As you visit the parks listed below (or others), send us a review. Is there a bathroom? any dangers to be aware of? good for toddlers? anything unique?

All of the directions are from the I-5 freeway. "West" is toward the beach.
* indicates park we have enjoyed.

Capo Beach
Sunset Park*: Go east on Camino de la Estrella. Turn L at Camino de Molino; L about 2 streets past Calle Real. L on ? park is on Naranja.
Restroom, climbing rocks, "tunnels", big slide. Although there is a lot of freeway noise, there are three good play areas with sand; some shade trees actually shade the play areas, rolling grassy hills are good for running and there are picnic tables. Cool breeze is prevalent.
Pines Park*: Take PCH S. Turn L on Palisades and R at top of the hill (Camino Capistrano); park is on R.
No bathroom. This exceptionally lovely park offers ocean views and a below street level setting, so it feels very cozy. A very large sand play area includes an elevated "house", cargo nets, and several slides. Two large grassy areas are great for picnicing, there is a shade garden grotto, and you can walk to the beach. From the lookout you can watch the waves and occasionally see trains.

Dana Point
Dana Crest: Take PCH N. Turn R on Golden Lantern. Turn L on Josiah (after Del Avion); park is on L.
Sea Canyon: Take PCH N. Turn R on Golden Lantern. Turn L at Acapulco, L at Caracas, R at Santiago?
Nestled behind Dana Hills High, this large neighborhood is very protected from traffic. The sandy playground features three jungle gyms and two swing sets, shaded by lots of mature trees. The very large grass area is great for chase and tag, plus there are bathrooms, picnic tables, and a cement path around the border. Good for young and older children.
Park Lantern*: Take PCH N. Turn L at Dana Point Harbor Dr and R on Park Lantern (Laguna Cliffs Resort).
BBQ, picnic tables, huge grass area. Choose this place to play on a hot day and enjoy an unbeatable view of the harbor. One play area in sand, adjoined by many shaded picnic tables and an acre of grass. Restroom available.
Baby Beach/Marine Institute*: Take PCH N. Turn L at Dana Point Harbor Dr (Del Obispo). Follow all the way to the end for the Marine Institute. The parking lot before that is Baby Beach.

Laguna Beach
Aliso Beach: Take PCH N to Aliso Beach. Turn L into parking lot; playground is on R.
Wesley Park: Take PCH N to Wesley (past Aliso Beach). Turn R; park is on R.

Laguna Hills
Sheephills Park: Go west on Alicia. Turn R on Moulton, R on Laguna Hills Rd, R on Indian Hills; park is on R at end of walkway.
Cousteau Park*: Go west on Alicia. Turn L on Cousteau; park is on R side.
No bathroom. large grass area. pleasant area.
East Wing*: Go west on Alicia. Turn R on Moulton, L on Glenwood, R on Aliso Creek, L on East Wing. Park is on L side. Has port-a-potty, no shade.

Laguna Niguel
Chapparosa: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn left on Golden Lantern, R at Chapparosa Park; park is at bottom of hill past school.
Cabot: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn L at Cabot Rd; park is on L at Park Entrance Rd.
Hidden Hills: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn L at Golden Lantern. Turn R at Hidden Hills signal. Turn R on Springwood.
climbing rocks. no bathroom.
La Hermosa: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn L on Niguel. Turn L at La Hermosa signal; park is on R.
La Plata: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn L at La Plata signal; park is at top of hill on R side.
Marina Hills: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn L at Golden Lantern, then R on Marina Hills. Go apx 1 mile; park is on L side.
Niguel Heights*: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn R on Golden Lantern/Moulton. Turn L at Aliso Creek, then R on Niguel Heights; park is on R side. good for bikes/trikes. no bathroom.
Niguel Ranch: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn L on Golden Lantern, then R on Marina Hills. Pass Parc Vista, turn R on Niguel Ranch Rd, up about 3 blocks; park is on R.
Ocean Breeze: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn L at Niguel Rd, L at Charles; park is on L side.
LN Regional Park: Go west on Crown Valley. Turn R on La Paz Rd, R on Yosemite. Park on the street and walk under the tunnel to the park.
excellent for big group activity. capture the flag, etc. acres of park, lake, bike trail.
Clipper Cove: Go west on Alicia Pkwy. Turn R on Clipper Cove.
Acorn*: Go west on Pacific Park. Rutn R at Wood Canyon, L at Sanborn. Park is on right.
Bathroom. (port a potty). 2 very long slides (these are now closed). 3 play areas. at a school. tunnel. animal prints in concrete. great park!

Mission Viejo
Pavion*: Go east at La Paz. Turn L at Olympiad, and L on Jeronimo. L again at Pavion; park is on R side.
No bathroom. at a school. has braille "art". 2 play areas - sand and wood chips. great for big and little kids.
Granada: Go east at Crown Valley. Turn L at Puerta Real (MV Mall); park is at the end.
Cordova: Go east on Crown Valley. Turn L at Marguerite. Turn R at Felipe and R at El Retiro.
Barbadanes: Go east on Crown Valley. Turn L at Marguerite, R on Felipe and L at Barbadanes signal; park is on R side.
El Dorado*: Go east on Alicia. Turn R at Jeronimo, L at Montilla, R on Papagayo. Park is on L. No bathroom, big grass slope.
Crucero Park*: Go east on Alicia. Turn L on Marguerite, L on La Barca.
Wandering Trails*: Go east on El Toro. Continue past the tollroad; turn R on Wandering Trails.
Lake Mission Viejo, North Beach*: Go east on Alicia. Turn L on Marguerite, R on Olympiad.
Lake Mission Viejo, East Beach*: Go east on Alicia. Past Marguerite, turn L on Calle Azorin, ?? 2nd L on ??
Olympiad (Flo Jo)*: Go east on Alicia. Turn left on Olympiad. Park is on the left a few blocks down. bathroom, water, big fields, busy park, swings.

Rancho Santa Margarita
Central Park: Go east on Alicia. Turn right on Santa Margarita Pkwy. Turn right at Buena Suerte. bathroom needs a SAMLARC key.
Trabuco Mesa: Go east on Alicia. Turn right on Santa Margarita Pkwy. Turn left on Antonio. Park is on right, just past school. bathroom needs SAMLARC key.
Lake Santa Margarita: Go east on Alicia. Turn right on Santa Margarita Pkwy. Turn left on Fundadores. Lake parking lot is on right. You need SAMLARC key to use lagoon, but you without it, you can walk or skate around the lake. water, bathroom needs SAMLARC key.
Altisima: Go east on El Toro. Turn right on Santa Margarita Pkwy. Turn left on Los Alisos. Just past Altisima, turn left into parking lot. Pool and bathroom need SAMLARC key, park does not. big field, tot lot, swings.

San Clemente
San Gorgonio: Go east on Camino de la Estrella. Turn R at Ave Vaquero, L on Via San Gorgonio; park is on the left.
Rancho San Clemente: Go east at Ave Pico. Turn R on Calle del Cerro, R at Ave Vista, L on Calle Aguila; park is behind the school.

San Juan Capistrano
Descanso Park* (by police station): Go west at Ortega Hwy. Turn L at Del Obispo, L at Adelanto. Park is at the end. Bathroom, bike trail. Brand-new and really fun play equipment in wood chips. Equipment includes swings, baby swings, two jungle gyms, monkey bars and a sliding handle. Summer shade trees, picnic tables, and a frequently cleaned bathroom make this a really nice San Juan attraction.
Cook's Park @La Novia: Go east at Ortega Hwy. Turn R at La Novia, R at Arroyo. Park is on left.
Bathroom, small play equipment area. Good for toddlers, might be boring for older kids. softball diamond, basketball court.
Cook's Park @Calle del Campo: Go east at Ortega Hwy. Turn R at La Novia, L at Arroyo. Park is on right.
great for little ones. small play equipment area. on bike trail.
Honey Tot Lot: From the Camino Capistrano exit, turn R. Turn R at San Juan Creek Rd. Several miles, park is on left. (Past Ambuehl school)
not much shade, no bathroom. on horse path - often see horses. fun for little ones.
Four Oaks : From the Camino Capistrano exit, turn R. Turn R at San Juan Creek Rd. At Ambuehl School. Turn right, then left on Via Madonna. Park is on right.

Other Outings
Shaner Farm*: Take the 5 to the 57. After crossing the 91, watch for the Chapman exit.
Exit east/to your right and proceed to Kramer. Go left to 1128 Kramer (on
your right), between Madison and Morse. Tel: 714/996-3314. $5 per child, $2
per adult, free for babys. harvest vegetables, feed animals, gather hen eggs.
Irvine Regional Park*: Take the 5 north. Turn R on Jamboree. Follow to end. Turn R and go into park. (paid parking). train $2-3, zoo $1, pony rides.
Heritage Park: Take the 5 north. Turn L on Jeffrey. Turn R on Walnut. Park is on the right.
Tanaka Farms