The folks at OCParks.com alerted me to this very unique ranger program that’s ongoing at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea.  Even if you can’t make it on Thursdays for the program, the park is beautiful and worth a family visit.

Explore the beauty and wonder of the only Redwood grove in Orange County by scheduling a visit to a very special ranger program: 5 Senses of Science and Nature at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea. Fun activities for kids of all age groups. For home school groups and small group programs. Learn to uncover the 5 senses; deer ears, owl eyes, raccoon touch, sounds and smells of the redwood trees.

Fun storytelling and opera singing for kids to learn about the history of the redwoods and a chance for everyone to participate in songs.

Stroll an easy 2 mile walk to the magnificent redwoods.

Event is every Thursday, between 8:00am and 3:00pm please call to reserve a time.

Carbon Canyon Regional Park
4442 Carbon Canyon Road
Brea, CA 92823
(714) 973-3160 or (714) 973-3162

Join the official OC Parks (OCParks.com) on Friday, May 20, for a family-friendly evening exploring the amazing nocturnal world of Carbon Canyon through informative presentations, hands-on activities and a twilight nature walk. From coyotes to opossums, we’ll unravel the mysteries of nature’s night shift and explain why they prefer the cloak of darkness to the brightness of day. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Nature’s Nightlife in the Canyon
Date: Friday, May 20, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Event Fee: Free
Parking Fee: $3 per vehicle.
Location: Carbon Canyon Regional Park, 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, CA 92823
Contact: (714) 973-3160

Carbon Canyon would be a great spot for a Friday night family picnic before heading out on this OC Parks excursion. Here’s a link to the OCParks.com info about the park and a link to my post about Carbon Canyon playgrounds.

Please also check out the OCParks.com events calendar. There is something for every age and interest and they are really good at keeping it updated!

Tri-City Park in Placentia has a beautiful lake in the center with a path that goes around it. There’s even a shortcut that goes across a couple of bridges that my toddler loves and runs for as soon as we start our walk. Tri-City is very near Brea Sports Park.

Location: Take the 57 Freeway to the Imperial Highway exit. Head in the opposite direction from Brea Mall. We came from the direction of Angels Stadium and turned right off the exit. Stay in the right lane and turn right on Kraemer Blvd. Turn right at Golden where the park entrance is very obvious. To park near the playground, make a left at the fork. (Address: 2301 N. Kraemer Blvd in Placentia) MAP TO TRI-CITY PARK IN PLACENTIA

Highlights:

• The lake takes the starring role over the playground which is relatively small compared to other nearby parks. The lake is even an “Orange County Historic Civil Engineering Landmark” because it used to be called the Tuffree Reservoir which held Anaheim Union Water District river water from the Santa Ana Canyon.
• We’ve spotted people sailing model boats on the lake many times and it’s very fun to watch. For tips on spotting wildlife, see the previous post about this park.
• Fun playground that’s not too large for comfort with a toddler. There are some openings along the sides but it’s not higher than you can reach, so it feels pretty safe.
• There are 4 toddler and 2 bench swings next to the play structure.
• Paved walking path is nice. You can do a loop or even park far away from the playground and make it a destination.
• Plenty of large, lush trees to spread out a picnic blanket under. I’ve done this myself numerous times and had some wonderful meals with the family.

Be Aware:

• Hot in the summer. No shade over the playground area, but there are plenty of trees just outside of the play area to cool off under.
• There are some very aggressive geese that spend a lot of time here. If they don’t think you have food they will typically ignore you. It’s bad to feed the ducks and geese anyway, so there’s no need to run into any trouble with them.

Checklist:

• To park near the playground, take the left fork just after you enter the park and follow the road around until you reach the parking lot.
• Playground play surface is bark. The walkways all around the park are paved and good for walking!
• Two restrooms are available – one near the main entrance to the park, and the other is by the entrance on the opposite side with a smaller parking lot area.
• There are LARGE picnic shelters available to reserve through the City of Placentia. I actually had my son’s first birthday party here, and it was great. The picnic shelters are just up a small hill from the playground.

Brea Sports Park’s playground lies at the edge of an incredible lawn surrounded by massive baseball diamonds marked by high black chain link backstops.  There’s an awesome aerial photo on the planning firm’s website. You can’t miss it when you drive by on Birch Street.  The picnic tables surrounding the playground make it really easy to view multiple kids and the lawn area provides lots of run around room.

Location: Take the 57 to the Imperial Highway exit.  Turn away from the Brea Mall. I came from the coast, so I turned right off the offramp. Then I took a left about a mile down Imperial Highway onto Kraemer. Go 2 blocks and then turn right on East Birch Street (PAST road marked “Birch Mall”).  You’ll turn left into the first driveway. If you hit Valencia, you went too far.  MAP to Brea Sports Park

Recommended by: Lisa (read her detailed info in italics). She’s been an invaluable resources to our site with her knowledge of north county play places and a generous willingness to share!

Highlights:

• There are multiple structures to play on, with plenty of different slides to enjoy. This park is only a little over a year old, and everything still looks brand new.
• There’s a large grassy field next to the playground area, and on the day we were there some people were playing soccer, and there was a family flying a kite.
• There was only one area where I couldn’t easily reach my toddler, up near the top of the largest slide. Other than that, this seems to be an extremely toddler-friendly play area.
• The bathrooms are a little bit away from the playground area, up some stairs and between some of the baseball diamonds, near the concession stand. The bathroom facility (just walk up the stairs from the playground) is very nice and surrounded by a number of umbrella-covered picnic tables.
• Read about the history of the park and Brea from the display at the center of the park.
• We had fun picking along the .6 mile walking loop. We saw lots of birds, including a Western Bluebird! There’s sweet-smelling honeysuckle growing along the back fence.
• It’s also historically interesting to see the oil pumps — there are 19 at the Sports Park.  I know my son would have loved it when he was a toddler.

Be Aware:

• There isn’t really any shade, but trees have been planted that will eventually provide some. It could be pretty hot in the summer. I agree with Lisa – especially with the recycled rubber play surface! The trees are beautiful and will provide plenty of shade in the future.
• Since the playground area is just a part of the impressively large sports complex, it’s a safe bet that it could be very busy on the weekends when the youth sports are in session.
• On the day I visited, the mom’s watching their kids seemed to be most concerned about them running into the street. It’s pretty easy for a stray soccer ball to roll into the parking lot, but thankfully there’s not much traffic.
• There’s a sign with rules prohibiting “operating inflatable bounce houses and operating remote-controlled vehicles,” among other things.
  

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lot. Turn right as you come in the entrance off Birch to park in the first spots on your left.  You can walk (or run) across the grass to the playground.  We made the mistake of driving straight and it’s basically just a turn around for dropping off players.  There’s also  gravel area to your left where a few people parked mostly to let their dogs out on the vacant lot (a future elementary school site).
• Lots of drinking fountains. One very near the playground and more up the stairs.
• Picnic tables near the playground and also up the stairs.
• Recycled rubber play surface only.
• There are baseball and softball diamonds, soccer and football fields, practice fields, basketball courts and batting cages.
• City of Brea facility reservations page

Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea is ridiculously fun. FOUR playgrounds lie in sprinting distance of one another – with views of a small lake. Bring a picnic and plan to stay all day for nature hikes and wildlife viewing. Kudos to Orange County for bringing the best in playgrounds to its kids.

Directions to Carbon Canyon Regional Park: We took the 57 Freeway exiting at Lambert. If you’re traveling from the coast – it’s a right turn onto Lambert from the offramp (away from Brea Mall). After crossing Valencia Ave, Lambert turns into Carbon Canyon Road. The park entrance is on your right. After you pass the booth, turn to your left to park closest to the playgrounds. [Address: 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea]  MAP TO CARBON CANYON REGIONAL PARK IN BREA

Recommended by: Marisa and Marcy

Highlights:

• FOUR amazing playgrounds all within sight of each other. Gives the older kids freedom to explore and the younger kids some options for finding the perfect play experience.
• A rainbow of colors hit me the first time I visited. There’s the massive red structure with triple slides; the smaller blue structure with ride-on spring toys and baby swings; the yellow and red structure with bridges/climbing experiences/stand-alone slide; and finally, the green structure with a funky gray rock wall to navigate.
• There’s a tire swing, teeter-totter, yellow chain climber, and big kid swings near the largest red structure.
• Take an easy stroll around the lake and do some exploring.
• Save time to visit the Butterfly Garden and go for a hike on the trails past the tennis courts. Consult with a range for more information.

Be Aware:

• Hot during the summer (although lots of shade trees)
• Very popular park – so pretty busy on weekends. Plan ahead by reserving a shelter for birthday parties or other gathering.

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lot
• Fee for parking $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and more on major holidays (highly recommend buying a annual day use pass to OC Parks)
• Sand and recycled rubber play surfaces
• Small restroom with 2 stalls nearest to furthest from entrance playgrounds (the yellow/red one and green one by picnic area)
• If you could drive straight ahead into the park from the entrance booth, you’ll find a much larger and newer bank of restrooms slightly to the right. Since that’s not possible, on foot it’s closest to the largest red structure (but a bit of a walk)
• Drinking fountains by this larger bathroom
  
• Shade everywhere from large sycamores, pines, and willows
• Amazing location for birthday parties
• Official OCParks website for Carbon Canyon Regional Park

Nearby parks:

• Brea Sports Park Playground
• Tri-City Park in Placentia
• Craig Regional Park in Fullerton