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 Jamboree and head up the hill towards Newport Coast.  Turn left on Spy Glass Hill Road.  The park will be up ahead on your right at the corner of El Capitan Drive.  (Address: Spy Glass Hill Road and El Capitan Drive) MAP TO SPYGLASS HILL PARK

Highlights:

• As is often the case, the playground is not the main attraction. There is quite a nice grassy “rolling hill” for the kids that scoops off the lip of the playground.
• It’s easy to see the kids playing here and it wasn’t too busy on our visit.
• A nice place for a picnic.
• Bring sand toys to play.
• It’s set up to be more of a 5-12 year old equipment, but I think older kids will bore quickly. It’s got steep drop-offs for younger kids.
• If you want a great walking workout — park at San Miguel Park at the bottom of the hill and walk a loop up and around Spyglass Hill. You can even stop at Gelson’s off San Miguel for coffee and the bakery!
• No shade on the playground, but it’s near the beach so it’s cooler
• Curvy monkey bars and a zip track
• 2 baby swings

Be Aware:

• No bench swings for big kids
• Popular with dog owners
• The street is away from the playground, but it wouldn’t take long for a fast toddler to make it down the hill to get there
• NO restroom
• Steep and fast slides on the back side of the equipment

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Play surface: Sand
• Drinking fountain
• Picnic tables
• Official City of Newport Beach website for Spyglass Hill Park
• Nearest public library branch: Newport Beach Public Library

Nearby Parks:

• San Miguel Park
• Bonita Canyon Sports Park
• Las Lomas Community Park

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 take it all the way to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).  Turn left onto PCH and the gardens are ahead on your right. Park in one of two small lots off Dahlia. (Address: 2647 East Pacific Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar)  MAP TO SHERMAN LIBRARY AND GARDENS IN CORONA DEL MAR

Highlights:

• Tranquil spot for kids to explore all the hidden corners of the garden – inspires a spirit of adventure and wonder
• Like every good garden, Sherman gardens has outdoor “rooms” or spaces which feature different plants
• I absolutely loved the succulents and cactus garden which is designed to resemble a coral reef. It’s breathtaking!
• The other highlight is the Discovery Garden where children can smell and touch the plants
• Let the kids lead you to the koi pond and find the turtles outside
• Go on a color walk or have your budding photographer bring his/her camera
• The concrete pelican sculptures caught my eye — look out for other outdoor art in the garden
• Cafe Jardin is open for lunch and Sunday brunch (but closed until February 1st)
• There’s a monthly tea on the last Wednesday of the month (by reservation)
• Browse the small garden-inspired gift shop
• We didn’t get to go into the library on our visit, but it is a research library all about the Pacific Southwest
• I would love to return for some quiet alone time or for a lunch date

Be Aware:

• This is not the place for children who don’t understand “Don’t Touch” rules.  The whole garden is “don’t touch” except for the Discovery Garden where kids are free to smell and touch the textures of the plants.
• I would also feel awkward if my kids were especially loud. We treated it like an outside library. Adults visit gardens to gain peace and be thoughtful.  Kids need to respect the quiet in the garden.
• It’s bigger than you’d think it is just from driving by, but it’s not an all day outing. I think we spent an hour inside, but we really took our time exploring.
• The library isn’t open the same hours as the garden. Make sure you consult the hours before you go.
• Cafe Jardin is re-opening February 1st, 2012

Checklist:

• The garden is not designed as a child play place, but children under 12 enter for free (otherwise admission is $1 for 12-16 year olds or $3 for adults)
• Mondays are free admission
• Memberships are available
• Gardens are open 10:30-4:30 daily (Click here for more on the hours of operation)
• Official Sherman Library and Gardens website
• Nearest public library branch: Newport Beach Public Library

Nearby parks:

• Grant Howald Park (walking distance)
• Irvine Terrace Park
• Corona del Mar Beach
• San Miguel Park

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 park and its parking areas. (Address: 3000 Fifth Avenue, Newport Beach) MAP TO GRANT HOWALD PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH

Highlights:

• Right next to a community center and along a bike trail
• Perfect park for walking because of all the trails and even sidewalks down the street for window shopping in Corona del Mar
• Newport Beach has walking trail maps if you want to see the area on foot
• The upper playground is all recycled rubber play surface with big kid swings and a “spiderweb” climber (big kid swings up here)
• The lower playground is for smaller kids with a sandy play surface and baby swings
• There’s a grill and picnic tables near the little kid playground
• Even though the equipment may not intrigue your child, the surrounding nature park is engaging for little explorers. We liked tromping all over the place just to see what we could see. Plus it’s fun because it’s nice and hilly.

Be Aware:

• Sandy playground is hidden from view of the big kid playground  You can’t see your older kid if your younger one is on the other side of the hedge (and vice versa)
• The equipment is somewhat limited. Big kids who like monkey bars and climbing will like it, but there’s not much to either play set.
• There are steep drops on the taller equipment not suitable for younger kids.
• It’s adjacent to a community center which makes it nice because of the facilities, but could make it busy and affect parking at times

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking lots
• Play surface: Recycled rubber on upper playground and sand on lower playground
• Restrooms at community center are only open during the center hours. Otherwise, there is a sign directing to use the restrooms by the tennis courts.
• Basketball court, tennis courts, soccer field and baseball diamonds
• 5th Avenue bike trail runs along the park here.
• Drinking fountain
• Grill and picnic tables
• Official City of Newport Beach website
• Nearest public library branch: Newport Beach Public Library

Nearby parks:

• Irvine Terrace Park
• Corona del Mar Beach
• San Miguel Park

West Newport Park in Newport Beach is the one  you can see when you’re heading south on Pacific Coast Highway from Huntington Beach into Newport Beach. Restaurants and shops are on your left and there’s a long and skinny park on your right, just a block away from the beach.

Location:  The street that parallels Pacific Coast Highway is called Seashore Drive. The park spreads along here and you can access it from Orange Street or Prospect Street.  The easiest way to find it is to look at the map!  MAP TO WEST NEWPORT PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH

Off Orange Street

Highlights:

• Different areas for different ages
• The first playground you will hit is off Orange Street.  It is great for younger kids. It has a shade cover and ride-on animals.
• Both playgrounds have 2 baby swings and 2 bench swings.
• The second playground is between Orange and Prospect. It is more suited to older kids because it only has the spiderweb climber and swings, but you can also jump in and help your little one navigate.
• Now that I’m looking at a satellite view on the map, it looks like there’s a third playground near the handball and tennis courts (sorry, no photos!).
• It would be a great walk to start at one end of the park and have “play stops” along the way to the other end of the park!
• I’ve always wanted to try the deli across the street, too. Let me know how it is, if you go!
• Walk one block and you’re at the beach — so you can bring sand toys and dip your toes in the ocean.

Be Aware:

• Pretty loud with street noise from PCH
• Parking could be an issue since it’s close to the beach, but there were tons of spaces open when we visited

Between Orange and Prospect (this is what I always see when I drive by)

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lots or along Seashore Drive
• Play surface: All recycled rubber at playground between Prospect and Orange. Recycled rubber and sand at playground off Orange.
• Restroom is located at playground off Orange.
• Benches for watching the kiddos and picnic tables in the shade
• Handball courts, basketball courts, and tennis courts at the far end of the park (near Seashore and 58th Street)
• Official City of Newport Beach website
• Nearest public library branch: Balboa Branch or Mariner’s Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library system

Nearby parks:

• 38th Street Park
• Newport Island Park
• Irvine Terrace Park

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Summer Challenge

Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park  in Newport Beach make me think of the good ‘ole days at the beach.  There are always families wandering around the shops and restaurants, kids riding bikes, and tourists visiting from out of town.  On the summer day we visited, Junior Lifeguards were there, in force.

Location: There are two piers on the Newport Peninsula: the Newport Pier and the Balboa Pier. The Balboa Pier is the furthest towards the end of the Peninsula.  From Interstate 405, take the 55 Freeway towards the beach and it will take you right onto the peninsula on Newport Blvd. (eventually turning into Balboa Blvd.).  You’ll travel past all the numbered streets to the lettered streets. Get there early to get a spot in the lots off Palm Street or B Street (turn right to get to the lots). Pay at the machines by the hour or by the day.  MAP TO BALBOA PIER AND PENINSULA PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH

Highlights:

• Lots to do here besides the beach and playground!
• Playground is on the sand at the base of the pier
• My kids loved the big spiderweb climber
• Huge bank of swings!
• Play equipment appropriate for 5-12 year olds
• Peninsula Park has a huge lawn area appropriate for kite flying or soccer games, plus gazebo for bands or entertainment
• Balboa Fun Zone
• Ride bikes on the Newport Balboa Bike Trail along the peninsula
• Take the Balboa Ferry to Balboa Island for a stroll
• Eat at the original Ruby’s on the pier

Be Aware:

• The Peninsula can get extremely busy on weekends and holidays, especially because there’s only one way out (back the way you came)!
• Get there early to grab a parking spot and stay for the whole day.
• The beach can have big waves and I noticed a pretty sizeable drop-off (where it gets deep very fast on the south side of the pier). However, the north side looked good. I always talk to the lifeguards before I take a dip at a new beach, they always seem happy to give me pointers on any hazards BEFORE I get in!
• Fee for parking

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lots ($1.50 per hour with a max of $15.00/day). Click here for parking info from Newport Beach.
• Play surface: Sand
• Restrooms right next door to the playground
• Nice to have lifeguards nearby in summer, in case a need for first aid arises
• Picnic on the beach or find a nearby restaurant
• Bring bikes if you want to ride the trail (also available to rent)
• Fire rings available from 6am-10pm on first-come, first-serve basis (consult NB beaches page for details)
• Official Newport Beach website
• Nearest public library branch: Balboa Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library system

Nearby parks:

• 38th Street Park
• Newport Island Park
• Irvine Terrace Park

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Summer Challenge