Stay cool: Here are some ways you can beat the heat

Summer’s here.

The days are longer and Orange County is starting to reopen as vaccinations spread. With temperatures approaching the triple digits in some of our communities and still plenty warm in others, you might be searching for ways to beat the heat.

Here are just a few ideas, and definitely check your local city recreation guide for more options near you:

Splash away

Splash pads have opened for the season around Orange County.

Among them are La Habra’s new watery playgrounds. Since late May, hundreds of children have enjoyed the water fountains, sprinklers and mini water slides that were built at two of the city’s parks.

The splash pads, which are gated, are operating at a 30-person capacity. If there’s a wait, then visitors are limited to a half-hour play session.

If you don’t want to worry about time limits, you can make back-to-back reservations at either of the Brio or Oeste park locations on the city’s website. You can also walk in.

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  With summer temperatures reaching into the 90’s, children play in the cool water at the Oeste Park Splash Pad on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in La Habra. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Water flies down from above as children push a pole around from underneath at the Oeste Park Splash Pad on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in La Habra. With summer temperatures reaching into the 90’s, children play in the various water apparatus at the park under the watchful eyes of their parents. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Olive Raimondo, one-and-a-half, slides down a small water slide at the Oeste Park Splash Pad on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in La Habra. With summer temperatures reaching into the 90’s, children play in the various water apparatus at the park under the watchful eyes of their parents. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Tanner Stimson, one-and-a-half, of La Habra, laughs as he makes his way through a water fountain at the Oeste Park Splash Pad on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in La Habra. With summer temperatures reaching into the 90’s, children play in the various water apparatus at the park under the watchful eyes of their parents. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  With summer temperatures reaching into the 90’s, children under the watchful eyes of their parents, play in the cool water at the Oeste Park Splash Pad on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in La Habra. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Tanner Stimson, right, one-and-a-half, of La Habra, smiles as he plays in a water fountain at the Oeste Park Splash Pad on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in La Habra. With summer temperatures reaching into the 90’s, children play in the various water apparatus at the park under the watchful eyes of their parents. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

For those further south, Heritage Park in Irvine has a 2,000-square-foot shaded splash pad, with seating for parents and a separate play area for toddlers.

And the Laguna Niguel Sprayground is also currently open for those with reservations. Starting July 19, anyone can drop by.

Hit the pool

Many cities offer free or low-cost recreational swimming sessions at community pools, as well as a host of swim lessons.

Whether you enjoy swimming laps or lounging poolside, Mission Viejo’s Sierra Recreation and Fitness Center is a popular spot. Admission is $5 per person regardless of age, and public swim sessions are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center also has a gym, tennis courts and playground for those who don’t want to get wet.

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  Eric Hansen good-naturedly serves as his 12-year-old son Calvin’s springboard as they keep cool in the Sierra Recreation Center pool in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The pool recently opened back up for drop-in family swim sessions. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Calvin Hansen, 12, has some fun and keeps cool in the Sierra Recreation Center pool in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The pool recently opened back up for drop-in family swim sessions. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Eric Hansen launches his son Henrik, 9, into the Sierra Recreation Center pool in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The pool recently opened back up for drop-in family swim sessions. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Zachary Chaffee, 4, plays with his dad Chris in the Sierra Recreation Center pool in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The pool recently opened back up for drop-in family swim sessions. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Zachary Chaffee, 4, holds his breath as he prepares to jump into the Sierra Recreation Center pool in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Ole Hanson Beach Club is another south county favorite, with discounted prices for San Clemente residents – $4 for adults and $2 for children. Non-resident adults can get in for $8, and their kids for $6. Monthly, seasonal and annual passes are also available for frequent visitors.

The Pearson Park Pool at the Anaheim YMCA is also hosting free public swim sessions through the summer. Reservations are required, and swimmers can choose from several weekend afternoon sessions.

Cool off indoors

If you don’t have air conditioning at home, you can hang out at one of the county’s 95 cooling centers. Use 211oc.org’s online directory to find one near you.

Though hours for each center vary, they’re free and in public places such as community centers, libraries and indoor sections of city parks where you’ll often find activities to keep you entertained while you wait out the heat. Some locations carry free water bottles, as well.

Get your skate on

Who says ice skating is only a winter activity? With indoor temperatures low enough to keep ice solid, it’s the perfect way to escape heat waves.

The Aliso Viejo Ice Palace has various skating sessions from Mondays to Saturdays. Admission is $16 on weekdays and $20 on weekends, and skates are included. Kids five and younger can skate for $10 when accompanied by an adult.

Locals who previously enjoyed skating at one of The Rinks’ several Orange County locations – Anaheim, Westminster, Yorba Linda and the Orange County Great Park – will have to wait just a few more weeks to get on the ice – the centers are set to open for public sessions in late July and early August. Check each location’s gradual reopening plan on The Rinks’ website.

In the meantime, if you don’t mind a bit of a drive, the East West Ice Palace in Artesia – located just northwest of Orange County – is open for public skating. Though times change every week, you can plan ahead by checking the center’s website. Admission is $14 for adults and $13 for kids under 10. Skate rentals are an additional $3.

Take a hike

Feeling adventurous? Orange County has amazing trails and parks for you to visit. If you fear the inland heat, stop by Newport Beach’s Crystal Cove State Park, which boasts miles of scenic beach-side trails. After your hike, you can spend some time on the sand or grab a bite nearby.

Many of the 23 trails winding through Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Trabuco Canyon are shaded by trees – they are shared between hikers, bikers and equestrians.

Seas the day

If you haven’t yet thought about heading to the beach, are you really from Orange County? From San Clemente to Seal Beach, there are 42 miles of coastline for you to enjoy.

You can play volleyball on the sand or splash in the waves for free. If you’re willing to splurge a bit, go kayaking in Huntington Harbor or Dana Point.

If you’re not much of a paddler but still want to get out on the water, you can rent a pontoon in Newport Beach and cruise around with friends and family.

This post first appeared on ocregister.com

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