Things to do in Orange County: Irvine CA Parks

According to Parenting OC, Irvine is the #1 family-friendly city in Orange County based on superb school rankings, pricing on Irvine homes for sale, and low crime rates. What else makes Irvine a great place to settle down with your family? That would be the abundant things to do in Irvine, CA! There are amazing parks the city has to offer for each community, neighborhood, and special activities for you and your kids. Getting your kids off the couch and out and about is important for their health, and what better way to motivate them than Irvine’s wide array of parks, vista points, and recreation centers.

Choosing which Irvine Park to visit can be a tough choice, there are so many great options! Continue reading for a few of our favorites or contact the Irvine real estate specialists at First Team real estate with your Irvine area questions. Two parks, in particular, stand out though as must-visit spots – Irvine Regional Park and The Orange County Great Park in Irvine. Not only are they are not only beautiful parks, but they’re also chock full of activities, events, and beautiful areas to enjoy a day in the sun, making spending the day at them some of the best things to do in Irvine, California.

Irvine Regional Park

Irvine Regional Park has so many amazing things to do and see you’re going to have to plan multiple visits back to experience everything this shady oasis has to offer. Nestled in a grove of heritage Oak and Sycamore trees, Irvine Regional Park houses the Orange County Zoo and tons of other activities to keep you active all day long. Don’t miss the Pumpkin Patch which will be coming to the park September 21^st. Face painting, carnival games and the pumpkin patch bounce house are just a few of the highlights of this festive holiday event. Can’t make it to the Halloween celebration? Don’t worry, Irvine Regional Park holds all kinds of events throughout the entire year from their Easter Eggstravaganza to the Christmas Train.

Whether you’re looking for some inexpensive outdoor entertainment for your kids or trying to plan an out of the ordinary date, Irvine Regional Park offers endless activities to enjoy. This Irvine park has amenities including:

Train Ride
Paddleboat rentals
Horseback riding and pony rides
Hiking trails
Botanical preserve with kid’s garden trail
Horseshoe pits
Party pavilions for large groups
Bike rentals and trails
Dog friendly lawns and roaming areas
Picnic area
Fishing
Softball fields and volleyball poles
Barbeques
Snack bar and gift shop
Picnic area

Great Park In Irvine

The Orange County Great Park in Irvine is another beautiful and interactive Irvine park to visit for some fun in the sun. What’s the best thing about the Great Park Irvine you ask? That would be the Great Park Balloon. This giant orange hot air balloon is flight-ready every Thursday through Sunday, reaching heights of 400 feet offering amazing panoramic views of up to 40 miles on a clear day.

The Great Park has plenty of other amenities and activities to keep you coming back for more. Check out the Great Park Carousel, Palm Courts Art Complex, or Kids Rock – an interactive and educational eco-friendly playground. You can even stop by the visitor’s center and borrow some free sports equipment to use on any of the ample open lawn areas at the park. Every Sunday from 10am to 2pm you can also browse the Farmer’s Market to stock up on fresh fruits, veggies, bread, plants, and other treasures from local artisans.

Want to make Irvine your local community? Check out some homes for sale in Irvine, CA, and make this beautiful city your new home.

Be and get the Buyer’s Guide resource that we have created for you as well. There’s no better way to stay-in-the-know and be completely prepared for your home purchase.

Don’t forget, not only does Irvine have two of the most popular parks in Orange County, but it also has a huge selection of community, neighborhood, and specialty parks around every street corner.

Here is a complete list of Irvine city parks for you to peruse.