Beaches & Parks
PARKS
Fairview Park ( Costa Mesa )
www.ocmetrains.org/
Orange County Model Engineers
2500 Placentia Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Last Updated: October 2016
Every 3rd weekend of each month (weather permitting) free train rides are offered at this park from 10Am to 3PM. All of the staff members there are volunteers and there is a donation box at the end of the ride. Please donate to help preserve the trains ! It is important to note that in order for children to ride the trains they must be able to walk and be at least 31" tall. Also cell phone usage is not permitted while riding the trains. And ladies be sure to wear pants or shorts as you will have to straddle the seat. There is free parking but it is on a dirt/gravel lot so if you have a nice, clean, shiny car it will probably get a bit dirty afterwards. We had gone there on a weekend when they had their Scarecrow & Pumpkin festival so I believe the crowd was probably bigger than usual. We had to wait 45 minutes for the train ride that day. I would suggest coming early to avoid the long lines plus the weather would be much cooler in the morning . The day that we arrived the weather couldn't have been more perfect, sunny with a nice cool breeze! My family enjoyed the relaxing 5 mile train ride which took a little more than 10 minutes to complete 2 loops around the park ! The weekend that we went they had a band that played live music, face painting, pumpkin picking, fire truck rides ($3 per person), and an area where the kids can shoot off their self built rockets! I would recommend coming here when they hold special events that way there are more activities for the kids other than just riding the trains. The train rides though are definitely fun for both kids and adults!
Orange County Model Engineers
2500 Placentia Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Last Updated: October 2016
Every 3rd weekend of each month (weather permitting) free train rides are offered at this park from 10Am to 3PM. All of the staff members there are volunteers and there is a donation box at the end of the ride. Please donate to help preserve the trains ! It is important to note that in order for children to ride the trains they must be able to walk and be at least 31" tall. Also cell phone usage is not permitted while riding the trains. And ladies be sure to wear pants or shorts as you will have to straddle the seat. There is free parking but it is on a dirt/gravel lot so if you have a nice, clean, shiny car it will probably get a bit dirty afterwards. We had gone there on a weekend when they had their Scarecrow & Pumpkin festival so I believe the crowd was probably bigger than usual. We had to wait 45 minutes for the train ride that day. I would suggest coming early to avoid the long lines plus the weather would be much cooler in the morning . The day that we arrived the weather couldn't have been more perfect, sunny with a nice cool breeze! My family enjoyed the relaxing 5 mile train ride which took a little more than 10 minutes to complete 2 loops around the park ! The weekend that we went they had a band that played live music, face painting, pumpkin picking, fire truck rides ($3 per person), and an area where the kids can shoot off their self built rockets! I would recommend coming here when they hold special events that way there are more activities for the kids other than just riding the trains. The train rides though are definitely fun for both kids and adults!
Tewinkle Park ( Costa Mesa )
www.costamesaca.gov
970 Arlington Dr
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Last Updated: August 2016
It's a beautiful park with a shaded kids play area ! It's a great place to take some family photos ! And we even spotted some turtles sunbathing on the rocks in the lake ! Be sure to visit the Centennial Farms across the street! (Go to the "Hidden Gemsl" tab above for more information of the Centennial Farm )
970 Arlington Dr
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Last Updated: August 2016
It's a beautiful park with a shaded kids play area ! It's a great place to take some family photos ! And we even spotted some turtles sunbathing on the rocks in the lake ! Be sure to visit the Centennial Farms across the street! (Go to the "Hidden Gemsl" tab above for more information of the Centennial Farm )
Huntington Central Park -EAST SIDE ( Huntington Beach)
7111 Talbert Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Last Updated : August 2016
This park is 356 acres and Goldenwest Street is where the park splits in half. Huntington Central park East is on one side of Goldenwest Street and Huntington Central park West is on the other . Huntington Central Park East includes a library, playground, natural amphitheatre, a restaurant and a cute little secret garden. Park on Talbert street for the library, park on Goldenwest street for the restaurant and park on Slater Ave. for the kids playground.
7111 Talbert Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Last Updated : August 2016
This park is 356 acres and Goldenwest Street is where the park splits in half. Huntington Central park East is on one side of Goldenwest Street and Huntington Central park West is on the other . Huntington Central Park East includes a library, playground, natural amphitheatre, a restaurant and a cute little secret garden. Park on Talbert street for the library, park on Goldenwest street for the restaurant and park on Slater Ave. for the kids playground.
Orange County Great Park ( Irvine )
www.ocgp.org
6950 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
Last Updated: November 2016
We came here on a Tuesday to check out this park and it was like a virtual ghost town. It was our first visit here and we thought that it would be just like any other park with people jogging or perhaps walking their dogs, kids playing on the playground, and families picnicking but there was no one else at this park besides one other family. We definitely came on the wrong day as everything was closed except for the Farm + Food Lab . While parking our car we had noticed that the dumpsters in front of the Farm+Food Lab were full of discarded pumpkins. The ones that were still in good condition were placed by the parking lot and we were told by one of the staff that they were free for the picking. My kids then wanted to take a few pumpkins home with us so that we could make some roasted pumpkin seeds! Awesome! We had scored some free pumpkins ! At this park they also have a carousel and a giant air balloon ride but they were not operating on this day. They also have a few buildings which included a visitor's center, an artist studios and gallery but they were all closed. They don't have a regular kids playground with swings and a climbing structure but instead they have a Kid's Rock Playground with 2 slides and a few rock climbing structures. If you decide to visit this park the best days to come is Thursday through Sunday as the buildings will be open and the rides will be operating. I would recommend coming here on a Sunday as they have a weekly Farmer's Market or whenever they have a special event. Be sure to check their website for upcoming events and hours of operation.
6950 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
Last Updated: November 2016
We came here on a Tuesday to check out this park and it was like a virtual ghost town. It was our first visit here and we thought that it would be just like any other park with people jogging or perhaps walking their dogs, kids playing on the playground, and families picnicking but there was no one else at this park besides one other family. We definitely came on the wrong day as everything was closed except for the Farm + Food Lab . While parking our car we had noticed that the dumpsters in front of the Farm+Food Lab were full of discarded pumpkins. The ones that were still in good condition were placed by the parking lot and we were told by one of the staff that they were free for the picking. My kids then wanted to take a few pumpkins home with us so that we could make some roasted pumpkin seeds! Awesome! We had scored some free pumpkins ! At this park they also have a carousel and a giant air balloon ride but they were not operating on this day. They also have a few buildings which included a visitor's center, an artist studios and gallery but they were all closed. They don't have a regular kids playground with swings and a climbing structure but instead they have a Kid's Rock Playground with 2 slides and a few rock climbing structures. If you decide to visit this park the best days to come is Thursday through Sunday as the buildings will be open and the rides will be operating. I would recommend coming here on a Sunday as they have a weekly Farmer's Market or whenever they have a special event. Be sure to check their website for upcoming events and hours of operation.
Free admissions and parking.
Going to make some roasted pumpkins seeds !
A chicken coupe inside the Farm+Food Lab.
Cute little area inside the Farm+Food Lab.
Staypuft knee deep in sand
"Oh no, it's quick sand! Help !"
"Oh no, it's quick sand! Help !"
BEACHES
Balboa Beach (Newport Beach, CA )
Directions: Balboa Beach is on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. To get there from I-405, take Highway 55. It will cross Pacific Coast Highway and change names to Balboa Boulevard. Turn right onto Main Street to the Balboa Beach parking lots.
This beach has a pier, kids playground and a grassy area for picnics. You can choose to park in metered parking spaces or go through a pay booth. You can take a walk to the Balboa Fun Zone where there's an arcade area and a couple of rides. My kids loved the car ferry ride over to Balboa Island. I like the car ferry too because the kids do not need to get out of the car. Just roll all the windows down and enjoy the ride!
This beach has a pier, kids playground and a grassy area for picnics. You can choose to park in metered parking spaces or go through a pay booth. You can take a walk to the Balboa Fun Zone where there's an arcade area and a couple of rides. My kids loved the car ferry ride over to Balboa Island. I like the car ferry too because the kids do not need to get out of the car. Just roll all the windows down and enjoy the ride!
Corona Del Mar Tide Pools (Corona Del Mar, CA )
Directions: : Take the 73 fwy to MacArthur, turn left on PCH, then turn right on Marguerite. When you get to Ocean Blvd., turn left. The tide pools are located where Ocean Blvd. ends at Poppy Street. Parking is on the streets.
Last Updated: July 2016
This is one of my family's favorite beaches! The tidepools are so much fun to explore! There is free parking along the street but parking can sometimes be hard to find! Be forewarned that it is a short hike down a paved walkway to get to the tidepools so you'll need to hold on to your litte one's hands. There are restrooms here as well.
Last Updated: July 2016
This is one of my family's favorite beaches! The tidepools are so much fun to explore! There is free parking along the street but parking can sometimes be hard to find! Be forewarned that it is a short hike down a paved walkway to get to the tidepools so you'll need to hold on to your litte one's hands. There are restrooms here as well.
Main Beach Park (Laguna Beach, CA)
Pacific Coast Hwy and Highway 133
http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com/docs/09-10LBVCB_Hgh%20Res%20Map.pdf
They have a kids playground and restrooms. Parking can be hard to find though. It has metered parking along the street.
http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com/docs/09-10LBVCB_Hgh%20Res%20Map.pdf
They have a kids playground and restrooms. Parking can be hard to find though. It has metered parking along the street.
Marine Park aka Mother's Beach ( Seal Beach, CA )
Appian Way below 2nd St.
Seal Beach, CA
There's a grassy area with trees for picnics, a play ground, restrooms and a roped off area for swimming. It has metered parking so don't forget to bring your quarters! You can expect it to get crowded on the weekend.
Seal Beach, CA
There's a grassy area with trees for picnics, a play ground, restrooms and a roped off area for swimming. It has metered parking so don't forget to bring your quarters! You can expect it to get crowded on the weekend.
Seal Beach Pier (Seal Beach, CA)
Main Street and Ocean Ave
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=seal+beach+main+street&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Main+St,+Seal+Beach,+Orange,+California&gl=us&ei=QFI8S8PmK4TIsAOz7MW7BA&ved=0CBAQ8gEwAA&z=16
What I love about this beach is that it has parking right next to the kids playground and the restrooms are right by there as well ! They have a self pay parking meter.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=seal+beach+main+street&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Main+St,+Seal+Beach,+Orange,+California&gl=us&ei=QFI8S8PmK4TIsAOz7MW7BA&ved=0CBAQ8gEwAA&z=16
What I love about this beach is that it has parking right next to the kids playground and the restrooms are right by there as well ! They have a self pay parking meter.