Best OC Trails for Families

“Let nature be your teacher.” -William Wordsworth

We love the great outdoors and Orange County is full of great places to take your family. Over the years we have found some great places to go for walks/hikes and I thought it was time to share them with all of you. I tried to break it down to let you know if it is paved paths, dirt, easy parking, bathrooms, etc…So, here is our list of the best OC trails for families, in no particular order. If you have one you think I should add to the list, please let me know below.

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Niguel Botanical Preserve

29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel – lots of trails, flowers, benches, some paved paths/some dirt, playground, bathrooms, free parking lot. We have taken family photos here in the spring/early summer and they always turn out beautiful. In the summer there is also a splash pad near the playground.

Salt Creek/Sea Terrace Park

33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point – ocean view, paved walking path, large grass areas with fun trees for climbing, access to beach, bathrooms, $1 per hour parking lot. Pack a lunch and have a picnic, this is our favorite place to fly a kite too!

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Oso Creek Trail

24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo – some paved paths/some dirt, fun maze to walk through, playground on upper level, bathrooms near playground, free parking lot near trail and near community center. We’ve taken our family Christmas photos here and it’s a great spot!

Bluff Top Trail/Heritage Park/Lantern Bay Park

34371-34399 St. Dana Point – ocean view, large grass areas, free street parking, playground at lantern bay park. We were able to walk from Bluff Top Trail to Heritage Park, then you will need to do some stairs to get to Lantern Bay Park, but it was a great way to get in some extra steps!;) Pack a lunch and have a picnic, there are some great grassy areas. You could also head to “Baby Beach” afterwards, but you will want to drive to that one.

Top of the World

Alta Laguna Blvd, Laguna Beach– ocean view (on a clear day), grass area, dirt walking trails, playground, tennis courts, soccer fields, bathrooms, free parking lot. There are LOTS of walking trails up here in Laguna, we did a short one from the playground that only took 15 minutes to the “Top of the World,” then we had a picnic lunch on the grass.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park

28241 La Paz Rd, Laguna Niguel – fishing, playground, trails for walking, bathrooms. If you park off of La Paz and Yosemite there is free street parking, then you can walk through a tunnel to get you to the lake. Or you can park in the lot off of La Paz for a few dollars and you will see the large playground. I have used the trails for running and we have also gone fishing here.

Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park

30952 Oso Pkwy, Trabuco Canyon – many dirt trails, $3 for daily parking, butterfly gardens/nature center. We took an easy walk that looped us in a large circle and took about an hour. Pretty location for family photos in the spring, but you may need a photography permit.

Quail Hill Loop Trail

34 Shady Canyon Dr., Irvine – Well defined dirt trail, 1.8 mile loop, pretty grass, flowers, no hills, easy terrain, bathrooms, free parking lot. This might be my favorite of the “best OC trails for families.” Another pretty spot for family photos in the spring!

More recommended OC trails

Trails recommended to me that we haven’t tried out yet are…

• Black Star Canyon Falls
• Trabuco Creek Trail
• Red Rock Canyon
• Jeffrey Open Space Trail
• Heisler Park
• Baklands Park
• Bommer Meadow/Canyon
• Santiago Canyon
• Bolsa Chica Wetlands
• Ralph Clark Regional
• San Joaquin Marsh
• Fullerton Loop
• Castaways Park
• Newport Back Bay

What did you think of our list of the best OC trails for families? Are there any nature walks you love to do with your family? Did I miss one of your favorites? Make sure to check OC Parks for more info on local parks and trails. I also have a post on my favorite playgrounds in South Orange County and you can find that HERE or our favorite indoor places to play HERE.