Veterans Park in Yorba Linda is a new-to-me park that has quickly become part of our regular park rotation. Large, older trees provide ample shade on the smaller of the two structures here until a little before noon. Once the shade has moved off the structures, there is still a good amount to be found under the trees right next to the play structures. Being so far from the street seems to make it a very underused park – unless there are baseball or softball games being played. We’ve only run into a few other people while playing here. The park backs up to a school, so while it feels very secluded there is still typically some activity nearby.

Location: Veterans Park is located off Valley View Avenue just north of Yorba Linda Blvd. Exit the 57 Freeway at Yorba Linda Blvd. Turn left at Valley View.  Most mapping websites still show it as Valley View Sports Park, which was the name until it was rededicated in 2008. The playground is a short walk from the parking lot on a path that passes between some baseball diamonds. (Address: 4756 Valley View, Yorba Linda) MAP TO VETERANS PARK IN YORBA LINDA

Highlights:

• Plentiful shade!
• Picnic benches under the trees for shaded, relaxing snacks or lunches.
• The smaller of the two structures has a ramp leading to the top – my son loves to make his toy cars race up and down it. There are only a few steps to the slide, making it accessible for even the most uncoordinated toddlers.
• 2 baby swings and 4 bench swings.
• No competing with large amounts of children to play here like many nearby parks – it almost feels like a secret park (the secret is out now!).

Be Aware:

• Restrooms and parking lot are a short walk from the play structures – could be tricky if you’re potty training or need to grab something from the car.
• It can feel fairly secluded here.
• The larger structure has a ladder going up to the center and a few openings on the sides – something to watch for if you have smaller kids.

Checklist:

• Restrooms by the parking lot.
• Recycled rubber and bark surfaces.
• Ample parking.
• Baseball diamonds.
• Official City of Yorba Linda website
• Nearby public library branch: Yorba Linda Public Library

Shapell Park in Yorba Linda is a great, quiet little park for smaller or less-coordinated kids.  We usually run into toddlers there. There are some nice views of the surrounding hills, but you don’t feel like you’re up high and totally exposed like many of the other Yorba Linda parks. It’s ideal for picnics.

Location: Shapell Park in Yorba Linda is located in between Imperial Highway and Yorba Linda Boulevard off the 91 Freeway. Exit at Imperial Highway and turn right on E. Orangethorpe Avenue. Then make a left onto Fairmont Blvd, a right onto Village Center Drive, followed by a left onto Vista Del Mar. The park and parking lot are located on your first right. (Address: 5510 Vista Del Mar, Yorba Linda) MAP TO SHAPELL PARK IN YORBA LINDA

Highlights:

• Nice little neighborhood park with a view of the surrounding hills. Wonderful for families with young children.
• Small but fun play structure geared toward 5-12 year olds, but it seemed perfect for my toddler.
• On the morning we were here there were many bunnies hanging around and munching on the grass. Look for the big ears sticking up to spot them.
• Nice full-sized baseball diamond provides more space to run around if no games are being played.
• Ample benches and picnic tables, as well as a bbq grill.
• 2 baby swings, no bench swings

Be Aware:

• No real warnings here, except the playground is designed for 5-12 year olds.
• No shade on the playground.
• No bench swings.

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking lot.
• Bark play surface
• Restrooms are just off to the side of the playground near the parking lot
• Drinking fountain
• Picnic tables and grills
• Baseball diamond
• City of Yorba Linda website for official information.
• Nearby public library: Yorba Linda Public Library

Bryant Ranch Park in Yorba Linda sits up in the hills with views across the 91 to Anaheim Hills. This playground is in the same part of town as Brush Canyon Park, Box Canyon Park and Eastside Park.

Location: Exit the 91 at Gypsum Canyon Road.  Turn right onto La Palma Avenue, followed by a left on Cam de Bryant. Go up the hill and turn left onto Paseo de Toronto. The play area is on your right. (Address: 24695 Paseo de Toronto, Yorba Linda). MAP TO BRYANT RANCH PARK IN YORBA LINDA

Highlights:

• This park features a wide variety of slides, bridges and fun things to climb.
• Plentiful picnic benches – including cute little benches that are kid-sized!
• Three elements that exist simply for standing or sitting and spinning on. These were a huge hit with my toddler.
• Four bench swings and two baby swings.

Be Aware:

• There is a sign in the parking lot warning of wildlife, including coyotes and snakes that have been spotted in the surrounding hills.
• The structure states that it is for 5-12 year olds – and it definitely wouldn’t be a good fit for a smaller or uncoordinated toddler.
• Ladders with holes in the center of the taller landings. Not an issue for larger kids, but definitely something to watch with the smaller ones.
• No shade on the play area, and you’re up in the hills of Yorba Linda – it would not be ideal for a very warm day.
• Located just to the rear of a school and sports field – could be busy after school and during games.

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking lot
• Bark and recycled rubber combo on the ground
• Restroom building near playground
• Picnic tables

Photos courtesy of Lisa Lasater

Arroyo Park in Yorba Linda is right off Yorba Linda Boulevard sharing the parking lot with a police substation. There’s a wide expanse of grass which serve as soccer fields. I saw a family using the empty field as a place to run and play. The adults led the way along the chalk lines and the children followed like a little train on tracks.

Location: From the 91 Freeway, take Yorba Linda Boulevard towards downtown. The turn-in for the park is in a driveway on your left right between Yorba Ranch Road and San Antonio Road. (Address: 20994 Yorba Linda Blvd.) MAP TO ARROYO PARK IN YORBA LINDA

Highlights:

• Two simple but fun play structures – perfect for toddlers.
• Large greenbelt area that doubles as a sports field.
• Shaded benches with a great view of the playground area – for once I actually felt like I could sit and watch my toddler play instead of just hovering nearby the entire time.
• Nice shaded picnic area available to reserve. This would be a great place for a younger child’s birthday party.
• Located far from the busy street and tucked behind a police and fire station.
• There appears to be an abundance of happy, singing birds that hang out here.

Be Aware:

• The large greenbelt area seems like a natural place for coyotes and other wildlife to be, especially in the early mornings or evenings.
• Two baby swings, no bench swings

Checklist:

• Dedicated free parking lot
• Completely recycled rubber play surface (no sand)
• Restrooms are located on the back of the police station which is across the parking lot and not visible from the playground area.
• Horse arena
• Grills/BBQs near the shaded picnic tables

San Antonio Park is easy to find from the main strip of Yorba Linda Boulevard, but when you arrive you’ll feel miles away from everything.

Location: From the 91 Freeway, take Yorba Linda Boulevard towards downtown and turn right onto San Antonio Road. You’ll wind up the hill past some incredible homes. Make a left turn onto View Park Drive and the park will be on your left. (Address: 4205 San Antonio, Yorba Linda) MAP TO SAN ANTONIO PARK

Highlights:

• You can ride your horse to this park! A section of Yorba Linda horse trail goes right next to this park, and they have an area where you can tie your horse up, as well as an arena to turn them out in while you play.
• Fun tunnel slide on the larger play structure.
• Cute dinosaur picture and name panel on the smaller play structure.
• Large grassy field that would be perfect for kicking around a soccer ball, or playing any number of games on.
• Birds aplenty, including bluebirds!
• Two toddler/baby swings and two bench swings.

Be Aware:

• No shade over play structures – and since you’re way up in the hills here, you wouldn’t want to be out here in the middle of a hot summer day.

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Bark play surface with recycled rubber pads where the slides end
• Restrooms right near the playground
• Drinking fountain
• Picnic tables and grills
• Soccer field
• Grass volleyball court (bring your own net)