hot air balloon at the great park irvine

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Address: 8000 Great Park Boulevard, Irvine, CA 92618

If you live near Irvine California you might have seen The Great Park in Orange County. However, you might not even be aware you have seen it, but if you’ve noticed a large orange balloon in the sky, that’s it! For years I drove right by it, and never knew what I was missing. Then I heard that the large balloon I had been seeing in the sky was actually a large tethered helium balloon you could ride; but I wasn’t sure about the cost and whether or not it was kid friendly. Recently, I found out it was free, so I decided to investigate the rest. And, not only is it free for adults, it’s totally kid friendly (and free for them too). I also found there is more than just a tethered hot air balloon at this park, and actually the whole family loved our day exploring The OC Great Park.

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Located on what once was the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, The Orange County Great Park pays homage to it’s historical background, but also provides all the fun a “great park” should!

Make sure to start your day with a visit to the Visitor Center. There you can find information on the available classes and activities for the day, sign the waivers for the carousel and hot air balloon ride (get there early as the wait can get long), and they will provide directions and any other information you may need.

Start your visit in the Visitor Center where the activities for the day are posted.

Each weekend brings new events and activities the public can take advantage of.

So, what can you find at the Great Park Orange County:

TETHERED “HOT AIR” BALLOON

The tethered balloon ride in Irvine Ca is a fabulous free family activity.

Our family ALL loved the tethered balloon ride.

The Great Park Balloon is the Orange County Great Park’s iconic attraction. It’s technically not a “hot air balloon” but rather a large tethered helium balloon, but who cares about technicalities, am I right?! Taking you 400 feet above the surrounding landscape, it serves as a public observation deck for the Great Park’s development and offers an unmatched 360° view that spans 40 miles on a clear day. Thanks to the sponsorship from FivePoint Home Builders in the area, the balloon can now be enjoyed at no cost. Yes, you heard me right, FREE!!!! And because of the netting and safety precautions, all ages can enjoy. My family went with our almost 2 year old, almost 4 year old, 7 and 9 year old, and I never, not for a minute felt afraid for their, or my, safety. The view and feel are unbelievable. This is a great thrill for the whole family!!! We laughed, took tons of pictures and walked the perimeter taking it all in! It was a lovely ride.

It was a beautiful clear day and we were able to really take in the city of Irvine from way up there. The balloon ride is unmatched, and best of all, free!

The balloon goes up subject to weather conditions. For up-to-date flight information and weather-related availability, call the Visitors Center at 949-724-6247.

Hours

Monday–Wednesday: Closed
Thursday–Friday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; 7 p.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; 7 p.m.–10 p.m.

Parking & Registration

Parking is free. Registration begins 30 minutes before morning and evening operating hours begin. A registration waiver must be signed by every potential passenger prior to getting a boarding pass. A parent or guardian must sign for children younger than 18. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Please note: Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and does not guarantee balloon flights, as all rides are weather permitting.

Taking in the view from 400 ft up. We were able to watch some of the sporting events happening from a great vantage point.

CAROUSEL

The Orange County Great Park provides everything you need. Fun for the family, rides, and history. It is a gem of an area, you don’t want to miss.

An Orange County tradition, updated with vintage-inspired scenic artwork, is a favorite for kids of all ages. We also enjoyed the music provided by the carousel.

Hours & Rates

Monday–Wednesday: Closed
Thursday–Friday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.

All-Day Pass: $10
Single Ride: $3

Please note: Balloon and Carousel hours may vary on holidays. For hours, directions, and park maps, visit ocgp.org/maps. For questions, contact the Visitors Center at 949-724-6247.

Registration waivers for the balloon and carousel can be completed online the same day as your ride:

Balloon waiver

Carousel waiver

OC GREAT PARKS PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS (OCGP)

Playing at the Kid’s Rock Playground with the Orange tethered balloon in the background at the Orange County Great Park.

There is a large playground called the “Kid’s Rock Playground” found directly behind the Visitor Center. This area includes a small zip-line (that my children spent the majority of their time at), a rock climbing area, music center, digging pit, plus a large and small playground. This is the larger and more crowded area of the two playgrounds. But the equipment is new, and the area is fantastic. There are also nice lounge chairs for parents to sit in and watch, plus plenty of shade.

There is another smaller playground known as the Bosque Playground (not found near the Visitor Center/carousel). This playground is located near where the housing development begins near Irvine Blvd. This playground does not have as much equipment as the Kid’s Rock Playground, but has a larger more natural feel. Here you can walk, ride bikes and enjoy being outside in a more open and inviting setting. At this park you can expect to find a large 4-man teeter totter, tunnel slide, spinners and swings, geometric climber, and in ground small trampoline. You will also find nice picnic areas and bathrooms. This is great place to take kids to get some energy out or for a nice picnic.

My kids exploring the music area of the park. Behind them you can see the zipline and a part of the larger playground.

Read this informative article for directions to find this playground.

GREAT PARK FARMERS MARKET

Happening only on Sundays this is a wonderful experience where you can enjoy locally fresh grown fruits and vegetables, hand crafted products, live music, and food trucks! My favorite!

FARM AND FOOD LAB

Make sure to check out the food lab and farmers market when you plan your visit to the Orange County Great Park.

Take the family over to the working farm to see animals, get a hands-on gardening experience, dig for worms, and find bugs and growing buds with mini magnifying glasses. It’s a fun experience kids will love. Parents too. We plan on returning for the many fun children’s classes offered there.

My kids loved walking around the food lab and exploring the area. It is very kid friendly.

The kids getting an up-close and personal look at the plants and animals at the food lab.

The garden (food lab) at the Orange County Great Park.

SPORTS AT THE PARK

The park is home to a championship soccer stadium, home of Orange County’s only professional soccer team, plus 12 baseball fields, 13 soccer fields (we actually saw 2 goals scored while on our balloon ride), 5 sand volleyball courts, 25 tennis courts, and 8 basketball courts. Phew, this really is a great park!

ICE FACILITY- On top of all those incredible sports facilities above, The Orange County Great Park is also home to a 280,000 sq. ft. ice facility featuring 3 NHL sized rinks, and an Olympic sized rink including a 2500 seat arena.

HISTORY

One of the things we appreciated most about this area, is that the park maintained some of the history of it’s past! Following a concrete pathway that was part of the original El Toro Marine Corps Air Station (logo designed by Walt Disney himself) you can follow the walk-able historical timeline. This timeline weaves it’s way around the park and provides information about major defining events and people in history. You can exercise your mind and body all at the same time. We call that a win-win.

This boy loves to pose like this… perhaps an air-force career will be in his future?

HANGER 224

Another thing we enjoyed during our day at the Great Park Orange County in Irvine, was the historic WW2 original hangar. In here you will find planes, and a short video giving a brief history of the park and it’s part in WW2. Fascinating, and a great way to learn a little of California and this area’s history.

Checking out Hangar 224 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. Here you will find a brief video with historical information about the park, and old airplanes. It was all very interesting.

There is so much to do, and so much to take in at this park, we cannot wait for a return visit. We are considering a night ride on the balloon, or perhaps enjoy the music or movies in the park during the summer. It really is a great park!!! Our only regret is that it took us so long to visit.