Irvine

Orange County Great Park is the incredible reincarnation of what was once the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. Encompassing a total of 1,300 acres, more than 200 are currently developed and 688 acres are in planning and design. Already setting new standards as one of the most modern metropolitan parks in the world, the carefully designed Orange County Great Park at once pays homage to the military history of this legendary air base while creating exceptional experiences for a new generation. These are just some of the activities and attractions available at Orange County Great Park. The Visitor Center has details and can provide directions on these and additional happenings and amenities: Great Park Balloon – Enjoy a bird’s-eye view — spanning 40 miles on a clear day — as you soar 400 feet above the surrounding landscape on this tethered balloon ride. Great Park Farmer's Market – An incredible Sunday experience where you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, handcrafted artisan products, live music and entertainment, plus gourmet food trucks. Sports Complex – A 194-acre venue which is now home to a championship soccer stadium, home of Orange County's only professional soccer team, OC Soccer Club, 12 baseball and softball fields, 13 soccer fields, 5 sand volleyball courts, 25 tennis courts, 8 basketball courts, flexible field space, and a children’s play area. Ice Facility - 280,000 square-foot facility features three NHL sized rinks and an Olympic sized rink including a 2,500 seat arena. Great Park Carousel – The majestic Fashion Island carousel now resides in Orange County Great Park for kids of all ages. Kids Rock Playground – Playground for toddlers just outside the Visitor Center with a nature theme and cloud-like misters for warmer days. Walkable Historical Timeline – A concrete taxiway that was part of the original El Toro Marine Corps Air Station which provides an opportunity to encounter some of the major defining events and people in history. Hangar 224 – A historic World War II hangar, which has been renovated and is now an event venue. Palm Court Arts Complex - Featuring a shaded outdoor performance plaza enhanced by 54 Canary Islands date palms, a permanent public art installation, and an artist-in-residence program. Farm + Food Lab - A hands-on gardening experience with themed planters featuring fruits, flowers, vegetables, and herbs. FivePoint Amphitheater - 12,000 seat venue hosting a wide variety of events & musical programming by Live Nation. Orange County Great Park also offers many classes, programs, and seasonal activities for all ages.

This huge park encompasses a variety of different activities, from bike, horse and paddleboat rentals, pony rides for kids, a nature center, playgrounds and snack bars.

Located inside the beautiful Irvine Regional Park, the zoo is home to animals and plants native to the Southwestern United States. It also features a barnyard with domestic goats, sheep, pot-bellied pigs and more.

Music and dance aficionados will want to take advantage of performances. The 756-seat hall is renowned for its intimate atmosphere and superb acoustics.

As part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, this course features a tranquil creek running through tapered fairways, plus gorgeous greens, beautiful lakes, and bull-nosed carved bunkers. Great for golfers at all levels.

The Great Park Balloon has become an Orange County icon. The 118-foot orange, helium balloon soars into the sky to height of 400 feet and offers an unmatched 360 degree view that spans 40 miles on a clear day.

Set around canyons and wetlands, this 18-hole, par 71 course offers picturesque vistas, large rolling greens, and scenic hills. It's also home to the only David Leadbetter Golf Academy in California.

The Mountains to Sea Trail takes you on 22-mile journey starting in rugged, oak-filled Weir Canyon. The trail then takes you south toward the coast through five different cities and a portion of unincorporated Orange County — virtually guaranteeing that the only constant on this trek is an exhilarating change of scenery and topography.

The history of Irvine is not a long one — in fact, today's growing city celebrated its 40th anniversary in December 2011. But the Irvine region has a long and rich history, dating back to 1878 when James Irvine acquired his business partners’ interests in 168 square miles of future Orange County land for $150,000; today, that amount would equate to $3.56 million. The acquisition created the great Irvine Ranch consisting of 110,000 acres stretching 23 miles from the Santa Ana River to the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can explore the oldest standing structure within the original boundaries of Irvine Ranch, and the first wooden house erected between Anaheim and San Diego at the Irvine Historical Museum. In addition, the Irvine Ranch Historic Park, site of the original Irvine Ranch headquarters, features several of the original structures, including the home of James Irvine II, numerous barns and residential buildings. Step back in time at the La Quinta Inn in Old Town Irvine where101 rooms of the hotel once served as the silos of a former lima bean and grain warehouse. In 1986, the silos were converted to the hotel. The center hexagonal concrete silos are now the interior corridors serving the rooms located in the exterior facing silos and the tin shed, kept mostly intact including the original main lift, is utilized as the area where the hotel serves breakfast. The hotel has a picture display including a brief history and description of "Historic Old Town Irvine."

The 108-foot-tall Giant Wheel was handcrafted in Italy and glows with 1,400 lights. The shopping center also features an antique-themed carousel.