6 Things to Do Outside in North Tustin This Summer with Your Family
North Tustin March 24, 2026
North Tustin March 24, 2026
North Tustin, Orange County · Summer 2026 · Family-Friendly · Mostly Free
Summer in North Tustin hits different. We're talking golden afternoons, wide open green space, no city tax, and zero tourist crowds. Whether you just made the smartest move of your life or you’ve been here for decades — here’s your local guide to getting outside with the whole family this season.
📍 8548 E. Canyon View Ave, Orange — 5 min from North Tustin
If you haven’t taken your kids to Peters Canyon yet, fix that immediately. This 340-acre park blends coastal sage scrub, riparian habitat, freshwater marsh, and grassland — all centered around the gorgeous 55-acre Upper Peters Canyon Reservoir. It’s nature tucked inside the suburbs, and it’s stunning.
The Lake View Trail loop is gentle and perfect for families with little ones. Older kids and more adventurous hikers can tackle the East Ridge View Trail for panoramic views that remind you why you chose this zip code. Dogs are welcome on leash. Parking is just $3, or free on Peters Canyon Road. Plan a Day Out
Go early in summer — by 10 AM it gets hot. Bring 2L of water per person and wear close-toed shoes. Wildlife spotting (deer, hawks, the occasional bobcat) is half the fun.
📍 230 W. First St, Tustin · Every Wednesday, June & July · 6–8 PM · FREE
This is the North Tustin summer tradition that doesn’t cost you a thing. Every Wednesday evening through June and July, Peppertree Park transforms into an outdoor concert venue with local bands covering Top 40, classic rock, Motown, and more. Bring a blanket, drag out the lawn chairs, and pack a picnic — or grab something from the food vendors on-site.
Past lineups have featured acts like Funk Phenomenon, Stone Soul, So Petty (yes, a Tom Petty tribute), and The New Romantics. The 2026 lineup will be announced at tustinca.org — follow along so you don’t miss the good ones.
June 11 — The New Romantics
June 18 — Funk Phenomenon
June 25 — The Convertables
July 2 — Stone Soul
July 9 — Flash Pants
July 23 — So Petty
July 30 — Sticks and Stones
📍 El Camino Real, Old Town Tustin · 3rd Thursdays, May–Sept · 5–8:30 PM · FREE
Every third Thursday evening from May through September, Old Town Tustin comes alive with local vendors, food trucks, live music, and a Farmers Market stretching along El Camino Real. It’s a free, family-friendly evening out that draws all ages and has serious small-town-meets-OC energy.
Grab dinner from a food truck, let the kids browse the vendor stalls, and soak up everything that makes this area worth living in. The shopping, the charm, the community — all without paying a cover charge or fighting for parking at The Irvine Spectrum.
May 15 · June 19 · July 17 · August 21 · September 18
All from 5:00–8:30 PM
📍 I-5 at Jamboree Rd, Tustin/Irvine · Open Year-Round
Yes, it’s a shopping center — but The Tustin MarketPlace near the I-5 and Jamboree is genuinely one of the best outdoor family hangouts in OC. Spanning 165 acres with 120+ stores, restaurants, cafés, and theaters shaded by groves of date palms, it’s built for lingering.
Grab dinner from one of the outdoor patio restaurants, catch a show at the Edwards Theater, and end the night with a scoop (or three) at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream — 48 flavors made fresh daily, ample outdoor seating, and a Tuesday $4 small special that’s practically criminal. They also regularly host live music and seasonal family events throughout the summer, so check their events calendar before you go.
This is non-negotiable. Handel's makes their ice cream fresh every day, offers 48 flavors daily with over 120 rotating seasonally, and has ample outdoor seating for 100-plus guests right at The Tustin MarketPlace. They still run the Tuesday special — $4 for a small, stacked three-scoops tall like a snowman. Yelp The kids will lose their minds and you'll be sneaking bites of their cone. They also do banana splits, sundaes, and smoothies, so there's literally something for everyone. It's the kind of classic summer moment that doesn't require a reservation or a babysitter.
📍 Cedar Grove Park, North Tustin · Free, Always Open
One of the best-kept secrets of North Tustin life is just… walking it. Cedar Grove Park sits right at the entry point to Peters Canyon and is a perfect launching pad for an afternoon out. Bring a blanket, let the kids run, and then meander through the Cowan Heights streets that wind through some of the most gorgeous residential real estate in all of Orange County.
The mature trees, the canyon views, the lot sizes, the quiet — this is exactly what people from LA are packing up their moving trucks to find. If you’re new here, it’s the walk that makes you fall in love. If you’ve been here forever, it’s the walk that reminds you why you never left.
No city taxes. No HOA overlords. No cookie-cutter tract homes. Just beautiful, established neighborhoods that feel like a reward for getting your life together.
“This is the lifestyle people are moving from LA to find. Lucky for you, you’re already living it.”
North Tustin doesn’t need a tourist trap to deliver a great summer. The trails, the concerts, the open-air dining, the neighborhood streets — it’s all here.
Ready to make this neighborhood yours? Let’s talk.
Enthusiastic, upbeat, and energetic, Cassie French's passion for the Newport Beach & North Tustin community shines through every interaction and transaction. Part of The Agency Orange County, Cassie's fresh perspective pairs beautifully with her commitment to excellence and extensive knowledge of the area to provide clients with unmatched guidance and care.
3426 East Coast Highway Newport Beach CA