Great Park

We stopped by Great Park on a Sunday hoping to finally go up in the famous orange balloon… but unfortunately it was closed and not operating. When we asked why, they said it was due to weather, which was funny because it was literally a perfect mid-70s day with clear skies. I guess they have their own weather rules! Even without the balloon, there were still a few interesting things to check out. They have a small gallery that’s worth popping into, surprisingly cool! One of the highlights was a display of Morse code signals tied to different news stations, and honestly it was way more interesting than I expected. Overall, Great Park is a nice way to spend a chill afternoon, but definitely check ahead if the balloon is a must-do, because closures seem random. Still, the grounds are clean, there’s plenty of space to walk around, and the little gallery definitely added something unique to the visit. Would love to come back when the balloon is actually flying!

My class from the IAE school came here one afternoon for a practical lesson. The park is huge with many soccer and basketball courts, walking paths, and especially a giant yellow inflatable dome that looks like a fireball. On windy days, it can float in the air. We strolled around and breathed in the fresh air. There was even a lake with ducks, a merry-go-round, and a rock climbing area for children... With many separate parking areas, you can choose one close to your destination for convenience. Overall, this place is perfect for relaxing after stressful school or work hours.

Great Park in Irvine is an amazing place for families, sports lovers, and anyone who enjoys being outdoors. The park is very clean, spacious, and well organized. There are beautiful walking and biking paths, large green areas, modern playgrounds for kids, and excellent sports facilities. One of the best things about Great Park is how safe and family-friendly it feels. It’s perfect for weekend walks, picnics, kids’ activities, or watching youth sports games. Parking is convenient, and the overall atmosphere is calm and welcoming. The park is constantly improving and expanding, which makes it even more exciting to visit again and again. Great Park truly reflects the high quality of life in Irvine and is one of the best public parks in Southern California. Highly recommended!

Lots of fun things to do. The view here is amazing. Toddler, kids, big kids, adult can all have fun here. The restroom is clean, it’s better than some other parks around here.

Championship stadium is an awesome place for families. My boys always have a blast for the OCSC matches, super family-friendly. My boys run around, free, running into a mix of their soccer & school friends once inside. An extremely safe and secure venue.

Located on the old El Toro Marine base, Great Park is indeed a great big park, with lots of ball fields, a carousel, outdoor stage, and a balloon ride that allows dogs! Unfortunately, the balloon was not flying due to weather, but we plan on coming back for it!

Such a beautiful park with so much to offer. We stopped in to check out the Christmas lights. They were beautiful. There was a really nice carousel that was free to ride. The carousel conductor was awesome as well. The actual park itself was really cool. It had a lot of unique things on the playground area. Huge basketball court section, soccer fields, baseball fields, and other fields. My favorite thing was definitely the helium air balloon. They only charge $10 per adult to ride. Kids ride free. We spent a couple of hours here and I literally spend less than $50. We were all entertained and enjoyed our visit. We even got to enjoy an intense woman's soccer game for free. Cant beat that.