Shipley Nature Center is absolutely one of my favorite spots in Orange County. Location: You would never know there's a huge park just from driving by. When I go, I take Interstate 405 to Beach Boulevard and head toward the beach. Turn right on Slater and left on Goldenwest. Half of the park is on your left (restaurant, lake, library) and the parking for Shipley is … [Read more...]
Vista del Verde Park in Yorba Linda
Vista Del Verde Park in Yorba Linda has a nicely spread out array of play structures for bigger and smaller kids, plus a long sit-and-hang-on zip line, next to an expansive grassy field. Vista Del Verde Park Yorba Linda Directions: The park is easily accessible from either the 57 or the 91 freeway via Imperial Highway. If coming from the 57, head east, towards Yorba … [Read more...]
Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach Central Park
Adventure Playground (AP) inside Huntington Beach Central Park is one of 3 true adventure playgrounds in California. The others are in Berkeley and Irvine. How lucky are we? Directions to Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach Central Park: The easiest way to find the playground is to find the Central Library and park there. From Interstate 405, I exited at Beach Blvd … [Read more...]
Tri-City Regional Park in Placentia: See Turtles in the Lake and Dodge Waddling Waterfowl
Tri-City Regional Park in Placentia has a beautiful lake in the center with a path that goes around it. There's even a shortcut that goes across a couple of bridges that my toddler loves and runs for as soon as we start our walk. Tri-City is run by the county's OC Parks system since 2013 -- and is very near Brea Sports Park. Location: Take the 57 Freeway to the … [Read more...]
Patriotic OC Playgrounds: Play in Red, White and Blue Glory
Patriotic playgrounds in Orange County make it feel like the 4th of July anytime of year. There aren't many that are red, white, AND blue. You may just have to settle for red & white or blue & white. You can just bring streamers or those little flags to make up for the missing color. Chapparosa Park in Laguna Niguel: When I polled my kids, my son said I had to … [Read more...]