Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park  in Newport Beach make me think of the good ‘ole days at the beach.  There are always families wandering around the shops and restaurants, kids riding bikes, and tourists visiting from out of town.  On the summer day we visited, Junior Lifeguards were there, in force.

Location: There are two piers on the Newport Peninsula: the Newport Pier and the Balboa Pier. The Balboa Pier is the furthest towards the end of the Peninsula.  From Interstate 405, take the 55 Freeway towards the beach and it will take you right onto the peninsula on Newport Blvd. (eventually turning into Balboa Blvd.).  You’ll travel past all the numbered streets to the lettered streets. Get there early to get a spot in the lots off Palm Street or B Street (turn right to get to the lots). Pay at the machines by the hour or by the day.  MAP TO BALBOA PIER AND PENINSULA PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH

Highlights:

• Lots to do here besides the beach and playground!
• Playground is on the sand at the base of the pier
• My kids loved the big spiderweb climber
• Huge bank of swings!
• Play equipment appropriate for 5-12 year olds
• Peninsula Park has a huge lawn area appropriate for kite flying or soccer games, plus gazebo for bands or entertainment
• Balboa Fun Zone
• Ride bikes on the Newport Balboa Bike Trail along the peninsula
• Take the Balboa Ferry to Balboa Island for a stroll
• Eat at the original Ruby’s on the pier

Be Aware:

• The Peninsula can get extremely busy on weekends and holidays, especially because there’s only one way out (back the way you came)!
• Get there early to grab a parking spot and stay for the whole day.
• The beach can have big waves and I noticed a pretty sizeable drop-off (where it gets deep very fast on the south side of the pier). However, the north side looked good. I always talk to the lifeguards before I take a dip at a new beach, they always seem happy to give me pointers on any hazards BEFORE I get in!
• Fee for parking

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lots ($1.50 per hour with a max of $15.00/day). Click here for parking info from Newport Beach.
• Play surface: Sand
• Restrooms right next door to the playground
• Nice to have lifeguards nearby in summer, in case a need for first aid arises
• Picnic on the beach or find a nearby restaurant
• Bring bikes if you want to ride the trail (also available to rent)
• Fire rings available from 6am-10pm on first-come, first-serve basis (consult NB beaches page for details)
• Official Newport Beach website
• Nearest public library branch: Balboa Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library system

Nearby parks:

• 38th Street Park
• Newport Island Park
• Irvine Terrace Park

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

It is my duty as your local play expert to introduce you to, possibly, the most playful guy in our community! Dave Shenkman is the Founder and CEO of Kite Connection located on Huntington Beach Pier. That all sounds very stiff and boring, but you have got to see this guy in action!

My first introduction to Dave was at the Orange County School District’s “Program Preview Day” in 2010. I was assigned to find the perfect science program assembly for our elementary school. If you ever get a chance to go to a Program Preview Day, take it! Each vendor or presenter has only 5 minutes to give you a pitch on their program. Some organizations just get up there and give an outline, some do demonstrations, and others tell stories or do an act. You get a real feel for how they will interact with the kids. I didn’t realize this was going to be an ALL DAY thing! I only had an hour to be there and wander through the exhibitor room and pick up flyers.

However, I did see about 6 presentations in half an hour. Most were quiet and slow. Most were very educational and professional.

Then Dave comes up with his Kites for Kids presentation! You have to see this video: CLICK HERE!

WOW! The room was awake, the audience was engaged. Just like that! There was an excitement and a real yearning to learn more. You see, Dave’s presentation was educational and professional — but it was also LOUD and fast! You should have seen me back at our school arguing that we needed this “Kite Guy” for our science program. I just kept repeating – “You have to see him. I can’t explain.” Luckily, my fellow parents had faith in me and Dave ended up presenting to our entire school.

I got phone calls right away:

“You should see this guy!”

“The teachers love him.”

His store is just as magical as his school presentations!

My 9 year old son spent his allowance on a rubber band gun and Dave gave him a demonstration before he was allowed to buy it. Then Dave made him raise his right hand and repeat after him that he: would not shoot at anything living, including his sister – or he would pay the price with his parents giving him six months of chores. If he argued about the chores, he’d get more chores. I can’t even remember all the funny things he said, but it was funny.

This guy is for real: a hidden Orange County treasure promoting play and fun. Book his school program or just visit his store which is a family field trip in itself! However you do it, get to know Dave.

I received NO compensation for this post.

GIVEAWAY

Dave is offering an easy to fly single liner kite as a giveaway to my readers. (That means, one single line attached for flying the kite.)

When: Giveaway entry period runs from today - August 6th to 11:59pm on August 13th.

How to Enter:

• Subscribe to my weekly Play Trips newsletter. (That’s it.)  My next newsletter is going to pair up Orange County Farmer’s Markets with the parks within walking distance.
• But, I’m already a subscriber! If you are already a subscriber, just leave a comment that you’d like to be entered in this kite giveaway. (If you’re feeling inspired you can comment on your favorite kite flying memory.) No need to subscribe again.
• One entry per subscriber.

Winner Selected:

• I will select the winner on Random.org from the pool of NEW newsletter subscribers plus any existing subscribers that leave a comment on this post before 11:59pm on Saturday, August 13th.

Thanks for playing – and thanks for reading!

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

Seaview Park and the Aliso Summit Trail in Laguna Niguel saved us from one of those days when we were feeling the need to get into the great wide open outdoors. This trail was quiet and beautiful. We found it full of rocks to climb and views to take in. I would love to see a sunset from up here.

Location: It’s not close to any freeways or interstates.  The most direct way to get here is to take Crown Valley Parkway from either Interstate 5 or Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Pacific Island hits Crown Valley in two spots. Option #1: If you approach from PCH, turn left onto Pacific Island (where it turns into Camino Del Avion) and head up the hill. Make another left onto Talaveras and park on the right side of the street before the guard gate. The trail leads around the houses and out to a scenic viewpoint. Option #2: If you are coming from Interstate 5 and Crown Valley Parkway, you’ll need to turn right onto Alicia Parkway before making a left on Pacific Island. Then drive up the hill and make a right onto Talaveras.  MAP TO SEAVIEW PARK AND ALISO SUMMIT TRAIL IN LAGUNA NIGUEL

Highlights:

• Easy walk with interpretive signs to identify local plants
• Views in all directions
• You WILL feel small. It’s one of those natural areas that takes my breath away.
• See that island out there? That’s Catalina.
• The walk took about 10 minutes in to the viewpoint and you can go further. We just stopped at the viewpoint (a picnic table with some blue metal fencing around).
• Picnic nooks all along the path, so it’s great for a weekend picnic.
• This would be a great place to bring out of town guests. On the day we visited, we could see snow on the mountains and the waves crashing below us.
• Definitely wide enough for a jogger stroller. Maybe a little bumpy for a traditional stroller?
• Want an amazing workout??? Park at the bottom of Pacific Island in the Albertsons shopping center and WALK up the incredibly steep and long hill. Unfortunately, there are no restrooms at the top.
• Grassy area leading up the park with benches for the enjoying the views. I saw lots of people with dogs here in the evening hours. And lots of folks taking family photos.
• Nature Connection: Be on the lookout for birds. Close your eyes and feel the ocean breeze. Have the kids tell you about the weather. Can you find tracks on the trail?

Be Aware:

• There are steep drop-offs, but as long as toddlers stay on the wide trail you’re okay
• It’s a wild area so watch for wildlife (“mountain lions, rattlesnakes, poison oak, rugged terrain”). We just don’t let the kids run ahead of us on the trail.
• NO playground – this is more of a nature walk park
• NO restrooms
• Dogs must be leashed

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• A very slight elevation gain
• Drinking fountain at the head of the trail
• Serves as an entry point to Aliso Wood Canyon
• Grassy area is good for views, even if you don’t take the trail toward the ocean.
• Keep dogs on leash
• Open 7am-Sunset (Oct 1-Mar 31) and 7am-10pm (Apr 1-Sept 30)
• No alchoholic beverages

Dana Point

My best friend’s family used to celebrate every holiday hiking outdoors together. We started the same tradition with our kids . . . and the grandparents . . . and the aunts, uncles, cousins. There’s something about a leisurely stroll in nature to bring out the conversation and connections. It’s made every holiday and family occasion a little less hectic and a lot more enjoyable.

We hiked on rocks at Emma Wood Beach in Ventura on Christmas Eve finding these peaceful nature sights in cool blues, greens and winter purples.

On a March birthday, we hiked the Dana Point Headlands and witnessed the yellow blooms of spring.

We always come back feeling super-relaxed and in possession of unforgettable memories. These beautiful views would have been missed had we spent the special occasion indoors.

Are you ready to start a new tradition?