Best Free Things to do in Orange County
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As a mom of 4 kids I know how expensive it can be to have fun outings as a family. But, it doesn’t have to break the bank to be a great time for everyone. There are many FREE activities in the OC perfect for the whole family! Here are a few ideas to help you out on days you don’t want to spend a small fortune, but are looking for a fun day out.
The Newport Beach Pirate House
This house is a spectacle to say the least. It won’t take all day but it’s perfect to go and check out if you are in the area. Imagine Pirates of the Caribbean without the music and as the front yard of a small community home. Even the boats out back are all “decked” out. Find free parking in the area and be sure to walk around the house to see it in all it’s glory. Also take a look at the roof and keep an eye out for all the small details the owners have put into their home. And if you can navigate it from the water, you get to see even more!
-If you are in Newport Beach don’t miss checking out Marina Park. Free parking on the street. Great park, and access to the bay for swimming and playing in the sand and water. And, if you are hungry the Lighthouse Cafe there is great!
Food: Cronuts at Seaside Donuts, and Sidecar Huckleberry Donuts are amazing too (really you can’t go wrong there)! Great acai bowls at Bonzai Bowls. Mama D’s for a sit down option. And Sessions for a great sandwich.
Free Tethered Hot Air Balloon
The Great Park in Irvine is absolutely amazing. You can find quality sports fields, a museum, history, walking trails, a farm, carousel and even a free tethered hot air balloon. This balloon will take you 400 feet up allowing a birds eye view of the landscape below. Furthermore, this is completely free for adults and kids alike; and the activity is perfectly safe making it incredibly family friendly. I highly recommend it. For more information and to sign the waiver head here.
Also in the area check out Irvine Regional Park– you only have to pay parking and there are tons of amazing activities and things to do there; some paid, many free. Read all about it here. And, be sure to check out the zoo for only $3 a person. While it isn’t free it is a super great deal!!!
More in Irvine: Tanaka Farms, the Irvine Spectrum, and nearby be sure to visit Roger’s Gardens– especially during Halloween.
The Redwood Grove at Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Most, if not all the Regional Parks do require a couple of bucks for parking, but it’s totally worth it. Especially at this Orange County gem. The Redwood Loop in Carbon Canyon Regional Park is a dog friendly, 1.5 mile easy trail that features a gorgeous walk by a lake, beautiful wild flowers, and transports you to a small redwood grove. With this beautiful area, plus the playground, picnic areas and fishing pond, it is easy to spend an entire day enjoying this park!
Other absolutely stunning SoCal Regional Parks in the area: Yorba Regional Park, Prado Regional Park, Ralph B. Clark, Peters Canyon. To see a full list go here. Visit the Chino Hills State Park in the spring for an amazing mustard display.
Another amazing park is Oso Creek in Mission Viejo
Enjoy finding hidden fairy houses in the spring, and make your way through the trails and even a hedge maze at this lesser known gem.
The Beach and Piers
If you mention the words Orange County and not the beach you are missing out on one of the best things about the area. The gorgeous weather year round, laying in the sun during the day then watching it dip into the water on the horizon at sunset, or walking the piers as the fisherman bring in their catches. It just can’t be beat. Many of the beaches have free street parking if you are willing to walk a bit and makes for the perfect all day activity or even just a brief walk on the boardwalk. One of our favorite FREE activities is bringing our bikes down and biking from Newport Beach to the Huntington Pier. However, no matter which beach you visit, or where you end up, this is a fantastic family activity or free date night.
Bike Paths: San Clemente Bike Trail, Huntington Beach Boardwalk, Back Bay Loop in Newport
Bike rentals: Newport Beach Bike Rentals
Other fun beach activities: Take a ride on the Balboa Ferry for under $5 round-trip. Or play at the Balboa Fun Zone. Ride the free trolley in Laguna Beach.
Hike
There are a ton of amazing hikes all throughout Orange County. It would be practically impossible for me to mention them all here. So, I’ll just mention a few favorites: Crystal Cove State Park, Buck Gully Trail near Corona Del Mar, Top of the World in Laguna Beach, and Dripping Cave in Aliso Woods. Each of these trails has it’s own difficulty levels and provides beautiful views and experiences. Check the difficulty of them and plan your route using alltrails.com or read about a few of them here.
Food: The Shake Shack at Crystal Cove, Sanchos Tacos in San Clemente,
To Check Out in Laguna Beach: Walk around the Montage Hotel for amazing views. Free parking and a free activity and it is 100% worth your time!
Like I said earlier, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a great time. With so many free and affordable activities in Orange County you can make lasting memories without spending a dime.
Share your favorite free Southern California Activity in the comments below!
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