Parks with shade

Sunset Ridge Park in Newport Beach sits on a corner of the busy intersection to enter the Balboa Peninsula. Fun playground with ocean views.

OC playgrounds with shade covers – mostly in Orange County. With recommendations on summer activities and how to keep cool on hot days.

Tamarisk Park in Lake Forest has a treehouse theme had a big update in 2014. It’s tucked back in a neighborhood off Trabuco.

La Veta Park in Orange has an expansive sheltered picnic area and fun toddler play area with a wide grassy lawn for running around.

Barcelona Park in Mission Viejo is a peaceful neighborhood park with tall trees and play equipment perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Caspers Wilderness Park’s playground off Ortega Highway outside San Juan Capistrano has gorgeous views and an old-fashioned teeter-totter.

Oak Creek Community Park in Irvine provides lots of wide open space for running out the wiggles. Plus it’s great for family picnics!

Liberty Park in San Clemente is a centrally-located park in Talega with something for every kid including swings, slides, and climbers.

Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim is a forested paradise with fishing lakes. Feels like Yorba Linda, but actually in Anaheim. 6 playgrounds!

Grand Park in Aliso Viejo sits above Aliso Viejo Town Center with a fenced playground and views of Saddleback Valley.