Orange County is famous for its beaches, theme parks, and shopping, but for some easy downtime, head to this green-space gem in the middle of Irvine. The 1,300-acre Great Park embodies both an interesting back story and an increasingly wide range of play spaces and activities—from art exhibits to agriculture to professional soccer.
Where to Begin at the Great Park
This stretch of land in Irvine was once part of the original Irvine Ranch, developed by the Irvine brothers in the late 1800s to grow lima beans and oranges. With the arrival of World War II, construction began on the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, a training base for pilots, aircrews, and ground personnel during the war, which continued to operate until 1999. (Fun fact: during his presidency, Richard Nixon used the air station as his home airport when flying to his “Western White House” home in San Clemente).
Starting in 2002, the space became a public park and continues to add more activities. Start your visit at the visitors center, which has restrooms and, from Friday through Sunday, grab-and-go snacks and drinks at the Runway Café.
Rides and Attractions at Orange Great Park
The most noticeable landmark at the park is the Great Park Balloon. The fully tethered balloon acts as both a ride and an aerial observation deck 400 feet above the ground, holding up to 16 passengers. From the basket, you get a 360-degree view of the surrounding area—seeing up to 40 miles on a clear day. The balloon ride ($10 for adults, free for kids) runs Thursday–Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis.
The park has more family-friendly activities too. Ride the vintage carousel (note the artwork depicting the park’s history), then explore the themed play spaces such as the Kids Rock Playground featuring climbing rocks and “underground tunnels” made from recycled runway concrete. Or just hike the 1.5 miles of trails.
On weekends, stay through lunch or dinner to make the most of The Layover—an onsite eatery offering American fare with wine, cocktails, and beer that also features free inflatable slides and lawn games for kids.
The park really comes to life over the summer thanks to Wild Rivers, a neighboring water park open select days from May through October. It features 20 water slides, and other attractions run the gamut from adrenaline-pumping thrill rides to a gently flowing lazy river.
Sports at Great Park
Great Park claims to be “Orange County's premier sports recreation destination,” and it’s hard to dispute the characterization. The 194-acre sports complex features amenities for soccer, tennis, sand volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball. Players and spectators alike are welcome to use the facilities, which include 25 tennis courts and up to 24 soccer fields, depending on configuration.
You can also fly like a Duck—an Anaheim Duck, that is—at the NHL team’s official training center. Great Park Ice features four indoor rinks with public skate sessions, a full-service restaurant, a cafe, and a Ducks team store.
In addition to all that, Great Park also features Championship Soccer Stadium, a 5,000-seat venue that is the home field for Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC), the only professional soccer team in the county. OCSC competes in the USL Championship—the United Soccer League’s Division II professional circuit—which comprises 24 teams from across the U.S. The Park is also a Team Base Camp option for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Arts, Culture, and Live Entertainment at Great Park
Soak up culture in the park’s Palm Court Arts Complex, which features exhibitions, installations, and performances—some paying homage to the park’s rich history and others exploring cheeky topics like the history of Pac-Man. Catch a showing of a documentary about the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in the Hangar 244 exhibit hall, learn about life on base, and check out two World War II–era training planes on display.
Discover more interactive experiences at the park’s Farm + Food Lab, a sustainability-focused horticultural center with a teaching kitchen, free-range chickens, and a variety of free workshops.
Check the schedule for concerts at the Great Park Live amphitheater during the summer concert season—from the Pacific Symphony to tribute bands.
Things to Do Near the Great Park
It’s easy to build a whole getaway around the fun activities of Irvine and nearby communities. The Irvine Spectrum Center ups the ante on any typical mall experience with its giant Ferris wheel, escape room, and improv theater, along with more than 150 shops and restaurants.
Little ones can let their imaginations run wild at Pretend City Children’s Museum, while all ages can enjoy wagon rides and barnyard exhibits at the family-owned Tanaka Farms. Head to Diamond Jamboree for a sampling of Irvine’s international cuisine or enjoy a craft brew with live music at Hangar 24.
Check out more family-friendly things to do in Orange County, as well as places to see free public art in the area.