Playground with the most TREE shade in OC?

Plus, 5 free summery things to try before school starts

Michele Whiteaker

Aug 07, 2026

∙ Paid

This week, I asked you on Instagram about which “S” are you? This was the result:

Seeking summer fun (18%)
Starting school soon (23%)
Somewhere in between (37%)
Struggling (22%)

This tells me 2 things:

For the majority of you, it was good timing to finish up the ten weeks of the Summer Play Trips newsletter last week.
But also that close to 60% of you are in a transition period.

Those of you who are “somewhere in between” and also “struggling” haven’t made it to your next step yet. But you will.

There’s a lot of uncertainty in the midst of change. Grieving the old and trying to embrace the new. It can take time to feel comfort in new routines and to process the big things life is throwing at us. I hope you are all giving yourselves a little extra grace and time and space to work through everything. Thanks to those of you who shared your stories with me.

Together in play,

Michele

As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.

Let’s Play:

OC playground with the most TREE shade

This is out of the ones I know! Do you know of one with more tree shade? Let me know because I can write up a list for us all. This particular park is even mostly shaded at noon.

I come back to this park over and over because I love the trees. Yes, the recycled rubber play surface takes a beating because of the tree roots. Yes, the play equipment might feel a little dusty/dirty because of the leaf litter falling from the trees. I don’t care! It’s still heavenly on a hot day.

Can you guess the playground? Hint: North end of South County. Sorry! No restrooms. Within walking distance of at least 2 other parks!

Find out which playground!

5 Free Things:

To try before summer ends & school starts

Take your time at the library. Get a library card, return your summer book piles and maybe find some new read-alouds about being a new TK or Kindergartner. Check out a board game from the Library of Things for the family to play on a family game night. Enjoy the air-conditioning during the heat of the day if your library has it. Try a new library that you haven’t tried before. Find out about all 50+ Libraries in OC or visit my playground map and look for the WHITE markers to spot local libraries.
Go on a bridge to be still to see the birds and wildlife all around. Bolsa Chica Conservancy has a free nature center at the corner of Coast Highway and Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach. My favorite spot to see wildlife is from the small parking lot across from Bolsa Chica State Beach where there is a long bridge, usually with an ocean breeze. It’s just a few steps from your car to spotting all sorts of wildlife. Find out how to get to the bridge.
Stand in the shade of a redwood tree in OC. Redwoods thrive in cool coastal regions with fog. Yet, we have a more than a few small groves or trees providing shade for a visit around here in hot summer OC. It might trick you into feeling cool even when the temps are up? Find out how to find the 7+ redwood groves in OC.
Ride a zip line at the playground. Feel the wind blowing through your hair and the exhilarating rate of speed. I especially like the ones at Great Park Playground in Irvine, Lions Park in Costa Mesa, Riverdale Park in Anaheim, Central Park West in Huntington Beach, and Fountain Valley Universally Accessible Playground.
Read a bedtime story outside as the sun is setting. This won’t work for everyone because of mosquitoes or safety or the 7:45pm sunset, but if it sounds fun then try it. It can be any story. Or maybe you can play the Sunrise, Sunset song by Yo Gabba Gabba as a way to transition to bedtime? Here are some “sun” children’s book ideas to check out from the library from a library district in Michigan!

Play News & Outdoor Events

Water safety and drownings

We were at a hotel pool with a group of kids from a sports team + young siblings. The kids were having lots of fun in the pool. There was no lifeguard on duty. I noticed there were no parents acting as Water Watchers. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children.

As a freelance writer, I wrote an article about child drownings for LA Parent Magazine years ago where I had to interview parents who had lost their children to drowning. It is so painful and also so preventable. The experience makes me extra sensitive to water safety and children. That, in addition to the tragic news of a man who drowned at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach this week, prompted me to remind you to make sure you are safe around water! Here are some safety tips from the American Red Cross.

Children’s Museum at La Habra Closing for Renovations (Starting 8/17)

They will be temporarily closing their doors from Monday, August 17th to Monday, September 28th for their annual renovations. Grand re-opening is going to be Tuesday, September 29th. So squeeze in your play sessions now!