Outdoors

Aliso Viejo Community Park playground has shade covers, a fenced tot lot, slides and climbers, & sits among ball fields near Aliso Creek.

Canyon View Park in Aliso Viejo is for playground fun with nature adventures. Playground shade covers, outdoor fitness equipment, and hikes.

Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach is high on a hill and often called Top of the World with views of the Pacific and Orange County inland.

Beckenham Park in Laguna Hills sports a rainbow-colored play surface, shade trees, slides, and concrete turtles for climbing.

Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point is one of the best places for an ocean view family barbecue. New playground with roller slide in 2021.

Crystal Cove State Park offers space for tidepooling, beach trips, nature rambles, and whale watching from the shore in Newport Beach.

Northwood Community Park in Irvine is also known as Castle Park. I think of it as a fortress fit for knights and princesses.

Red Barn Park in San Clemente – inside Talega – is officially known as Tierra Grande Park. Its red barn theme makes it really fun for pretend.

Sheep Hills Park is located in Laguna Hills, but is managed by the Aliso Viejo Community Association. The playground got an update in 2019.

Sunset Park in Dana Point (Capo Beach) is tucked away in a beachy neighborhood on the east side of Interstate 5 near the Beach Cities exit.