The 20 best things to do with kids in Orange

My family and I went recently to Knotts Scary Farm. We had a blast on the rides and watching the shows. Arrive early to see the opening ceremonies. We bought the Boo-ffet tickets and spent the night at the Knotts Hotel. Highly recommend doing that. The dinner was amazing, fun and delicious. We loved all the haunted houses especially The Zoo. Make sure to visit that one after 10:30 pm.

We had such a blast! We arrived when it opened and the e parking was straight forward. We walked with a fairly sizable crowd into the park. Security was quick and only my daughter’s backpack was flagged. Once we got into the park it was a very cool atmosphere! I loved the old miner/western feel. We hiked to the closest roller coaster which was the Silver Bullet, which is a feet hanging one. My kids had not really been on a roller coaster - this was their first one… and what a first! It was a blast; hardly any line! We continued through the park and went on a bunch of rides with minimal wait times. So much more relaxing than Disneyland… and can’t beat the affordable price especially with a family of seven. We opted for the meal plan and even with that it was a fraction of Disneyland. Thank you Knott’s Berry Farm for a great day filled with a fun, safe and exciting atmosphere!

Season passes are worth every penny. Make sure to also purchase the parking pass. Halloween is Super fun, kids get to Trick or Treat. Whenever we go we always are able to ride a bunch of rides. You are able to bring in your own food and drinks. The lines are not very long. Bring your Flip Flops or Crocks for the Water rides. There is something for all ages to enjoy. Go there make Memories, time is fleeting.

We had a fantastic visit for my birthday to Knott's Scary Farm. The mazes are all so different and being able to ride some of the biggest & baddest roller coasters in the park at night added to the fun! The characters all around the park are there to scare you! And are wildly entertaining. We made it to a couple shows before leaving for the night. We recommend the Fast Pass if you can swing it. It's the difference between waiting 90 minutes in line and waiting 15 minutes, so you can see A LOT more with it.

Knott's Scary Farm is a total blast!! We had a great time! The scary music, the scary actors walking around, the rides and the haunted houses where all so good! We arrived at 7pm when the park opened and got back to our hotel room at 1am! Super fun time!!! Last year we went to Universal Studios for Halloween festivities and that was a total dud....

Knott’s Scary Farm Review Knott’s Scary Farm delivered a thrilling and chilling experience that lived up to its reputation as a premier Halloween event, though it had its highs and lows. The maze lines moved surprisingly fast, which was a huge plus. I was able to dive into the heart-pounding mazes without much waiting, each one packed with eerie theming and jump scares that kept my adrenaline pumping. The scare actors roaming the park were a highlight—popping out of the shadows and startling guests with perfect timing. Their energy added to the spooky atmosphere, and it was both exciting and terrifying to watch them in action. However, the ride lines were a different story. They dragged on much longer, testing my patience at times, especially for popular attractions. It was a bit of a buzzkill after the quick-moving maze lines. The park’s ambiance was delightfully creepy, with dim lighting and foggy corners that made every step a little unnerving—sometimes too dark, which added to the fright factor but could feel disorienting. I was hyped to try the much-talked-about Final Cake, hoping for a unique treat to cap off the night. Unfortunately, it was a letdown. For $18, it wasn’t worth it—lacking in flavor and not nearly as exciting as the event itself. I’d recommend skipping it and spending your money on some of the better food options available, like a hearty meal to fuel you through the scares. Overall, Knott’s Scary Farm was a blast for its mazes, scare zones, and creepy vibe, but the long ride lines and overpriced Final Cake were drawbacks. If you’re going for the scares, you won’t be disappointed—just plan your time wisely and maybe grab a burger instead of the dessert!

This was my first time going. It was pretty packed with school trips and families. We rode some rides, got the all day drink cup for $18.99, and ate at Johnny Rockets which was delicious. The decor is fun and pretty well maintained. The train was cool, and having characters interact with riders on the ride was fun. The observation tower gave good views of the area. Parking wasn't too terrible and was well lit after dark. The funnel cakes are out of this world!

Worth every penny! Disneyland and California Adventure are a must-visit. We celebrated my daughter's fifth birthday here, and we rode 99% of the rides over 3 days. She is 42 inches tall. Our top 5 favorite rides were: 1. Tiana's Bayou Adventure 2. Radiator Springs Racers 3. Matterhorn Bobsleds (my daughter's least favorite) 4. Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark 5. Haunted Mansion I highly recommend getting the Lightning Pass; you'll regret it if you don't! The fireworks show is only on weekends. Wear comfortable shoes—there's lots of walking!

Great time, despite ticket prices being high i feel like is wasn't as expensive inside the park as I thought it would be. Snacks and treats were pretty affordable. Loved the new star wars area. The haunted mansion was amazing. Only complaint is there were few character meetings. Line wait times were good around 45 minutes for the longest.

It's a very beautiful and entertaining place. Very fun to visit and the attractions are amazing. If you're expecting sort of extreme attractions, you might get disappointed. This park is more for family in general. If you hate walking, you might not like it. You have to walk A LOT, and I mean A LOT. Also, if you think about buying a tickets for both parks for ONE day, I wouldn't recommend it that much. I bought a ticket for only one, and I wasn't able to get on all rides and explore the whole park. I got there like at 10am and left until 9pm. The park is very big. Overall, is was a great experience, definitely good for small or younger children! I do think teenagers and adults can enjoy it a lot, but I it was more directed to children.

This has always been my happy place. A considerable expense, but the marvelous staff, exciting attractions, immersive experiences make it worth it. The Disneyland app was a fantastic help in checking ride times, checking menus for restaurants. The lightning lane multi pass was very helpful in shortening wait times and making it easier for our autistic grandson to endure waiting in line.

Went late, around 10am-ish, on a Friday. A lot of people but not bumper-to-bumper-lot-of-people. Wait times manageable, and expected to be long. Need to visit at least twice to really know your way around. Download the app so it's easy to navigate around the park. If possible, order food via the app so you can just pick it up by their window.

My visit to Disneyland Park was truly magical and unforgettable! ✨ The park looked beautifully decorated for Halloween, with glowing pumpkins, themed lights, and festive music that set the perfect mood. 🎃 The Indiana Jones Adventure was absolutely thrilling, and the Haunted Mansion with its Halloween overlay was a perfect mix of spooky and fun. 👻 The Pirates of the Caribbean ride was classic and well done, but what really brought back childhood memories were the Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan’s Flight rides timeless favorites that never lose their charm. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the park was clean, organized, and full of energy. Overall, it was a wonderful day filled with nostalgia, excitement, and that one-of-a-kind Disney magic!

Took the Niece and Nephew for their visit and of course they loved it! The park wasn’t too crowded on this Thursday and we were able to get in many rides without waiting in line for too long. We had reservations for lunch at Cafe Orleans and I was a bit disappointed because we still had to wait 30 minutes when we had a reservation. The food and service was great though and made us forget about the wait.

Great place for the kiddos. Brought my 1 year old and he had a blast! This place is huge! They had an area for veggie picking, pumpkin picking. Tons of photo op spots, little corn maze, food stands (which may only be open on weekends) little petting zoo. Tractor rides. Really cute place. Kept my baby entertained.

I really enjoy Tanaka Farms. I have been to the farm four times and I enjoyed every trip. The last time I went to Tanaka Farms was on October 12, 2025 with my mother and we encountered a rude and harassing employee name Laura. We were picking the carrots in the field and the area that we were picking at did not have good carrots to pick so we decided to go up a row. We were at the row we moved to for a minute and other people were already on the same row as us when she yelled at my mom ma’am you need to move down a row. My mom told her there’s better carrots to pick up here. She yelled again ma’am you need to move down a row. My mother told her there are other people on this row don’t they have to move to and we can’t move through them to get to the row down. She than repeated the same thing that we must move down the row at us. After that she told the other groups next to us to move down a row. The people who were still on the row below were watching and probably thought she was crazy. I felt harassed and discriminated. Tanaka Farms is fun and very enjoyable. But beware the tickets are pricy and so are the activities they have. I would come back but I will not go out in the field again bc that is where Laura works and I do not want to encounter her again. Laura was the only problem we had and I had out of all times I went to Tanaka Farms. Beware of Laura she is harassing and discriminating. Be careful while out in the field bc that is where she was working.

Fun! Fun! Fun! Took my mom and grandma for Mother's Day, and they had a great time picking strawberries and the veggie of the day, which was brussel sprouts. If you're concerned about mobility, you have to bend a bit for the veggies, but the strawberries are grown vertically, so everything can be done standing, and the walkways are flat.

This pumpkin patch is nice, but it is NOT worth the cost! It cost 30 dollars just to get in + 13 to park AND on top of that they charge for EVERYTHING! Why are you charging 30 dollar admission and then expect people to pay for all the games & activities?! That’s so ridiculous. The only thing that is “ free “ is the petting zoo, but to feed the animals you have to buy tickets! 12 tickets = $30 this patch is not worth it at all. Someone asked me which one I went to on instagram and I told them the name & it’s not worth it . Definitely won’t be recommending this one to anyone I know. There are other free pumpkin patches that don’t charge to get in & you just pay for games + activities at a lot cheaper price . I don’t mind paying to enter but if you’re going to charge to enter we shouldn’t have to pay to do everything . It would be like going to Disneyland and charging to go on every ride! You shouldn’t charge admission if you’re making the activities inside cost money . It’s one way or the other for me. But I spent over 150 dollars. Could’ve taken the kids to Disneyland.

Recently attended their hilltop afternoon tea and had a great time! The staff were incredibly courteous and did their best hosting this type of event for the first time in the hilltop space. The event ran an hour longer than they intended for but I think staff wasn't expecting how long food service would take or the amount of attendees. Regardless, all the food was well-made and the tea station was regularly stocked throughout the day. Marshalle created a great menu! Props to her and Sarah for leading the event. My family and I are happy to support Tanaka Farms going to events like these :)

We had an ok time here. It was pretty and we liked the farm animals. We came for the Halloween event. Everything was nicer quality than other pumpkin patches we have been to, except for the corn maze, which was beyond disappointing. Not sure if we will be back because it is difficult to get there for us and they told us we couldn't take public transportation since they don't allow walk-ins.

There's a dirt parking lot for your car. There were plenty of spots yesterday before the 3:30 tour. The merch was so cute. I spent more on the merch than I did on ticket entry for one. The secret vegetable our group got to pick was an enormous Romaine Lettuce head. You're able to pick 1 lb of strawberries. If you go overboard you can also eat the strawberries as you pick them. There are barn animals you can see at the end of the tour. Plenty of opportunity for cute pictures throughout the experience.

We had a great time running around! Definitely recommend for ages 3-7. We had a good 2 hours of activities and fun in all the different sections of the cube! My favorite was the dinosaur section. You can go on missions and scavenger hunts!

Me and my family went here over the weekend and had quite a bit of fun. There's multiple floors and many different exhibits that my little sister had a blast doing the ocean and sea themed exhibits. The only problem we had was that it was a little pricey with tickets being $20+, but other than that it was a great experience all around that thought everyone new things.

The personal dessert pizzas are really elaborate cookies 🍪 and they are 😋 yummy. The cafe is nut free so they have sunflower butter instead of peanut butter. If you have a child with allergies this is a good place to visit. There are two locations, the other is in LA. If you get a membership it's 180 annually for two adults and up to four children. (This might be good for play dates.) Also, you can get discounted tickets for companions if you have adult friends who are bringing their children. Parking is 10$. All in all I think it's a good value.

A really really great time. Our grandkids aged 3 and 7 had plenty to do and hold their attention. Plenty of hands on activities and is really a destination for all ages.

My 2 year old niece loves dinosaurs, so after googling "dinasaur park near me" we headed to Discovery Cube. It was THE BEST! Her favorites were the dinosaurs & the sea lab. I was worried that she may be too young for this experience, but she was able to engage with so much and I whole-heartedly recommend Discovery Cube.

Really fun place for kids to learn and engage in stem activities, however if you are going during the week ( we are homeschool)there are school fields trips every single day and it causes such a chaotic environment. I think i was over stimulated by the end. After about 2pm when the field trips leave it is very slow and you are able to fly enjoy all activities

They support teachers with one free ticket a year! Thank you. More places need to hook teachers up. My 5 and 9 year old were very entertained. We stayed like 4 hours. Worth the drive up from SD.

This park is nice and has a lot of things to like bike riding, paddle boats, train ride, pony rides and other things to do. There’s plenty of space to walk around with shaded areas abs snack bar areas. They have accessible bathrooms but the washing areas didn’t really work so washing hands was challenging. Overall it’s nice but we did feel the really short train ride was expensive and would’ve been nicer if longer for the price.

This is one of the best parks in our area, though we haven’t been here for close to 30 years when our children were small. Now we brought our granddaughter here to enjoy its many playgrounds and the tiny zoo. There were many shaded areas to stroll about and lots of parking spaces. There were train rides, pony rides, quad bike rental, boat rental, tractor rides (during Halloween), a tiny zoo for little ones and other fun things to do here. It only costed $3 per car to enter. We checked out the pumpkin patch (no additional cost) and had a wonderful afternoon with our now adult daughter and our very young granddaughter.

We had the best time visiting this little $2 zoo with our 2-year-old! It’s the perfect size for young kids — it took us about an hour and a half to see everything without feeling rushed. The animals are easy to see, and there’s a nice variety for such a small zoo. The petting zoo was a huge hit — it’s free and so well kept! My toddler loved being able to get up close with the animals. The entire zoo is stroller-friendly and very accessible for anyone with mobility needs, which made it a stress-free visit. You really can’t beat the price or the experience. Clean, easy to navigate, and so much fun for little ones. We’ll definitely be back!

What a great way to spend the day. The large park has several playgrounds scattered around. You can rent Surrey bikes, regular bikes, tag along trailers, all rentals include helmets. There are several small lakes to fish in. We rented paddle boats for 30 min which included a life jacket for my granddaughter. The park has miles of trails to explore on foot, bikes or horseback. There is a train ride through the park and ponies for the kids. They can walk or trot around a small track. The park entry fee is $5 and we'll worth the money. There are plenty of picnic areas and groups can reserve various picnic shelters. Jumpers are available to rent by reservation, as well. Big oak trees offer shade throughout the park. If you haven't visited, I highly recommend doing so. Near the train station and pony rides the park hosts different events. Their is an Easter egg hunt in the spring, a pumpkin patch in fall and a Christmas event in December. In January, the park hands out calendars with various coupons for rentals, ice cream, bike rentals and lists all the parks events.

We love Irvine park. $5.00 per car to enter.Weekends can be busy, so get there before 12!!! They might close the entrance if lots are full. If you want big big shade trees, go to the right after the entrance kiosk. We parked at lot K. The bathrooms are right there. There's a circular pony ride area for little kids, a pond where you can rent a paddle boat, You can rent bikes,surry's tandem bikes, etc. There's even a small zoo! Weather was great today, about 73⁰ 4 October 2025.

We went to the pumpkin patch and had such a great time! There was plenty for the kids to do — rides, pumpkin painting, a haunted house, and lots of fun games. Most activities require tickets (about 2–3 per ride or game), so it can get a little pricey, but it’s worth it for all the fun. The line to get into the park was pretty long, so I recommend gett

Great Park …u can spend the whole day in this place … entrance is $ 5 dlls for car… hiking, train ride , horse raiding, pony rides, padle boats , and currently pumping patch…. Highly recommend this park !!

We’ve been coming to this amusement park for my kids’ birthdays, and it’s become a family tradition we all look forward to! It’s the perfect size—not overwhelming like the huge theme parks, but still packed with fun. The ride lines are usually short, so the kids get to go on their favorites over and over again, which they love. One of the best parts is the small petting farm. It’s such a sweet touch and a great break from the rides—my kids enjoy petting the animals every time. It really adds to the charm of the park. Overall, it’s a fun, affordable, and family-friendly place that’s perfect for birthdays or just a weekend outing. Highly recommend for families with young kids!

Absolutely LUVVED IT!!!It's a hidden gem for ALLKIDZ & ADULTS to enjoy together. Had my son's 4th birthday party here & it was AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL..Great job to tha beautiful staff working hard.

I honestly did not have any good expectations for this place, but I was impressed! I always see the place driving by and didn't think it was even open anymore. It was actually my sister in law that wanted to bring the kids here. They state they're usually only open on the weekends and open all week during the summer. The place is much bigger than it looks. It has more than 10 rides. This is more kid friendly and a good place to introduce them to rides. They have a roller coaster that reverses. Prices were affordable. Food options are not bad. We got pizza and it was okay but not disgusting. If you want to eat food from home, you'd have to step outside, but you can come inside after. They even have Starbucks shop inside the park with an ice cream shop attached. Hope this place stays open for a long time!!

Lots of fun for the little ones!! I’ve come before when the park is packed with various summer camps, and when the park was empty like today.. and I definitely recommend coming on off days.. no lines, no crowds.

Small place but tons of fun for young kids. Lines are short. Wasn't too busy on a Sunday afternoon. Food is pretty good, we had chicken tenders, fries, curly fries, apple slices, cherry icy, coke, apple juice, chips and mini corn dogs. Spent about 4 hours here and repeated the rides a few times. Overall, great fun! Will be back soon!

Adventure city was great Took my 16yrs, 12yrs, 2yrs, and 8 month baby. Typically my son cries when the place is crowded. Forst time going and he loved it. Due to summer camp, there were several schools there and the wait time was not bad. The longes we waited was 15 min. If you have older kids or if you would like to play in the arcade, it is better to purchase the card online vs. at the park. Staff is kind and very helpful. Take your own water and food if you are ina budget. The park is not that budget frindly if you have a big family.

Halloween event was so much fun for the littles , candy, lights and rides

Of all the places I’ve ever been with my grandsons, this is by far, my absolute, absolute, absolute favorite! The ingenuity, imagination, touch, ability, accessibility, interaction, there are just not enough words to describe all the types of play that Pretend City encourages and allows! I wish we could duplicate this place in every major city, I saw so many toddlers and young children working and playing together, no screens, no fancy electronic devices, just clean, imaginative, fun! If I could give a suggestion, just one suggestion, have a great place to take your toddler to Southern California families this would be the place I would recommend! Bravo to the amazing builders planners and workers here!!! I hope that other communities have a chance to visit and find a way to replicate this beautiful world in their world!!

We took our class on a field trip to Pretend City, and it was an absolute hit from start to finish! Every child found something they loved—from the grocery store and post office to the construction zone and art studio. It’s like a mini city built just for kids, and they had the freedom to explore, learn, and play all at once. The staff were welcoming, organized, and great with kids. Everything was clean and well-maintained, and the exhibits encouraged creativity and cooperation. It was amazing to watch the kids fully engaged—working together in the restaurant, checking out books in the library, and even learning about traffic safety. Perfect for preschool and early elementary ages—both educational and just plain fun. We’ll definitely be back!

Tip: get there early, because your pass allows you to re-entry for the day before 4pm. Tip: there is a water play section, bring a change of clothes for the kids POV: great place for children to learn and pretend play. But I feel they force the message of diversity a bit. The "Diversity" bridge was a bit much.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pretend City Review Overall, a great experience! The pricing is on the higher side, but it’s definitely worth visiting once in a while for the unique learning-through-play opportunities it offers. Pretend City has almost every real-life scenario for kids to explore — from changing a tire, grocery shopping and checkout, farming, and performing in a theater, to working in a mechanic shop, delivering packages at UPS, being a police officer, doctor, or librarian. There’s even a fun water play area to cool off and splash around. It’s a fantastic way for kids to pretend, play, and learn practical skills in a safe and engaging environment. My only wish? That they open a branch in the South Bay Area near San Jose or Fremont — it would be a huge hit here!

This place is sooooo awesome!! If this place was close to my home, I'd be here with my daughter at least once a week. That's how much my daughter had The staff, the environment and the vibe were all great

We came for a birthday party and had a good time. Definitely a place that toddlers will enjoy. The staff were very courteous and helpful. The play area is clean and tidy. There is an infant play area but I couldn't use it because parents were letting their older children use it without taking off shoes or cleaning up after. The rest of the play areas are nicely designed, though I observed that children older than 6 or 7 may get bored with the areas and turn rowdy. Overall it was a good experience.

Kid Heaven! We recently visited Pretend City in Irvine with our kids and their cousins for the first time, and it was awesome! The kids were all about it. Every new thing they stumbled upon, their eyes lit up. Pretend City is like this mini wonderland where the kids can let loose with their imagination. We had a blast at the farm area – super detailed, felt like the real deal. The fire station was a hit, and the grocery store was like a tiny shopping spree. But the water area stole the show – lots of splashing. For us parents, it was chill. The interactive stuff kept the kids busy, and we got to kick back and watch the fun unfold. Only downside? The hours of operation are limited and it does get busy plus they shut down at 4 pm, which is a bit of a bummer if you're trying to swing by after work during the week. But honestly, the good times made up for it. We're already planning a weekend comeback. So, if you're on the lookout for a spot for some family fun and learning, Pretend City is where it's at. Our crew had a blast, and we're definitely making it a regular thing

Nice place to exercise or enjoy nature. All the trails are clearly marked and easy to follow. Some trails feel like you can get lost (stream trail ), but they all loop around and put you back at the beginning. No crowded before 10 am. Free parking. Free, but there is a donation box. Also, they have a center that open at 10 am. Two trails have steps different heights. Watch your step. And enjoy.

Short, family-friendly walks. We take a stroller and stay on the main path, but there are some trails that have stairs. Cute place, lots of birds to listen for, trees and streams. As with any nature area, there are cautions: poison ivy, rattlesnakes, etc. Letting little ones roam freely to explore may not be the best idea unless they can identify these dangers.

Has a small playground and programs for the kids. Mostly a hiking destination although there is an area by the parking lot I haven't checked out. If available take an available map or a photo of the one there so you don't get turned around. Heard about a guy that turned it into a 7 mile hike.

I went for my friend’s wedding. It was beautiful and simple the path is dirt but not rocky where you could walk in heels. She was able to have her dog in the wedding.

Beautiful well maintained trails, a really wide range of difficulty within the small park and theres a lot of variety within the habitat from riparian to sage scrub. I would definitely recommend this are if you want a nice hike. Also the nature center itself is so cute and they have live animals who look well taken care of. The staff were really kind.

The most beautiful hike everyone can get in OC.

A beautiful setting of nature at the Nature Center and extending park trails! It’s an educational experience for young and older visitors to learn about the local wildlife. A short hike of under two hours may be done here, even when the Nature Center is closed. Access is thru the lower trail from East Walnut Canyon Road. There’s both compacted and powdery dirt trails within Oak Canyon Park. The trails continue up through the canyon and into the right and left flanks, further extending up along the sides to and from pathways, connecting thru with residential neighborhoods. The northeast Roadrunner Trail passes high up near cave like formations, winds and traverses up near the Walnut Canyon Reservoir’s Periphery Road paved trail, a separate hike itself, or can be included... endurance and time permitting! The parking with main entrance can be accessed via Walnut Canyon Road, just past the Anaheim Hills Golf Club. There’s picnic tables and restrooms at the parking lot. Oak Canyon Nature Center Trails are open everyday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oak Canyon Nature Center Visitor’s Center has information, park staff and interesting exhibits. Posted access hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There’s no charge for admission, tho a $5.00 donation is suggested and appreciated! To access the Walnut Canyon Reservoir trail, take the steps up from the highest point of the Roadrunner trail to the Reservoir Periphery Rd. Additional exhibits with upgraded signage has been added for more informative wilderness knowledge!

This is a good place to visit if you are interested in California mission history. The original building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, and the church ruins and a variety of other original elements remain. Renovations in the 1970s brought reproductions of the many buildings, rooms, and a small chapel. There are beautiful gardens, and a museum gift shop. The swallows don't visit like they used to due to so much activity in the area. It cost $15 to enter, and we were there for about an hour

Alright California!! This Place is Cali Gold. The Historic Value of this place is Second to None. There is so Much History in its relationship to the Development of California. The grounds are very very well kept and the Guided tour is a must to get the most out of this Mission. Visit the Chapel on sight and the Ruins of the Original Chapel. Wow it's incredible. Great for Photos, a Date Day, and exploring for the whole family. Don't miss it. It's incredible and a must see for everyone!

We had the opportunity to photograph S & K's first look at Mission San Juan Capistrano, and it was truly a dream setting for capturing timeless portraits. From the soft stone textures to the iconic arches and bell wall, every corner of the Mission offered a stunning visual backdrop. The light was beautiful throughout the day, filtered, warm, and natural, ideal for both candid and editorial shots. There’s a peaceful, historic charm to the space that elevated the emotional energy of the first look, creating a moment that felt private, sacred, and cinematic. We would highly recommend the Mission to couples looking for a location that combines California history, natural beauty, and elegant architecture. It’s a gem for storytelling. — Anastasia

What a beautiful, well maintained mission! Although there is now a fee to enter, it’s well worth the price. You can spend an hour or a day just walking the gardens and visiting the chapel. At the exit, there is a church store fulled with books, cards, collectibles, and other artifacts. It’s a fun outing! We are glad we took the time to visit!

This is such a beautiful mission. My kids had a fun time walking/running around and exploring. We were on vacation for my son’s Birthday and they gave us a discounted price because of that ❤️ Some of the areas were not easily accessible with our stroller - so my husband and I had to lift the stroller and carry it up the stairs to get around to the area on the path (the walkway was blocked due to set up for an event). Thankfully we could do that. We probably spent about 2 hours here. I do want to revisit with my kids and see the things we didn’t spend much time looking at. There is plenty of parking around - outside you just have to drive around to find it.

This is a beautiful and well taken care of Mission. Lots of stories told here about the indigenous people and how this Mission was successful and created things for trade. This place takes you back in time and explains the story of the swallow. I live in the area now and bring friends here to enjoy the beauty!

✨ Truly the Jewel of the Missions! Every stone here seems to whisper a story from the past. The grounds are beautifully preserved, with gardens so lush and perfectly manicured – an absolute must-visit if you’re in San Juan Capistrano. 🌿⛪️

If you’re in Newport Beach, this is worth a visit! Amazing views and not very much crowding. Be prepared to walk up and down steep trails to get to the beach. Beautiful scenery

We love this State park. Make sure to go at Low tide so you can enjoy the many tide pools. We have found some cool things in them from Lobsters and an Octopus once. The walk on the beach is awesome from pelican point south to Beachcombers and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on the beach. But make reservations or it’s an hour wait. The walking trails are awesome overlooking the ocean.

Crystal Cove State Park is absolutely stunning! From the moment you arrive, the views of the ocean and coastline take your breath away. The hiking trails are well-maintained and offer a mix of easy strolls and more challenging climbs, all with incredible scenic overlooks. Walking along the beach, especially at low tide, reveals tide pools full of fascinating sea life. The beach itself is pristine, with soft sand, clear blue water, and plenty of rocky areas for kids and adults to explore. There are several access points and parking lots, making it convenient to find a spot. The visitor center is helpful and welcoming, and the bathrooms are clean, definitely a plus! We enjoyed stopping at the nearby restaurants along the beach for a meal while soaking in the ocean views. Whether you’re hiking, exploring tide pools, or just relaxing by the water, Crystal Cove is the perfect getaway. Highly recommend bringing a camera. The sunsets here are unforgettable!

what to expect: follow your GPS to the location. It tells you where the state park is only to be stopped by a passive aggressive security guard who pointed out that there was a stop sign behind the tree. The guard will become a little nicer and then point out that there is parking across the street for a mere $15 but there is a shuttle. He fails to tell you that the shuttle cost two dollars each way so you take all of that and you eventually get down to a mediocre beach with a pretty good restaurant, not much else actually. There are some quaint houses that you can rent out and that seems appealing, but as far as the whole package is concerned, unless you’ve never been to the beach before, it is a pass.

What great beach. $20 a day pass. Clean, blue water. Rocks to climb on. There are several paths to get down to the beach. Upon entering, make a left and park at the end of the lot. Take the paved path next to the bathrooms down to the water. Its still pretty steep. Kids had a blast.

I love to go to this place. I went super early and got to see the sunrise. Beach was not too crowded when I got there in the morning. Water was very clear and clean. I saw about six different species of fish swimming in the kelp/ sea grass and rock reef while snorkeling. Be prepared to walk down to the beach and uphill back to the parking lot but it's definitely worth it.

Absolutely Serene. I visited on a weekday. This place felt very open to our sky, ocean and natural world. Crystal Cove was not crowded with people. Good place for relaxation & recreation with a view. Pack a picnic lunch or find nearby park concessions. Purchase a California State Park Day or Multi-Day Pass. Enjoy this beauty and other California state beach parks on a day journey along the Pacific Coast Highway. Tip: The stairs leading to beach have an uneven surface and are a bit wonky to walk down. There is a walking ramp located nearby that is a more stable alternative to provide better footing, if needed.

This is a MUST see during the summer months in Laguna Beach!! The Irvine bowl does NOT have a bad seat in the house. It is like a miniature Hollywood Bowl but with a much more quaint feeling. The trees surrounding the bowl is undeniably beautiful at night. Before you enter the bowl make sure you arrive early to visit the art show and talk to the artist. They are charming and excited to sell you their art work. The Pageant of the Masters has been running over 90 years and continues to impress and get more creative every year. It started in 1933 and recreates famous artists paintings,sculptors and statues in a three-dee form. This year was about visiting all the famous museums in California and bringing them to life. Binoculars are a MUST to see the details of each scene. You may buy, rent or bring your own. This is definitely a unique and beautiful experience well worth seeing. Unfortunately no cameras or cell phones are allowed. Eat before you go or bring your own in a 14x14x14 cooler with goodies and drinks to share. YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED!!! A MUST!!!

ALWAYS WONDERFUL, ALWAYS MAGICAL!!! The Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts are annual must see events! A great escape from the summer heatwaves to cool ocean breezes and mild temperatures of Laguna Beach. My favorite artwork is the Junior Art Exhibit with juried artwork from grade school to high school age children. Was very happy to see this years entries were much more imaginative and creative once again versus the years after COVID lock downs. We have a whole days outing in Laguna Beach so we have time to see the art festivals (Festival of Arts, the Junior Art Exhibit, The Sawdust Festival) and enjoy a great meal by the beach before we head to the Pageant in the evening. Love how they show you what goes in to setting up a scene with a painting as they place models in their make-up and costumes, roll down the backdrop, and place props in. It's amazing to see the real magic happen when they light the set to create the mood and color palette of the artist, to make real people look like a part of the painting. Be sure to bring a blanket or jacket, seat cushions and binoculars if you have them. Temperatures really drop after sunset.

show starts at 8:30 PM with an intermission ends 1030ish. Masterpieces come to life Runs all of June and July Different show every year along with a fine art festival before the show Gates open at 5 PM Great evening for a date night.. or a girls night

All I can say is WOW! What an incredibly talented production. I was amazed at everything from the music to the venue. Let alone the masterpieces themselves. You should definitely go!

Such a fun art festival and show ! Our family has made a tradition of going every year for decades now. We like to arrive early to enjoy the artisan booths prior to the show itself. We look forward to the different themes every year. This years’ was fantastic per usual! It is such an incredible mix of art and performance.

I attend the pageant every year for well over the past 10. I swear by last minute tickets and main tier left so you can get in and out easier. I always go mid August. The themes change and they have increasingly focused on more current (>1950s) and west coast art than in the past. Bring your own binoculars and plan for time before to walk around the exhibits. I usually park and eat by Lumberyard making a resi at 6pm. Occasionally there is parking available in the pricier lot on the right side just past theater. I just attended a music event and paid for the seats. With paid seats we had front and center about 3 rows back even at 445pm. Tables are for 4 or 6. It appears you can plan ahead and just pay the lower cost entrance fee but plan to arrive at opening which was 4 sharp - free tables and ampitheater seating is all first come. People brought full meals and many bottles of wine or alcohol in other containers. There is wine for purchase and possibly some concessions. I’d bring a table cloth and something to sit on as the wire seats were a bit uncomfortable after 3 hours. The night club seating is more like bistro seats. We also sat and mingled well after the concert and and had time to walk the exhibits in peace. Dancing happened to the far side of the stage. Most people stay seated.

Did the pageant masters, suggest more time to browse before the show. Also the closer center seating tickets the better. I just want to see the human factors involved and felt to far away we were left mid. There are themed events and music before the show. I need to go back cause I missed this. We came on a Monday evening. It was lovely with a slight chill in the air. As the orchestra brought out and highlighted the show beautifully. Bring a blanket, sweaters and maybe a snack!! Shuttle was easy, parking 5 bucks, we chose lot 16 for those with limited walking, this was doable distance about two football fields with rest in-between to get seated. Then you gotta return! So it can be smaller segments to walk if you plan ahead. I loved the featured artists works prior to the show. They were so interesting to talk to.

Very interesting and informative look at Nixon's career and life. Didn't know anything about his personal life, or honestly many of the good things he did during his presidency. The exhibits are modern and very well done. Watch the video at the beginning, it's a great introduction. The order of the exhibits is interesting but it worked. And we liked ending on his childhood home and the helicopter. The grounds are nice. There's really nothing too ostantacious here. Other people mentioned how nice the docents were and it's true. They're very nice and knowledgeable.

Candlelight performance was better than I thought. Really cool atmosphere and music. Beatles theme tonight. Cool performance with a mini bar. Easy parking and getting in.

An incredible and comprehensive Presidential Library. Densely-packed with information, it tells not only the story of Nixon, but the time in which he lived, led, and ultimately faltered. The museum does not shy away from Watergate and the reckless decisions he made, which I appreciated. A complicated and tragic figure in American history. The helicopter is undergoing renovations so could not been except through a gate which was disappointing. The museum starts with his administration and then explores his childhood and rise to power, which was an unconventional choice that is interesting if not a bit counterintuitive. Highly recommend visiting!

Drove across country to see this Museum. Got to entrance and was told only the Gardens was open. I asked why? It was due to the Federal Government shutdown. This absolutely made no sense to me. I asked why would a self guided museum tour be closed? I was told that the government owns the displays in the museum. Eight Dollars to go though the gardens. I was also told that the gardens were open and the house that the President was born in is open as well. Marine One was also open as it was next to the house that he was born in. I asked if I could use the restroom as none where insight of the lobby/entrance was told it would be a Dollar and I would have to go through security. None of this makes any sense to me. Especially the restroom part. Took pics from outside. I’ll problem get a bill for taking the pics, so enjoy.

Beautiful performance at an equally beautiful venue. The performers played a great selection of songs from Coldplay and Imagine Dragons with a little introduction to many of the songs. This is always a fun event and not our first time with Candlelight Concerts. Young and old were there tonight and we look forward to seeing another show from Fever and Candlelight Concerts.

I lived in Los Angeles for 12 years before moving to San Diego 3 years ago, but it was the first time I visited this library. It's beautiful and has a lot of historical info to learn. The part made me feel sad the most is the Vietnam war part.

✨ What an incredible experience! I went to the Candlelight Concert last night and absolutely loved it. The performance was amazing, the atmosphere was elegant and peaceful, and the live music created such a relaxing and positive vibe. Everything was beautifully organized — it truly helped me unwind and feel inspired. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a magical evening filled with beautiful music and good energy! 🎻🕯️💛

It’s an easy hiking area through beautiful nature. We’ve seen many birds, lizards, fish, squirrels, rabbits, and even coyotes. Fortunately, the coyotes were on the other side of the fence. Just be aware when you’re hiking. The trails are easy for kids to walk and very well-maintained. It was even easy enough to push a stroller through the trails. You can see the ocean on the other side of PCH. The sunsets are gorgeous. There are lots of benches if you want to relax and enjoy the view. We usually park in the lot off of Warner Ave. It’s free. It’s not a large lot, but we haven’t had any trouble finding a spot.

Easily a top 3 bird watching spot. They have so many species it it impossible to keep count. Getting there is super easy and also parking. I was blown away and captured some amazing shots of some migratory and not typical birds. I highly recommend this spot.

Flowers are not fully blooming yet but still very beautiful. Perfect place for bird sighting. We went on a week day, not crowded at all, which was perfect for us since we wanted to take pictures with flowers of my beloved dog's paw print. I'm always looking for easy to moderate trails, and this is an easy one, excellent for a serene long or short walk.

A great nature reserve next to Huntington Beach. It has a long bridge connecting to a small island you can walk to. Very beautiful but windy due to location. Perfect for an after dinner (or before dinner) stroll, bird watching, or nature enjoyment. Don't miss it if you're in Huntington Beach. Caution: no restroom

A really great place to go birding (a lot of birds I seen here) and a great place for my photography!! Also, this place is a great job if keeping birds safe and able to see over 500 species

A great place for a nature walk and bird watching right off Hwy 1, across the street from the beach. There are occasional signs sharing information about the area and the birds, and benches to rest and appreciate the beauty around you.

Great place to get a walk with cool sea breezes. There were birds and fish to look at that made it pleasant. Much of the trail was poorly maintained and some areas were not marked. There was also lots of urban infrastructure visible including pumping facilities, and oil jacks. The parking was limited so I recommend getting there early if you want to park at either end of the trailhead.

This park was incredible, a must-see little adventure with your kids, and great for adults as well. If you're looking to let your little one run free without worry this is the place. If you and your partner want to take a nice stroll this is also very relaxing and scenic with some fun facts of history along the way!

Great Park in Irvine is a good spot for a relaxing day out. Whether you’re here for a walk, a picnic, or one of the many events they host, the park is always clean, spacious, and beautifully maintained. One of the best things about this place is the abundance of free parking — there are plenty of lots available, so you never have to worry about finding a spot. It’s a good place for families, couples, or anyone just looking to enjoy the outdoors.

This is a massive park very awesome for large ski sporting games. We went there for the first time for soccer tournament and although it was a lot of walking it actually was a good walk and there were countless soccer fields and softball fields so there was a lot to do it even had so many food trucks so if you ever have a chance to go here for a tournament or even just to go and hang out at a park this is one of the parks to go to cause there’s a lot to do and a lot of room for things to be moved in to do.

Great Park is becoming bigger and bigger. It is wonderful to discover and see its different courts, spaces, benches, areas, trees, flowers, birds, rabbits, lizards at every visit. It is so very well equipped and relaxing at the same time.

A nice family and pet friendly park. Chill for a late afternoon walk with clean public restroom at the back of the customer center. Sweet playground area for kids.

After reading many negative reviews, we took a chance and went to the free Jimmy Buffett tribute concert. We met great people, the band was excellent and the facility was large and clean. The biggest negative was the high prices for alcohol!

Great tribute to Taylor Swift concert. 1000s of people. Lil girls dressed in glittery clothes and boots. Good food and snacks

Great place for kids to be kids and have fun. Water is shallow so it is safer for small kids ( 2 life guards on duty). They have Inner Tubes, mudslide, rope bridge, water gun tubes, giant Legos, axe throwing and giant connect four. Plenty of shade for adults under trees, chairs everywhere. Lunch tables. Porta potty's, one outdoor shower and changing rooms.

Loved it! Clean, well maintained, staff everywhere watching the kids, 'lake' is super shallow (like child size knee high). Enough variety to keep the kids' interest. Outdoor Showers and changing stalls.

It’s not like I remember it, it seems so bubble wrapped now and lame, I pumped this up to my 5 and 8 year old sons cuz I remember his place in the 90s and it was bigger and better and dirtier. The water is MAYBE 18 inches deep. This place would be awesome for 2-3 year olds but that’s really it.. they took out the tree houses , zip lines, the ability to use tools to help build forts and stuff. Instead of tree houses they have raised platforms and legos to build with instead of hammer and nails and saws. It’s just seems all watered down and lame now.

Open Mon-Sat from 10a-4p June-August (unclear if open outside of summer. Unfortunately I came by on a Sunday so was unable to enjoy it, but did look pretty cool from the outside looking in. Signs say closed toe shoes required

I came here as a kid in the 1970's and 80's, and we brought our kids in the early 2000's. Hopefully I will be able to bring our grandkids here one day. Just a safe, fun place for kids to play outside.

Very small. Little to do. Kind of shabby. Terrible slide. Tiny area for the tubes. Beautiful library right outside where you park.

Tim Sawyer at the pond for kids. FIRST…No flip flops. 2nd, they are open summer only. $4.00 what? WOW such a deal. Kids play on the slide and in inner tubes. Bring a chair and a hat, limited tables are available. Make a day of it and bring lunch. Change of clothes and some zip locks. There’s a life guard ❤️😊

One great little zoo for your younger ones. We took our 18-month granddaughter to her first ever zoo visit and she had a great time. Her favorite part was to brush the goats in the petting zoo area. All the goats were so gentle that our little granddaughter wasn’t afraid at all. The zoo was small enough that it didn’t tire us out and we even saw several feedings of the animals. At $2 per person (plus $3 per car to enter Irvine Regional Park), this was one the few remaining bargains in Orange County.

Great place to visit. It's a small cozy zoo. The children enjoyed looking at all the animals. The cost was $5.00 for parking. Finding parking was a challenge so prepare to walk. The cost for the zoo entrance was $2.00 per person including children. Under 2 years old is free. No sorvernior store.

This is a small size place with some animals to see. It’s located inside the Irvine park and you can drive through an entrance to park right next to the entrance. It’s not expensive to enter and the area is very shaded so it’s nice walking around. We did encounter a peacock strolling through when driving in so be careful but it was also fun to see. We saw that some of the enclosures had water running through fit the animals. There is a petting part of the zoo and they have machines to get food as well as washing areas to clean hands. There’s also some statues and photo spots which were fun. There is also a place to buy snacks right outside the zoo entrance with an area to eat. It was a nice little visit.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Hidden Gem for All Ages! 🦊🐻 The Orange County Zoo is small but full of charm! Perfect for families, with well-kept habitats and a great variety of native animals. Our visit was relaxing and educational—kids loved the close-up views of the black bear, mountain lion, and playful otters. Affordable admission and friendly staff make this a must-visit when in the area.

This zoo deserves to be on every itinerary. The location in Irvine National Park is beautiful, and for a relatively small zoo it packs a lot in! In particular, they have raccoons, which we couldn't find at several bigger zoos. The volunteers are really lovely and informative, and it's clear how much they care for their animals. I will definitely go again!

This is such a well maintained Zoo, with plenty of animals and easy to navigate. For $2 per person, you can't really beat that price to see some of your favorite animals and have a petting Zoo. The Panther display is beautiful and I enjoyed the variety. It's well situated in Irvine Regional Park and has a ton of outdoor seating if you want to bring a picnic. I'll definitely be going again.

This small and clean zoo, very reasonable price. Details and demo of animals is what made kids so engaging!! They love it

The Irvine park is beautifully maintained and staffed with a kind crew. The railroad is $8 per person, (most purchases are in cash), and takes about 15 minutes to ride around the park where you get to experience the parks history. There’s two lakes (lower and upper) which are great for pictures and have turtles and fish. If you have a family of four, I suggest taking the bike rentals to explore the park. It’s $42 a hour, but 50% off before noon. They’re great for traversing the dirt paths. Overall a great experience, I’d highly recommend and hope to come in the future!

Fun park with many seasonal activities. We were here for the "free" Pumpkin patch event, although there is a $3 entry fee per car & parking. However, every activity (Pumpkin or cookie decorating, gold panning) requires tickets, and each ticket costs $8. Activities require 1 or more tickets! They were selling a booklet of 15 tickets for $100 each - that's very pricey considering the activities are truly geared towards children. We did take lots of pictures with all the cut out boards. We wanted our toddler to get on the pony ride _ it cost $8 (cash only) to be on the pony for a maximum of 5 minutes, if that. Ponies are very well trained and docile (kids can be crying too but they just plod along). The Train ride takes you around the area with a narration by the engineer, covering about 1 mile total. He gave some history of the park, pointed out peacocks, squirrels and migratory ducks). Free for all to use are those cut-out photo stands (the kind where you put your face in a hole) - amusing photos usually. Gravelly parking area, lots of dust being kicked up by car traffic. Free to use wagons for pumpkins (they were marked : for pumpkins only; but I took a few photos with my little one in it). Uneven walking areas, bring comfortable shoes and wide rimmed strollers. Might be difficult to navigate if wheelchair is used, however I saw one person with a mechanized one going about with ease. Also free to walk about looking through the pumpkins (they were selling them at 50% off) and take as many photos as you want. The park's Trees are already wrapped in Holiday lights - check their site for schedules in December.

Beautiful place to visit it is a zoo inside and a tren for kids, bike rides, horses lake, a museum and snacks, excellent prices. I strongly recommend to visit this park with your kids

Very well maintained train, the engine is absolutely beautiful. The staff and conductors are super friendly too. I hope they plan on adding more track, maybe have it go all the way around the rest of the park. Tons of fun.

Irvine Park Railroad – Fun for all ages! Irvine Park Railroad is such a wonderful place to visit with family or friends! The atmosphere is beautiful, surrounded by trees and nature, and the staff are always friendly and welcoming. The train ride is relaxing and fun — it gives you a nice little tour of the park and is especially exciting for kids. There’s so much to do nearby too — bike rentals, pony rides, paddle boats, and picnic areas. Everything is clean, well-maintained, and organized. It’s the perfect spot for a peaceful day outdoors or a family outing that everyone will enjoy. Highly recommend Irvine Park Railroad for anyone looking for a relaxing, family-friendly experience in Orange County!

Staff is super nice. Enjoyed our 3 yr old grandson loving the train and tractor ride. Fun fall festive place to visit in October. Rides are $8 per ticket. Some activities are 2 tickets. Highly recommend you walk around first to get an idea of what things you want to do and how much money its going to cost in the end.

The park is really good. There are wagon and train rides, and inside there are plenty of other activities.

Great little hike to unwind and get in tune with nature. There's a variety of hikes intensity depending on your appetite. Just make sure to leave before sunset since they close the parking gates

Highly recommended trail . Try the North loop for nice lake view and nice sunset view behind the mountains . This is medium range hike and reach mid point on the hill top with nice sun and lake views . Pets are allowed. Kids are ok but I would recommend 6 plus kids only . I have seen Bob cats myself at this place so I would keep my pets with me in leash all the time . Avoid this Place during rains and evening after sunset as it closes at sun set and not recommended to stay late due to bugs after sunset. Parking is there and have to pay for it . Parking fee is flat 3 dollar 💵. Min and max 3 dollar . Plan to spend 2 hours for one north trail around the lake . If you want to cover the whole regional park then ya it would be 4 hours plus . Parking is free on the other side in south end .

Beautiful place. Many trail options to connect. Plenty of parking and bathrooms and views.

Good hiking spot with some good hills around a pretty lake. Most of the trails are easy except for a few steep spots.

We enjoyed the trail, there are lots of steep inclines on some areas depending on the loop you take.

Medium Sized Hiking Area (Dog Friendly) $3 Parking Hiked in November Biggest downside to this park is you have to pay $3 to park here. Parking is spacious at least when I went on a Tuesday. Terrain varies from relatively flat to pretty steep. However it does offer great overlooks. Plenty of places to rest or have a picnic Dog friendly hiking. There are several poo bag stations however not as many as some other parks. I suggest bringing your own. The people I met on the trail all seem to be friendly. Bicyclists and Horses are allowed on a good portion of the trails offered. If any of the information above was useful to you or any of the pictures that are part of my review gave you a good perspective of this place please give my review a thumbs up so that I know it's worth the time making these for fellow travelers.

They really changed the trial after the wild fire 10 years ago. It used to be soothing by the river bank and lake but now it is very distant from the body of water and the trails are all difficult, I was disappointed now that I have a disability and my mother who is a senior now had to turn back. I wish it was smoother and more turns out and into the river bank like before.