What are the best Aliso Viejo parks and playgrounds? All of them! Well, I bet you have your favorites.
Opinions can change dependent on the ages of the children, the weather or season, or just based on one good or bad park trip.
I'll attempt to list Aliso Viejo parks and playgrounds as if I were giving advice to a friend who is visiting the area.
Aliso Viejo Parks and Playgrounds
The Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) actually manages all the parks in Aliso Viejo (NOT the city!). That means you need to call the AVCA to make reservations and reservations are limited to Aliso Viejo residents. I have all their info in the checklist at the end of this post.
Here is my list of parks in Aliso Viejo, in no particular order:
Ridgecrest Park is definitely a fan favorite. It always seems to be crawling with kids and it’s such a multi-use park with the tennis courts, basketball courts, fitness trail and even the gardens up above the playground.
Acorn Park is in a sunken garden. I love going to this one outside of school hours — since there is a school very nearby. But it feels like every time I go it hasn’t been too busy.
Canyon View Park is such a hidden gem with trail access to Aliso Wood Canyon.
Aliso Viejo Community Park can be busy with sports events or school in session. But if you visit outside those times, it’s fun for its fenced off area for smaller children and access to the bike trail.
Argonaut Park seems like it should have a spaceship theme from its name, but it’s just a regular playground. It’s nice for its wide open spaces.
Grand Park is nice because it’s right above Town Center and almost walking distance to the library. It used to be more suited to younger children since it’s fenced all around, but the play equipment is for those who can climb with ease.
Hummingbird Park is at the corner of Aliso Creek Parkway and Laguna Canyon, but hidden from view from the street.
Oak Park is popular for its shade covers and it feels like a good multi-age park since you can see the older kids playing basketball while tending to younger kids on the playground.
Sheep Hills Park has a little bit of an identity crisis since it seems to be located in Laguna Hills, but it’s managed by Aliso Viejo Community Association.
Westridge Park is a small neighborhood park with no restrooms, but there is partial shade over the playground and a sandy surface for kids who like to play in the sand.
The Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center is in the neighborhood off Glenwood. The fenced playground at the front of the housing development is private and open only to residents. However, the pool is open to everyone. Aliso Viejo residents pay less than those who live outside the City, but everyone is welcome. There is a very small playground just outside the pool area that is public.
Springdale Park is popularly known as “Spiderweb Park.” It has awesome rope climbers, but also shade covers over the playground and picnic area.
Regional Parks closest to Aliso Viejo:
- Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park (Official OC Parks) is very large and wraps around to different parts of Aliso Viejo through access points on different trails.
- Laguna Niguel Regional Park is obviously in Laguna Niguel rather than Aliso Viejo, but it's very close to some neighborhoods in Aliso Viejo.
Aliso Viejo Parks without Playgrounds
- Aliso Canyon Community Park
- Brookline Park
- Creekside Park
- Crestview Park
- Foxborough Park
- Glenbrook Park
- Hillview Park
- Pinewood Park
- Wingspan Park
Checklist
- Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) owns the parks and takes reservations for AVCA members on this park reservation form
- Nearby public library: Aliso Viejo Public Library
- Visit my South Orange County Parks index to find more playgrounds
Originally published in February 2018.
