Outdoor recreation

North Star Beach in Newport Beach is a public beach for launching kayaks and paddleboards (SUPs) in the Back Bay near Newport Aquatic Center.

TeWinkle Park and Angel’s Playground provide accessible play for all in a rainbow of playful colors and a nature area with lake.

Clark Regional Park in Buena Park has lakes, picnic grounds and three playgrounds plus an interpretive center. Easy hike around perimeter.

Barbadanes Park in Mission Viejo is a small, but busy neighborhood park with a cute bumblebee and wide lawn for picnics.

Fred Barrera Park in Orange is a small playground sitting on an entirely recycled rubber play surface with views from the canyon to the sea.

Sweet Shade Park in Irvine features some unusual climbing equipment and a little kid playground in the Villages of Columbus community.

Craig Regional Park in Fullerton offers fun for kids with multiple playgrounds and an easy picnic spot for families near the Brea Mall.

I’m not a fan of hot playgrounds. Make that heat, in general. I’d rather bundle up on a chilly day than sweat like a maniac in 100 degree weather. We …

Apple picking in Oak Glen is a U-Pick family tradition for many in Southern California. I’d never heard of Oak Glen or  Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho apple farm (not …

2013 Update: The new Adventure Playground is set to be unveiled in 2014. I wrote an article featuring the playground that appears in the July 2013 OC Register Family Magazine. …