27 Coolest Playgrounds in LA & OC - On a Map!

Erynn said:  Standard playground equipment, swings, and slides combined with a kid-sized train play structure will thrill kids who enjoy trains! Free mini steam-train rides are offered twice a month.

Erynn said:  Boardwalk-patterned paving encircle the playground at Universal Playground, which contain two play areas, one for ages 2-5 years and the other for ages 5-12, a sand play area, sensory play area and splash pad water play area.

Erynn said:  In addition to its on-site aquatic center, skate park, amphitheater, and dog park, Fontana Park also includes a range of play areas for kids. There’s an imaginative playground, checkerboard squares, a sunken ship playground, and kinetic sculptures. Plus, a few creatively contoured paths allow for bikes, scooters, and more to coast freely.

Erynn said:  The seasonal spray park is the main attraction, with its separated gated area that keeps kids contained. But Monte Vista Park also has a playground area with swings, slides, and a rock climbing wall.

Alexandra F. said:  This awesome playground was renovated in 2023 and is definitely one of the best playgrounds in Orange County! My preschooler especially loves the large splashpad with tons of fun water spray features, and the gigantic climbing structure with rope bridges and super tall slide looks so fun for older kids. The zip lines are a hit for a wide range of ages, and I really like how they have several wiffle balls and bats out on the artificial turf baseball diamond for kids to play with. If you plan to go on the weekend, be sure to make reservations online.

Kelly R. said:  Head to this incredible playground with your imagination, plenty of extra time, and a change of clothes for the kids - things might get messy! The fully enclosed 2-acre complex is filled with features that inspire unstructured play, including plenty of open space to explore. Kids can get messy in a mud hole, decorate an art wall, build structures with giant Legos, and unwind in a sensory garden. Standard playground fun can be had with equipment that is anything but ordinary, like cement hill slides and a towering fortress-inspired jungle gym.

Erynn said:  The two playgrounds at Palmview Park accommodate a range of ages and have fun structures for imaginative play. There's an airplane climbing structure, plenty of shade, and even a neighboring fitness area for parents to use while keeping an eye on the kids.

Erynn said:  Expansive play structures are the highlight of this playground, with everything NASA-themed--even the slide structures look like rockets! There's built-in shade in many areas thanks to tree cover, and there's also a seasonal splash pad to cool down with. A few spinning "ride" toys add to the NASA ambiance, and of course, plenty of swings and slides round out the playground's offerings.

Erynn said:  The park spans five acres, but the highlights are the expansive playground area and the adjoining splash pad (bring bathing suits, park rules!). The bright art mosaics have a kid-friendly vibe, and shade coverings keep the sun off in some parts of the play area.

Erynn said:  This pirate-themed park features 2 playground structures, a covered picnic shelter and tables, ½ court basketball area, open green space, walking/exercise path, water play area and restrooms.

Water features open Memorial Day-Labor Day

Erynn said:  There's tons of messy and hands-on fun to be had at the Huntington Beach Adventure Playground. Kids will explore, build, climb, raft, slide down a mudslide, and more. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the surrounding park area, and be sure to pack a change of clothes and wear closed-toed shoes! It’s recommended to call ahead to check availability, and to pay via their online system in advance.

Open June-August

Alexandra F. said:  This is one of the best playgrounds we've ever been to simply because the play structures, equipment and layout were all so thoughtfully selected and designed. There's an area for younger and older kids, each featuring just the type of play equipment those age groups would want, including a large and complex climbing rope web for big kids, cool swings and slides for both, lots of climbing features of varying difficulty levels, and a large sand area with play structures for younger kids. Best of all, the ENTIRE area is covered for shade!! Bathrooms, water fountains, picnic tables, basketball courts, a large grassy field and lots and lots of benches make it a comfortable and fun place to play any day.

Alexandra F. said:  This American Revolution-themed park is really something special. It has three playgrounds, large open fields, softball diamonds and basketball courts, and a large pond with plenty of ducks, geese and turtles. However, what really makes it special is the play island in the middle of the pond, complete with bridges, rock formations, and American revolution-themed play structures, including a “ship” that juts out into the water! It is SO much fun for playing and exploring, and my kids love going there as much as I did when I was their age. It’s worth noting that the line of sight is not very open on the play island, making it a bit of a challenge to keep an eye on very little ones who like to run off - especially with all the fun rocks and hills for climbing (and potentially slipping) on!

Alexandra F. said:  My preschooler and I discovered this awesome playground while driving by it on an errand, and we just had to stop to check it out. The feature that caught our eye was the jet plane suspended in mid-air at the front of the park (it’s a veteran’s memorial), but the plane and rocket-themed playground equipment was really fun, with lots of interactive elements. My 3-year-old especially enjoyed the enclosed tot lot with a fire truck climbing structure, and I appreciated the surprisingly clean bathroom just next to it.

The enclosed playground at Bixby Park offers parents of free-spirited kiddos, who love to run around, peace of mind. The jungle gym, which includes a rope climbing station, is great for budding climbers. Parents appreciate that there are umbrella-like covers that provide ample shade over the slides. The park also offers families fun exercise equipment where they can break a sweat together.

Erynn said:  The surrounding area is densely populated, but the park itself serves as a natural oasis. The nature-themed playground has a turtle kids can climb on, boulders for clambering over, and a concrete slide that's accessible via a set of steps. There's also a "snake" feature that younger kids can climb on.

Erynn said:  Separate playground areas with a covered picnic area in between make it easy for parents to enjoy the shade while kids play. The larger playground has a play train and tall slides, while the smaller-scale playground has tot-friendly sand ground covering and sea-themed decor. The accessibility of the park, along with its multiple play areas, make it a true play destination for all kids.

During my childhood, Pollwog Park was the park where my parents took my sisters and me to play and it was, and still is, one of my favorite parks for many reasons. I especially love watching and listening to the ducks in its vast duck pond. Families with toddlers can utilize the toddler-friendly playground while older kiddos can monkey around the playground tailor-made for them. Plenty of trees provide much needed shade during hot summer days, and families can enjoy eating with a view in the pond and picnic gazebos. With so much open space, furry companions can join the fun, too!

Erynn said:  Budding marine biologists will love this blue-hued playground with its whale and crashing waves. While the younger kiddos have all hands on deck, older kids can explore the nearby skate park.

Erynn said:  The ocean-themed play structures at Del Rey Park are fun for kids, and photo ops with the near-life-size whale are the main attraction. Its unique design and a fun theme make this park worth a trip.

Erynn said:  Lots of shade and sprawling playground attractions earn this fully accessible park a high rating. Multiple play areas invite kids of all abilities to join in the fun, and many parts of the playground have shade coverings. Most play areas have rubber ground covering, but some have sand where kids can play. Overall, most areas are accessible and inviting, and sand play is a novelty in most playgrounds.

Erynn said:  A sprawling playground set on mostly rubber flooring means kids of all ages and abilities can play together at this accessible playground. Some areas feature sand where kids can get a little messy, but there is plenty of climbing, sliding, and crawling equipment too.

Erynn said:  Unique "rock" structures encourage unconventional climbing, in addition to the typical ladders of other playsets. Seasonal water features let kids cool off in the heat of summer, and a sand area allows for hands-on sensory play.

Kelly R. said:  If you can take your eyes off the incredible sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains, you'll find that Malibu Bluffs Park boasts amenities for kids that are nearly as impressive, including jungle gym equipment, a climbing wall, a zip line, and a sand play area. The park also has a sustainable ocean-friendly educational garden and a whale watching vista with telescopes. Ocean view picnic tables will have you lingering over lunch, and free wireless internet access is available, too!

Erynn said:  Old Meadows Park focuses on accessibility for all kids and their families; key play structures include a miniature village, elevated sand table, a back hoe digger, and sensory panels. Both sand and rubber surfaces keep kids safe.

Erynn said:  Part of the playground at this community park includes an "ant hill," a grass hill to slide on w/skid boards.

Erynn said:  Younger kids will love the barn-themed playground area, while older kids and teens will appreciate the skate park. The playground equipment includes multiple slides and climbing attractions.

Alexandra F. said:  test

Alexandra said:  Fun playground! Beware of limited parking. You need to park in the neighborhoods NOT in the area.