Yorba Regional Park: Yorba Linda by Location, But in Anaheim by Address

Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim is massive, just like most OC regional parks. 

I was completely surprised to learn this park is in Anaheim. It felt like I was in Yorba Linda.

Directions to Yorba Regional Park: Turns out Anaheim/Yorba Linda isn’t so far from Irvine when you take the 241 Tollroad shortcut. It only took us 15 minutes to hit the 91. Go back toward the ocean (west/left) and take one of the first exits onto Yorba Linda Blvd. Turn right from the off-ramp. Get in the left lane, because the left on La Palma comes up quick. Turn left on La Palma. Turn left into the parking lot where you see the Park Ranger kiosk.  MAP to Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim

Yorba Regional Park: What to Expect

Yorba Regional is a BIG park! You could do something different here almost every time you go. In fact, it could take you 6 trips just to hit each of the playgrounds on each trip. Yes! There are 6 playgrounds.

You might want to look at the Park Map before you go.

The park is situated along the Santa Ana River with the Santa Ana River Bike Trail running all the way to Huntington Beach along the river side of the park. Josh at California Through My Lens has a great post on what this ride looks like and details from along the way.

There are lots of big shade trees and lakes with winding paths and bridges. It’s also a great park for gatherings because there are very large shaded picnic shelters that are reservable. You will need to watch out for geese and duck droppings, but when I visited early on a weekday morning all the sand at each playground was raked and paths cleared.

Directly in front of the entrance: When you enter the park, Lot F will be directly in front of you. You will see your first playground there and it has the biggest yellow twisty slide! Off the same parking area, there is also another playground for younger kids.

Turn left from the entrance: You can visit the lovely little toddler playground with baby swings at Lot I near Picnic Shelter 3. Then you will pass the fitness areas with outdoor fitness equipment and end up at Lot K where there is another playground with two large picnic shelters (Shelter 4 and Shelter 5) on each side. You can exit at this end of the park if you want.

Turn right from the entrance: You will see more lakes and ponds this way which also means you’ll see more geese this way. You’ll find swan boat, bicycle and surrey cart rentals from Wheel Fun Rentals at Lot D, along with Picnic Shelter 1. It’s open every day from 10AM to Sunset during the summer. Then you’ll reach a nice toddler-friendly playground at Lot C and spot your final playground at Lot B nearest the lake by Picnic Shelters 6 & 7 with pretty views.

Okay, now that you know what to expect! Let’s take a look at each playground matched with the parking lots . . .

Yorba Regional Parking Lot B Playground

For bigger kids, since there’s more to do here. Loved the fish-shaped ladder. Picnic area right off playground.

The playground surface is entirely recycled rubber and there is a restroom building nearby.

Yorba Regional Parking Lot C Playground

Best for toddlers, only a few areas where they can fall.  My tall 8yo kept hitting his head on the equipment.

This one is also completely recycled rubber play surface with smaller covered picnic shelters nearby.

These two playgrounds tend to the favorite with parents, but each playground in the park has its own benefits. You’ll have to find the one that fits you best!

Wheel Fun Rentals in Lot D

You can rent all sorts of different vehicles for land and sea here including bikes, surrey carts, swan boats and more! There’s even a Find & Seek Trivia Game available for during your swan boat ride. Try the annual pass discount which is basically the cost-of-your-rental + $12 to get 50% off your rentals at 60 locations during the year.

Yorba Regional Parking Lot F Playgrounds

There are TWO playgrounds off this central parking lot right at the entrance. The first thing you’ll spot with be a big: “Wow! Brilliant colors and a tall twisty yellow slide.”

This one is great spot for older kids who like to climb!

All recycled rubber play surface with nearby picnic shelters and it’s centrally-located so if it’s a quiet day at the park you won’t feel too isolated since you will be near the park entrance staff.

Just a short walk away is another playground near the lake.

It’s like a mini-version of the big one, so you’re little kids will have an easy alternative to those high drops! It even has it’s own mini-version of the yellow twisty slide! Again, all recycled rubber play surface.

Yorba Regional Parking Lot I Playground

This little playground is perfect for the younger age group. It’s in a quiet spot and one of only two playgrounds in the park with swings (2 baby, 2 bench swings). This one has recycled rubber AND sand play surfaces – because of the swings.

Yorba Regional Parking Lot K Playground

The last playground is near the fitness area and a set of ball fields. Parking Lot K is huge and the playground is at the far reaches of the park.

I would recommend this one if you are having a BIG party because it’s a bit more private at the end of the park and there is enough area to play frisbee or have lawn games. Recycled rubber and sand play surface. Spinners in addition to the playground. 2 baby swings and 2 bench swings.

Fitness Trail

You can park in Lot K or in Lot I to access the fitness equipment. It just depends on how much cardio you want to get in between all the strength training!

Park Highlights

Recommended by: Lisa (her comments in italics)

The BEST park I’ve seen for family bike rides.  It’s flat and it’s BIG. Plus it connects up with a larger trail system which leads to the ocean. You can download the bikeways map available for free from OCTA here.

Striking beauty of lakes connected by a series of bridges — many have short fishing piers stretching out over the water. Multiple ponds and a few larger lakes interconnected by streams full of fish and ducks and geese. Plenty of bridges going over the streams and a large one that bisects the largest lake. My toddler loves running across the bridges over and over.

Forested areas for pretend adventures and nature play. Back in the southwest corner of the park there are lots of large trees fairly close together – it really feels like you’re in the middle of the forest (except for the hum of the 91 freeway in the background).

Paved paths for bikes, fitness walks, and leisurely strolls.  The park is over a mile long, so you can spend a good morning or afternoon with a toddler strolling all around and exploring all the playgrounds (there are six different ones!) There’s a sign/map for “Yorba Regional Park 5K Trail” back near the bike path, natural garden and ball park.

Don’t forget the fishing! There were lots of people fishing at the park. State fishing license required if you’re over 16.

I also love that you can park very near the playground without having to walk a long distance if you forget something in the car!

Be Aware

This park can be very busy on holiday weekends.

I’ve noticed that in the afternoons on the weekends, there tend to be larger, rowdier kids playing on the equipment. I tend to either try and steer my toddler away from the larger play areas, or I just follow him up to the higher slides at these times.

The Santa Ana River runs the length of the south side of the park. It’s pretty far removed from most of the paths and the playgrounds, but it is there. If you end up at the back of the park past the horseback riding and biking trails, there isn’t really anything keeping you from going right up to the edge.

Pretty sure I saw a few small spots of poison oak in some of the off-path areas (just like everywhere in Southern California). Just keep your eyes out.

Obviously, lots of water. So make sure you have your eyes on little non-swimmers in case they toddle off.

Checklist

• Dedicated parking lot, but you must pay the OCParks fee of $3 weekdays, $5 weekends, and $7-$10 on major holidays. Or I’d highly recommend getting an Annual Pass ($80 for the year).
• Lots of alcoves with benches for relaxing and watching the sights.
• Nice bathrooms all over the place.
• A snack shop and bike rental vendor located at Parking Lot D.
• Tons of picnic tables with grills and picnic shelters available by reservation.  OCParks.com has a great online reservation system with photos. Here’s the picnic shelter link for Yorba Regional Park.
• Get OFFICIAL information on Yorba Regional Park from OC Parks
• Yorba Regional Park Wheel Fun Rentals
• Find more nearby parks in my North OC Parks Index

More Orange County Regional Parks:

• Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Brea
• Clark Regional Park, Buena Park
• Craig Regional Park, Fullerton
• Irvine Regional Park, Irvine
• Laguna Niguel Regional Park, Laguna Niguel
• Mason Regional Park, Irvine
• Mile Square Regional Park, Fountain Valley
• O’Neill Regional Park, Trabuco Canyon
• Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange

Originally posted in March 2010.