Take the FREE Balboa Peninsula Summer Trolley to Balboa Pier to enjoy your day at the beach rather than hassle with traffic and parking. I know there are trolleys in many Orange County beach cities: Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. We haven't taken advantage of them as we should, but I'm sold now that we accidentally stumbled upon the Balboa … [Read more...]
San Clemente Pier for a Family Stroll
Playtime need not be limited to the playground. The day we took a leisurely family stroll on the San Clemente Pier was a perfect reminder. Location: Head towards San Clemente and exit I-5 at Avenida Palizada. Turn south onto El Camino Real (the main street that parallels the freeway). Turn right onto Avenida del Mar and follow it all the way down to just before the … [Read more...]
Concourse Park in Portola Hills
Concourse Park is in the Portola Hills neighborhood of Lake Forest. I never knew how to get to those "houses on the hill" on the way up El Toro Road near Santiago Canyon and O'Neill Regional Park. You notice the homes up to the left and I always think about what a great view they must enjoy. The park is in a beautiful setting so close to Whiting Ranch and the Santa Ana … [Read more...]
Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda: Accessible Playground for All Pirates and Knights
Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda was destroyed in the fires of 2008. It wowed me from the first time I drove by to check out the construction. They definitely went above and beyond with the new play structures and surrounding area. I could see the ship's mast in the distance, and the flags on top of the castle towers. I couldn't wait for it to open. It's Pirate Ship … [Read more...]
Spyglass Reservoir Park in Newport Beach
Spyglass Reservoir Park in Newport Beach sits on top of an actual reservoir! I didn't know there was a "101 foot diameter and 27 foot deep reservoir . . . under the playground park." Directions to Spyglass Reservoir Park: This is only a few blocks from Spyglass Hill Park - even higher up the hill! Reach San Joaquin Hills Road from either MacArthur or Jamboree and head … [Read more...]