Adventure City in Anaheim is a ton of fun for young kids that love vehicles of all kinds. With a miniature train, airplanes, rescue vehicles and so much more, my four-year old was thrilled from the moment we entered the gates. Minimal lines made it possible to go on rides multiple times without testing anyone’s patience. I lost count as to how many times we rode the train, but it was upwards of ten!

Adventure City provides a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the larger local theme parks. It would be a great place to send grandparents for a fun afternoon with young grandchildren, or a nice way to spend some time with out-of-towners with children in tow.

They have a special room for birthday parties that I caught glimpses of from the train… as the train goes RIGHT THROUGH the party room! Of course my son (and husband!) immediately started talking about how it would be a great place for a party. I can only imagine how exciting it would be to have a train constantly going right by your celebration. The birthday child even gets to be the engineer for a ride around the park with their guests as part of the party package. Comprehensive birthday party package information is available on their website. They can host corporate and private events as well.

For the train-obsessed, they also have a Thomas-themed play area up front with a ton of track and elements to build huge layouts and play with.

There is a kid-sized toilet alongside an adult toilet in a special stall in the restrooms near the stage area – my son loved using a potty his size.

There is also a petting zoo which was awesome for my one-year-old, as he is really into animals right now.

General Information:

Adventure City is located at 1238 South Beach Blvd in Anaheim, just south of Ball Road. MAP TO ADVENTURE CITY

Website: http://www.adventurecity.com/default.aspx

Admission is currently $14.95 for adults and children, with children 12 months and under being admitted for free. Seniors 55 and up are currently $9.95.

Parking is free.

Operating schedule tends to follow weekends and holidays – check their website for current days and hours when planning your trip.

Various shows and entertainment are available throughout the day. See website for more details.

Outside food and beverages, with the exception of baby food and formula, are not permitted – however there are many picnic benches just outside of the gates and hand stamps are provided at the exit so that you may re-enter the park. There is a variety of food and snack items available for purchase inside the park as well, and of course they do have drinking fountains.

Give yourself three to four hours to ensure you have ample time to play. We were there for just under four hours, rode favorite rides multiple times (did I mention 10+ times on the train??) and it felt just about perfect.

Disclaimer: The author’s family received complimentary admission to visit Adventure City for the purpose of reviewing and posting on the site. This is completely unbiased review, and I had been planning to visit Adventure City for some time before this.

Pioneer Park in Anaheim was yet another map find. From the satellite imagery I could see some details from both structures that made it look very promising, and it didn’t disappoint at all. From the moment we started walking towards the play structures, I knew we’d found something really special. My three-year-old agreed, and he’s asked to go back every morning since – no kidding!

Directions to Pioneer Park in Anaheim: It is located just south of Sunkist Elementary School in East Anaheim. From the 57 freeway, exit at Lincoln and head west. Turn right on Sunkist, and make another right onto E. Underhill Avenue. The park will be on your left. Plentiful parking spots line the street and face the park. (Address:  2565 E. Underhill Avenue) MAP TO PIONEER PARK IN ANAHEIM

Highlights:

• Two amazing play structures separated by a large grouping of rocks to scamper all over.
• The play structure for the smaller kids is an old west hotel – complete with getaway horses.
• I’ve found a new favorite play panel here – the side of the hotel has bells that are struck with music note mallets. Plenty of fun to be had with sounds.
• The larger kids get an amazing tree house play structure – complete with a zip line exit and a large rock bridging two sections of the structure.
• Look for the raccoon and squirrel hiding under the tree house.
• Aside from the amazing play areas, there is an abundance of open grassy space for free play.

Be Aware:

• Steer clear of the tree house structure if you have very small kids with you – it definitely requires a good amount of coordination to scamper across the rock bridge.

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking spots along E. Underhill
• Restrooms
• Swings near the hotel structure
• Play surface: bark and rubber combo
• Picnic benches scattered throughout the park
• Small gazebo with four picnic benches available for reservation through the City of Anaheim
• Official City of Anaheim website
• Nearest Public Library: Anaheim Public Library (Sunkist Branch) 

Nearby parks:

• Pearson Park
• Eisenhower Park
• Fullerton Arboretum

Photo credit: Lisa Lasater is responsible for all these gorgeous photos – and for all the writing in this post. She’s my extremely valued North County Parks Reporter (volunteer)! All you North County families should leave her a comment with your gratitude for all she does to scout out the best in play for you!

Toyon Park in Anaheim has a sports park feel to it and includes baseball diamonds, soccer fields, sand volleyball and basketball courts.  The park is officially in Anaheim, but it’s across the 91 Freeway from Yorba Linda.

Location: Exit the 91 Freeway at Weir Canyon Road and follow it in the direction of the 241 Tollroad. The park is ahead on your right. (Address: 945 S. Weir Canyon Road). MAP TO TOYON PARK IN ANAHEIM

Highlights:

• Fun play structures featuring multiple slide tunnels!
• This is a very active park that boasts a four person teeter-totter, multiple things to ride on and some large square metal spring-loaded stand- and/or ride-ons.
• Huge open grassy area that’s perfect for flying kites, picnicking or just plain running around.
• Two baby swings, two bench swings AND two accessible swings!
• There’s a fairly long path that goes around the entirety of the play structure and grassy area that’s perfect for bikes and trikes.
• Accessible via horse trail.

Be Aware:

• Because of all the sports fields and courts it may get busy at times.
• The bases of the play structures are a bit high off the ground – a smaller toddler would most likely need assistance to the lowest steps or ladder rungs.
• The slides leave you a bit high off the ground as well, so you may not want to send a little one down them without someone spotting at the bottom.
• Up in the hills of Anaheim with no shade on the play structures – definitely a sunscreen and hat park in the warmer months.

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking lot
• Bark play surface
• Restrooms
• One shaded picnic shelter near the playground and another across the lawn area.
• More picnic tables with grills scattered around, but only trees for shade.
• Basketball court
• Sand volleyball
• Soccer fields
• Baseball diamonds

 

Anaheim

Peralta Canyon Park in Anaheim sits off Santa Ana Canyon Road near the 91 Freeway. It’s another great find by reader, Lisa. In fact, since Lisa is so great at finding North County parks and sharing such detailed info with us — we asked her to be our official North County Parks Reporter.  That’s not to say you should stop submitting North County parks!  Lisa just holds the distinction of submitting the MOST so far and we thought she should be honored for her efforts.

Location: Exit the freeway at Lakeview Avenue. You will immediately hit a T-intersection with the only choices are left or right. Turn left and stay on that road as it turns into Santa Ana Canyon Road. Turn left on Pinney Drive and make your first right onto Gerda. Follow Gerda around where you’ll see the parking lot by the picnic shelters. (Address: 115 N. Pinney Drive, Anaheim) MAP TO PERALTA CANYON PARK IN ANAHEIM

Highlights:

• Fun toddler play structure, and huge play structure for the slightly bigger kids (which my toddler prefers, but isn’t that always how it is?).
• Rarely crowded except for on holidays. Typically I only see one or two other families while we’re playing.
• Keep your eyes and ears open for the flock of green parrots that hangs out here! I usually hear them before I see them, and then they hang around for a while. Very cool, and exciting for the kids.
• A good amount of picnic benches with grills are sprinkled throughout the park, plus there’s a lot of shady grassy areas to spread a blanket out on.
• 2 bench swings, NO baby swings

Be Aware:

• The play structure is a little dirty and could use some love and pressure washing, but it certainly doesn’t bother my toddler.
• No shade right around the play area – but there are plenty of big shady trees right around there to cool off under.
• The bark level is a little low and it’s been piled up under the slides so the drop isn’t so great when the kids come flying out.
• A bit of a roar from the 91 Freeway, but still feels peaceful among the tall trees and quiet neighborhood.

Checklist:

• Large dedicated parking lot. The one time we experienced a crowd of people there (Easter – so it was to be expected), we were still able to find a parking spot.
• Bark play surface with a recycled rubber accessibility ramp in one spot
• I’d describe it as a sunken play area where parents can sit on benches or along the edges of the playground to watch the kids. There are also 3 picnic tables adjacent to the swings.
• There are picnic shelters for a larger group (with grills, counters, and sinks) available for reservation through the Community Services Department (714-765-5233).
• Drinking fountain is near the picnic shelters.
• Bathrooms by the basketball court.
• Baseball field, basketball court, volleyball court

Pearson Park used to be called City Park prior to its name change in 1960 to honor Anaheim’s mayor from 1945-1959. You can read about all the Anaheim by reading “A Brief History of Modern Day Anaheim” or watch this short 3 minute video by the Heritage Services Manager.  The amphitheater, ball park, and restroom buildings hint at the park’s rich historical past.

Location: Exit the 5 Freeway at Lincoln Avenue. Head east. Turn left at Harbor Blvd. If you pass Cypress and turn right on Sycamore instead, then you’ll have an easier time parking (all the parking is on the right side of the street). You can park along Sycamore (by the ponds), Lemon (by the amphitheater), or Cypress (by the tennis courts and pool).  The playground is in the center of the park. (Street Address: 400 North Harbor Blvd., Anaheim). MAP to Pearson Park in Anaheim

Recommended by: Shannon who picked up on my generous use of the word “awesome.” (You cracked me up, Shannon!) See Shannon’s comments in italics.

Highlights:

• The park is AWESOME because the playground is in the center behind the amphitheater between the soccer/football field and the tennis courts.  There’s also a baseball field and sand volleyball court nearby. You’ll need to bring your own volleyball net.
  
• Another AWESOMEness Fact – there is a big duck pond (like 3 I think with bridges). It sits along Sycamore Street with some pretty flowers in the center of the ponds. The ducks are not shy, so don’t be surprised if they walk right up to you. And remember, it’s best not to feed waterfowl. They can get botulism from eating bread and other human food. Just look and take photographs!
  
• Awesomeness Fact #3 – there is a swimming pool. It took some digging, but here’s detailed info on Anaheim’s aquatic facilities.
  
• Awesomeness Fact #4 – there are TONS of climbing activities (heart attack opportunities for mommies and daddies). My kids absolutely loved the big green climbing apparatus. I didn’t see any problems for older kids, but there were definitely long and windy ladders which are worrisome for those little ones.
• 2 bench swings and 2 baby swings. Small house for pretend play – my kids always play pretend restaurant in these. 2 separate play structures. A couple ride-on toys.
• We were there on a Sunday and the park was full of activities: birthday parties setting up, a little league game, impromptu volleyball game, tennis players on the courts, a church service on the lawn, and people from all walks of life roaming around the park. Even with all that going on, there was still plenty of parking.
• I loved the historic feel of this park!  There’s a statue of famous actress Helena Modjeska at the corner of Sycamore and Lemon. There’s also the 150 year anniversary bricks surrounding the rose garden and time capsule outside the amphitheater.
• Be sure to stroll around the impressive cactus garden at the corner of Harbor and Sycamore.

Be Aware:

• Wear closed-toe shoes as the play area has wood chips
• Since I’m not familiar with this neighborhood, I’d be a little hesitant to visit this park on my own.  My mommy radar was on high alert. I saw a few single men hanging out on benches and one sitting in his car. There was a homeless women hanging out near the playground. Really not anything scary, but I think there is safety in numbers. It would be perfect for a bigger playgroup.

Checklist:

• Free parking in designated spots on the street.
• Restrooms on both sides of the park (one very near the playground).
• Drinking fountains by the bathrooms.
• Benches surrounding the park and picnic tables on the grass area.
• Amphitheater, tennis courts, duck ponds, community pool, baseball field.
• I saw two covered picnic areas for birthday parties. One at the corner of Harbor and Cypress. The other at the corner of Harbor and Sycamore.
• A very vibrant downtown area with City Hall, Police Station, luxury lofts, restaurants and retail is not far away at along Harbor and Lincoln.
• Click for more links to info on Anaheim’s history.