Location: Laguna Hills: next to the Laguna Hills Community Center, which is at 25555 Alicia Parkway, near the corner of Paseo de Valencia
Hours: 8 a.m. – dusk daily
Cost: Free
For ages: Tots to grade-schoolers

If you have a little dinosaur-lover in your household, this grand two-level park is a must-stop.

Located on one of the richest fossil sites in our county, Prehistoric Park (many locals call it “Dinosaur Park” also) is Laguna Hills’ nod to the city’s origins.

Filled with dinosaurs to climb, a “fossil cave” to hide in, an explorers’ truck to “drive,” and plenty of prehistoric playfulness, your little ones will remember this park for a long time.

There are wonderful shaded canopies over much of the equipment (but apply sunscreen anyway!), and lots of tree-shaded wall seats for Mom and Dad. But beware, if you have two children of different ages, one will want to be on the top level and one will want to be on the bottom, making it a little difficult for supervision with only one adult.

If you can ply your kids off the climbing fossils, or drag them away from the prehistoric turtle fountains, or get them off the climbing “fossil walls,” you can also bring them inside the beautiful Laguna Hills Community Center and take a free audio tour of the city’s fossils display (check out audio equipment at the front desk).

This park also takes reservations for parties (perfect for a dinosaur-themed party!) and has an enormous arbor-shaded picnic area, surrounded by flagstone tiles and roses. Adults will find the setting as magical as the kids.

Restrooms are in the Community Center.

Where to park: Enter off Alicia Parkway and park anywhere in the large parking lot.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, snacks, change of clothes, a towel (there are some fun turtle hand fountains and kids might get quite wet or sandy!)
Best time to go: This park is great any time! Rarely gets crowded, and there is more shade than at most parks.
For more information: Call City Hall at 949-707-2600 or visit the fossils display page of the City of Laguna Hills website.

Have you taken your kids to Prehistoric Park? Do you have fun tips to share?