback Valley greet walkers … [Read more...]
Portola Park in Lake Forest
Portola Park in Lake Forest is a new park off Glenn Ranch Road with views all the way to the ocean and even out to Catalina Island on clear days. It's a $4 million dollar park with a grassy space in the middle surrounded by active pursuits like a pickleball court, sand volleyball court, dog park, a few fitness stations, and playground with swings plus a big spiderweb … [Read more...]
12 Laguna Beach Day Trip Ideas for Families
Here are 12 Laguna Beach day trip ideas for your family to answer your "Where can I take my kids in Laguna Beach?" question. Most of my recommendations for places to go in Laguna Beach with kids are outdoors, including restaurants. I try to cover a variety of kid-friendly options from beaches to parks to walks to restaurants or picnic spots. All are designed to be very … [Read more...]
Nix Nature Center at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Our unplanned visit to Nix Nature Center on the westbound side of Laguna Canyon/SR 133 turned out to be a pleasant surprise and an awesome family outing. The rangers at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park were exceedingly helpful and informative. I wanted to spend all day there. The Laguna Canyon Foundation is a non-profit "dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing … [Read more...]
Riverdale Park in Anaheim
Riverdale Park in Anaheim / Anaheim Hills is impressive with its bright sky blues and almost neon greens. The first thing you'll notice is that it's huge and there's a restroom nearby. But there is more to it if you take the time to look further. I was lucky enough to have a local mom give me the tour which is my favorite because she could share all the insider info. She … [Read more...]
Peralta Canyon Park in Anaheim
Peralta Canyon Park in Anaheim sits off Santa Ana Canyon Road near the 91 Freeway. It's another great find by reader, Lisa. She is so great at finding North County parks and sharing such detailed info with me -- that she became our volunteer park reporter for a few years! Location of Peralta Canyon Park: Exit the freeway at Lakeview Avenue. You will immediately hit a … [Read more...]
Aliso Beach Park in Laguna Beach
Aliso Beach Park is a bit of a secret over the Laguna Main Beach Playground. On a winter evening when I first posted this beach, there were only a few couples on the beach. It felt like our own private playground. The berm (steep slope of sand) to the ocean made for some really fun sand-sledding and sliding. San Clemente and Catalina Islands were visible in silhouette … [Read more...]
Shipley Nature Center and Blackbird Pond in Huntington Beach
Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach Central Park is absolutely one of my favorite spots in Orange County. It's a special little nature area tucked into the massive HB Central Park. The oaks and redwoods make you feel like you are out in a remote nature spot when you are close to restaurants and one of the coolest playgrounds in Orange County just outside the … [Read more...]