The city of Lake Forest, previously known as the El Toro community, derives its name from two different man-made lakes in the vicinity and has no shortage of things to do for those visiting the area. You can enjoy the great outdoors at one of the numerous community parks within Lake Forest, including Foothill Ranch Community Park and Montbury Park. Great meals are waiting to be enjoyed at Avila’s El Ranchito or Peppino’s Italian Family Restaurant. You can also try your hand at a nerve-racking escapade from one of the rooms at The Scene Escape Rooms. These are just a few ideas you can use to jump-start your vacation planning. For more fun things to do while in Lake Forest, California, be sure to read on.
1. Have a good time at the Lake Forest Sports Park
Recently built in 2014, this massive park features 86 acres (35 hectares) of entertaining opportunities for everyone. The park boasts of two outdoor basketball courts, two soccer fields, a 3 acre (1 hectare) common lawn and playgrounds for the kids. These are just a few of the park’s amenities. Your favorite four-legged friends are welcome in the park too, though within certain areas. This makes the Lake Forest Sports Park a fantastic place to visit for the entire family.
Lake Forest Sports Park
Address: 28000 Rancho Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Lake Forest Sports Park
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm
2. Check out the local Foothill Ranch Community Park
Foothill Ranch Community Park is the perfect place to let the kids play while you sit back and relax for a bit. The park has a large playground as well as soccer fields, basketball courts, and baseball/softball fields. Bring your lunch and eat it at one of the picnic tables or take a stroll along the walking paths.
Foothill Ranch Community Park
Address: 19422 Rue De Valore, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Foothill Ranch Community Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
3. Take a tour of the Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens
Madame Helena Modjeska was a renowned actress of Polish descent who had this house built as a retreat for her time spent away from the limelight back in the 1880-1900s. Today, it is known as both a California historical landmark as well as a National Historic Landmark. You can take a tour of this magnificent house, either self-guided on Saturdays or with a guide on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Reservations are required, so be sure to book your tour ahead of time.
Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens
Address: 29042 Modjeska Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676
Website: Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens
Opening hours: Sat: 11am - 2pm; Wed: 10am - 2pm (closed Sun-Tue, Thu & Fri)
Price: 5 USD
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4. Escape in time from The Scene Escape Rooms
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Escape rooms are a fun way to get your brain working and have fun with your family and friends at the same time. At The Scene Escape Rooms, you can choose between two rooms to escape, and you have an hour in which to do it. Escapes are by reservation only, so be sure to book your time and date through their website.
The Scene Escape Rooms
Address: 22661 Lambert St #203, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: The Scene Escape Rooms
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 27 USD
5. Step back in time at the Heritage Hill Historical Park
Heritage Hill Historical Park spans 4.1 acres (1.6 hectares) and features four fully restored buildings that have been set up in the stylings of the Mexican Rancho era. The park offers both guided and self-guided tours, where you can learn a bit about the history of the Orange County. If you plan on touring with a group of eight or more, be sure to reserve your tour at least three weeks in advance to guarantee that your group is accommodated.
Heritage Hill Historical Park
Address: 25151 Serrano Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Heritage Hill Historical Park
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free - Groups of 7 or less; 2 USD - Groups of 8+
6. Test your skating prowess at the Etnies Skate Park
If you enjoy skating or would like to give it a go, you should add Etnies Skate Park to your list of places to visit while in Lake Forest. The park is the largest free-skate park in California. You can skateboard, in-line and roller skate over 62,000 square feet (5759 square meters) of space. Be sure you have your safety equipment with you as you will not be allowed to skate without it.
Etnies Skate Park
Address: 20028 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Etnies Skate Park
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm
Price: 15 USD
7. Spend time outside at the Heroes Park
Heroes Park is another wonderful park you can visit while in Lake Forest. You’ll find ample picnicking areas and places to barbeque as well. Walking and biking paths are also available.
Heroes Park
Address: 25420 Jeronimo Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Heroes Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
8. Indulge in Mexican cuisine at Avila's El Ranchito
Avila’s El Ranchito is a family-owned local chain restaurant and has been bringing quality Mexican cuisine to customers since 1998. This popular joint can be found at a total of 13 locations. Stop in at the Lake Forest location and enjoy a plate of enchiladas, fajitas or create your own combo. If you prefer to eat breakfast any time of day, Avila’s has you covered with an all-day breakfast menu.
Avila's El Ranchito
Address: 24406 Muirlands Blvd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Avila’s El Ranchito
Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Thu: 11am - 9:30pm; Tue & Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9:30pm
9. Catch a show at the Modjeska Playhouse
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If going to the theater is your thing, you’ll want to check out the show schedule at the Modjeska Playhouse while in Lake Forest. Seating is open, so you can sit wherever you like and the theater doors opening about 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your show. For information on what will be playing during the time of your visit, be sure to check out their website.
Modjeska Playhouse
Address: 21084 Bake Pkwy #104, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Modjeska Playhouse
Price: 18 USD
10. Relax at the beautiful Lake Forest Park
Lake Forest Park isn’t the largest park in the city, but it has a nice tranquil atmosphere to it. There is a small playground for the kids to play and benches to sit on while you enjoy being in the outdoors. The park also has a walking path around its perimeter, perfect for a quick walk or jog.
Lake Forest Park
Address: 24000 Serrano Road; Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Lake Forest Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
11. Go wine tasting at the Frisby Cellars Winery
Frisby Cellars is a micro-winery and has been delighting customers with their wine since 2008. While in Lake Forest, stop by the winery’s tasting room for a glass or two of your favorite variety. The best news is that Frisby Cellars offers its collection of wines for purchase on their website, so you can buy their wines from the comfort of your own home!
Frisby Cellars Winery
Address: 20331 Lake Forest Dr c, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Frisby Cellars Winery
Opening hours: Fri: 5pm - 8pm; Sat: 1pm - 6pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed Mon - Wed)
12. Step outside and hang out at the Serrano Creek Community Park
The Serrano Creek Community Park is a great place for the entire family to hang out and a fun place to check out while in Lake Forest. Kids will love the large playground that offers plenty of room to stretch out and play. Park shelters are available to rent for 25 USD for gatherings of less than 50 people.
Serrano Creek Community Park
Address: 25101 Serrano Road; Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Serrano Creek Community Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
13. Savor Italian cuisine for dinner at Peppino's Italian Family Restaurant
Peppino’s has been a family-run restaurant since 1984, and in that time they have grown to a total of four locations, including Lake Forest. While here, do yourself a favor and stop by for some of the best Italian food in town. Start your meal with an appetizer such as the fried calamari or the shrimp cocktail before moving on to your main course of chicken parmigiana or manicotti.
Peppino's Italian Family Restaurant
Address: 23600 Rockfield Blvd #2s, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Peppino’s Italian Family Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
14. Enjoy the serenity of Montbury Park
Montbury Park is a great place to sit on an available bench and take in the world around you. If sitting is less your style, take a stroll around the walking paths of the park. Barbeque facilities are available for interested visitors, making Montbury Park the ideal place to have a picnic as well.
Montbury Park
Address: 21962 Montbury Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Montbury Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
15. Play a round of golf at the Lake Forest Golf and Practice Center
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A great game of golf is never far away in Lake Forest, especially when you visit the Lake Forest Golf and Practice Center. The course itself is a par-29 nine-hole course that is both perfect for novice golfers yet challenging enough to keep seasoned players working to stay under par. Practice areas are also available, including a nine-hole putting green in addition to disc golf and a footgolf area.
Lake Forest Golf and Practice Center
Address: 23308 Cherry Ave, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Lake Forest Golf and Practice Center
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 12+ USD
16. Grab a drink at Urban Grill and Wine Bar
Spring drinks have arrived! @bartenderella has outdone herself on #urbangrillandwinebar new cocktail menu! #seeyousoon #nofilterneeded #foothillranch #lakeforest #bakerranch
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Stop in for a drink and enjoy the ambiance of Urban Grill and Wine Bar. Try one of their signature cocktails, which includes choices such as Mrs. Kennedy and Bonnie & Clyde, or choose from an extensive list of wines and beers. If you’re hungry when you stop by, you’re in luck - their grill serves up tasty items from sandwiches to seafood linguine to filet mignon.
Urban Grill and Wine Bar
Address: 27412 Portola Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92610
Website: Urban Grill and Wine Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 9am - 9:30pm
17. Stretch your legs at El Toro Park
Get out and enjoy beautiful Lake Forest by taking a stroll through El Toro Park. The park features great walkways as well as a playground for children, picnic areas and barbeques for family gatherings. Tennis courts are also available at the park, with lighting that remains on until 10 pm.
El Toro Park
Address: 23701 Los Alisos Blvd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: El Toro Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
18. Workout at Concourse Park
One of many beautiful parks in Lake Forest, Concourse Park is a great place to enjoy the California outdoors and get in a workout at the same time. The park has basketball courts for a bit of ball play to get your heart pumping and paths to walk or jog on. Fitness equipment is also located along the winding paths. All you have to do is bring yourself to enjoy a great workout.
Concourse Park
Address: 18931 Saddleback Ranch Rd, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679
Website: Concourse Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
19. Grab a bagel at Bagels & Brew
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’ve got bagels on your mind, make a pit stop at Bagels & Brew. All bagels are made from scratch daily, so you know you’re in for a treat when you order one. And while bagels are available, you can get so much more here, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, breakfast items, and smoothies.
Bagels & Brew
Address: 21771 Lake Forest Dr #100, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Bagels & Brew
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6am - 5pm; Sat: 6:30am - 4pm; Sun: 7am - 4pm
20. Get out and enjoy Baker Ranch Community Park
Baker Ranch Community Park has something for everyone, from playgrounds for kids to enjoy to basketball courts where you can shoot hoops with your friends. Of note, the playground features a rock climbing wall and an extra-long covered slide. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables to utilize during your visit as well as barbeque pits for a fun summer cookout.
Baker Ranch Community Park
Address: 26380 Rancho Pkwy S, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Baker Ranch Community Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
21. Bring your picnic to Rimgate Park
A picnic is almost always a good idea, and having one at Rimgate Park is even better. This beautiful park features plenty of space to bring your blanket and basket for a scenic picnic while in Lake Forest. Picnic tables under pavilions are also available, as are barbeque pits for grilling your meal.
Rimgate Park
Address: 29772 Rimgate Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Rimgate Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
22. Let your dog enjoy at Barker Ranch Dog Park
If you have brought your furry friend on your Lake Forest adventure, you know they’ll want to get out and see the sights too! Barker Ranch Dog Park is a great place to let your pooch get a bit of fresh, unrestricted air and playtime. The park has two separate play areas and entrances for big and small dogs, keeping confrontations to a minimum. Both areas feature artificial turf, benches for dog parents and watering stations to keep Fido hydrated.
Barker Ranch Dog Park
Address: 25600 Baffin Bay, Lake Forest, CA 9263s
Website: Barker Ranch Dog Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
23. Pay a visit to Cherry Park
Cherry Park features a great playground for the kids to play and extensive walking paths to get your workout for the day. Plenty of picnic tables means you can enjoy a meal at the park with barbeque pits to grill up your favorite food. Enjoy a game of basketball on the half court located in the park or just bask in the beauty of the Lake Forest.
Cherry Park
Address: 22651 Cherry Ave, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Cherry Park
Opening hours: dawn - dust (daily)
Price: Free
24. Check out Veterans Park
Visit Veterans Park, where you can sit or picnic beside the pond that is situated in the middle of the park. You can also enjoy a stroll on the walkway around the park, which has recently been completely renovated. Part of the recent renovation includes an area dedicated to the five branches of the armed forces.
Veterans Park
Address: 23102 Ridge Rte Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Veterans Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
25. Visit Saddleback Church
Visit Saddleback Church, where you can meet new people and become part of the local community. Saddleback Church hosts plenty of events throughout the year. More information is available on their website. The website also allows you to find the campus closest to where you’ll be staying while in Lake Forest.
Saddleback Church
Address: 1 Saddleback Pkwy; Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Saddleback Church
26. Marvel at the rugged Red Rock Canyon
Take a hike through Whiting Ranch and make your way to Red Rock Canyon, an area with red rocks that make for a scenic outlook. The hike to reach the canyon is only about 2 miles (3.2 km) across relatively flat terrain, making this a trek most people can make. Bring plenty of water when hiking, you’ll want to make sure to stay hydrated for the duration of your hike.
Red Rock Canyon
Address: Red Rock Trail, Lake Forest, CA 92610
Website: Red Rock Canyon
Opening hours: 7am - sunset (daily)
Price: 3 USD
27. Kick a soccer ball around Regency Park
Enjoying a quick game of soccer is a great way to keep active while on vacation, and the soccer fields at Regency Park are awaiting your arrival. When playing here, you’ll be surrounded by the beauty of the Lake Forest area. Who wouldn’t want to play a little soccer with picturesque mountains in the background?
Regency Park
Address: Regency Lane and Osterman Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Regency Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
28. Enjoy the beauty of Borrego Canyon Overlook Park
Borrego Canyon Overlook Park is yet another fantastic park located in Lake Forest. Walk along the paths that are surrounded by beautiful trees or let your kids burn off some energy in the playground. Picnic pavilions feature barbeque pits, making this a great place to enjoy a family cookout.
Borrego Canyon Overlook Park
Address: 21 Viaggio Ln, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
Website: Borrego Canyon Overlook Park
Opening hours: dawn - dusk (daily)
Price: Free
Make it out to Lake Forest soon
If you’re looking for the next great place to visit, look no further than Lake Forest. These are just a few ideas of fun things to do that you can refer to help plan your trip to Lake Forest, California.
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