Yosemite Park in Laguna Niguel is a below street level park with the playground set in the back of the park. I almost thought we were in the wrong place, until I spotted the colorful equipment across the grassy area.

Directions to Yosemite Park:  It’s very near Laguna Niguel Regional Park near the intersection of La Paz and Aliso Creek Road. Take the Crown Valley exit (head away from the mall and toward Costco) to reach the park from the 5 Freeway and turn right on Moulton, left onto Aliso Creek Road, and an immediate left onto Yosemite Road. [You can also reach the park from the Oso Pkwy exit of I-5, where you would make a left onto Moulton and turn right onto Aliso Creek Road before the left onto Yosemite.]  The park is ahead of you on your right. Park on the street. (Address: 24481 Yosemite Road, Laguna Niguel) MAP TO YOSEMITE PARK IN LAGUNA NIGUEL

Highlights:

• You can walk from here into Laguna Niguel Regional Park via a trail that goes underneath La Paz.  There are two playgrounds in Niguel Regional that you could use as destinations for a long walk: the main one and the “hidden” one.
• Yosemite is a peaceful park – on our visit there was no one else there.
• Benches right near the playground and very easy to see the kids, even if they go exploring off the playground
• It’s a simple playground with slides, monkey bars and swings
• I could see the kids have some great pretend time on the hill near the playground with the tall trees
• We spotted an osprey in one of the trees. I thought it was a strange spot to see it, but the lake is nearby which is probably good fishing grounds.
• Bring a ball to play on the grass. There is a grass volleyball court tucked into park.

Be Aware:

• I wouldn’t really recommend for the smaller kids because there are a lot of ladders, climbers and monkey bars that are too high off the ground for toddlers.
• There’s a man-made stream bed behind the playground. It was dry when we visited, but I assume it can fill up with water during/after wet weather.

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Play surface: bark
• NO restrooms
• Picnic tables scattered in the park
• No shade on the playground, but there’s shade under the sycamores for picnics on the grass
• Consult the official City of Laguna Niguel website for more information
• Nearby public library branch: Aliso Viejo Public Library (with Friends of the Library Bookstore)

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

Beacon Hill Park in Laguna Niguel is another park best suited for little kids (2-5 year olds).

Location: Beacon Hill Park is in a neighborhood past the intersection of Niguel Road and Beacon Hill Way.  From I-5, exit at Camino Capistrano and turn right towards downtown San Juan Capistrano. Turn left onto Del Obispo and travel across the train tracks and past the farm to turn right onto Camino Del Avion.  Turn right on Golden Lantern, followed by left on Beacon Hill Way. The park is ahead on your left.  You may want to approach from Niguel Road so that you’re on the right side for parking. (Address: 24403 Beacon Hill Way, Laguna Niguel) MAP TO BEACON HILL PARK IN LAGUNA NIGUEL

Highlights:

• A colorful park situated away from the street
• It’s partially fenced, so the kids tend to stick to the play area
• It has tic-tac-toe and fire engine play panels
• There is a ride-on seahorse and motorcycle for “races”
• 2 bench swings (no baby swings)
• Bring sand toys to play in the sand
• Nice views of the surrounding hills of Laguna Niguel
• Lush grassy area for running, kite flying, kicking around a soccer ball, or frisbee

Be Aware:

• There are warning signs posted for rattlesnakes – and I can see why because the park backs up to a brush-covered hill. However, it’s easy to see the ground near the play equipment and I’d hope it would be easy to spot a snake.
• NO restrooms
• NO shade on the playground
• NO baby swings

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Play surface: sand and recycled rubber
• NO restrooms
• Picnic tables right on the playground
• No shade on the playground, but there’s shade under the sycamores for picnics on the grass
• Consult the official City of Laguna Niguel website for more information
• Nearby public library branch: Dana Point Public Library (with Friends of the Library Bookstore)

Nearby Parks:

• Bear Brand Park
• Chapparosa Park
• Ocean Breeze Park

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

La Hermosa Park in Laguna Niguel is a skinny park right at the side of a residential street.  It’s flat and functional with a recycled rubber surface.

Location:  Exit Interstate 5 at Crown Valley Parkway and head towards the beach.  You’ll drive quite a while before reaching Niguel Road where you will make a left.  Turn left at La Hermosa Avenue (if you hit Marina Hills Drive, you went too far).  The park is ahead on your right. (Address: 24662 La Hermosa Avenue, Laguna Niguel) MAP TO LA HERMOSA PARK IN LAGUNA NIGUEL

Highlights:

• Playground is designed to look like a treehouse
• Lots of climbing apparatus and some fun and steep slides
• Some of my favorite equipment: the spinning umbrella, seat spinners, and a wobbly balance beam with hinges so it bends when you walk across

Nature Connection: There’s a really cool tree behind the playground on the hill. What’s your child’s favorite tree?  (I just loved looking at it and looking for wildlife in the trees and bushes on the hill.)

Be Aware:

• I’d say this one is more for older kids since the design standards say 5-12 years old.  It’s pretty high off the ground with lots of openings.
• NO baby swings
• NO restrooms
• It was hot in the middle of the day. We sought shade under the play structure.
• Very near the street

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Play surface: recycled rubber.
• NO restrooms
• Picnic table near the playground, but it’s in full sun.
• Parents can sit along the wall to watch the kiddos.  You can see them from every angle.
• Official City of Laguna Niguel website (note: photos are not up-to-date on city website)
• Nearest public library branch: Dana Point Public Library is off Niguel Road. The Laguna Niguel Library is under construction, but has an interim Library set up.

Nearby Parks:

• Crown Valley Community Park
• Seminole Park
• La Plata Park

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

We planned our visit to Seminole Park in Laguna Niguel to enjoy a lazy picnic.  It was a beautiful spot in a neighborhood with shade trees.

Location:  Exit Interstate 5 at Crown Valley Parkway and head towards the beach.  You’ll drive quite a while before reaching Niguel Road where you will make a left.  After you pass Marina Hills Drive, you will turn right onto August Drive.  The park is at the corner of Augusta Drive and Seminole Place.  (Address: 30802 Seminole Place, Laguna Niguel) MAP TO SEMINOLE PARK IN LAGUNA HILLS

Highlights:

• The neighborhood and the shade trees were definitely the highlights.
• The play equipment was older and not very inspiring.
• 2 baby swings and 2 bench swings.
• Is that a ride-on squirrel?
• It’s somewhat close to the beach, so the weather is a bit cooler than inland.
• It looked like kids play on the hill beyond the playground making shelters and building with the eucalyptus branches.
• The park is more appropriate for 2-5 year olds vs. the 5-12 year olds.

Be Aware:

• Several people brought their dogs to the park while we visited, but stayed away from the playground
• NO restrooms
• It’s not a busy street at all, but the playground is on the street side.
• Not easily accessible from the freeway.
• Full sun on playground at midday.

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Play surface: sand and recycled rubber.
• NO restrooms
• Picnic tables near the playground, but it’s in full sun. We ate on a blanket in the grass.
• Official City of Laguna Niguel website
• Nearest public library branch: Dana Point Public Library is off Niguel Road. The Laguna Niguel Library is under construction, but has an interim Library set up.

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

Ocean Breeze Park in Laguna Niguel was a great little discovery for our family.  My son spent his time shooting baskets on the very nice basketball court while my daughter played on all the play equipment and visited with other families out for a play day at the park.

Location: Ocean Breeze Park is in a neighborhood near the intersection of Niguel Road and Camino Del Avion.  From I-5, exit at Camino Capistrano and turn right towards downtown San Juan Capistrano. Turn left onto Del Obispo and travel across the train tracks and past the farm to turn right onto Camino Del Avion.  Turn right on Niguel Road, followed by another right on Charles Road. The park is ahead on your left. (Address: 32311 Charles Road, Laguna Niguel)  MAP TO OCEAN BREEZE PARK IN LAGUNA NIGUEL

Highlights:

• It’s a nice, compact park where you can see your kids from a bench and let them roam and play.
• It’s mostly fenced, except for a few entrances and exits.
• The big kid and little kid play areas are separated by a picnic gazebo in the center of the park.
• Families seemed to have a system of eating at the picnic tables, then playing at the little kid area, then moving on to the big kid area before leaving the playground.
• The picnic gazebo in the center of the park gives the park lots of character.
• 2 baby swings, 2 bench swings

Be Aware:

• Malcolm Elementary is right next door to this park, so I can imagine it’s much busier on school days.
• Parking is on the street, but read the signs carefully because it’s not allowed everywhere and between certain hours.
• Not a lot of shade on the playground
• The big kid area is showing signs of wear and isn’t as nice as the newer play equipment for the younger kids.

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Play surface is all bark
• NO restrooms
• Full court basketball
• Drinking fountain near basketball court
• Picnic tables near small kids playground
• Picnic gazebo in the center of the park
• Not much shade on the playground, but there’s shade for picnics on the grass
• Consult the official City of Laguna Niguel website for more information
• Nearby public library branch: Dana Point Public Library (with Friends of the Library Bookstore)

Nearby Parks:

• Bear Brand Park
• Salt Creek Trail
• Dana Crest Park

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