Cedar Grove Park is a special place for picnics at the tables in the real cedar grove. See hummingbirds buzz around you and watch lizards skitter over the rocks. It’s fun to let the kids get up and explore while leisurely munching. For once, a mealtime without any rules. The play areas offer many themes for pretending and a trail up to Peter’s Canyon for the adventurous.
Location: Located near Jamboree and Tustin Ranch Roads. From the 5 freeway, exit at Jamboree. Follow Jamboree past retail area. Turn left on Tustin Ranch Road, then right onto Pioneer Way, and another right onto Pioneer Road to access parking lot. (Address: 11385 Pioneer Road, Tustin) MAP to Cedar Grove Park in Tustin
Recommended by: Nicole
Highlights:
- The cedar grove provides a beautiful backdrop to a day of play
- Excellent for pretend play with a castle/fort, railroad cars, a “troll bridge,” and ship
- Unusual sand toys – pitchers on cables to pulley sand from the ground up to a tower for pouring down a chute back to the ground
- Kid-sized concrete picnic tables
- Sizeable areas for older kids to climb and navigate – structures are not just for babies/toddlers
- Fire station across the street adds a little entertainment value for younger kids
Be Aware:
- As you are walking across the grass from the parking lot – the grove is on your right. “Little kid” structures more to your left near the train. “Big kid” play areas on your right.
- Summer camps, MOMS Club, Stroller Strides and other groups make use of this park. It’s such an enormous park that there’s room for all!
Checklist:
- Dedicated parking lot
- Sand, bark, and recycled rubber play surface
- Nice bathrooms near play train (opposite side of park from cedar grove)
- Lots of shade under trees and patio cover
- Relaxed areas to view children – sit on planters or at picnic tables
- Perfect for picnics under cedars, but even more tables near main play area with grills
- 2 half-basketball courts and grass volleyball
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
another great tustin park is the "pirate park". i don't know the official name, and am too lazy to look it up right now. it's near the intersection of jamboree and tustin ranch rd. my boys love the big pirate ship.
& my favorite new secret park is in irvine, i think it's call settlers park. it has a covered play area, climbing wall & a nice little bike path around the play area.
this park is one of our favorites as well… but an additional "be aware" is that the little kid & big kid play areas are separated by a bridge and some trees, which makes it kind of hard to keep on eye on both places, or possibly multiple kids at the same time. otherwise it's a great park!