From the category archives:

OC Central

Meadowood Park: Ride the Incredible Spinning Umbrella and Learn Your ABCs

March 8, 2010

Meadowood Park in Irvine was a Plan B park for me. We’ve been stalking Citrus Ranch Park to get photos for you. So we headed out there the Friday before it opened – just to find it blocked off and guarded by security. So off we headed down Portola Parkway to find a different place [...]

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Pretend City’s “Good to Go from Head to Toe” Open Invitation

February 25, 2010

You may have seen my post about Pretend City housing an initiative called: “Good to Go from Head to Toe.” At the time I wrote that post, I hadn’t visited the museum yet. My kids were thrilled when we were invited to learn more about the initiative and the activities at the Museum.
Way to Play [...]

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Great Park: Balloon Rising With High Expectations

February 23, 2010

The Great Park with it’s great orange balloon and great PR is currently little more than a glorified parking lot. This incarnation of the park is called the “Preview Park.” It’s designed to give you a glimpse of what’s to come. Upon its completion, this metropolitan park will be almost double the size of New [...]

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Newport Ridge Community Park: Fun for Residents Only

February 6, 2010

Newport Ridge Community Park is an open space dedicated solely to Newport Ridge Community Association homeowners. It’s not gated, but it’s very clear the public is not welcome with signs sprouting from the top of the playground, the picnic area and the entrance to the parking lot.
I include it here because there are probably some [...]

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Irvine Central Bark: Check OCDogFriendly.com For More Canine Parks

January 28, 2010

Irvine Central Bark is one of 13 dedicated dog parks in Orange County. Scott submitted a recommendation for Central Bark because of its separate Big Dog/Little Dog areas. Scott warns he’s seen relatively big dogs in the little dog area –which could be explained because the sign outside says older, frail dogs can use the [...]

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Crystal Cove State Park: Tidepooling at a Natural Playground

January 24, 2010

Crystal Cove State Park’s waters are a designated underwater park–which may be why the tidepooling was so amazing on our visit. December and January are notorious for the highest of high and lowest of low tides. I’m sure you’ll find something different on every visit throughout the year.
Location: We’ve been to other parts of [...]

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Pretend City: How to Play All Day While Growing Healthy Kids

January 19, 2010

Research shows children learn best and develop optimally through meaningful play and hands-on learning experiences. The new Good To Go From Head To Toe initiative offers free classes and events to help parents and caretakers understand child development and connect with children through play. One of the best ways to see if your children are [...]

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Newport Coast Parks: Binoculars NOT Optional at Canyon Watch and Harbor Watch Pocket Parks

January 17, 2010

My favorite Newport Coast parks are called Canyon Watch and Harbor Watch. These separate, but similar parks, sit along San Joaquin Hills Drive looking like nothing more than a scenic viewpoint from the street. Take the time to stop and stroll. You’ll see incredible views of the canyon and Newport Harbor. You’ll see Catalina Island. [...]

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Woodbury Community Park: A Training Ground for Mountaineers and Hamsters

January 7, 2010

Woodbury Community Park in Irvine is just what you’d imagine: a beautiful oasis centering a planned community. The park is at the center, spreading to apartments and housing, then big block retail on the outskirts. If you enter from Sand Canyon you’ll start with the retail. I prefer driving in from Jeffrey where you skirt [...]