*Be aware of Rattle snakes out on the deeper walking trails during this season* This is a fantastic park for families, parties, and individuals who love walking their dogs. Heads up, entrance fee/parking is $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. There is so much to see and do here! Snack Bar, Pony rides, a train that travels around the inner part of the park, horseback riding lessons (3rd party company), picnic areas, bike rentals, and giant wheel floating tricycles on the pond! To walk their inner perimeter pathways, where all the trees are, it's about a mile out and a mile back. If you have kids, they will love looking for the ground squirrels or wild peacocks, the train, ponies and more! There is so much wide open grassy space close to parking. There are several parking lots scattered all throughout the park. So you are always close to your care and nature. This last week, I walked a dog every day there and 3 outs of the 5 days, i encountered a rattle snake, not a big deal and it is after all...nature! Theirs was out on the more extensive hiking and walking trails beyond the main area. During spring and summer, it is good to carry a stick to help deter the snakes. I also would not use headphones out on the trails for this reason. Stay alert, and you will stay safe. If you have any concerns, always check in with a park ranger! It can get crowded on the weekends, specifically afternoons when a lot of parties and family gatherings are happening. read more

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Kind of out there but surprisingly big park with a decent amount of things to do. Despite its name its not really in irvine i think, rather like 15 minute from northwood? On the outskirts. Went to browse and didn't see any fish, lots of parking around and decently fast entry. Parking free on Tuesday for farmers market, just let them know at the gate. The farmers market is small but they have a lot of food options, the fruit stand in the front is more expensive than the other irvine markets but super sweet fruits. The food stalls here are a lot more hospitable and small business/making connections. The park itself has quite a few equestrian places, a small booth near the pony area that takes cash for pony rides and sells tickets for a small train, bathrooms in that area too. Lots of nice grass around for picnics. Overall it was a nice place to walk with a variety of activities to do. read more

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Visited Irvine Regional Park on a Monday and was honestly impressed by how expansive and family friendly it is. Right at the entrance, there's a small $3 parking fee if you go on a weekday collected by a park ranger who was very friendly and helpful. If you go on the weekends, parking fee is $5 and larger vehicles such as an RV or bus may be higher. Once you drive in, you quickly realize how massive the park is. There are multiple parking lots throughout, and you kind of have to explore a bit to find the perfect spot. Some areas have BBQ grills, others have playgrounds for kids, and there are plenty of open grassy fields as well as shaded areas filled with trees. The park really has something for everyone. There are hiking trails, wide paths for walking, and even a small zoo. Inside the zoo, there's a petting area that's perfect for little kids, which adds to the overall family friendly vibe. I also appreciated the upkeep of the park. I notice several lots has trash cans and restrooms, and the restrooms I went into were stocked with toilet paper, which is always a plus. With Easter season going on, there were also special activities happening, making the park feel even more lively. I mainly came to get some steps in and enjoy nature, and it was the perfect place to do just that. Whether you're coming with family, kids, or just looking for a peaceful outdoor walk, this spot checks all the boxes. read more

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Parking was $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and $7 on holidays. Came for the Easter Eggstravaganza. It was a very family friendly event with plenty of activities for kids. Bought the 15 pack tickets for $100. Liked that the tickets do not expire. You get a prize playing the carnival games regardless if you win. They had one ticket prizes, which were small, and two ticket prizes, which were much bigger. They also have a photos with the Easter Bunny, which was $20. The train ride was only one ticket a person (free for under 12 months) and was about 15 minutes long. The park was huge, with plenty of other activities, such as horse riding, bike rentals, and paddle boat rentals. The Orange County Zoo, also located in the park, was only $2. Overall, had a blast spending 2-3 hours at the Easter Eggstravaganza. read more

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I would absolutely recommend this park to ANYONE, but kids will love this place! On weekdays before 12, the bike rentals and pedal boats are half off, it's a plus getting there early anyhow. There is a train that runs through for a nominal fee, they dress it up Polar Express style at holiday time. There is a small zoo attached to the park that is steps away from the concession stand and it's only $2 to get in. I noticed excellent places to picnic, lots of trees and great for birthday parties. Peacocks roaming around, also pony rides- horse rentals as well, for riding 60 minutes. One thing I will say is bring hats and sunscreen. You will get a real workout in the pedal boats and bikes . You will know what I mean after you try it. If you are alone with a small child who can't reach the pedals, it's going to be a double whammy. My granddaughter and I had a great first visit. Suggestion- you are able to pack lunches and if you are eating healthier it's recommended- snack bar gives that classic 80's vibe, but the food is not exactly healthy . read more

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The views are lovely with lots of scenic tree and sky. The parking was easy, I paid five dollars. They have restrooms and water fountains on the park loop that I did, I did not go into the mountain trails. They had a lot of events happening when I went, horses, painting, games for kids and food. They have a big pond area with those cool swan boats. Cell phone reception was decent to good to great depending on the area. The park was peaceful with many families, groups, individuals, couples walking, playing sports, having chill parties or enjoying the park activity in general. The area was very clean. I did see groundskeeping pass by every now and then. I was impressed with the park and was okay with the five dollar parking fee. read more

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This park has everything you need to entertain the entire family. Train rides, tandem/bikes, paddle boats, pony rides, little zoo, hiking, etc. But for me, I like coming here for a little hiking and a little birding. There's a couple of ponds where you can find all kinds of ducks, with an occasional Mandarin and Wood Duck. If you're into birds, you can find cute species like Juncos, Warblers, Goldfinches, Bluebirds, Wrens, Hummingbirds, Nuthatches, Titmouse, Quails, Hawks, Kites, etc. Always a good time here except on weekends when it's crowded and noisy. Expect long lines to get in on weekend mornings, especially when there's an event. I have seen cars backed up for blocks waiting to enter. There's entrance fees. Weekdays $3.00 per car. Weekends $5.00 per car. Holidays $7.00 per car. Best to get an OC Parks Pass for $55 a year and you can enter all parks for free. read more

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very nice trainride! and the zoo is next to each other. Ample parking as well, during christmas plan ahead to purchase tickets they get sold out! and there is an entrance for the the car during the day visit, read more

Irvine Regional Park - night lights during holiday - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

I would recommend this place especially for the whole family. Just regarding the (Bike Rentals) felt bad for poor Bryan doing all the work pushing the bikes and receiving while the other 2 workers sat down and talked about their life and didn't want to take our bikes for return while they saw him struggling,Poor kid needed help. Other than that nice place to visit and rent bikes or hit the Zoo read more

This park is beautiful and provides a perfect day experience for youth, families, and adults! -Parking is only $3 to explore the entire grounds. -Grounds are tended to daily...and the beauty shows. -Well monitored Pony rides -Fun kid games -Riding the Tiny Train' is a must!! --purchase trains apparel for free-ride Wednesdays -A Zoo!!! -A playground!! -Facilities are clean, clean clean with tp replenishment hourly - Added bonus!! 4 person bicycle carts with a scavenger hunt + map included! Looking for a 'family-friendly' something to do? Irvine Regional Park is for you! read more

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Spectacular Park!! 10/10 The Irvine Regional Park is so big, that it's like its own city! lol I am not kidding. This park kind of reminded me of Central Park in New York. I wouldn't say it has the same things to offer as Central Park though. They are very different parks in terms of activities and what you can do there. Irvine Regional Park offers lots of open areas, grasslands, plenty of trees, picnic spots and trails for walking your furry friends. Dogs have to be on a leash at all times. Irvine Regional Park has a zoo and pony rides. I saw signs for paddles boats and camping too! Lots of outdoorsy activities that you can do here or just enjoy the beautiful greenery! All of the green, made me think of Ireland. It is just beautiful. This is so much more than just a park. It is a whole vibe and experience. It is worth the trip if you enjoy the outdoors or want to go to connect with nature. read more

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Stunning and clean park with tons of parking within it lies trails, attractions, seasonal events, a farmers market on Tuesdays with free parking for the farmer's market also has an amazing zoo inside the park with Jaguars, bears and so many more amazing animals. It has a old town with a train and railroad running through it with park guest able to buy a ticket to ride it. Absolutely love and recommend this beautiful and expansive park. read more

Tuesday AM. Farmers Market is a blast. Good food and BBQ for lunch too. Unique vendors. Exotic foods. Quality bread. Cheeses from Europe. Youre going to thank me. read more

Love this park! There's an entrance fee but it's all worth it considering the park is huge and there's plenty of things to do! Love that they there's a zoo inside and little train for kids to enjoy. read more

Irvine Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

The best park in OC Such lush greenery Peacock's do I need to say more Trains. Nine rentals, lakes bbq grills read more

Irvine Regional Park - YEEHAA MR HOT BUNZ CATERING was grilling some delicious rootin tootin food for all our cowboys and cowgirls HIRE HIM - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

Fun regional park! Its much larger than it looks. There's a very informative family friendly train ride going through part of the park, the OC Zoo, two lakes, and lots of picnic areas. I had a really fun time enjoying Santa's Village with my niece. Definitely can't wait to come back next season. Their pumpkin patch is also super popular! read more

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Lovely park with so much to do. We enjoyed the train ride and explored the OC Zoo. The petting zoo was a real bonus. Inexpensive entry fees, too. read more

Irvine Regional Park is awesome. Not only is it huge with plenty to do during the regular season, but during the holidays it is extra special. My family went here for the second time this year to the pumpkin patch and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is expansive, accessible, well thought out, and has plenty of activities. From face painting and cookie making to mini-excavators and fishing, kids love it. Highly recommend both the park and pumpkin patch. read more

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This is a wonderful park for parties and family reunions. There are two lakes, pedal boat rentals, bicycle rentals, a train ride and snack bar. There are some walking trails that allow non-motorized bikes, horses and hikers. This is a lovely park. read more

Always a good time here! So much to do and explore .. bike riding , it riding, Zoo, hiking , horseback riding .. so much read more

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This is a great park for nature walking, biking, picnicking and the cool zoo for $2. Don't miss the Tuesday farmer's market ... you can get into the park free on those mornings. Be sure to get a check out the Chaupin bakery stand and the fruit market at the end of the line with all of their great samples. read more

First off, stay away on holidays unless you kike waiting in lines, And i mean just the line to get into the park. There is a single entrance, and the holiday lines get out of control. Beyond that, there are several different experiences to the park, and you cna mix and match. There is hiking and biking, including some solid trails accessible just outside the park down to easy gravel roads you can take young kids on who are just learning how to ride. Most of the trails have minimal overhead coverage, so be aware it can get hot and dry. Then you have the huge grass areas with picnic facilities. Families use the grills or bring their own cater companies to make tacos, play games... On any given day you get lots of diverse celebrations, gatherings, and get togethers. Then you have the established activities. A train, a small zoo, bike rentals, paddle boat rentals... Pick your own adventure. Around the bid holidays, there are themed things to do. Finally, you get nature. There are plenty of bird watchers, but peacocks are all over the place, so in season, they put on displays all over the place. Raptors are easy to spot, and other birds are common, read more

Love this park! I like to being a pile of meat and use their grills to meal prep for the week. It's such a cool environment - and so big that you aren't running into people (unless on the weekends, and some summer nights...). Great place to walk and explore, and see some wildlife. Saw a few owls the other night, which was pretty cool. Such a great place to hang out, and get away from the hustle and bustle. read more

Irvine Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

This place is honestly a little hidden gem. We came for Disneyland but had a day prior to going to the theme park. There are snacks, a train ride and horse rides--that is a lot to keep toddlers occupied! It is a super nice, chill way to spend some time if you have a day before or after Disneyland. The bathrooms were super clean and we were able to buy snacks and juice. It's not crowded at all and they are super reasonably priced! We will definitely be visiting again on our way to Disneyland. read more

Irvine Regional Park is one of Orange County's true hidden gems. Whether you're looking for a peaceful morning walk, a family day out, or just a breath of fresh air, this place has it all. The park is massive, clean, and well-maintained. The shaded walking trails are perfect for strollers and little kids, and the scenery is beautiful with rolling hills, tall trees, and even a little creek. There are tons of picnic areas (get there early on weekends!), and the wide-open spaces make it easy to find your own peaceful corner. Our favorite part is the Irvine Park Railroad which is such a fun, nostalgic ride for kids and adults. There's also pony rides, a small zoo, paddle boats, bike rentals, and even a little snack bar. It honestly feels like you've stepped into a classic California weekend. Parking is $3-5 depending on the day, but absolutely worth it for a full day of affordable fun. Highly recommend bringing bikes, snacks, and a blanket. It's the kind of park you can easily spend hours in without realizing where the time went. An OC must-visit! read more

This is in regards to the pony rides. I'm sorry but if you say opens at 10am and it's 10:40 and you're still not prepared to open that's an issue. Especially if you're catering to toddlers. You have plenty of staff setting up but none of them arrive until 10. How about having them show up earlier so you can be ready to open at 10. Or change your hours. EASY. read more

I recently came here for a work event and had such a great time that I brought my sister who was visiting the same weekend. We reserved the group area with many tables and covering. It was a nice space and not too far from the main entrance, which made it really easy for our attendees to find the group area. On Father's Day morning, I took my sister here and we enjoyed a walk around the picnic area and main attractions area. The grounds are well maintained, and the staff and Park Rangers are super friendly. The bathrooms were decent and clean as can be for a park. We enjoyed our meandering stroll around the main picnic areas. We were pretty excited to have a close encounter with a peacock. It was a beautiful day and we will return soon. read more

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This is always an awesome place to go. I went here for a baby sprinkle and didn't even know they offer spots to have parties. But what a cool idea. The space is cute and private and they even got us tokens to ride the train. I am always wanting to go on any train for sure. It was super cute. This place has so much to see, so many parties going on. We even stopped by the zoo which was walking distance. I would definitely want to come back during the holidays, they always decorate it so nicely. read more

I like taking my kids here. Lots of areas for family and friends to gather around. BBQ areas Bike trails Bike rentals Botanial area for small kids located at the front of the park Picnic area for BBQ or parties. You have to come early as there's no reservations Small fishing area (but you need a CA fishing license) Horse trails and horse back riding If you want to be adventuroud, you can try and rent their paddleboat. Let me tell you it is a fun experience but you definitely get tired really quick. My favorit is their train rides, especially during the holidays. They have a grea Halloween event as well as nice decor for Thanksgiving. Best is their Christmas holiday train. So festive and decorated. Love riding the train with the kiddos. There even is a small OC zoo located here. Note: parking is $3 per vehicle during weekdays and $5 now during weekends. read more

Hit the zoo, train ride, nature center and walked around. 3 dollars to park, zoo only 2 dollars, train ride 8. Very inexpensive way to spend the day. I do not recommend the bread they are selling. Paid 6 dollars for old town bakery loaf of cinnamon pull apart. Very dry, think it was old. Otherwise perfect dqy. read more

This is a HUGE park with quite a bit of things to do. Entrance fee per car is $5 which isn't too bad especially since this park seems to pretty well maintained. A few things that I enjoyed doing here are these. The Railway - You can ride a train for $7 per person and it's pretty fun. Very relaxing ride. Rent a Pedal Water Bike - This is way cooler than a normal pedal boat. It's a whole bike and you have much more control/can go much faster if you pedal fast. We had a $5 discount coupon that was given when we paid for parking. $22 per 30 minutes. You only need to ride for 30 minutes to feel satisfied. OC Zoo - Definitely check this out. It's $2 for a small zoo but you get to see so many cool animals as well as feed/pet them. Worth it. I would be back to check out the trails next time as well as renting some of the other wheel'd vehicles. Plenty of parking everywhere and tons of spots to host parties/bbq's. read more

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How can you not like a park that sits on top of a hill where you can spend an entire day or weekend (if you camp) exploring the wilderness and trails. It's great for kids, family, self care and just incase you want to take a few hours of your day enjoying the open air. There's a lot of parking here, and the entry for the park is $3 a vehicle on weekdays and $5 on weekends. Things you can do here: Railroad tour Lake paddling rides Bicycle trials Horse stable Hiking/walk trails OC Zoo (entry $2 per person) Picnic Fields for soccer, baseball etc Bbq grills And many more... I have no problem paying for the entry and zoo as a beautiful place like this would need money and funds to keep it maintained. Just make sure you pick up or throw your trash away. I'm amazed how some people still don't have the common audacity for that. They also do events for Xmas, Easter and other holidays so I would check that out on their website. Either way a great place to enjoy nature in the OC. read more

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I went there for the first time driving from LA COUNTY for a day of fun and it was great experience. Parking was easy and the staff was friendly and helpful. The train conductor took us for the tour around the park. Snack bar has some nice selection but limited healthy, no drink refills and 16oz bottle water is $4.00. We went to see the statue of the man the city is named after near the cool Natire building It has a bike, and boat rentals. 1/2 price if before 12noon which is a good deal. Pony rides. Near there is OC Zoo which is separate review which I'll give soon. There are nice and plenty of picnic tables, playgrounds and ducks to see. Hope to go there again. read more

Irvine Regional Park - Me by the train - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

It's that time of year again--pumpkin patch season! We've been visiting this patch for the past three years since our baby was born. The patch is a wonderful place to stroll and capture some cute festive photos during September and October. While the setup is similar each year, our experience feels fresh and new as our toddler grows. This has become a cherished family tradition, and we look forward to coming here for many years to come. Tip: If you can, try to visit on a weekday! Weekends during the holiday season get crowded, and you might end up in overflow parking. read more

Irvine Regional Park was a place I visited with someone during the day and it felt like a giant playground surrounded by nature. There were open fields picnic areas and even a zoo nearby. I saw a lot of teenagers there playing sports taking pictures and enjoying the fresh air. The atmosphere was active and friendly with families and groups of teens everywhere. Teens would love the space to move around and be creative. The service at the entrance and snack stands was helpful and welcoming. The value was great because the entry fee was low and many activities were free. The quality of the park was excellent with clean facilities and wellmaintained grounds. The selection of things to do like hiking biking and picnicking was perfect for teens. I highly recommend it to teenagers who love outdoor fun group activities and creative photo opportunities. read more

I love this park! It's safe, clean, and beautiful -- with so much to do: BBQs, hiking, playgrounds, bird watching, the zoo, bike rentals, a nature center, and even pony rides! This morning, Park Ranger Kvaska was an absolute hero! He rescued a baby bat that had gotten tangled in fishing wire at the lake -- even waded into the water with a pole to save it. Truly above and beyond. Grateful for rangers who care so much about the park and its wildlife! read more

This a awesome place to come with friends for bbq, party, hiking, horse rides, bike rides and more read more

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First would like to warn anyone that is allergic to bees to have their Epi Prn with you at all times we ran into so many bees Nice park huge areas for. Full day of relaxing entertainment hikes strolls picnic paddle boat horse ride pumpkin patch with lots to do for the littles. This place has huge picnic areas to reserve for small or big events. Such a beautiful relaxing place to visit Watch out for poison oak. And the bees If you are allergic to bees make sure you have your epi pen with you read more

Irvine Regional Park - A Disappointing Christmas Event Experience I've been visiting Irvine Regional Park for decades, and while the park itself remains a solid spot for locals, my recent experience with their Christmas event was underwhelming. The Parking Situation First, let's talk about the entrance and parking staff. Recently, their approach has been frustratingly unprofessional. My family member worked at the Christmas Train event and was issued flimsy parking passes--one per worker. These passes were prone to getting damaged or lost, and when issues arose, staff seemed more interested in hassling workers than problem-solving. Many of the employees working the event were teenagers or young adults likely carpooling, making the lack of flexibility even more frustrating. This isn't an isolated issue--poor systems like this happen in many places--but it's time for management to step up and implement a more functional, professional process. The Park Itself Irvine Regional Park remains a nice space overall. It's well-maintained for the most part, though debris can occasionally pile up in certain areas. The park features vintage water fountains, some nice trees, and decent views if you venture toward the canyon edges. However, within the park itself, there's nothing particularly awe-inspiring. The little town where they host events, like the Christmas Train, feels geared toward affluent patrons who can afford private rentals--a stark reminder of Orange County's capitalist and exclusionary vibe. The Christmas Event Now onto the event itself. The Christmas Train experience was, in a word, disappointing. The employees working the event seemed bored, which reflected poorly on the overall atmosphere. There were rumors of a holiday bonus for staff, which was nice to hear, but something about the management felt off. It lacked energy, direction, and fun. The activities were mediocre at best. While the lights were fine, they didn't compare to other Southern California displays. The event seemed like a "turn-and-burn" operation--big on marketing but underwhelming in execution. For example, they offered basic wooden crafts for tickets that cost upwards of $100. The value simply wasn't there. Many families I spoke to felt they had been misled by the event's promotion and pricing. For the cost of this event, you could nearly visit Disneyland, which offers a far superior experience. It's disappointing to see such a high price tag for an event that felt so poorly organized and lackluster. Final Thoughts Irvine Regional Park has potential, but the Christmas event highlighted some major shortcomings in planning, execution, and customer experience. The park itself is worth a visit for general outdoor activities, but I would not recommend attending this particular event in its current state. To the organizers: There's so much room for improvement here. This could be a standout family destination with better management, thoughtful employee engagement, and a focus on creating real value for guests. Stop relying on the façade of "Orange County prestige" and start delivering an experience that matches the price and expectations. Rating for the Christmas Event: 3/10 read more

Irvine Regional Park - X-Mas tree lights railroad - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

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It's pumpkin patch season! Visit here if you want to get your Fall fix in. This place has all of the holiday festivities you need all year round. They transform it into. wonderland for the holidays as well. It's such a special place for my family. There's so much to do---you can spend the whole day here and enjoy being outside. There's the zoo, nature center, kids area with train ride, horse and pony rides, rentals for all types of bikes and water stuff, many playgrounds, paths for walks-- I mean the options are endless! Lots of trees for shade. Pack some food and have a picnic! read more

Irvine Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Orange, California