Nestled in Orange County, Irvine is a master-planned city known for its pristine parks, diverse culinary scene, and family-friendly attractions. From hiking nature trails to shopping at eclectic markets, Irvine offers plenty of things to see and do for visitors of all ages and interests.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Explore Irvine Regional Park | Over 500 acres with trails, a botanic garden, children’s fishing area, and summer concerts. Free entry and parking. |
| Browse the Orange County Great Park | A 1,300-acre park with sports fields, gardens, and a 200-foot observation tower. Some attractions may have fees. |
| Play at Boomers Irvine | Amusement park with go-karts, mini-golf, laser tag, and more. Wristbands start at $34.99. |
| Hike the Trails at Mason Regional Park | 1,800 acres with lakes, hills, and trails for hiking. Free entry and parking. |
| Learn at the Irvine Museum Collection | Exhibits showcasing Irvine’s history and development. Free admission. |
| Ride the Rails at Orange County Model Engineers | Miniature train rides within Irvine Regional Park. Free on the third Sunday of each month. Donations accepted. |
| Shop the Irvine Spectrum | A 130-acre complex with shops, restaurants, theaters, and attractions like a ferris wheel and ice rink. |
| Take in the View from Jeffrey Open Space Trail | A 2.5-mile trail with views of the city and surroundings. Free street parking. |
| Explore a Local Farmers Market | Markets at the Orange County Great Park and Mariner’s Church with produce, foods, and crafts. Dog-friendly. |
| Tour UC Irvine Campus | Free hourly tours on Saturdays covering the campus history and landmarks. Public parking available. |
| See a Show at Irvine Barclay Theatre | Performances including music, dance, and comedy. Many shows are free or low-cost. |
| Picnic at William R. Mason Regional Park | Picnic grounds with scenic views and trails nearby. Free use of picnic shelters. |
Here are 12 of the top things to do in Irvine, California for an amazing trip:
Explore Irvine Regional Park
Name and Location: Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA
History and Significance: Opened in 1897, Irvine Regional Park is one of the oldest parks in Orange County. It features historic buildings, hiking trails, and picnic areas surrounded by natural landscapes.
What to Expect: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, botanical gardens, train rides, camping, fishing, paddle boating, museum exhibits.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 7am-10pm. Entrance fee is $3-5 per vehicle.
Spanning over 500 acres, Irvine Regional Park is a gorgeous green space featuring oak woodlands, meadows, and ponds. Hike or bike along 7 miles of trails that meander by streams and grassy hills.
Stop by the botanic garden, children’s fishing area, or farmer’s market. The park also hosts summer concert events at the amphitheater. Entry and parking are free.
Browse the Orange County Great Park
Name and Location: Orange County Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: The former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station was converted into the Great Park in 2005, aiming to create a grand metropolitan park.
What to Expect: Large open green spaces, sports fields, walking/biking trails, agriculture fields, museums, art exhibitions, concerts, festivals, balloon rides.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 8am-5pm. Free admission and parking.
Once a military base, this 1,300 acre space has transformed into the awesome Orange County Great Park. It offers sports fields, palm groves, gardens, and one of the tallest observation towers in the area rising to 200 feet tall. Free to visit, with additional fees for attractions like the carousel, golf course, or visitor center exhibits.
Play at Boomers Irvine
Name and Location: Boomers Irvine, 17130 Nassau St, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: Boomers Irvine is a family amusement park that opened in 2014, featuring rides, mini golf, go karts, arcade, and more.
What to Expect: Roller coasters, bumper boats, carousel, arcade games, batting cages, mini golf, go karts, thrill rides for all ages.
Visitor Information: Open daily, hours vary by season. Ticket packages from $29.95.
For family fun, Boomers Irvine packs in go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, arcades, rides, and more amusement park-style attractions. Unlimited ride wristbands start at $34.99 per person. They also host events like Friday Night Bands with live music and food trucks during summer months, free to attend. It’s an Irvine staple for all-ages entertainment.
Hike the Trails at Mason Regional Park
Name and Location: Mason Regional Park, 18712 University Dr, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: Mason Regional Park opened in 1979 and features scenic trails through natural habitats and diverse wildlife.
What to Expect: Hiking, mountain biking, nature walks, picnicking. Trails range from easy to strenuous.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 7am-10pm. Free admission and parking.
Just north of Irvine is the sprawling Mason Regional Park, extending over 1,800 acres. It contains scenic lakes, rugged hills, and sandy creek beds perfect for hiking. Well-marked trails range from easy 1-mile loops to 10-mile treks with great views. Parking and entry are totally free, making it a budget-friendly outdoor option.
Learn at the Irvine Museum Collection
Name and Location: Irvine Museum Collection, 18881 Von Karman Ave Suite 100, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: Opened in 1992, the museum celebrates the history, culture, and art of Irvine and Orange County.
What to Expect: Rotating exhibits of paintings, photography, artifacts related to Irvine and California. Family activities, lectures, and special events.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-4pm. Free admission.
Gain insight into Irvine history and heritage at the Irvine Museum Collection, operated by the Irvine Historical Society. Rotating exhibits showcase aspects of Irvine’s development from the late 1800s onwards, including it’s agricultural roots and evolution into a master-planned community. Admission is always free.
Ride the Rails at Orange County Model Engineers
Name and Location: Orange County Model Engineers, 2302 N. Main St., Orange, CA
History and Significance: A private non-profit club founded in 1976 focused on the hobby of model railroading. They feature one of the largest miniature railways in the US.
What to Expect: Train rides, tours of the rail yard and club museum, special events. Rides available on Saturdays and Sundays.
Visitor Information: Rides available on weekends from 11am-3:30pm. Tickets $3-5 per person.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy riding the miniature trains operated by the Orange County Model Engineers around their scenic track. The club is located within Irvine Regional Park, with free train rides available on the third Sunday of every month. Donations are welcome to support the nonprofit organization.
Shop the Irvine Spectrum
Name and Location: Irvine Spectrum Center, 71 Fortune Dr, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: Opened in 1995, Irvine Spectrum Center is a large outdoor shopping mall with over 130 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
What to Expect: Shopping, dining, movies, comedy club, ferris wheel, ice skating, arcades, live music and events. Stores include Macy’s, Nordstrom, H&M, Apple, and more.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 10am-9pm, extended hours on weekends. Free parking and wifi.
For diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment, spend an afternoon at the popular Irvine Spectrum complex. It spans over 130 acres with indoor and outdoor plazas lined with restaurants, shops, movie theaters, comedy club, and family fun like a ferris wheel and ice rink. The lively atmosphere makes it a perfect place to stroll and spend a day.
Take in the View from Jeffrey Open Space Trail
Name and Location: Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: This scenic trail overlooks the Jeffrey Open Space nature area, with panoramic views from the San Joaquin Hills to Saddleback Mountain.
What to Expect: Hiking, walking, birdwatching. The trail stretches 4 miles roundtrip with about 500 feet elevation gain.
Visitor Information: Free public trail open daily from dawn til dusk. Parking available at the trailhead off Jeffrey Rd.
One of Irvine’s top hiking trails is the peaceful Jeffrey Open Space Trail. It gradually climbs through oak and sycamore groves to an elevated vista point overlooking the entire city and surrounding areas. The trail is just over 2.5 miles round trip and perfect for a weekend morning workout with scenic views. Free street parking available.
Explore a Local Farmers Market
Name and Location: There are several weekly farmers markets in Irvine – check schedules as locations and times vary.
History and Significance: Farmers markets allow visitors to buy fresh produce, artisanal foods, and handcrafted goods direct from local farmers, producers, and artisans.
What to Expect: Fruits, vegetables, breads, cheeses, flowers, prepared foods. Family-friendly environment with live music, chef demos, crafts, and more.
Visitor Information: Markets typically open weekly, mornings to early afternoon. Free admission.
Irvine hosts several lively farmer’s markets throughout the week where you can browse fresh produce, artisanal foods, and crafts. The two main markets run Saturday mornings at the Orange County Great Park and Sunday mornings at Mariner’s Church. Free to stroll and dog-friendly. Live music on occasion too.
Tour UC Irvine Campus
Name and Location: University of California, Irvine campus, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: UCI opened in 1965 and has become one of the nation’s most renowned public research universities. The campus features modern architecture and scenic natural landscapes.
What to Expect: Self-guided walking tours, guided group tours available. Points of interest include Aldrich Park, Langson Library, Student Center, and notable art collections.
Visitor Information: Tours depart weekdays and select Saturdays from the Visitor Center. Free admission.
Take a stroll through the grounds of UC Irvine, noted for its swooping modern buildings and lush central park. Free hourly tours are offered on Saturdays covering the history, architecture, and student life. Check out famous sites like the Anteater statue, Aldrich Park, and the Vista Bridge. Public parking is available.
See a Show at Irvine Barclay Theatre
Name and Location: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: This premier performing arts venue on UCI’s campus opened in 1990 and hosts a diverse range of live shows and events year-round.
What to Expect: Music performances, dance shows, comedy acts, speakers, family programs. Seats 750 in an intimate hall with excellent acoustics.
Visitor Information: Ticket prices and showtimes vary. Parking available in Mesa or Arts Road parking structures.
Catch acclaimed musicians, dance troupes, speakers and comedians at this distinctive performance hall on UCI’s campus. They offer many free or low-cost shows year-round like classical, jazz, and world music performances. The Barclay also programs family-friendly events and organ recitals open to the public.
Picnic at William R. Mason Regional Park
Name and Location: William R. Mason Regional Park, 18712 University Dr, Irvine, CA
History and Significance: This peaceful park features a 12-acre freshwater lake, ideal for picnicking and water activities.
What to Expect: Picnicking, boating, fishing, hikes, nature trail, scenic views of lake. Tables, restrooms, and BBQs available.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 7am-10pm. Entry fee $3-5 per vehicle. Boat rentals $15-20/hour.
Pack a lunch or pick up takeout and enjoy idyllic picnic grounds nestled at the foot of the hills in Mason Park. Numerous picnic shelters are available free of charge. You’ll find scenic views, lush landscapes, and trails nearby perfect for digesting after eating. A serene setting for an outdoor meal.
Conclusion
From outdoor recreation at nature parks like Irvine Regional and Mason Regional to indoor fun at the Irvine Spectrum and Boomers amusement center, Irvine satisfies a range of interests.
The city offers opportunities for entertainment, education, and exercise through its vibrant farmers markets, university campus, theater scene and miles of trails. Families, couples, and solo travelers can all craft an engaging itinerary in this dynamic Southern California hub.