New playgrounds pop up all the time in Orange County but few really stick. With amenities ranging from interactive tide pools and mud pits to abstract play equipment and ocean views, here are a few spots creating a buzz.
Adventure Playground
1 Beech Tree Lane, Irvine
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best time to go: Morning
Tips: Enter 4512 Sandburg Way in your GPS for the most accurate directions. Bring extra clothes, towels, snacks and sunscreen.
One of only a few of its kind in the United States, Adventure Playground is one of the most unusual parks Orange County has to offer. Built in the 1970s and closed in 2008 for an extensive remodel, the unstructured play environment remains a favorite for locals since it reopened last December.
Shoes aren’t required, and children can play at their own risk in the shin-deep mud hole or build forts with giant Legos in the two most populated areas of the innovative play space. A sensory garden, gigantic tree house, sandboxes, an art zone, concrete slides, Tonka trucks galore, grassy hills, hammocks and a water pumping station can all be found here. The natural space is enclosed but spans almost 2 acres, so keeping a close eye on little ones is imperative. There are clean restrooms, shaded picnic tables and multiple hoses for rinsing off on the way out.
It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here, so pack a lunch along with a hat because shade is minimal. This playground has something for kids of all ages and is stroller- and wagon-friendly. For the ultimate experience, come on a weekday to avoid the crowds. The staff members are friendly, and parking and entrance are free. Dogs are not allowed.
Adventure Play Park at Sendero
29669-29851 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano
Hours: 6 a.m. to dusk
Best time to go: Morning or early evening
Tips: Be sure to enter the address in your GPS instead of the name and look for the Sendero Field sign.
Located in the recently developed area of Rancho Mission Viejo is a playground so new it’s not even on the map yet. Spread across 15 acres of luscious land, Adventure Play Park at Sendero in San Juan Capistrano is a playground for nature enthusiasts.
The surface area, made of recycled rubber, is eye-popping with hues of blue and green pastels that complement the rustic architecture. There are man-made tree logs and stumps and curved cement walls to support creative play and encourage exploration. Besides the popular rock climbing structures, the majority of the play equipment is low- level and has spider nets to climb, ropes to swing on, bucket and bench swings, various slides and sand for play.
There are plenty of picnic tables, some with shade and barbecue grills, and restrooms are well-maintained. Small trees, drought-tolerant shrubs and large rocks dot the hilly terrain. The park features all-inclusive pickleball courts, baseball fields, a multipurpose lawn and twisting trails and pathways for bicycles, strollers and leisurely walkers.
There is a dedicated parking lot. Weekdays are best to avoid the crowds, and shade is minimal so morning or early evening is the best time to visit. Parking and entrance are free.
Angel’s Playground at TeWinkle Park
970 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Best time to go: Before noon
Tips: There is so much to see and do here, so pack a lunch and have a picnic. Weekdays are best to avoid the crowds.
This is one of the few playgrounds in Orange County with shaded tarps over some of the structures. The play equipment is entirely disabled-accessible, with the most popular being the multiuser rocker, which has enough room for wheelchairs and bench seating that sways back and forth. The recliner-style swings are a crowd pleaser, too.
The surface of the playground is made of recycled rubber that can get hot in the afternoon. There are bench swings, slides, tunnels, balancing beams, park benches and a tot lot with a sandbox. Next to the playground is a giant gazebo with picnic tables and barbecue grills. There are tennis, baseball and volleyball courts and open fields for flying kites or playing Frisbee. The atmosphere is breathtaking, with tall trees, boulders and stroller-friendly pathways that lead to a man-made waterfall and lakes with fish, turtles and frogs. Kids will love the ducks, geese and squirrels roaming the area. The restrooms are well-maintained, and parking is ample on weekdays. Across the street is a skate park for the older kids to enjoy. Parking and entrance are free.
Baker Ranch Community Park
26380 Rancho Parkway, Lake Forest
Hours: Dawn to dusk
The best time of day to go: Morning or early evening
Tips: Enter the address in your GPS instead of the name of the park for the most accurate directions. Pack the scooters and bicycles for the walking loop and watch the sunset.
Located in the recently developed Baker Ranch in Lake Forest, the modernized playground sits at the top of a hill with a phenomenal view of Orange County. The architecture caters to kids who love to climb. A giant rock-climbing structure and a wall, climbing chains, poles and several ladders are offered. The soft synthetic grass – a favorite among people with allergies – and the massive tube slide set this playground apart.
Although swings are noticeably absent, there is an array of interactive equipment such as abacus and checkerboard tables that can engage children on many levels. There are several slides, steering wheels, circular monkey bars, a spring rider pony, a small sandbox, bridges and clear tunnels throughout the three play areas that are designated by age.
Surrounding the playgrounds are shaded picnic tables with barbecue grills, park benches, a basketball court, several fields, restrooms, two large parking lots, trails and a walking loop that is great for strollers, scooters and bicycles. Drought-tolerant shrubs, succulents, rosemary and palm trees decorate the landscape. Dogs are welcome here, and parking and entrance are free. Just a short drive down the hill, a drive-through Starbucks is coming soon.
Bluebird Park
798 Blue Bird Canyon Drive, Laguna Beach
Hours: Dawn to dusk
The best time of day to go: Morning or afternoon
Tips: The parking lot fills up fast so arrive early and stay all day. This is a great spot to have a picnic.
Bluebird Park is one of the few playgrounds in Orange County that is entirely fenced in. Originally opened in the 1950s and remodeled in 2005, the area remains quaint, and the tandem metal slides and geo dome climber will bring back childhood memories.
The four-level rocket ship stands out in the two play areas, one filled with wood chips for the older kids, the other a tot lot with sand. There are bucket and bench swings, a variety of slides, monkey bars, climbing ropes, balancing beams, bridges, tunnels and more. Surrounding the play areas are pathways for scooters, bikes or leisurely walkers; picnic tables with barbecue grills; several large grass areas for picnics; ample shade; a basketball half-court; and restrooms. The park wouldn’t be complete without a giant multicolored tortoise sculpture showing off the artsy side of Laguna – a favorite for kids to climb on.
The Summer Concert Series features live music every Sunday in July at Bluebird Park. Parking and entrance are free. There is a dedicated lot, but it’s small, so weekdays are the best time to visit.
Box Canyon Park
22400 Foxtail Drive, Yorba Linda
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Best time to go: Early morning or evening
Tips: The park has a view, so pack snacks and watch the sunset.
Kids can step aboard the pirate ship-themed playground and let their imagination navigate the way. This is one of the few playgrounds in north O.C. that was designed to accommodate children with special needs. It burned down in the 2008 wildfires, but local residents agree that it was rebuilt beautifully.
There are two structures, a pirate ship for 2- to 5-year-olds, and a castle for 6- to 12-year-olds, both with wheelchair-accessible ramps. The surface area is made of recycled rubber and is bright blue to resemble the ocean. There are bucket and bench swings and a handicap-accessible swing, interactive play stations, bridges and several slides. Surrounding the playground are park benches, a gazebo with picnic tables, clean restrooms, a walking loop, a basketball court, small trees and open grass fields. The playground is at the top of a hill with a great view on one side and picturesque mountains on the other. There is plenty of street parking on weekdays, and dogs are welcome. Shade is minimal, so the playground can get hot midday. Parking and entrance are free.
Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Access Playground
987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Best time to go: morning
Tips: This playground is manageable with multiple children because it’s fenced in.
Courtney’s SandCastle is named after a local resident with spinal muscular atrophy who was unable to enjoy playground activities as a little girl because she used a wheelchair. The award-winning playground was designed for children with physical, mental and sensory disabilities but serves children of all abilities.
The recently opened sensory garden is unique. The interactive tide pool, floating water sphere, musical pathway and fragrant plants encourage kids to socialize. There is a pirate-ship play structure for 2- to 5-year-olds; a castle structure for 5- to 12-year-olds; various slides; bucket, bench and handicap-accessible swings; interactive panels; a rock-climbing boulder; a sand and water table; a sandbox with diggers; and a sea serpent that is great for photos. The brightly colored surface of the playground is made out of recycled rubber, and the picnic pavilion with tables is great for large parties. The park has well-maintained restrooms and ample parking on weekdays in a dedicated lot. Pets and skateboards are not allowed. Parking and entrance are free.
Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park
19251 Seapoint St., Huntington Beach
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Best time to go: Early morning or evening
Tips: Arrive early to avoid crowds, stake out a picnic table and have lunch. The ocean breeze makes this a great spot for flying kites.
It might be only a mile from the beach, but this is an entirely sand-free playground. The funky equipment sets this park apart with its abstract designs to inspire young minds. The 9,000-plus-square-foot play area is made up of recycled materials such as tires, car bumper stops and trash can hangers.
The tot lot is designed for 2- to 5-year-olds, and the more challenging play equipment is for 6- to 12-year-olds. There are a monkey bar zip line, several climbing apparatuses, bucket and bench swings, slides, a three-seat spring rider and rotating play equipment. Considered a hidden gem by locals, the park overlooks the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and State Beach so you’ll usually find an ocean breeze and an abundance of bird activity and squirrels. Parents can feel safe because this park is fenced in, but it’s also massive, so keeping an eye on little ones is imperative. Surrounding the playground are 1,700 native plants, a scenic viewpoint, pathways, dirt trails, park benches, shaded tables, large rocks to climb or sit on and grassy areas for picnics or flying kites. The dedicated parking lot fills up fast, so weekdays are best for visiting this park. The restrooms are well-maintained, and parking and entrance are free.
Marina Park
1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Best time to go: Morning or afternoon
Tips: Bring a credit card for the parking meters and avoid the beach crowds by coming during the week.
Families are flocking to this brand-new playground, and it’s easy to see why. It has a nautical theme, it’s on the beach and it comes with a spectacular view of the harbor. The massive red-and-white-striped lighthouse with a tube slide attached and restrooms underneath is what make this park unique.
The equipment is low-level and includes a wooden plank, slides, rotating poles, curved monkey bars, a climbing net, interactive panels, balancing discs, slides and more. Recycled rubber and sand make up the surface of the playground. The stand-up paddleboarders and boats putting through the marina are fun for the kids to watch and make it easy to forget there are no swings. There are also no waves, just a small wake, so kids can collect shells and dip their feet in the water. Surrounding the playground are several benches, shaded picnic tables, a basketball half-court and the Lighthouse Café. The large grassy areas make this a great spot for parties, picnics, flying kites and blowing bubbles in the ocean breeze. The park is dog-friendly, and entrance is free. There is paid parking in the dedicated lot or free parking on the street but that’s not ideal with kids.
Pavion Park
24051 Pavion, Mission Viejo
Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Best time to go: Before noon
Tips: Bring a portable potty until the restroom facility is completed.
There’s never a dull moment at this newly renovated park. From the bright, floral surface area to the giant interactive maze, this is a place where imaginations can run wild. Spread across 5 acres, Pavion Park was the first universally accessible playground in Orange County when it opened in 1988.
The play equipment is designated by age. The disc-style swing stands out and is by far the most popular among the older kids. There are a sandbox with a built-in digger, a giant rock to climb on, a tree house, several interactive panels with animal sounds and facts, tube and tandem slides, rotating play equipment and bucket, bench and handicap-accessible swings. Colorful mini-tables and Adirondack chairs – big and small – are strategically placed throughout the play areas to encourage parental involvement.
You can also relax on park benches, barbecue and eat lunch at one of the picnic tables, stroll the walking trails and enjoy the large grassy areas surrounding the playground. The play equipment is low-level, a plus for parents of toddlers, and there’s ample parking on the street except during dropoff and pickup times at Phillip J. Reilly Elementary School, adjacent to the park. Construction is underway on a much-needed restroom facility. Parking and entrance are free.