Orange County family guide
Things to Do in Laguna Hills with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Laguna Hills on the map
📍 Where Laguna Hills is
Laguna Hills sits in Orange County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: John Wayne / Orange County (~11 mi / 18 km). It's roughly 44 mi (71 km) from Downtown LA and 68 mi (110 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
🏡 New to Laguna Hills? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Browse Laguna Hills' activities guide and sign up for city classes through its online Rec1 catalog.
- Library card: Laguna Hills Library, an OC Public Libraries branch, closed October 12, 2026 for improvements; holds go to Aliso Viejo Library meanwhile.
- Get an OCPL card: Apply online for an OC Public Libraries card or eCard, usable at any county branch including Aliso Viejo and El Toro.
- Find your school: Laguna Hills is in Saddleback Valley Unified; enter your street address in the district's School Locator to see your assigned schools.
- Community Center & Sports Complex: The city's Community Center and Sports Complex at 25555 Alicia Parkway has fields, a gymnasium, a picnic shelter and room rentals.
- City newsletter: Subscribe to The Roundup, the city's e-newsletter, for city news, upcoming events and announcements.
- Emergency alerts: Text 92653 to 888-777 for city Nixle alerts, and register for AlertOC for countywide emergency notifications.
- Trash & recycling: CR&R is the city's trash and recycling hauler; contact CR&R directly to set up or ask about service.
- Local insider: The library and Community Center share a civic campus on Alicia Parkway, a short hop from the I-5.
Things to do in Laguna Hills
Parks & Hiking
Aliso Creek Regional Trail (Laguna Hills)
OC Parks rates this paved bikeway, with a dirt trail beside it, easy. It follows Aliso Creek for about 15 miles through Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Aliso Viejo, with rest areas and city parks along the way. It's the best flat family bike ride in the area, and dogs are allowed.
FreeBeckenham Park
A small lit park off Alicia Pkwy, reached via Costeau to Wilkes/Camberwell, with a tot lot, sports field and walkways. It is best for toddlers. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeCabot Park
A park at Cabot Rd and Rapid Falls Rd with a tot lot, ball field, restrooms, parking and a concession stand. It is between Oso Pkwy and Crown Valley Pkwy on the Mission Viejo side of town. It is one of the few Laguna Hills neighborhood parks with restrooms listed.
FreeClarington Park
A small lit park off Alicia Pkwy, reached via Hon and Georgia Sue, with a tot lot, sports field and picnic tables. It works for a short neighborhood play stop. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeCosteau Park
A neighborhood park with a tot lot, sand volleyball, basketball and a ball field, at Alicia Pkwy and Costeau. Under it lies the Costeau Pit, an Ice Age fossil site where mammoth, saber-toothed cat, dire wolf and giant ground sloth bones were found. Students discovered it in 1965.
FreeEl Conejo Park
A neighborhood park off Paseo de Valencia near La Paz, with a tot lot, basketball, a ball field and lighting. It is a quick playground stop for south Laguna Hills. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeKnotty Pine Park
A small park near La Paz and the I-5 with a tot lot, sand volleyball, a sports field and picnic tables. It is a neighborhood-scale stop, not a destination park. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeLaguna Hills Skate Park
A free, unsupervised skatepark at the Community Center & Sports Complex, for skateboards and rollerblades only; bikes and scooters are not allowed. A helmet, elbow pads and knee pads are required, and skaters can be cited without them. No food or drinks are allowed in the rail area.
FreeLaguna Hills Sports Complex & Prehistoric Playground
The prehistoric-themed public playground behind the community center is for kids 12 and under. It is next to restrooms and a picnic shelter. The complex also has ball fields, a roller hockey rink and a snack bar run by Laguna Hills High music boosters; fields and shelters need reservations.
FreeMackenzie Park
A neighborhood park off McIntyre near La Paz with a tot lot, tennis court, sports field and picnic tables. It is a quiet spot for little kids. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeMandeville Park
A small park off La Paz near Moulton with a tot lot, sports field, walkways and picnic tables. It is best for toddlers and preschoolers. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeMendocino Park
A neighborhood park off Aliso Hills Dr between La Paz and Alicia, with a tot lot, sports field and walkways. It is a calm option for a short play break. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeSan Remo Park
A small park off Moulton past El Toro Rd with a tot lot, tennis court and sand volleyball. It suits a quick toddler outing. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeSanta Vittoria Park
A neighborhood park off Moulton with a tot lot, tennis and handball courts, sand volleyball and walkways. It is a good stop for siblings who want a ball game while the little ones play. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeStockport Park
A neighborhood park off Alicia Pkwy and Wilkes with a tot lot, sand volleyball, a lit sports field and walkways. It is close to the Community Center if you want to combine stops. The city page lists no restrooms.
FreeVeeh Ranch Park
A park on Santa Vittoria St off Lake Forest Ave West with a tot lot, basketball court, sports field and walkways. It serves the north end of town near Lake Forest. The city page lists no restrooms.
Free
Indoor Play
Chuck E. Cheese Laguna Hills
An arcade and pizza restaurant at 26538 Moulton Pkwy, near La Paz Rd. It suits preschool and early elementary kids. Weekday afternoons are quieter than weekend party hours.
Play passes; check sitePlayPie Laguna Hills
A big multi-level indoor playground at 23251 Avenida de la Carlota, with a soft-play structure, ball and foam pits, slides, a toddler area and pretend-play stations like a market, kitchen and police station. Sign the waiver online to check in faster. Its address is the one formerly listed for Big Air Trampoline Park Laguna Hills, which no longer appears on the Big Air location list.
Admission: check site
Arts & Culture
Hoppin' Hills
A free spring-themed kids morning on the Town Green outside the Laguna Hills Community Center. It is short and toddler-friendly. Check the city events page in late winter for the date.
FreeLaguna Hills Concerts in the Park
The city's summer concert series. The county's July 2026 newsletter lists Friday shows on July 17 and 31. Check the city events page for the venue and lineup before you go.
FreeLaguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & Kids Run
The city's Memorial Day race includes a kids fun run for ages 4-11 and a Diaper Dash for kids 3 and under, alongside the 5K, 10K and half marathon. It honors service members, especially the Marine Corps Darkhorse Battalion. Expect road closures that morning.
Registration fees; check siteLaguna Hills Tree Lighting & Breakfast with Santa
The city's holiday lineup at the Community Center includes a tree lighting, Breakfast with Santa (register ahead) and a $5-per-child Parents Night Out. Breakfast sessions fill up, so register early.
Tree lighting free; Breakfast with Santa $10 per person ages 2+ (pre-registration)Farmers markets in Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills Certified Farmers' Market
Year-round Friday market at Laguna Hills Mall with produce and prepared foods.
Festivals & annual events in Laguna Hills
What Laguna Hills is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Pumpkin City Pumpkin Farm (Laguna Hills Mall)
A pop-up pumpkin patch behind Trader Joe's at Laguna Hills Mall with kiddie rides, game booths, a petting zoo, gem mining and live entertainment; parking is free. Tip: weekday visits before 4pm are free, and most activities take 4–9 tickets, so buy a multi-pack.
Free Mon–Fri before 4pm; otherwise $10 kids, $14 adults; ride/game tickets $1.70 each
Local restaurants in Laguna Hills
Ironwood
A from-scratch, seasonal farm-to-table kitchen with a polished room for a grown-up-leaning family dinner.
Seasonal & outdoors near Laguna Hills
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Laguna Hills.
More Orange County family guides
Laguna Hills family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Laguna Hills with kids?
Family favorites in and around Laguna Hills include Fossil Reef Park, Hoppin' Hills, Laguna Hills Concerts in the Park and Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & Kids Run, and more. Our guide lists 24 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Laguna Hills?
Yes — free family spots near Laguna Hills include Fossil Reef Park, Hoppin' Hills, Laguna Hills Concerts in the Park and Laguna Hills Community Center & Fossil Exhibit. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Laguna Hills?
Local, family-friendly spots in Laguna Hills include Ironwood — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Laguna Hills guide cover?
Our Laguna Hills family guide includes 24 things to do, 1 local eatery and 1 farmers market — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Laguna Hills
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Laguna Hills on one map — then book on your favorite site.