Picture the Park - Free Family Acitivity in OC this Weekend

If you're looking for a fun activity here in Orange County this weekend...This Saturday, April 17th between 12 and 3pm the Orange County Great Park will be hosting its Picture the Park event to kick off the 3rd annual Imagination Celebration.  It's a free event designed for the whole family (in particular for kids ages 5-12).  Kids will have the opportunity to learn about gardening from UC Extension Master Gardeners, learn about the water cycle and take part in recycled art craft making.

Admission and parking is free (park at Hangar 244). 

Also be sure to check out "Tool Time" on May 1st and Movie on the Lawn May 15th!

More information about upcoming events at the Orange County Great Park can be found here.

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Cox Sports Park, Ladera Ranch, CA

We love the Cox Sports Park in Ladera Ranch, California for a number of reasons. As a Mom, I like the park because it is off of the main road (Crown Valley Parkway), peaceful, yet not far from things. I also really like the park because it is fully covered, so you don’t have to worry about putting sunscreen on the kids, or running home to get it before going to the park. A downside to the park though, is the closest bathroom is quite a distance from the playground and certainly not convenient (it is located at the snack bar area where the four fields come together).

I have found this park is great to go to during the weekdays with the kids, I’d just be careful not to go during normal sporting event times, as it can get very congested with spillover parents/kids from the attached fields.

There is a water fountain at the playground and benches for the parents, as well as a large gazebo area available for reservations. The park is located directly across the street from a Burger King, Starbucks, Taco Mesa and Albertsons, so it is quite easy to pick up snacks, drinks and/or dinner to eat at the park. Parking is normally super easy, but again during busy soccer or baseball games, it could be a problem.


The park is located at: 27623 Crown Valley Parkway, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694

Helpful links:
- http://www.coxsportspark.com/

- http://www.laderalife.com

Things To Do
Mission Viejo

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Dinosaur Park aka Laguna Hills Community Park

Did you know that the Saddleback Valley is built on some of the richest fossil grounds in the country? I sure didn’t! We found this park a few years ago nestled next to the Laguna Hills Community Center, and until we parked and walked back in we had no idea how cool it was! We call it the Dinosaur Park, but it is officially the Laguna Hills Community Park.

This is a very large park and really lends itself to bringing a picnic lunch or take out dinner. There are plenty of covered benches and restrooms on site. It will be tough getting the kids ready to go home, because of how much there is to explore!

We love the large amount of dinosaur themed activities at the park including a full sized skeleton of a Dinosaur for kids to play on and in. There’s a full sized wooden jeep for the kids to play in, three large turtle fountains, diggers, tunnels, baby play areas as well as big kids play structures. This really is a park for kids of all shapes and sizes.

The park is located directly across from the Ralphs and Starbucks at the corner of Paseo de Valencia and Alicia in Laguna Hills. (25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653-5341)

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Florence Joyner Olympiad Park, Mission Viejo

Florence Joyner Olympiad Park, Mission Viejo

Why we love it: The creativity of the design of the park is fantastic. The kids have a great time and there are seemingly endless areas for the kids to explore. There are quite a few shaded areas but the swings in particular are in full sun. There are tic tac toe boards, a large corkscrew slide, clubhouses and other neat park structures I have not seen at other parks. There was even a giant enclosed cave-like area with dinosaur etchings inside.

Be sure to bring: Lots of sunscreen, water and a few snacks for the kids. If it is your first time going to the park, plan on staying there for at least an hour, because kids have so many areas to explore. There are restrooms, but as always- bring hand sanitizer! There are also shaded picnic benches.

Appeals to: Kids of all ages and sizes. There are copious amounts of shade for babies, little clubhouses for toddlers and some of the neatest climbing structures I have ever seen for older kids! There are lots of walking paths, so bring a jogging stroller and go for a good trek in the mornings or evenings. There is also a large field adjoining the park for outdoor sports.

Directions: It’s easily accessed off of Alicia Parkway near Lake Mission Viejo, at the intersection of Olympiad road and Alicia Parkway. The entrance is about a block down Olympiad. 22760 Olympiad Road, Mission Viejo
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mission+Viejo,+CA&ie=UTF8&ll=33.631987,-117.632675&spn=0.025691,0.036221&z=15&iwloc=addr&om=1

Things To Do
Mission Viejo

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Aliso Creek State Beach

Aliso Creek Beach, Laguna Beach

Why we love it: Because it has a great playground adjacent to the beach. While the kids are playing on the elaborate play structures, you can enjoy the views of the beach and soothing sound of the waves crashing on the beach. There are two play structures- one geared towards 5 and up, the other for younger children. There are two standard swings but aren’t any bucket swings for young toddlers. It can get busy during the summer season, so it’s best to go on a weekday. Watch for dolphins, whales and lots of ocean life out in the water. We’ve seen all of the above over the years. Take the kids just before sunset on a summer night. The kids will have a wonderful time and you can enjoy the breathtaking sunset.

Be sure to bring: A couple dollars to pay for parking. Its $1/hour and you can only use the vending machines- cash only. It is patrolled daily- don’t get caught without the parking validation in your window! Make sure you lather on the sunscreen, there is very little shade. Flip flops or sandals if you decide to venture down to the water. During the summer the snack shop on site is open. There are restrooms on site as well as lots of picnic benches.

Appeals to: Toddlers and up. The play structures are nautical themed and children love pretending they are sailing the sea on the ship/playground. You do have to keep an eye on younger children being so close to the beach and near the busy parking lot… but the ambiance it well worth it!




Location: It’s off of Pacific Coast Highway in South Laguna Beach. Here’s the link to Google maps for the precise location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Aliso+Beach+Park,+CA&sll=33.509572,-117.751443&sspn=0.005367,0.008508&ie=UTF8&ll=33.510556,-117.752194&spn=0.021469,0.034032&z=15&om=1

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