Irvine Regional Park in Orange CA is a wonderful place to visit for picnicking, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The park has a lake, bike rentals, a small zoo, and much more.
This is California’s first regional park and was originally gifted by James Irvine in 1897. Centuries-old oaks frame the trails at this tranquil park, where you can connect with nature at your own pace. Read this!
OC Zoo
The OC Zoo is located within the beautiful Irvine Regional Park and features animals and plants native to the southwestern United States. Come face to face with adorable black bears and proud mountain lions or catch your first glimpse of a gran bald eagle and those playful island foxes.
The newly added large mammal exhibit at the zoo features a jaguar joining four other big cats, and admission is only $2 per person (Park entry fee is $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends).
There are picnic areas and BBQ grills, bike rentals (cruisers, tandems, single surreys), paddle boats, pony rides, horse rentals, a nature center, and seasonal events like the Easter Eggstravaganza, Pumpkin Patch and Holiday Train. Other highlights include the Irvine Park Railroad, a paved trail for strollers and wheelchairs, dirt biking trails, fishing ponds, a lake, and a lagoon with pedal boats. Irvine Regional Park is a wonderful place to get away from it all and make lasting memories with your family.
Hiking Trails
Irvine Regional Park is a great place for families with kids and those who enjoy hiking along dirt trails. The park is huge and has lots to offer like a zoo, train ride, pony rides, and more. Its scenery is spectacular and you can see a lot of wildlife here like peacocks and horses.
The park offers a variety of hiking trails with different levels of difficulty. The trails in the Upper Bee and Bosque area follow the natural landscape of a Southern California native habitat. In the winter and spring, the local ecosystem flourishes with a healthy burst of growth. In the summer, the dry local landscape slows plant growth and conserves natural resources before entering fall.
The park also features an extensive trail system with paved bike/walking paths and three trails under crossings. This help avoids the need to cross busy streets, making it a safe and convenient place for pedestrians and cyclists. The park also has several open-use barbeques for your family picnics. A wonderful place to also visit.
Paddle Boats
Paddle boats are a popular way for kids to enjoy the water without having to worry about safety or getting wet. Irvine Regional Park has multiple spots where paddle boat rentals are available so you can go on a scenic cruise around the lake within the park.
You can also rent bikes at the Wheel Fun Rentals shack and use them to explore the paved biking trails throughout the 475-acre park. OC Parks regularly stocks the Irvine lake with catfish and trout so you can try your luck at catching one.
Four first-come, first-served softball fields, and horseshoe pits are located in the park as well. A playground and the Irvine Park Railroad, which offers kids a chance to ride a 1/3 scale train through the heart of the park, are additional attractions. The park also hosts various events and educational programs throughout the year and party packages are available. For more information, visit the website.
Playground
With lots of stroller-friendly paths, picnic areas, and playgrounds, Irvine Regional Park Orange CA is a great place for families to get outside. The park also offers sports (including four first-come, first-served softball fields, and horseshoe pits), paddle boat rentals, the OC Zoo, and more!
The main draw of this Orange County park is the Irvine Park Railroad, a 1/3 scale-sized train that takes visitors on a scenic ride through the park. The zoo here is very good for children and the new enclosure for North American wild cats is a must-see!
This park is a hidden gem that offers something for everyone. It is a great place to picnic, hike on dirt trails, go on a bike ride, play in the zoo, or take a train ride. There are also a few shady areas for families to spread out and relax. The food concession stands are convenient for snacks and drinks and the restrooms are clean. Check out this webpage.
Driving directions from Omega Investment Insurance to Irvine Regional Park
Driving directions from Irvine Regional Park to Boomers Irvine