Parks with shade

Heritage Park in Tustin is centrally-located near Tustin Marketplace. Pirate-themed playground is a great spot for family picnics!

Bosque playground at Great Park Trails in Irvine is a kids play area open to the public along the Upper Bee & Bosque areas of OC Great Park.

Concourse Park in Portola Hills has climbing, swings, a water play feature, and lots of play structures for kids of all ages.

Oak Park in Aliso Viejo is great for easy play dates and it has TONS of shade. Large shade covers over the play equipment and even the swings.

We discovered Orchard Park in Irvine when we were playing around Castle Park and Heritage Park. It’s halfway in between those parks in Irvine’s Northwood neighborhood. The park is tucked away …

Ridgecrest Park in Aliso Viejo offers Saddleback Valley views and shady swings. Native garden, tennis courts, basketball court and restrooms.

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 …

Santa Vittoria Park in Laguna Hills is a shady oasis on a hot day. Nice shady trees and grassy hills make it feel lush. It’s quiet on the weekends when …

Peachwood Park in Lake Forest is a small playground hidden in a neighborhood off Trabuco Road. It’s not even on Google’s map. It’s very near Tamarisk Park and can sometimes …

El Toro Park or El Toro Community Park got press from the Orange County Register a day after its grand opening in September 2010, where reporter Erika Ritchie gave a great …