Thunderbird Park in Dana Point is tucked into a neighborhood down the hill from Dana Hills High School off Stonehill Drive.
I like this park for its cool ocean breeze, solitude, nice view towards Dana Point. You can even adventure from the playground down to the lower ball fields.
Directions to Thunderbird Park in Dana Point: Take Camino Capistrano and turn on Stonehill like you are driving toward Creekside Park. Continue driving across Del Obispo up the hill and turn right on Ocean Hill Drive. There is a small parking lot on your right. [Address: 33422 Ocean Hill Drive, Dana Point.] MAP to Thunderbird Park in Dana Point
Recommended by: Connie and Danielle
Highlights:
- This playground has the dinosaur "bones" and "egg" that were moved over here from the old Dana Crest Park. Little ones will probably focus their play here and on the swings
- It's a self-contained neighborhood park (only one way in and out)
- Lots of challenging climbing opportunities for older kids
- It used to be good for all ages with a variety of slide heights, but the structure itself only has one very tall and fast slide now
- I've never seen this GroundZero U-Bounce piece of playground equipment before. The description from PlayWorld says: "Kids can bounce either seated or standing. Slip-resistant, shock-absorbing rubber platform for safety. Accessible for ADA compliance."
- It's easy to keep track of kids from all angles, but you may have to be more active with younger kids wanting to access the high points on the playground
- Small grassy area and tables for picnics
- 2 baby swings, 2 bench swings
- 1 full basketball court which got expanded and now has lines for setting up pickleball
Be Aware:
- NO restroom -- since this is a neighborhood park
- The big orange slide is FAST and you can get launched in the air off the bottom. When testing it out, my friend flew in the air almost to the poles of the swingset. (Also, bring a towel to wipe down the slide if you come on foggy mornings where the dew collects on the play equipment.)
- This playground is rated for 5-12 year olds and you will see why -- the 1 slide is only reachable by a pretty tall climb either up a ladder or across a pretty precarious (for a little kid) rope/cable structure.
- There is fencing around the upper level of the playground area, but there are some big openings where kids have found ways to access the nearby hill. Just be aware of the fence openings with smaller kids.
Checklist:
- NO restrooms
- Parking in a small dedicated lot or on the street
- Water bottle refill station near the parking lot
- Recycled rubber play surface, plus small grass areas and a bigger grass area below the playground level
- Nice shade and trees with cooler weather near the beach, especially in the morning
- Easy to view all the kids
- Basketball court
- Pickleball courts
- There is a sports field on the level below the playground level.
- Official info about Thunderbird Park from the City of Dana Point
- Nearest public library: Dana Point Public Library (closed for renovations) or San Juan Capistrano Library
Parks nearby Thunderbird Park:
- Dana Crest Park
- Sea Canyon Park
- Lantern Bay Park
- Dana Point Headlands Nature Interpretive Center
- Shipwreck Park
- Del Obispo Park
- Creekside Park
Originally published in March 2009.
Photo Archive of Thunderbird Park in Dana Point (before 2025 renovation)
