What makes for a great park? In my book, it’s got to have a lot of room for the kids to roam, fun amenities, and a close proximity to quality takeout food. The combination of these factors makes for the perfect “lazy parent” picnic with their kids. Here are a couple of parks that fit that bill in Laguna Niguel.

The YMCA / Laguna Niguel Regional Park:
The Laguna Niguel Regional Park, which backs up to the South Coast YMCA, is the granddaddy of parks in Laguna Niguel. Not only is the park absolutely huge with a wide variety of activities, it’s got great food on both sides of it.

There are two ways into the park, and your choice of parking lots will dictate which amenities you’ll get to enjoy without much walking. If you park in the YMCA parking lot off of Crown Valley, you can enjoy the YMCA’s giant playground as well as a great “self-guided” nature walk. If you park in the Regional Park’s official parking lot off of La Paz (it costs under $10), you’ll have easy access to the 44-acre lake, picnic shelters, and another ample playground.

If you’re a cheapskate like me, you’ll actually park in the YMCA parking lot, and walk the half-mile paved biking path that connects the backside of these two adjoining parks. You can then spend your money on renting a small electric powerboat for $10 per hour, buy a couple microwave burritos in the tackle shop, and go cruise the lake with your kids.

Other food options include Ted’s (breakfast burritos, burgers, etc.) and The Pho Bowl (Vietnamese) on the corner of La Paz and Aliso Creek, and Flamin’ Chicken and Ribs on Crown Valley and Niguel.

Chapparossa Park:
This park is more commonly recognized as the little league and pee-wee soccer mecca for Laguna Niguel, with its gorgeous and manicured fields. But it’s also a great park to enjoy during the off-season, when you can have it all to yourself.

There’s a great playground for kids right near the front entrance of the park, as well as a public basketball court that draws some pretty good pick-up games. If you are going to use the playground on a busy day, you may want to consider parking in the cul-de-sac right before the park entrance, since you can spend hours circling the parking lot.

One of my favorite things about the park is the trail that leads from the back end of the park, all the way down to Salt Creek Beach. It’s a good couple of miles, but is a gorgeous walk or ride.

For picnicking, there’s a great variety of close-by food including Good Choice Sushi, Chapparossa Grill, McDonald’s, all located on the corner of Golden Lantern and Marina Hills.

Chapparossa Park

Laguna Niguel Regional Park