So here are the pros & cons. Beautiful park with 2 little lakes. There is a playground on 1 side as well. You do have to pay for parking and there really is no free parking. However if you go on a holiday, be prepared for long lines to enter and then no parking available. They have overflow parking in the grass which is not my favorite at all. I would probably have left if I hadn't paid for parking. Our party was clear on the other side so they will also stop traffic from entering to that side. Pain in the butt. What can you do. So great park but enter at your own risk! I'm not usually a fan of paid parking parks either. But when there's a group you are going with, what can you do. SYOY! read more

Orange County parks seem like the perfect date spot. A place for athleticism and wildlife, with water fountains, bathrooms, and marked trails; near gas and food for recovery; within Orange County city areas. I see the beauty of nature and city, serene and lovely, for $5 to park and zero dollars to walk, breathe, and admire the natural and person-made park. According to the squirrel I met here, the food here is amazing, but nothing for us human beings. The parking lot was so clean and spacious on this lovely Sunday. The bathrooms were clean and comfortable; they even had a trash can outside. They have enough ventilation, so even if someone farts hard, it may not be so bad. I saw some lovely dogs, families, people jogging and walking, and some cool airplanes and boats controlled remotely by people chilling and enjoying Sunday morning. For me, this is also a great place to burn off complex carbohydrates from breakfast. read more

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It is very relaxing here. There is a big lake with ducks swimming and walking around. Turtles are swimming or sunbathing on rocks. Parking was $3.00. Lots of available spaces. The male ducks have bright green heads. read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Turtles - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

This park is gorgeous. Very scenic and peaceful. The restrooms here are super tidy and modern. Which is very rare for public spaces never mind parks. I love the lakes. I love how spacious it is; many events can happen without major spacing problems. The parking here is also well planned. Always a treat to go on a walk here. There's lots of nature like ducks, turtles, and lots of birds. I even saw a fox once! So careful if you have children. Peaceful third place here . Excellent option for both family and/or solo time ! read more

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To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding an incident that occurred at Mason Regional Park on the morning and afternoon of May 31, 2026. At approximately 11:45 a.m., I arrived at the park to deliver a catering order. Upon entering the park, I informed the employee collecting parking fees that I was only delivering catering and would be there for a few minutes. The employee allowed me to enter without any issue, and I completed the delivery and left immediately without parking. The customer receiving the catering asked if I could leave the food transport boxes so the food would stay warm and requested that I return around 2:00 p.m. to pick them up. I agreed. When I returned at approximately 2:00 p.m. to retrieve the boxes, I encountered a different employee named Savan. I explained that I was only returning to collect the catering boxes and that it would take less than a minute. I also explained that I had entered earlier without any problems and showed photos supporting my explanation. Savan refused to allow me to enter unless I paid the parking fee. She stated that the employees who allowed me to enter earlier were new and that I should have been charged. During the conversation, she took down the license plate number of my vehicle and informed me that I could only park in the lot near the entrance and walk to the shelter. As a result, I was forced to walk approximately 10 minutes to Shelter #6 to retrieve several heavy catering boxes. Because the boxes have wheels that cannot easily travel across grass, I had to move them along the roadway used by vehicles. This created what I felt was an unsafe situation for both myself and drivers, especially considering that allowing me to briefly drive to the shelter would have taken less than a minute and avoided the safety risk altogether. In addition, I found Savan's attitude to be unnecessarily confrontational and unprofessional. She acted in a manner that suggested she had complete authority over the park rather than attempting to help resolve a reasonable situation. When I requested her full name and the phone number for the office so I could address my concerns, she refused to provide that information. I am requesting that this incident be reviewed, that staff be reminded to treat visitors and vendors professionally and consistently, and that consideration be given to the safety concerns created by forcing vendors carrying heavy equipment to walk along vehicle roadways when a brief vehicle access accommodation could have resolved the situation safely. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, Jesús G. read more

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What a little haven in Irvine! I had no idea it existed until a friend recommended we go on a walk here. You do have to pay for entry ($3 on weekday, $5 on weekend) but iirc you can also buy an annual park pass and get entry to a bunch of park (including Mason) all over OC. This was an absolutely lovely spot for a walk. There's a gorgeous lake with a fountain where some older gentlemen were having boat races amongst all the wildlife here (turtles, ducks -- so cute)! It's a bird sanctuary so if you're not big on animals, this is not the spot for you. There was also a lot of duck droppings on the paved trail (although concentrated in certain areas so for the most part you could avoid it). I came back a few days later with my husband and we explored more of the garden and trails. There's lots to see here and it's a great spot to gather as well. read more

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William R. Mason Regional Park is located in Irvine, encompasses 345 acres, and is named after former Irvine Company president William R. Mason. The park runs along University Drive and is separated into two sections divided by Culver Drive. On the west side of the park is a lake spanning 9 acres, volleyball courts, multiple kids playgrounds, a work out structure, tables and gazebos, amphitheater, and picnic areas. While the west side also has walking and running trails, the east side of the park has mainly that and not much else. Unfortunately this park doesn't have things like basketball courts or tennis courts, but there are tons of other activities to do here. The unfortunate thing is that it isn't free to park here ($3 during the weekday and $5 on weekends). However, it is a very well-maintained park so the money does actually benefit the park and its amenities. There is something for everyone and there is a lot of space for birthday parties, private events, and even picnics. It's a great place to enjoy the outdoors and natural grass. read more

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I knew it was in Irvine, but when I brought my parents to William R. Mason Regional Park for the first time (during COVID), I didn't realize it was just northwest of UCI and just west of Concordia University Irvine. That's why it used to be called University Regional Park. As far as Orange County Regional Parks go, it's on the lower end of four stars. The single pond (they call it a lake) is relatively large, and there are some interesting critters creeping and wading and swimming and crawling about. There's plenty of green space, and the entire southern end of the park is buttressed by neighborhoods, and I think you may be able to walk from those neighborhoods right into the park. (We drove the northern, western, and southern perimeters of the park.) I believe the park's eastern border is Culver Drive; but University Trail, which begins in the park itself, continues east of Culver along Sand Canyon Wash all the way to Ridgeline Drive, which may be the true eastern border of the park. It's not the most scenic trail, but then again, you're in Irvine, so what do you expect? This is a perfect park for a large family or birthday party, although, like all OC regional parks, they do charge vehicles to enter. If you can find parking nearby and can shuttle everyone right to the entrance, that would be ideal. If you're willing to pay, there's plenty of parking, and the sheltered table areas are in very good shape. The bathrooms are also modern and clean. It's about equidistant between the 405 and the 73. read more

This is a small, 123 acre park featuring a pond and fountain in the center. There are numerous walkways, some trails and numerous activities available including: Bike Trails Picnic Areas Picnic Tables Fitness Course Volleyball Horseshoes It seems to be very well maintained, and it's a pleasant spot for a short stroll or picnic lunch. These are the hours listed, but they could certainly change. Note that they charge for parking! Fall - Winter Hours, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. PDT Spring - Summer Hours, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. read more

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Absolutely wonderfully maintained park!! A great place to go and enjoy the outdoors. This was my first time coming to a park in Irvine, and it really elavated my thoughts of the city. I love how spacious and trimmed the fresh green grass was across the space. Restrooms were clean and maintained really well for it being a park restroom. To park inside, the price was $10. I don't know if it's a private park, but you do have to pay to enter in a car. There are several parking lots inside to drive around the park and figure out where to park. Events or parties can take place here for sure by local communities, just make sure to reserve a certain section. I mainly see people running or jogging here. I saw no basketball courts but I did see sand pits for volleyball. There's a beautiful and relaxing lake in the middle of the park. I got to stay here for about 3-4 hours worth to make the most of the price til I had to go out for lunch. I can imagine having a picnic here would be relaxing and beautiful too!!! read more

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Cute hiking area; there are ducks, turtles, little paths that are great to take pictures in. Woodsy feel; if you need to be in nature, it's a great place. read more

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Mason regional park is your standard community area for entertainment. It has a lake thats vibrant and filled with life - fish and ducks... it has a walking and jogging paths that extend for miles. In fact, its two parks.in one. On the east side, the park is mostly for walkers joggers bikers and people looking to just stroll. The west is mostly for families, for groups and large scale activities. Of course the west side has all the restrooms, playgrounds large fields and is the main entrance. You have the standard picnic tables, jungle gym, shaded trees, sand courts for volleyball a lake to stroll by, many sections outlined by parking areas and rolling hillsides that complement the park. The east side is coordinated by the turtle rock trail system ..its long, curvy and built most.for people trying to do exercise by means of walk jogs and runs. There are a few area for water stations and that for the little critters also. Generally speaking, if your look for a peaceful day, to enjoy a simple park, thats clean safe modern and visited by then local community... this would be it. Overall, I give it a strong 3.5 to 3.75 Negatives... the east side could be developed a bit more... by inputting lakes or exercise stations and or a nature center . Plus, it would help if the east side had a parking site, which it doesn't. A plus, part of the turtle rock trail system on the east side. However, this area is mostly leveled paths and east walk ways. Continue south for more challenging trails . read more

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Well-maintained park. Variety of activities, great for play, exercise, socializing, tree-bathing.

Clean park, could use a little cleanup from the ducks roaming around.. but fun to bike with kids and plenty of playgrounds and exercise stations to keep your heart rate going. read more

Beautiful park great for families but enough space if you want to chill by yourself. Lots benches,places for basketball, volleyball, huge playground. We had a great time. read more

My puppy Daisy's favorite park! Love the ducks and occasional frogs! Always peaceful and quiet!

Actually a pretty decent park in the sense that there is quite a few options to do things. You could have picnic/bbqs/play games or take the trails. The trails we like are across the main part where you park. I like this park because it isn't overly crowded and nearby Huntington Beach (20mins.) Been here 3X! read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

Didn't know this park existed till now and wow it's beautiful! I was riding my bike and it was really refreshing - Not super crowded, nice bike lanes and a pretty lake. You see lots of birds too so it's a gem! read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Western bluebird - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

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beautiful park! has multiple playgrounds and volleyball nets. the grass is well maintained, and relaxing to walk around. read more

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Simply FANTASTIC! We had a lovely Memorial Day here. Yes, there's a small entrance fee ($3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and $7 holidays (but it's well worth it). I like to think of it as a cost for easy parking, clean restrooms, and fewer crowds. Whether it's cooking out, walking the trails, or simply laying next to the lake, you can't go wrong at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine. read more

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This beautiful park is mere steps from my doorstep. I walk here daily and enjoy the beauty of the water, the various birds, and especially the butterfly habitat. It's a joy in my life to see how the wildlife and butterfly varieties change with the seasons. It feels safe and peaceful. In summer and on weekends, the park is alive with family barbecues and company picnics and get-togethers. Those people who like to race their boats in the pond lounge in lawn chairs and I imagine they're having a great day in nature too! It's really gratifying to see people enjoying this beautiful park. In the early mornings, it's quiet and serene, with just the soundtrack of birdsong and water splashing from turtles and ducks and geese. Squirrels and rabbits are about, as are western bluebirds, all of which scamper away as you approach their little hangouts. The Canadian geese are blissfully aloof. If one hisses at you as you walk by, it's good luck! This is what I've determined. Seeing butterflies in the butterfly habitat is also good luck. I get 5 luck points for the day per butterfly, but that's just for me, and you'll have to derive your own Mason Park superstitions and nonsensical games. read more

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My entire family loves this park. It's honestly one of the best parks out in the OC. Admission is $3 for weekdays, $5 for weekends. Worth every penny. Pros: Clean and spacious Spaced out picnic areas Lots of restrooms Ample parking Scenic views of the lake Cons: Ducks and geese - avoid stepping on their poop Some areas offer little to no shade Overall amazing park. Hubby and I are here with our little dog twice a week because we love it here so much! read more

Really nice park but SOOOO MUCH goose poop... my dogs try to eat them every time we go so we stopped going.

Came here on a Sunday morning. It was surprisingly not busy or maybe it felt that way because of the size of this park! Plenty of walking/jogging lanes. There's a large duck pond and we found different species of birds hanging out by the water. The kids loved spotting some turtles in the water too. There are a couple of little bridges and large rocks along the path. Very scenic. Makes for great photos! As is expected with parks with ducks, there was a reasonable amount of duck poop on the grass and path. There is a weekend parking fee of $5 and $3 for weekdays. read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

there are plenty of green spaces and chairs to sit and people-watch! there aren't too many people in one area, so it doesn't feel packed!

This is such a cute park with so many different animals such as pelicans, Canadian geese, glossy ibis, turtles and ducks! It's $5 for parking per vehicle on weekends but it's so worth it. I saw there are 6 shaded picnic areas that you can reserve beforehand, however many people bring in their own tents and BBQs as well. Many visitors brought their remote control model boat for sailing at the giant pond, there are also running and bike trails.  We ended up jogging around the park and it did not feel crowded at all due to the size. Great backdrops for photoshoots, just watch out for duck/goose poop everywhere and bring wipes for your fur baby's paws. read more

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clean, flat areas and plenty of beautiful natural grass! The restrooms are impressive and smell good too. Hey even the geese seem happier around here! Great walking path and a big lake. Parking is a few bucks on the weekdays. Warning-Nowruz(persian new years) in March is super busy and parking is very expensive. read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

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William R Mason Regional Park is a wonderful place to come and relax. It's located in the city of Irvine, just off of the 405 freeway at the intersection of Culver and University Drive. You'll see plenty of greenery as you drive by as well as a large sign indicating the name of the park. Be prepared to pay a small entry fee to park your vehicle. Plenty of parking is available and it didn't seem like there were any issues finding a spot. One thing that you'll notice is how spacious the property is. The grass is well-maintained, always freshly cut and very green. Geese call this park home and often walk past guests or can be caught chasing after people who get too close. A nice lake is the focal point as you gaze around the park. The park is very clean, which explains why people choose to host events here. We came for the Basset Hound Spring Games, which is held here on an annual basis. Other people hosted parties and small gatherings. With the neighborhood being one of the safest cities in California, you can see why it's such an ideal place to people to come and enjoy some quality time. I look forward to bringing our dogs back to this location to frolic around in the grass. read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Greenery all around - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

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We were looking for a park to walk our 2 year old dog and visited this park yesterday. It was so busy as it's Memorial Day weekend. The line of cars getting in was long and wait time to pay parking of $7 was pretty long. After we paid, we looked for parking and there was little to no space for parking. Spaces for parking is not great. The park is huge with ducks and turtles on the pond. There is a bridge to where you can cross that circles arround the pond. There are only a handful of park tables so if you are planning on visiting or panning a party, I suggest bringing your own table and chairs as well as a tent. We tried looking for the Butterfly Garden but we were not able to find it as there were no signs to where it was located. There are a couple of restrooms in the park. The guests visiting the park have brought their own bbq grilles. There were also people bringing their bikes. The walk for our dog was enjoyable since it was our first time here. But not coming back. read more

I think this park is $5 to get into on the weekends, but you pay for what you get - a nice park that is well-kept and with clean bathrooms. During this time of Covid I was a little worried about the bathrooms but when I opened the door I was really surprised to see that it was pretty dang clean! Also, despite all of the birds, the walk paths are pretty clear of droppings (though maybe because it rained the weekend before?) but whatever, it was pretty clear of bird droppings, so I was happy. The only thing about this park is I wouldn't lay out a blanket and lay down on it. There's probably fresh bird droppings on the other side lol. Maybe I'd do that closer to the street... There's a lot of parking area's, tall trees, and benches. There's also a bridge you can cross! What impressed me the most are the huge willow looking trees by the water. They just looked beautiful at sunset with the lake behind them. I also saw a wedding taking place! I think I'd be back if someone wanted to do a birthday party here, but I don't think this is a place I would go out of my way to visit again. Too much poop for my liking. read more

Yesterday the weather was hot so I wanted to go for a walk at the park. This park is very interesting. There is a big lake, there is natural grass, very wide, there are many barbecue places, there is a bathroom, very convenient, but the entrance fee is $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, but It's worth coming to use the service. read more

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Such a great and well maintained park! There's a small entrance fee of $5 on the weekends but we come here so much, we got the annual pass (~$50). The park is pretty expansive with tons of areas where you can host an event. You'll often see these events if you come on the weekends. You can tell that the grass is well maintained and most areas are super clean. As you get closer to the lake area, you'll see more duck poop but that's pretty unavoidable given the large population of ducks the park has. I think they add to the charm of the area however. Theres plenty of parking throughout the park. The bathrooms are also surprisingly clean for a public park. That's one of the biggest pros of this place for me! Definitely a great place to spend your weekend with a nice walk or picnic during nicer days, which in the OC is a majority of the year! read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Park - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

Fun time today at this park, it was Memorial Day so they charged us the holiday rate of $7 for parking. We hung out at the large play ground area with slides & swings and climbing platforms. Then wandered over to the large pond with plenty of geese. Restrooms were clean, thank goodness! read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Geese pond - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

This is a beautiful little park with a nice lake. There are geese everywhere which the kids love. It has tons of parking. My only complaints are the parking is $7 and that there is goose s*** everywhere. Beautiful park though. read more

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Mason Regional Park is a very large & well-kept park. It costs $3 to drive in & park (as of today). There is ample parking around the park. It is patrolled by Park staff to make sure everything stays pristine. The park is never full, but does get crowded on the weekends. That's how big this place is. Mason is so big, 5K events are held here on a regular basis. What does it look like? The grass is well manicured while the walk paths are great for running or cycling, as there are no cracks or imperfections (like bumps from trees). The only thing is the water in the lake is green and murky, so don't fall in (& if someone does, make sure their eyes are closed). Located near UCIrvine, the entrance is on University near Culver (across from Rancho San Joaquin residence). It's just minutes off 405 freeway. Recommend this place if you want to relax, run, ride a bike, walk around, or just sit around and ppl watch. Happy Park Visit and Fight On! read more

ssssoooooo pprrreeeettttttyyyy, I mean it's a nature park what can I say, pretty views, nice weather, just like sleep. no one will bother you either. read more

I went to UCI for 4 years and passed this park almost every day yet today was my first time here. I wasn't aware that you have to pay for parking. It's $3 on the weekdays and $5 on weekends. There's no reentry either. This park is huge!! There are tons of trees, sitting areas and ponds. It was great weather for a picnic. With the whole Covid thing, everyone was pretty spaced out and it wasn't packed. There are public restrooms and it's pretty clean. There are gooses hanging around the pond too. It's a pretty spacious park. Good for hanging out, walks and other activities. read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California

I am so pleased that this park is the host to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Purple Stride Orange County walk every year. The staff is courteous and friendly and keep this park in pristine condition. There are plenty of bathrooms here that are clean, also, that is very much appreciated. There is a beautiful lake here that pathways wrap around to take walks. It is a peaceful place to be. I will be walking again this year in Purple Stride OC 2019 in memory of my dear friend, Lupe, who passed way from pancreatic cancer in February of this year. https://secure.pancan.org/site/Donation2?idb=1421306069&df_id=2340&FR_ID=1830&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=1134463&PROXY_TYPE=20&2340.donation=form1 Thank you, William R Mason Regional Park for providing a local area to me to take a beautiful walk, meet up for a picnic or take youngins to a nice playground. read more

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Clean, pretty, well kept park. Entrance only cost 3 dollars and there is plenty of parking with lake, wildlife, play structures, and fields

tl,dr: Just found my new free Spartan training ground. }:D Likes: + Tranquil. The cheap parking is a clever design to deter miserly visitors and keep the park idyllic. Or, just don't mind the walk. ;) + Better than Abalone Park, Mason Park parking is cheap. That's how it's done! No need to make parking expensive. If you wanna keep the ambience serene yet the accessibility reasonable, just make parking cheap. + Pretty large park. Running around the park, including along both the interior and exterior sides of the perimeter, can get you up to 10mi. :D + Very spacious grass. Never too crowded for a picnic. + Better than Fairview Park, Mason Park restroom sinks have soap. :D + Monkey bars! Like Mile Square Park, Mason Park has many workout stations. But even better than MSP, MP has a monkey bar set! No more sharing with pre-teens in the playground lol. }:D + Very idyllic too. You got that long narrow bridge, duck ponds, a waterspout fountain, a butterfly garden, some grassy hills, an aesthetic auditorium, a couple sewage tunnel entrances, and a scarcity of visitors. :D Non-likes: - Like Mile Square Park, Mason Park has loads of duck poo! You can find a lump every square foot of the place. read more

William R. Mason Regional Park - $3 weekday parking. $5 weekend. Simple but clever stratagem to keep the park quiet and idyllic. - Parks Near Me - Irvine, California