Dana Crest Park in Dana Point is in a quiet neighborhood with plenty of areas to wander. My sister easily brought four kids under the age of 5 to this park and had no trouble watching them all.
The kids seem to the love the little make-believe houses most of all. A reader calls this the "other dinosaur park" in deference to the big dinosaur park in Laguna Hills.
Directions to Dana Crest Park: From Golden Lantern, turn on Josiah. The park is on your left past the stop sign. [Address: 24461 Josiah Drive, Dana Point.] MAP to Dana Crest Park in Dana Point
Highlights:
- Lush green grass surrounding this park for all levels
- Very quiet neighborhood park
- One large play structure for older children and smaller play area with a dinosaur fossil climbers and little playhouse for smaller children.
- "Dinosaur bones" make this a "dinosaur park"
- Good for parents with multiple children
- 2 bench swings and 2 baby swings
- Great sidewalk for young bike riders (although the new signs say no bike riding)
- Full basketball court which is fun for older kids while their younger siblings play at the nearby playground
Be Aware:
- NO restrooms
- Doesn't get the same sea breeze as nearby Sea Canyon Park
- Bridge on older kid equipment tends to promote accidents for younger kids (pinched fingers, collisions, and falls on bouncy bridge)
- A few gaps on highest point where you should watch little kids
Checklist:
- Plentiful street parking
- Large shade tree near equipment for older children
- Again, no restrooms
- Nice picnic tables scattered around the park, with massive grills (bring charcoal)
- Drinking fountain and benches right on playground
- Full basketball court
- Sand and bark play surface
- Official City of Dana Point specifics for Dana Crest Park
- City of Dana Point General Park Information/Reservations
- Nearest Public Library: Dana Point Branch of Orange County Public Libraries
Nearby Parks:
