You want to know the best toddler beaches with no waves in OC? I'm going to provide you with my Top 3 plus two bonus beaches, but they come with a note of precaution. Still water beaches, meaning no waves or surf, have a general propensity for water quality issues and they can also be good stingray habitat - at least along the warm sandy edges. Check Heal the … [Read more...]
San Clemente Aquatics Center and Vista Hermosa Sports Park
The San Clemente Aquatics Center and Vista Hermosa Sports Park helped us beat the heat. I thought the sports park was going to be near Interstate 5, but it's actually off the freeway and up the hill towards the Talega development. You know the translation for Vista Hermosa, right? Beautiful view. Directions to Vista Hermosa Sports Park and San Clemente Aquatics … [Read more...]
Splash Parks and Water Play in Orange County
Orange County Splash Parks and Water Play Updated for Summer 2019 One of Fun Orange County Parks' regular readers asked about local "spray parks" for water play - and even gave some suggestions herself. I keep hearing that Southern California, especially OC, lacks spray parks. My only explanation is our proximity to the beach and the good weather which allows us to … [Read more...]
Pioneer Road Park: Log Cabin Picnicking and Uncovered Wagons
Pioneer Road Park is probably best-known for its summer water play. Thanks so much to Mary for recommending this one! It's not even on the map. My kids "oooh-ed" and "aaaah-ed" upon arrival at the brick-paved parking lot. Planners thought of every detail to make it feel like you've traveled back to pioneer days. From the many depictions of cowboys and the West to the … [Read more...]
Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park in Newport Beach
Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park in Newport Beach make me think of the good 'ole days at the beach. There are always families wandering around the shops and restaurants, kids riding bikes, and tourists visiting from out of town. On the summer day we visited, Junior Lifeguards were there, in force. Location: There are two piers on the Newport Peninsula: the Newport Pier … [Read more...]