You may have heard mention of the partial solar eclipse happening for us on Monday. I have a fun resource for you from NASA! Not only does it show the visibility of the FULL eclipse happening on a path from Texas through Maine and Canada — but it has an interactive tool called “Eclipse Explorer” (which also works on mobile) where you can click on a city and it will run you through the event there — for us it will basically happen between the hours of 10am and 12:20pm on Monday. It will be cool to check out DURING the eclipse to see the “live” setting and which stage we’re at while it’s happening.
For OC, the only cities listed on the map are Santa Ana and Anaheim. (Yay! Santa Ana & Anaheim!). It shows we’ll get about a 50% eclipse. You can see the peak times, etc.
Zoom in to the map to see these other cities: Los Angeles, Torrance, Long Beach, Oceanside, Murrieta, and San Diego.
You know you can’t look directly at the sun, right? Or, you shouldn’t because it can damage your eyes. Here are the safety guidelines for eclipse viewing from NASA. And here are some Pinterest ideas for making a viewer out of a cereal box or toilet paper tube with some aluminum foil. You’ll have to tag me on Instagram (ocplayparks) if you are out there catching this natural phenomenon!
Outdoor Summer Camps - Updated Info!
I spent a lot of time this week updating my “OC Summer Camps with Outdoor Themes” list. Not all are 100% outdoors or 100% free play, but I was going for a list of camps that mostly focus on nature, play, and classic summer camp fun.
A lot of camps have now opened their registration and updated their info for Summer 2024. Some are already filling up or FULL. So if you think you are going to sign up, then you might want to take a peek now.
Adventure Playgrounds in Orange County
In California, there are 3 Adventure Playgrounds in Orange County and 1 in Berkeley. This means California’s Adventure Playgrounds make up almost half of the 10 playgrounds I know about in the entire United States! According to an NPR story, “there are roughly 1000 scattered across less litigious Europe.”
Adventure Playgrounds are NOT supposed to be like traditional playgrounds with pre-built play equipment. Visiting an Adventure Playground is supposed to be an experience!
The idea is to let the kids use their imaginations and the props provided to participate in developmentally appropriate play. Play that often comes with risks. All you have to do is supervise for safety but let them play and see what they do!
Things to remember when visiting almost any Adventure Playground:
Will feel more “risky” with loose parts.
ACTIVE supervision by an adult is required. (Staff are NOT there to supervise your kids. They are there to maintain the playground.)
Best for ages 5 and up.
Messy elements like paint, mud, building materials. (Closed toe shoes that can get wet and muddy are often required.)
Bring a change of clothes.
Popular spots so they can be EXTRA busy.
Some do not allow ANY group gatherings, like playgroups & birthday parties.
Many are gated and have certain hours/days of operation that may be seasonal. Rain closures possible.
Here are your Adventure Playground options in California:
Irvine Adventure Playground (free)
Yorba Linda Adventure Playground (free, although reservations often required and closures for day camps during summer)
Huntington Beach Adventure Playground (summer only, registration for time slots are open NOW for Summer 2024, $4 fee per child - pay online with a 2.29% service fee which comes out to, like, 9 cents)
Berkeley Adventure Playground (opened 1979, free for individuals and families during regular hours, charge for groups)
Special note: WAIT until after spring break to attempt a visit to the Irvine Adventure Playground which is notoriously busy during breaks. You’ll have a MUCH better time!
San Clemente Beach Trail Repairs & Closures
Finally, I wanted to share all the updates on the San Clemente Beach Trail. There are closures and repairs happening this spring which make it not-your-normal-experience.
In late 2023 and early 2024, there was slope movement that makes parts of this trail inaccessible or under repair — and even suspended rail service. The beautiful bridge section (Mariposa Bridge) in this featured photo was impacted. I will be updating the post when a permanent solution is reached, but in the meantime your best information will come from the City of San Clemente.
Riviera Pedestrian Bridge will be closed April 1, 2024 through May 24, 2024. Get more info and see map.
San Clemente Shore Replenishment Project starting up again in mid- to late-April, 2024. This impacts areas around the pier.
The Mariposa Bridge Closure of the beach trail and repair project info is here.
Tiny Hikes Teaser: This week’s Mini Trail Guide #27 is a forgotten oasis at its greenest time of year. Subscribe to get access to a whole archive of tiny hikes and then get a new tiny hike nature exploration trail guide in your inbox each week.
Just a heads up that I am going to have Play Trips and DIY Summer Camp ideas flowing through my newsletters for the 10 weeks of summer, especially through my OC Tiny Hikes newsletter!
10 Reasons to Subscribe to My OC Tiny Hikes Mini Trail Guides!
You are trying to get outdoors more with your family.
You want a hand-picked nature outing for the weather/season.
You need free/low cost date ideas.
You like FLAT trails and don’t want to travel far.
You want nature but not TOO wild or remote.
You don’t have time for trail guide apps that are confusing or missing family-friendly info.
You want trails that don’t require gear and that you could do with a toddler.
You sometimes feel afraid or anxious about hiking but still want to try something new.
Your family just moved to OC and want to explore, but don’t know where to go.
You can support the work of a writer mom & nature guide who has been writing about the outdoors in OC for 16 years! (Me!)
Want to see a sample? I created this Printable Version of Trail Guide #25.
Adding on an OC Tiny Hikes paid subscription will be a gift to yourself for a small monthly or annual fee (like, for less than one coffee drink a month)! You’ll get a weekly short & sweet family hike idea + inspiration on where to go make nature connections with your family on outings that work for all generations from babies in a stroller to grandparents. Lots of extras coming for summer!