OCPlayParks's Passport
 | Been to 175 Attractions |
 | 77 Reviews |
 | 51 First to Review |
 | 78 Photos |
 | 38 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
We like exploring nature and playgrounds wherever we go. We tend to avoid crowds and visit places that might be less well-known. We promote play on our FunOrangeCountyParks.com Play Blog (part community service, part travel agent).
Our Family's Travel Personality
curious, simple, independent, spontaneous, easy_going
We Just Got Back From
Arizona
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Yosemite National Park
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks. British Columbia, Canada.
Websites I Like:
Piers of Southern California that Kids Will Love
Every pier has its own personality. However, they all allow families to walk out over the water and look back at the beautiful California coastline. (Courtesy of FunOrangeCountyParks.com.)
Cabrillo Blvd and State St.
Santa Barbara, California
Comment:
Restaurants and the Ty Warner Sea Center. Also near Chase Palm Park.
23000 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, California
Comment:
Historic pier run by California State Parks. Ruby's Diner on the pier. Check out nearby Malibu Lagoon and Legacy Park.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, California
Comment:
Tons of people and a total tourist trap, but worth it to get the California experience. Carnival rides and an arcade.
End of Torrance Blvd
Redondo Beach, California
Comment:
A bunch of restaurants and shops in the Fisherman's Wharf vicinity of the pier. Beautiful views of Santa Monica Bay.
Ocean Avenue
Main Street Seal Beach, California
Comment:
A nice quiet location in a sleepy beach town. Playground at the base of the pier and a Ruby's Diner on the pier.
reviewed on: July 26 2011
"Sleepy California beach town"
If you want the flavor of a California beach town, visit the Seal Beach Pier. There's a Ruby's Diner at the end with views north to Long Beach and south along the Orange County coast. You can watch pier fisherman make a catch or gaze upon the crew boats shuttling workers to and from the oil derricks.As an added bonus, this beach has easy parking and a gated playground.
400 Main Street (approx. address)
Huntington Beach, California
Comment:
Almost as busy as Santa Monica. But you have to stop at the Kite Connection on the pier. Cool wind spinners and kites. Ruby's Diner also on this pier.
reviewed on: June 26 2011
"Busiest of local piers"
The Huntington Beach Pier always seems busy with tourists, festivals, street performers, and locals trying to check out the wide expanse of beach. Ruby's Diner is at the end of the pier and it's a favorite with families. We loved the Kite Connection store on the pier with its cool kites and friendly staff. I was mesmerized by the wind spinners outside the store. There's a Farmer's Market at the base of the pier on Friday afternoons with arts and crafts, plus food.
70 Newport Pier
Newport Beach, California
Comment:
On the Newport Peninsula near lots of shops and restaurants. A rather short pier with a restaurant.
reviewed on: July 26 2011
"Not much beach when we went"
On our visit, there wasn't much beach left right around the pier. You have to go north or south to find more sand. Just as everyone else reported, there's the typical restaurants and ice cream places. We like the Old Spaghetti Factory across the street and also the Crab Cooker Restaurant.It would be fun to rent bikes at this pier and ride along the beach to the Balboa Pier and Fun Zone. "McFam" has the best advice for parking and keeping an eye on the kids.
1 West Balboa Pier
Newport Beach, California
Comment:
Hard to find parking here, but this is the Balboa Fun Zone just past the Newport Pier. There are bike paths and tons of restaurants. Lots of people rent bikes here. Playground at the base of the pier.
reviewed on: July 26 2011
"This place is family central in the summer"
We just visited the sunny Balboa Pier and I'm already wanting to go back! There was a huge group of kids in Junior Lifeguards and lots of families staking out their places on the beach. I saw a group of teenage boys skimboarding (awesome!) near the pier. There's also a playground with a large bank of swings and huge spiderweb for climbing.The original Ruby's Diner opened in December 1982 on this pier. It's nice and white and inviting looking out over the Pacific. The Balboa Fun Zone is right across Balboa Blvd with a ferry that will take you to Balboa Island.
Plan to get there early. Park your car and then bike or walk everywhere!
600 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, California
Comment:
Another quiet and beautiful location. Similar to Seal Beach Pier in tranquility and views. Fishermen's Restaurant at the base of the pier. Watch the trains go by and walk the beach trail.
reviewed on: July 26 2011
"Romantic coastal town - good with kids too"
I think San Clemente is generally known for its romantic vistas and it even has a cultural building with gardens called: Casa Romantica. The pier is right near the train tracks so you get big points with kids who are train fans. They will love to watch the locomotives pass by so close. There's only a small shop with basics like hot cocoa at the end of the pier, but it's worth the stroll to see the views.
There are swing sets on the beach and a short walk takes you to Linda Lane playground.
