Citrus Ranch Park in Tustin may be the most recommended park in the short history of our site. It’s opening back in February was eagerly awaited by many, since the playground was finished and visible long before the park opened.

Location: Exit Interstate 5 at Jamboree (Tustin Marketplace – the mega shopping area with mega purple signage. Head east  toward the hills. Drive a few miles past the retail area and keep your eyes out for Portola Parkway. You’ll see the playground on the corner of Portola and Jamboree. Then make a LEFT on Portola and another immediate left into the parking lot.  Once in the parking lot – the playground is on your LEFT – more picnic area to your RIGHT. (Address: 2910 Portola Parkway, Tustin, CA) MAP TO CITRUS RANCH PARK IN TUSTIN

Highlights:

• I’m a sucker for the old orange crate label theme. It’s SO California! Everywhere you look there are lemons. In fact, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a ride-on lemon.
• The vista point is another “high point.” (Get it? High point?) Walk up a trail from the parking lot to the gazebo at the top. There are views in all directions. In the spring, wildflowers bloom near the top.  The groves are full of lemon trees – but signs clearly state: “No picking or collecting lemons.”
• The playground is unique. You enter from a lemon-lined bridge . . . so you are already at the highest point of the playground when you start. From there, you’ll find a number of slides, monkey bars, and ladders to explore.
• Once you have your feet on the ground, there are benches for viewing the kids and sand for play.
• 2 bench swings. 2 baby swings.
• Take a couple steps down into the little kid playground where you’ll find that ride-on lemon, a little clubhouse and smaller play equipment.
• Picnic tables with grills line the sidewalk and lower area of the park. Large covered shelters have a bigger grill and are available for reservation for groups of 20 or more through the city (714-573-3326).
• There is a meadow area and more picnic tables grouped together on the opposite side of the entrance.

Be Aware:

• I came after school one day and the park was mobbed with middle schoolers! Yikes! Apparently it’s an easy place for parents to pick up kids from nearby schools. We also had to compete with kids riding scooters ON the play equipment which didn’t make for a safe mix. (My next visit in the morning was much more pleasant and uncrowded).
• Every person who recommended the park to me, without exception, also mentioned how their kid or other kids found it hard to resist the temptation to chuck the lemons at other kids or into the grove. So just keep your eyes out for flying lemons. (We did NOT encounter this problem).
• A fitness class was meeting under the picnic shelter on another day we visited which slightly impacted parking.
• There is a fence separating the kids from Jamboree – but if you’re nervous about them darting off the playground and crawling under/over the fence then just keep a close eye. Both Jamboree and Portola are rather busy!
• NO shade on the play area.

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking lot
• Recycled rubber and sand play surfaces
• Drinking fountain on playground and by the bathroom
• Very nice restrooms
• Opportunity for a nice walk. You can push a stroller up and down the hill or around the block in the neighborhood. In fact, you can easily walk between this park and Cedar Grove Park — and even head up the hill to Pioneer Road Park if you are feeling ambitious. Or you can head west on Jamboree instead towards Tustin Sports Park.  And Settler’s Park is a good walk on Portola. (All of these walks are stroller-friendly, but have major street crossings.)
• Large picnic shelter reservations available through the City of Tustin (click here for info)
• More information on the City of Tustin website

Tustin Sports Park is home to tennis courts, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, a picnic area, and a SHADE-covered playground. Its bright red color makes it feel festive and happy. A number of families were there on a hot weekend morning when we visited. Thanks to the family who took the time to fill out the form and recommend this park (I marked their comments in quotes).

Location: Tustin Sports Park is very easy to find right off Interstate 5. Drive towards the foothills past the huge Tustin Marketplace shops. The park is a left turn onto Robinson plus a very obvious left turn into the parking lot. [Address: 12850 Robinson Drive, Tustin] MAP to Tustin Sports Park in Tustin

Recommended by: A Fun OC Parks Visitor

Highlights:

• The “big play area with canopy” is definitely its biggest perk. No battling hot slides or overly sweaty kids.
• It’s a “full sports park”
• “Nice seating area with grills for picnics”
• “Full walking/running path with distance markers”
• My family loved the slides – steep, twisty, spiral, tunnel. All the fun ones!
• 2 bench swings and 2 baby swings (not under the shade cover)

Be Aware:

• Some slippery spots from the sand on concrete and sand on recycled rubber
• During large sports events/weekends, I can see this place would be packed with people.

Checklist:

• Parking in a dedicated lot – no fee
• Sand and recycled rubber play surface
• Very nice restrooms in the big building near the Express Sports Cafe
• Drinking fountains near the restrooms and on the other side near the baseball diamond
• Shade under the playground cover and over viewing benches
• Easy to view kids from almost every angle
• I was told the vending machines don’t work. Every time the mom I spoke to tried them, she lost her $.
• The Express Sports Cafe hours are M-F 5pm-8pm and Sat 10am-4pm.
• Lighted tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, and lighted baseball diamonds.

Pioneer Road Park is probably best-known for its summer water play. Thanks so much to Mary for recommending this one! It’s not even on the map. My kids “oooh-ed” and “aaaah-ed” upon arrival at the brick-paved parking lot. Planners thought of every detail to make it feel like you’ve traveled back to pioneer days. From the many depictions of cowboys and the West to the southwestern-flavored vegetation to the log cabin picnic gazebo with stone chimney – your kids will be saying “Yee-haw!”

Location: Pioneer Road Park lies between Cedar Grove Park and Irvine Regional Park off of Jamboree Road. As you are driving up Jamboree, Pioneer Road is just past Patriot Way. Turn left on Pioneer Road. The park is the second driveway on your left with a dedicated parking lot. [Address: 10250 Pioneer Road, Tustin.] Note: This park is not on Google Maps or Mapquest. Here is a link to the map for reference to streets. MAP to Pioneer Road Park in Tustin

Recommended by: Mary

Highlights:

• Three “covered wagons” are definitely the highlight of this Western-themed park
• Two big, fun tube slides
• Water play area for hot summer days (only runs in summer – 10am-4pm daily through Labor Day)
• Hardly anyone there during the week and in very nice new area of Tustin (on Tustin/Orange border)
• Swing heaven! Six bench swings and 2 baby swings
• Picnic table heaven! 2 small picnic tables near the grass volleyball court, 1 small table between wagons and playground, 3 small tables by swings, massive covered picnic area
• The zip track handle was a bit different, seemed easier to hold on to (photo in slideshow)
• Kids liked the clear tunnel connector on the larger play structure

Be Aware:

• Mary says: “Popular for birthday parties on weekend and then the small parking lot fills up” (I spoke to another mom when I visited who seconded that it’s great for birthdays.)
• The water play area is on a concrete surface, so be sure to have non-skid water shoes to avoid falls (my daughter skinned her knee here and it wasn’t even wet!)
• In speaking to moms at the park, local word is that it’s a horrible park for multiple kids. I didn’t have a problem with 2, but I could see how any more might get a little worrisome.
• One commenter says the water park closes at 3pm. Thanks, Heather.

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking lot with maybe 20 spaces
• Bark play surface
• Nice, clean restrooms steps away from the play area
• Shade-covered picnic area – new park so no large trees for shade
• If you can corral your kids into one of the many play areas of the park, it’s easy to watch them. If they like to roam, you might be running around.
• Grass volleyball, half-court basketball, water play area.
• Lots of picnic tables and one grill

Irvine Regional Park is located in Orange, but you’ll pass through Tustin, Irvine, and Orange as you climb Jamboree to reach this massive regional park. I even filed it under all three cities since it’s close to them all and worth a little extra drive. You can get in free with your OC Parks pass or pay $3 at the gate on weekdays ($5 on weekends). Check the county OCParks.com site for information on the park. You’ll find the scoop on the FOUR playgrounds on this site.

Location: Follow Jamboree east to where it dead ends. MAP to Irvine Regional Park in Orange

Highlights:

• This would my pick for a fall/winter/spring birthday party – it has bathrooms and reservable picnic areas with grills – and it’s usually not too busy. (The private Irvine Park Railroad also offers birthday party packages).
• FOUR playgrounds within one park! My favorite play area is visible from the entrance (park in P2 lot). Love the large boulders accenting play area. 4 big kid and 2 baby swings. Zip track and lots of slides.
• Learn to ride bikes near play area at P3 parking lot. Start on the grassy hill and continue in the parking lot. This play area has swings, too. Zip tracks and monkey bars.
• Smallest play area near Group Picnic Area #1 and parking lot P21. This one is closest to the zoo and lake. But no swings here – just fun little ride-on animals.
• The last play area is tucked in a wooded area between parking lot P12 and P17. You’ll have to walk in from either lot. 2 baby swings and 4 big kid swings.
• A final note: the lakes and waterfalls provide unique opportunities for family photos.

Be Aware:

• Get a map at the entrance to locate the play areas and reference the numbered parking lots
• Irvine Park Railroad ($4 – more for special events), pony rides ($4), and horse trail rides (County Trails, Inc. – $40-$80) are privately-owned enterprises charging their own fees
• OC Zoo charges $2 (kids under 2 free) – no bathroom within the zoo – need to use the one in the parking lot P19. Try the Scavenger Hunt brochure available at the ticket booth for school-age readers – finish it and get a prize.
• Park opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. (November through March) and 9 p.m. (April through October).

Checklist:

• Multiple lots and usually plenty of parking ($3-$5 per entry into park)
• Bark play surface
• Drinking fountains at each play area
• Bathrooms at each playground and near picnic areas
• Plenty of shade with large trees surrounding the playgrounds
• Easy to supervise kids at each playground with tons of room to roam
• King of all picnic parks! Grills and picnic tables everywhere for large or small groups.
• Trash cans nearer to parking lots than play areas.
• Great for wildlife viewing – look for peacocks roaming the park.
• Official OCParks.com page for Irvine Park
  

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