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

Eisenhower Park sits at the base of Seal Beach Pier. It was busy even on the cloudy June day when we visited.  The intersection of Main Street and Ocean Avenue is a great spot to start your exploration of Seal Beach.  For those who may be wondering, piers are for strolling. You’re at the beach! Take it slow and enjoy the scenery.  Your kids will spot everything from surfers, to swimmers, to starfish and shellfish on the pier pilings.

Location: The pier is at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Main Street. I usually get there by taking the 405 or 22 to Seal Beach Boulevard.  Head towards the beach on Seal Beach Blvd. which turns into Ocean Avenue.  You’ll see the pier on your left when you reach Main Street. (Or you can turn right on Pacific Coast Highway from Seal Beach Blvd. and turn down Main Street.  Enter the south parking lot from 10th Street. Enter the north parking lot from 8th Street. MAP TO EISENHOWER PARK AND SEAL BEACH PIER

Highlights:

• I just love to be near the ocean on outings with my kids
• Bring some sand toys and let the kids play in the sand
• This pier has a wide beach and views of Long Beach/San Pedro to the north
• The playground is smallish, but just right for the little ones.
• It’s fenced!
• My daughter loved the monkey bars because they were closer to the ground than most.
• The slides are short.
• Ride-on seals.
• 2 bench swings, 2 baby swings (with views of the pier and ocean!)
• Most kids were playing tag or pretend.
• Lots of grandparents and large families on the day we visited.
• Ruby’s Diner is at the end of this pier and it opens at 7AM and closes at 9PM (or 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays). We enjoyed lunch with views of the fishermen on the pier and crew boats ferrying workers and supplies to/from the platforms to the pier.
• There’s a drive-thru Daily Grind on PCH
• Next time we head back this way, I want to try the Blackboard Bistro which I spotted from PCH. It’s a restaurant housed in an old school building.

Be Aware:

• There is a lot of construction on the 405/22 interchange in Summer 2011. You may want to come by way of Pacific Coast Highway from Huntington instead.
• The playground is parking lot adjacent, so make sure there’s no escaping the gates and darting into the busy parking area.
• This is a busy park because of it’s location.

Checklist:

• Enter the pier parking lot off Ocean Avenue or park in the metered spaces in downtown Seal Beach. You’ll have to pay either way, so it’s more convenient to park in the lot. If you want to park close to the playground, it’s on the south side of the pier.  Parking is $3 for 2 hours or you can get the whole day for $6. More info on Seal Beach parking here.
• All piers are subject to closure due to high waves or storm surge.
• Play surface: mostly sand with some recycled rubber.
• Restrooms outside Ruby’s at the end of the pier. Also restrooms right near playground under the base of the pier.
• Police substation overlooking the playground at the base of the pier.
• More information on Eisenhower Park from the City of Seal Beach

You might also like:

• San Clemente Pier
• Rush Park in Los Alamitos
• Little Cottonwood Park in Los Alamitos
• Heritage Park Play Island in Cerritos

Harry M. Dotson Park in Stanton is a definite “find.” A reader recommended it ages ago – but I was never in the area to take photos until recently. It’s beautiful, enclosed, and fun for pirate pretend.

Location: The location was a little tricky. The maps I consulted didn’t take me to the right place. The address is 10350 Fern in Stanton.  Apparently there are two sections of Fern. The park is on the section north of Katella.  We took Katella from Disneyland and turned right onto Beach Blvd., right onto Cerritos, and a left onto Fern (park is on the right).  A more direct way, would be to take the 22 Garden Grove Freeway and exit at Beach Blvd.  Then you can just travel towards Adventure City and take the right onto Cerritos and left onto Fern. MAP TO HARRY M. DOTSON PARK IN STANTON

Recommended by: Tracy (her comments in italics)

Highlights:

• Pirate Ship Playground equipment!! SO NEAT!!
• Water Park Area
• Newer park in great shape, kept clean, and brand new play and picnic areas
• They have a pirate ship playground, a water park type area, a treasure chest, bathrooms, picnic area. Small park with great amenities.
• The pirate ship is mainly accessible for wheelchairs. There are a few steps at the very end of the ship, but the rest seems navigable.
• The “Wet Saloon” is the water park component. It wasn’t running when we were there. It’s located next to shaded concrete picnic tables.
• The main play equipment is the pirate ship, but there’s also a smaller “fort” near the picnic tables. The little ones that were there on our visit would bounce between the fort and the ship.  It was pretty easy to keep an eye on the kids here.
• There are two large boulders to climb with hand holds.
• The treasure chest doesn’t open, but the kids will try.
• Lots of interpretive learning boards on the structures and a chess board under the ship.
• All the slides got high ratings from my kids.
• I loved the little peaceful spot in the back with the lawn area and pathway.
• Read the signs about Mr. Dotson and how, for him, “It’s for the kids.”  I loved that quote and enjoyed reading about his community spirit.

Be Aware:

• It’s in a little crowded neighborhood. Not the nicest area but the park itself is really great and really worth it in the day time.
• There aren’t any swings in this playground but everything else is great!
• Just pay attention to the map and directions before you go. I have the marker set directly on the park so you can find it.
• Fountains only run during the summer!

Checklist:

• 6 parking spots right outside the gates, otherwise parking on the street
• Play surface is recycled rubber underneath the equipment
• Restrooms and drinking fountains
• Outside shower (just like at the beach) near the restrooms
• Mostly fenced
• Half court basketball
• Lots of shaded picnic tables and benches for parents to watch the kids
• Fitness trail and nice little path and grass at the back of the park

Aliso Viejo Community Park is centrally located along the border of Aliso Viejo/Laguna Hills next to Aliso Viejo Middle School. However, it’s at the end of a dead end street so it can feel quite isolated and quiet.  This is one of the few playgrounds I can think of with a fenced-in toddler area.

Location: Laguna Hills Drive turns into Aliso Viejo Parkway when it crosses Moulton. Head up the hill on Aliso Viejo Parkway after crossing Moulton and turn left onto Cedarbrook. Follow Cedarbrook down the hill into the parking lot before you hit the elementary school at the bottom of the hill.  Alicia Parkway is probably the closest freeway exit. MAP to Aliso Viejo Community Park in Aliso Viejo

Highlights:

• Lots a places to wander: baseball diamonds, walking trail, 2 separate playgrounds, the school yard
• Fenced-in toddler area – let the kids run free
• Little motorcycle ride-on toys in toddler area
• Fun caterpillar-shaped ladder in the big kid area
• Lots of swings (3 baby swings + 1 accessible in the toddler area) plus 6 bench swings at the 5-12 year old area
• Shaded playground and shaded picnic areas

Be Aware:

• I went to photograph this park at around 3pm on a weekday and it was MOBBED by teenagers waiting for after-school pick-up. I tried to turn around once I realized my mistake and it took me 1/2 hour to get out of there!
• I would imagine it can get busy during baseball season with 3 diamonds
• There are signs warning of rattlesnakes – just keep your eyes out during the summer

Checklist:

• Bark play surface
• Restroom and drinking fountain
• Parking in a dedicated lot
• Shaded with shade cover
• Plenty of picnic tables scattered throughout park
• Baseball/softball diamonds and batting cages (bring your own ball thrower)

Grand Park in Aliso Viejo is a hidden gem above Aliso Viejo Town Center. Take the kids for book shopping at Barnes & Noble or a frozen treat at Golden Spoon, then head to the fountain to run it all off. Follow the paved path up the hill to this small play area overlooking the whole valley.

Location: If you’re driving, you can either take Grand from Aliso Viejo Parkway or exit Town Center via the small street (Horizon) between Wahoo’s and the Brewery and make an immediate right up the hill on Grand. Or you can just park in the Town Center parking lot off Aliso Creek Road near the fountain and movie theater and walk up. MAP to Grand Park in Aliso Viejo

Highlights:

• Older kids will enjoy, but it’s perfect for little ones because of the fence that runs all the way around the play structure — highly suggest this park for baby/toddler play groups
• View can be spectacular on a clear day
• It’s up on a hill with a shade cover – so there’s usually a bit of a breeze
• Picnic tables and grills for family outings
• Shaded sandbox
• Convenient location next to Aliso Viejo Town Center and even the Aliso Viejo Public Library
• The City of Aliso Viejo often holds outdoor events at the lower amphitheater of Grand Park

Be Aware:

• Traffic flows fast on the hill
• Not an all-day type park – but nice for a quick play break
• One mom warned about her young toddler getting hurt on the purple climbing structure (it gets sand on it and it’s slippery). My 3 year old just kept getting stuck hanging from the rainbow-shaped bars hanging over the purple steps. Really fun, though. Just stay w/i arms reach if it worries you.
• NO bathrooms

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking spaces on both sides of Grand
• Park at Aliso Town Center if you’re ready to walk up the hill
• Sand and recycled rubber play surface
• NO bathrooms, but drinking fountains just outside the fence
• Lots of shade from shade cloth and big sycamores
• 4 benches within fence for easy viewing
• Picnic tables and grills