If you’ve ever driven on the 5 South to San Diego I’m sure you have seen these signs from the freeway.

Who knew that about 5 minutes up the street from here there would be an amazing park for the whole family? Cedar Grove Park in Tustin Ranch is just 10 minutes from Santa Ana and is full of nature, trails, open space and distinct play areas for kids!

Cedar Grove Park 11385 Pioneer Rd Tustin, CA 92782

Run kids, run!

My daughter is a ball of energy; this park has so much to do and see that when we strategically plan a visit before bedtime it’s the earliest and easiest bedtime of the week!

There are three main play areas for the kids, a basketball court, huge cedar grove trail, an amphitheater, and a covered entertaining space (with tables and benches, we see people host baby showers and bday parties here every weekend). You and your family can spend all day here.

The first kid’s area is the covered play structure where they can be heard planning their latest pirate ship attack:

This area is really well thought out and is beyond safe.  All the kids seem to be drawn to the reptile and amphibian residents who (I’m not gonna lie) are a little creepy but inspire great adventures.

The second area is over a troll’s bridge and  has some modern art looking climbing structures and two baby and toddler swings.

This park makes me wish I was a kid again!

Play area #3 has been taken over by the kids but is an exercise space for everyone.  Maybe one day I will be bold enough to work out with my 4 yr old…hmmm…on second thought let the kids have it!

At the back of the park is a trail that leads to an 8 mile hike called the Peters Canyon Hiking Trail. You can explore aquatic animals all year from this underground spring-fed creek. The park and the surrounding canyon areas are so expansive it’s easy for one to find some zen and a nice escape from the city here.