Central OC Playgrounds

Central OC playgrounds are in the cities of: Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach/Corona Del Mar, Orange, Santa Ana, and Tustin. If you don’t feel like scrolling through the list, link to the Playground Map from the sidebar.

Spyglass Hill Park in Newport Beach

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Spyglass Hill Park in Newport Beach is high atop a hill near the ocean, but the views are only peek-a-boo.  Still, you feel like you’re above it all when you visit at sunset and the golden rays light up the playground. Directions to Spyglass Hill Park:  Reach San Joaquin Hills Road from either MacArthur or [...]

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Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar

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Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar is another one of those places I always wanted to visit while I was a UCI student. I can’t believe it took me this long to pass through the gate of this magical place! Directions to Sherman Library and Gardens:  Exit Interstate 405 at MacArthur Boulevard and [...]

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Grant Howald Park in Newport Beach

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Grant Howald Park in Newport Beach is tucked away in a Corona del Mar neighborhood off Pacific Coast Highway near MacArthur Blvd. A reader recommended that I add it to my Sand Free Parks list. Directions to Grant Howald Park: From Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, take either Goldenrod, Heliotrope, or Iris to the [...]

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Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park in Irvine

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Bill Barber Memorial Park’s true name is Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. Colonel William E. Barber died in April 2002 not far from the park which bears his name. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery having served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Colonel Barber received the Medal of Honor from President Truman [...]

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Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Wilderness Access Days and More

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Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks celebrated the 5 year anniversary of the National Natural Landmark designation in October! The many organizations, agencies and volunteers helping to preserve the open spaces comprising the Landmark offer an incredible listing of outdoor activities in Orange County. In fact, I think they are about to put me out of a [...]

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