Best parks in Orange County
Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy all the beauty that Southern California has to offer. Check out The Cesi Pagano Team´s list of best parks in Orange County.
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
This park is located in Orange, CA. It is a 1,269 acre stunning park that offers all types of outdoor activities. It’s a perfect place for hikers, bikers, equestrians and nature lovers. You can experience complete insolation from the surrounding urbanized area around the park. The incredible trails also offer an amazing view of northern Orange County.
In 1981, the nature center opened, providing exhibits and programs of natural historic topics. Park Rangers offers nature walks and slide programs and films. Nature programs are available during weekends depending on staff and volunteer availability. Group programs must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
Check out the information below to schedule your visit:
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
2145 N. Windes Drive
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 973-6620 or (714) 973-6622
[email protected]
Open: 7 a.m. to sunset year round.
Office Hours 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Mon – Fri.
Trails may be closed for up to three days after rain.
Photo by Victor Gomez. Source: Flickr
Irvine Regional Park
This 475 acre beauty boasts wonderful Oak and Sycamore trees, providing a terrific variety of wildlife. The park also has a pond with a stone-work waterfall and a foot bridge located in the center of the park.
There are paved trails for you to enjoy biking and walking, and an equestrian trail three miles long that shows wonderful views of the park. Irvine Regional Park provides six different playgrounds, four softball fields, two horseshoe pit, a lake, covered shelters and water fountains.
Four different group areas are available depending on the capacity of people. Within these different areas, you can enjoy barbecues, tables, sinks, etc.
Also, bicycle and aquacycle rentals are available during the summer, weekends and holidays.
For more information, please visit:
http://ocparks.com/parks/irvine/
Photo by: OCParks_CA. Source: Flickr
Heisler Park
Heisler Park can offer you magnificent views watching the sunset right by the ocean. It’s a great park where you can even see Catalina Island on a clear day. There are benches, barbecue stands, picnic tables, showers, drinking fountains, change machines, lawn bowling (private club), and many more amenities that will make you and your family have an incredible time. The beauty of this park attracts artists and occasional weddings amongst man
y other activities.
There are many different access paths to the beach. You can also find plenty of metered parking further south along the park. There are private residences along the north side of the park, so please be sure to be courteous.
Heisler Park
375 Cliff Dr.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-3311
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8.00 am – 5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday – Closed
Photo by Lavender Dreamer. Source: Flickr
Ralph B Clark Regional Park
This park is a 104 acre property full of open green grass blending with native plants at the foot of the Coyote Hills. It has three softball fields, two sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, playground areas, and a three acre lake inside the park that anyone will enjoy.
A paleontology museum was opened in 1988, providing an educational view of prehistoric Orange County through exhibits and guided tours.
The hours for all Orange County regional parks for spring-summer are from 7am to 9pm. During fall and winter, most regional parks will close at 6pm.
Clark Regional Park
8800 Rosecrans Ave.
Buena Park, CA 90621
(714) 973-3170 or (714) 973-6618
[email protected]
Park Hours: Fall – Winter Hours, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST
Park Hours: Spring – Summer Hours, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. PDT
Office Hours: 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Mon. – Thurs
Office closed on Fridays, weekends & holidays
Photo by Fido. Source: Flickr
Salt Creek Beach Park
Salt Creek Beach Park is a popular surfing location due to a small, offshore reef that creates some of the best left swells along the entire coastline.
The park is a great place to watch stunning sunsets, or just enjoy a relaxing picnic in the grass with family and friends. There is a basketball court, plenty of grass for a friendly soccer game, and an awesome beach just steps away. Swimming, body surfing, sunbathing and tide pool exploration, are other great activities you can enjoy while visiting.
There is paved parking, restroom facilities with outside showers, benches, and barbecue area. This park is also pet friendly, so bring your furry friends.
Salt Creek Beach Park
33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949)923-2280 or (949)923-2283
[email protected]
Open Daily: 5 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Cesi Pagano
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