The fitness section of El Toro Park in Lake Forest is set apart from the playground by tennis courts.

You can’t even see the playground from here!  

However, there’s a wide array of equipment that gets shade in the morning and evening hours (this photo was taken at 2pm in the afternoon).

Rimgate Park in Lake Forest has fitness stations distanced out along the sidewalk that loops through the park filled with shade trees.

There is also basketball and tennis court at this park.

Portola Park in Lake Forest has a fitness station at the entrance to the park and walking/running trails nearby.

There’s a section of Oso Viejo Park called “Village Green” which is on the opposite side of the park from the awesome playground.

I’ve written about the fitness area and the Oso Creek Trail before.

There are three different stations working different parts of the body.

Irvine Regional Park has a full bank of exercise equipment on a concrete pad at the far end of the park between parking Lot M and Lot R.

It's completely in the sun in the middle of the day, but nice and shady around sunset.

Cedar Grove Park was redesigned in August 2013 with a fitness area for adults.

Tri-City Park in Placentia has a concrete pad workout area in the shade of eucalyptus trees with a view of the lake.

Mandeville Park in Laguna Hills has a short fitness trail loop, which you can make a bigger workout by running some of the hills you’ll go up to get to the park (Mandeville Road — or Aliso Hills Drive).

Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley is run by OC Parks and requires a $3-$5 parking fee unless you park on nearby streets. The fitness course runs around the park. Ask about it when you get your pass.

Sycamore Creek Trail has no playground, it’s just a wide fitness trail and green space that links up to the bike trail along San Juan Creek.  

It’s right near Del Obispo Park, though. And you can walk to many parks from here: Creekside Park, Mission Bell Park, and Descanso Park on your way to downtown San Juan Capistrano/Los Rios Historic District on the bike trail.

Park off Del Obispo on Quail Run.

Concourse Park in Portola Hills has a sidewalk circuit of workout equipment that you can travel along with park views on the edge of Whiting Canyon.

Mason Regional Park’s fitness course is tucked in the north corner of the park near the playground with the red slide.  

Head to your right and the back of the park after you go through the entrance.

You will have to pay $3-$5 to access this park.

This fitness equipment overlooks a spectacular view of Aliso Wood Canyon.

Ridgecrest Park in Aliso Viejo has fitness equipment stations set up along the exterior paths of the park – so you can walk from station to station.

Rush Park in Rossmoor (near Los Alamitos) has a LifeTrail fitness course around this really nice neighborhood park.

Perfect trail for walking or running with a view. Pull-up bars near the Lifeguard Station by the pier.

Marblehead Park in San Clemente is a smallish park, but has a number of fitness stations.

There is a fitness course rounding the perimeter of the park.

This park has everything, included a walking loop and fitness station!

This is a popular playground, so parking can be a challenge unless you come early.

But if you are out for a morning bike ride or walk on the peninsula then this is a great stop.

This park is rectangular with a sidewalk stretching around it.

The fitness course has about 4 or 5 stations around the perimeter.

Only a few stations here, but spread out across this spacious park — and tons of other recreational uses like tennis courts and sand volleyball courts.

Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim has tons of walking trails, but also two fitness courses on the east end of the park off Parking Lot K.

Santa Fe Park in Placentia is a neighborhood park along Santa Fe Avenue. This exercise area is right next to the playground!

Moulton Meadows Park has a fitness course that starts on the playground and heads uphill to the paths above the park.

Chaparral Park in Irvine has a very simple and classic fitness course.

Grijalva Park in Orange has a dedicated fitness area under a red shade cover that's super easy to access from parking your car nearby.