It’s not hard to find Orange County things to do in spring outdoors. It’s usually beautiful playground weather and this season is full of events.
Thanks to Jill at SandyToesandPopsicles.com for adding in her traditions and adventures to fill out the post with a few events to try which we paired with some of my favorite posts that I tend to share in the spring. She created a GIANT Coloring Sheet and Exploring Checklist to match the 10 places on THIS blog post!
Find out how to get this GIANT coloring sheet at the end of the post. (I love her daughter showing off mom’s work.)
In the meantime, hope you get out exploring!
10 Outdoor Things to Do in Spring
It's spring in SoCal. Yes, there might be a preview of summer tourists with the Spring Break crowds but it's still a great time to get outdoors and find places to go and things to do before it gets too hot.
Find the Wildflowers
They tend to show up early March and stick around for a little while. We have had soooo much rain this year and there has been so much coverage of Weir Canyon that you may be tempted to look there. Just remember, whatever is showing up on social media may draw BIG crowds that might make it not fun for little ones.
Hike to the Lake
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!
Spring Photos with the Bunnies
This has become a tradition for some families. Visit the grounds for the photos and maybe extend your visit to the Newport Beach Library? Some of you are also celebrating the Year of the Rabbit so this might have extra meaning for Spring 2023.
Hit the Beach Before the Crowds Come
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.
Discover Bluebird Park
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?
Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza Guide (2023)
My longtime blogger friend, Jill, over at Sandy Toes & Popsicles blog publishes a whole family guide to this event.
Stroll to See the Brea Redwoods
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 it's 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.
Visit the Flower Fields and Agua Hedionda Discovery Center in Carlsbad
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.
See Blossoms and Blooms at Kid Friendly Gardens
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!
Go on a Strawberry Picking Tour at Tanaka Farms
Tanaka Farms is a spring family tradition for both Jill's family and mine. Here's the description of the tour from the Tanaka Farms website: "Take a wagon ride around the farm. Learn about the farming methods and history of our farm from your friendly tour guide. You will see how fruits and vegetables grow! Make one stop to pick a seasonal vegetable*, and then the last stop on this tour is in the strawberry patch where you can pick and eat strawberries!"
Get the GIANT Coloring Sheet with an Exploring Checklist
Jill is responsible for the creative idea and artwork for this coloring sheet and checklist! I’m amazed at her talent. Wow!
Go to her Spring in OC post where she gives instructions on how to get and print it in GIANT size. Or you can print it much smaller on your home printer. It does require an email signup, but you can do these activities without getting the coloring sheet.
Bonus Spring Outdoor Ideas
- Find a new playground on my park map
- See if you can find some activities that fit you on my Spring Break Activities Away from the Crowds post