Fullerton has serious parks. Not just patches of grass with a bench — real, sprawling green spaces with trails, views, and reasons to spend an entire afternoon outside. Add a world-class arboretum, a cultural center in a 1920s mansion, a weekly farmers market that doubles as a block party, and day trips to Disneyland, the beach, and Downtown LA, and you start to understand why people who live here don’t feel the need to leave very often.
Parks & Outdoors
Hillcrest Park is the crown jewel. Sitting on a hill in the heart of the city, it offers some of the best panoramic views in all of North Orange County. On a clear day you can see the coastline. The park has walking trails that wind through mature trees, a large playground that’s always packed on weekends, and wide open lawns perfect for picnics or just laying out with a book. The recent renovations added new paths, improved lighting, and a beautiful amphitheater space. Locals jog here in the mornings, bring their kids in the afternoons, and watch the sunset in the evenings. It’s the kind of park every city wishes it had.
Craig Regional Park is the big one. Over 124 acres of trails, lakes, and picnic areas on the east side of town. It’s where you go for a proper hike without leaving city limits. The trails loop around the lake and through rolling hills, and you’ll share the paths with joggers, mountain bikers, and families walking their dogs. There are covered picnic shelters you can reserve for birthday parties and group gatherings, plus fishing in the lake if that’s your thing.
Laguna Lake Park rounds out the trio. It’s smaller and quieter, tucked into a residential area, with a lake, walking path, and playground. It’s the kind of place you go when you want fresh air without a production. The ducks and geese that call the lake home are a hit with little kids, and there’s a small fitness course along the path for anyone who wants to mix in some pull-ups with their walk.
Hillcrest Park at sunset is a non-negotiable Fullerton experience. Drive or walk up to the top, find a spot on the grass facing west, and watch the sky light up over the city. Bring a blanket and something to drink. You’ll understand immediately why people love this park.
“Hillcrest Park at golden hour is worth the entire trip to Fullerton.”
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center
The Muckenthaler — locals just call it The Muck — is one of Fullerton’s best-kept secrets, which is a shame because it deserves a bigger audience. It’s a cultural center housed in a stunning 1924 Italian Renaissance-style mansion on a hilltop surrounded by lush, manicured grounds. The Muckenthaler family donated the estate to the city decades ago, and it’s been a community treasure ever since.
Inside, rotating art galleries feature everything from local artists to touring exhibitions. The quality is consistently surprising for a venue this intimate. But the real magic happens outside. The grounds host concerts, theater performances, and festivals throughout the year. Summer concerts on the lawn are a Fullerton tradition — bring a picnic, spread out a blanket on the grass, and enjoy live music under the trees as the sun goes down. The annual holiday events draw families from across the region.
Even if nothing’s on the calendar, the Muckenthaler is worth a visit just to walk the grounds. The gardens are beautiful, the architecture is gorgeous, and the whole place has a calm, almost European feel that’s completely different from anything else in the area. It’s free to walk around, and gallery admission is minimal.
“The Muckenthaler is Fullerton’s living room for the arts.”
Fullerton Arboretum
Tucked into the northeast corner of the Cal State Fullerton campus, the Fullerton Arboretum is 26 acres of botanical gardens that most people — even some locals — don’t know exist. And it’s free. Completely free.
The Arboretum is organized into themed collections that take you through different ecosystems and regions. You’ll walk through a Mediterranean garden, a desert collection with towering cacti, a subtropical zone with palms and ferns, and a woodland area that feels like it belongs in Northern California, not Orange County. A creek runs through the property, and the paths are shaded and well-maintained.
There’s also a restored Heritage House from 1894 that gives you a glimpse into what life looked like in Fullerton over a century ago. The on-site nursery sells plants, and the gift shop is small but well curated. Throughout the year the Arboretum hosts plant sales, workshops, and family events. The October Green Scene plant sale is particularly popular — gardeners line up early for it.
It’s one of those places where you go for a quick walk and end up spending two hours wandering. Perfect for a Saturday morning when you want to be outside but don’t want to drive anywhere far.
The Fullerton Arboretum on a weekday morning is one of the most peaceful spots in the city. Almost nobody’s there. Bring a coffee, take the path along the creek, and you’ll feel like you’re miles from suburbia. Weekend mornings are great too, but weekdays are something else entirely.
Farmers Market & Local Events
Every Thursday, downtown Fullerton transforms for the weekly farmers market. It sets up on Wilshire Avenue between Harbor and Pomona, right in the middle of everything. The market runs from the late afternoon into the evening, and it’s as much a social event as a shopping trip.
You’ll find the usual farmers market staples — fresh produce, baked goods, honey, flowers, and prepared foods — but what makes this one special is the setting. You’re surrounded by downtown’s restaurants and shops, live music fills the block, and the energy is distinctly Fullerton. Families come with strollers, couples browse for dinner ingredients, CSUF students grab cheap eats. It’s the kind of thing that makes you feel like you live in a real community, not just a collection of strip malls.
Beyond the farmers market, Fullerton has a solid calendar of local events throughout the year. The downtown car shows draw gear heads and casual onlookers alike, with classic cars lining Harbor Boulevard. Summer outdoor concert series pop up at various parks. First Friday art walks bring people into the galleries and creative spaces scattered around town. The holiday season brings tree lightings, parades, and events at the Muckenthaler. There’s almost always something happening if you look for it.
Day Trips
One of the quietly great things about living in or visiting Fullerton is the location. You’re centrally positioned in Orange County with easy access to an absurd amount of stuff.
- Disneyland is about 10 minutes south. That’s not an exaggeration — jump on Harbor Boulevard and you’re practically there. Annual passholders in Fullerton pop over for a few hours after work like it’s nothing.
- The beach is roughly 30 minutes. Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are both straight shots down the 57 and 55 freeways. You can be in the sand before your coffee gets cold.
- Angel Stadium and Honda Center are 15 minutes away in Anaheim. Catch an Angels game or a Ducks hockey game and still be home before it’s late.
- Hiking in the hills is right at your doorstep. The trails in the Fullerton and Brea hills connect to longer routes that can take you through Chino Hills State Park. You don’t have to drive to Big Bear or the San Gabriels for a real hike — though those are about 90 minutes away if you want them.
- Downtown LA is about 40 minutes north on the 57 to the 60, or you can take the Metrolink from the Fullerton Transportation Center and skip the traffic entirely.
Fullerton is the kind of base camp that makes everything feel accessible. You’re not in the middle of nowhere, but you’re not in the thick of LA traffic either. It’s a sweet spot.
The Metrolink from Fullerton to Downtown LA is an underrated move. Skip the 5 Freeway nightmare, grab a seat on the train, and you’re at Union Station in about 45 minutes. Read a book, answer some emails, or just watch the scenery. It beats white-knuckling it through Boyle Heights any day.
Family-Friendly
Fullerton is a genuinely great place to raise kids, and that shows up in the number of things there are to do with them.
The parks covered above — Hillcrest, Craig Regional, and Laguna Lake — all have playgrounds, but the playground at Hillcrest Park is the standout. It’s big, well-maintained, and designed for a range of ages. Kids burn energy there for hours. Independence Park, tucked into a quiet neighborhood, also has solid playground equipment and basketball courts.
The Fullerton Community Center on Commonwealth is the hub for organized activities. They run youth sports leagues, swimming programs, art classes, dance classes, and summer camps. The fees are reasonable and the programs are well-run. It’s where a huge number of Fullerton kids spend their after-school hours and summers.
Youth sports are big here. Fullerton has strong Little League, AYSO soccer, and youth basketball programs. The city maintains solid fields and facilities, and the parent volunteer communities are active and engaged. If your kid plays a sport, there’s a league for it and a park to play it at. Seasonal signups fill up fast, so keep an eye on the city’s recreation department page.
For rainy days or hot afternoons, the Fullerton Public Library on Commonwealth runs a great children’s program with story times, reading challenges, and craft activities. The Fullerton Museum Center downtown occasionally runs kid-oriented exhibits too. And of course, the Arboretum is a natural classroom — the kids don’t even realize they’re learning while they’re chasing lizards along the creek.