Central Park Huntington Beach is so massive we only had time to cover the west side. It’s a beautiful oasis of nature right in the thick of Huntington Beach.
Location: The best way to visit the WEST side of the park is off Edwards. Talbert changes into Varsity at Edwards – so don’t get tricked and turn the wrong way. Turn onto Talbert from Edwards. If you don’t live in Huntington Beach, make sure you consult the map. Streets dead end, change names, and run on diagonals here so it pays to print out your map. MAP to Huntington Beach Central Park WEST
Recommended by: A FunOrangeCountyParks.com visitor
Highlights:
- Central Park West features Lake Huntington, an equestrian center, a disc golf course, a dog park, a restaurant and nature center.
- Shipley Nature Center is an outdoor treat not to be missed. Open from 9am-1pm every day, except Sunday. Little ones will thrive on the adventure spirit and wildlife abounds on the manicured trails. Take a stroll, visit the small museum, borrow some binoculars and have a ball. PBS personality, Huell Howser, even paid the park a visit. Video on Shipley’s website.
- Covered picnic shelter rentals, barbecue grills, two play areas, dirt and cement trails for walking, bicycling and jogging, nature and bird watching and more.
Be Aware:
- This park is HUGE – give yourself plenty of time for exploring because my kids are disappointed every time we leave.
- Play equipment is dated, but still lots of fun. Just don’t come expecting state-of-the-art.
- A recent OC Register article entitled “Ducks fed bread crumbs are being killed with kindness” specifically mentions this park. It warns against feeding the waterfowl because it may cause botulism outbreaks resulting in paralysis and sometimes death for the ducks.
Checklist:
- Plenty of parking in a dedicated lot where Talbert dead ends
- Sand and recycled rubber play surfaces
- Bathrooms are near the restaurant – but a bit primitive (nicer ones in Nature Center but a bit of a walk from the parking lot)
- SHADE everywhere! TONS of trees!
- Easy to see kids at all parts of the park – you can even let them run quite a ways and feel secure you can see them
- Smaller groupings of picnic tables all over the fields under trees and in meadows. Plus a number of benches, too. Grills everywhere.
- Stockteam.com has an incredible listing of parks in Huntington Beach. Click here for a complete listing!
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Thanks for reminding me. I’ve been meaning to update the post.
Sad to say, the city closed Alice’s in the Park. Goodbye, delicious cinnamon rolls! This is still the best park in the area – library, frisbee golf, horses, lakes, winding trails, nature center… You can visit every day for a week and not see the same tree twice.
Thanks for sharing. I’ll be sure to take my kids next time I’m in Huntington Beach.