Looking for a nature area to explore with your family in Orange County? Check out these family-friendly places, recommended by me or other Southern California parents. It’s always a good idea to check each location’s web site for updated information before you go, and use your judgment regarding safety for your family at these locations.

North OC

• Carbon Canyon Regional Park (Brea)

  • Check out my Instagram post about Carbon Canyon Regional Park here.

• Craig Regional Park (Brea)

• Olinda Oil Trail (Brea)

• Yorba Regional Park (Anaheim) 💦

• Oak Canyon Nature Center (Anaheim)

• Pelanconi Park (Anaheim)

• Hiltscher Park Trail (Fullerton)

• Santiago Oaks Regional Park (Orange)

• Peter’s Canyon (Orange)

• Irvine Regional Park / OC Zoo (Orange) - train 🦒 🐴

  • Check out my Instagram post about the OC Zoo here.

Central OC 

• San Joaquin Marsh + Wildlife Sanctuary (Irvine)

• Tanaka Farms - U Pick (Irvine)

• Irvine Ranch Historic Park (buildings closed)

• Tewinkle Park (Costa Mesa)

• Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park

• Upper Newport Nature Preserve/Back Bay 💦

  • Check out my Instagram post about the Upper Newport Bay nature Preserve here.

• Bommer Ridge Trail (Newport Beach)

• Canyon Park (Costa Mesa)

• Little Corona Del Mar Beach 💦 🦀

  • Check out my Instagram post about Little Corona Del Mar Beach here.

• Marina Park (Newport Beach) 💦

West OC

• Gum Grove Park (Seal Beach)

• Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Huntington Beach)

• Huntington Beach Central Park + Secret Garden

• Mile Square Park (Fountain Valley)

• Shipley Nature Center trails (Huntington Beach)

South OC

• Serrano Creek Park (Lake Forest)

  • Check out my Instagram post about Serrano Creek Park here.

• Heritage Hill Historic Park (buildings closed)

• Dana Point sea caves/Baby Beach 💦 🦀

  • Check out my Instagram post about Baby Beach here and a picture of the Dana Point tide pools here.

• El Moro Canyon Trail (Laguna Beach)

• Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park (Laguna Beach)

• Top of the World / Car Wreck trail / Dripping Cave (Laguna Beach)

• Mission San Juan Capistrano Gardens

• Caspers Wilderness Park (San Juan Capo)

• O’Neill Regional Park (RSM/Trabuco Canyon)

• Riley Wilderness Park (Coto de Caza)

• Oso Creek Trail (Mission Viejo)

• Niguel Botanical Preserve

  • Check out my Instagram post about Niguel Botanical Preserve here.

• Aliso Peak Trail (Laguna Niguel)

• Laguna Niguel Regional Park

• Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Aliso Creek Trail (Laguna Niguel)

• Laguna Coast Wilderness Park + Barbara Lake

• Crystal Cove State Park (Laguna Beach) 💦 🦀

• Treasure Island (Laguna Beach) 💦 🦀

• Heisler Park / Diver’s Cove (Laguna) 💦 🦀

• Shaw’s Cove (Laguna Beach) 💦 🦀

• Aliso Beach Park (Laguna Beach) 💦

• San Onofre State Beach (San Clemente) 💦

• Doheny State Beach (Dana Point) 💦

• Victoria Beach / Pirate Tower (Laguna Beach) 💦

• Salt Creek Beach Park/Strands (Dana Point) 💦

Enjoy post-COVID (closed for now): 

• Centennial Farm (Costa Mesa)

• Fullerton Arboretum

• Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary

• Irvine Adventure Playground technically open, but most fun stuff there is closed

• Atlantis Play Center (Garden Grove)

• Starr Ranch Sanctuary

• The Ecology Center (open for shopping only)