They tend to show up early March and stick around for a little while. We quite a lot of rain early this year and then a crazy heatwave that decimated some of the early green. Now in April it seems to be fading although you can still find small patches.

This is a nice hike for families who are just starting out in nature. The trail is rather wide and you don't have to compete with mountain bikes here.

March brings green hills and the amount of rain we get dictates how long they stay. As soon as you see them, start enjoying because you never quite know when it will end! Here is my post about other Places to Go with Green Hills!

This has become a tradition for some families. Visit the grounds for the photos and maybe extend your visit to the Newport Beach Public Library?

Spring is the perfect time for beach playgrounds. We can have warmer days in March than we do in June. You know, there's that whole "June gloom" fog and marine layer clouds at the start of summer? So hit the playgrounds in spring.

Bluebirds are the ultimate sign of spring and this lovely playground is nestled in a special spot near the coast. You'll love the whimsical play equipment and the fact the whole playground is fenced. Can you find the turtle sculpture?

My longtime blogger friend, Jill, over at Sandy Toes & Popsicles blog usually publishes a whole family guide to this event.

This is another light family hike on a wide dirt trail to see a stand of redwoods at one of our county's best regional parks (Carbon Canyon Regional Park). The hills are green. The wildflowers are out. And sometimes that means the rattlesnakes are out, too. Just check with the rangers at the entrance for an update. Hopefully, it stays cool enough to be on the trail enjoying nature. If you can't get enough of these impressive trees, read my blog post about the 7 Places to See Redwoods in Orange County.

The Flower Fields open about the time spring begins. You can make it a play trip by pairing it with a trip to this nearby nature center. Already in early April 2026, the flowers are at peak bloom.

Some of our local gardens and farms only require a donation or small fee, but many are free to the public. Get a feeling of spring and take a color walk!

We are lucky to live in Southern California where we can find these farms all around.