Just for Kids - Orange County Loves Them!

   Don't forget to have fun here in Laguna Beach and Orange County. Whether youv'e come to build the biggest sandcastle around, or buy an expensive castle overlooking the pacific, this area has a great selection of activities and attractions for the kid in all of us.

   First, there's the beach. If you're just learning how to swim, it's always possible to book lessons though Laguna Niguel Parks and Recreation. You probably already know how to have fun in the sand and surf, but did you know the entire Laguna coastline has been declared a Marine Life Refuge by the state of California? Dolphins and Humpback whales are often spotted here, as are huge flocks of migratory birds that use the coastal islands as hatching grounds. Year round dolphin and whale watching tours are available throughout the area.

   There's also an Ecological Reserve at Heisler Park to protect tidal-pool life like anemones, crabs, sculpins, and even rare seaweed. Taking home souvenirs from the Laguna Beach area isn't allowed, but it is okay to carefully explore every inch of it. Laguna Beach also has a hospital for sick and injured marine mammals and birds, Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center, where visitors can witness animals being nursed back to health.

   Orange County is also home to some of California's finest children's museums where you can learn about and practice art, science, and everything in between. Some of the best venues for this include the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art and Bowers Kidseum, the Children's Museum of La Habra and the Discovery Science Center.