Irvine Regional Park

Located within the Santiago Canyon in the City of Orange, Irvine Regional Park is a 477 acre park filled with trees and grassland that all nature lovers can enjoy safely.

Some amenities that are available for your pleasures include Barbeque pits, Baseball fields, Biking trails, Picnic Areas, Hiking Trails, Interpretative Center, many playgrounds and shelters.

Let us learn more about the story behind this great park and what the fun activities one can enjoy here are.

Photo Credit: Nazeem Sheik

Celebrating their 100th birthday this year, Irvine Regional Park is the oldest in California. Their rich history is evident throughout the entire 477 acres.

The land on which this centennial park lies was initially owned by the Yorba family. It was part of the Mexican land grant Rancho Lomas de Santiago. In 1860, it was owned by William Wolfskill. After which it went through the ownership of 6 sheep ranchers and finally by James Irvine in 1876.

In October 1897, James Irvine Jr. donated 160 acres of land to the county. More donations were made up till 1958. More land was bought in 1967 and 1971, thus creating the 477 acre park enjoyed by millions today.

There is wide range of activities that one can enjoy in Irvine Regional Park.

Biking
Bikes that seat one-two riders are available for rent at the park. You could enjoy by cycling along the many biking trails found within the park.

Walking/ Hiking
Enjoy some good fun and a great bonding session walking through their paved and unpaved hiking trails. Learn more about the beauty of nature while having some healthy outdoor family fun together. This is a wonderful Orange County Hiking Trails.

Paddleboats
Paddleboats are available for rental at this park. You could spend some time in the middle of the lake enjoying some peace and good time.

Picnics
There are plenty of picnic spots that one could choose from to laze around and enjoy a great picnic. Now who would say no to a picnic under a shady tree or in the open fields where nothing but greenery and happy people greet your eyes? Perfect spot for family outdoor activities.

BBQ
That's another reason why this park makes a good location for picnics. Bring on your favorites and cook it together! Wonderful spot for some great family bbq fun.

Large Gatherings
Irvine Regional Park also provides for large gatherings and parties where one could enjoy the outdoors and not fear having a space constraint at all. One could either choose from their six picnic areas that could house anywhere up to 200 people. Most picnic spots have built in BBQ areas, sinks and tables for comfortable seating. Large parties might require a permit, but you could certainly have the gathering of your dreams at this wonderful park. This is a perfect spot to plan some fun birthday activities, especially kids birthday activities and also for some fun family summer activities.

Horse and Pony Rides
You can rent a horse and take a stroll through the trails or have your child enjoy a pony ride all year long. Children could also enjoy a lovely pony ride while in the Irvine Regional Park.

Tours
Programs offered by the interpretive center include nature walks and guided zoo tours. These tours are offered all year round but require reservation. The William Harding Trail Guide highlights an amazing collection of native chaparral trees and plants.

Photography
Irvine Regional Parks make a great spot for some good photography. Their oak trees and natural surroundings could create some beautiful pieces of arts. This make a great spot to create some wonderful macro photography based on the intricate details that Mother Nature constantly shows us. Their very natural settings could be a great inspiration to all photographers. Be sure to choose this location for your next photo trip, especially if you love Nature Photography

Those who visit the Irvine Regional Park in Orange County could also enjoy fishing, kite flying and many ball games. Other Amenities that visitors could enjoy using include their horse shoe pits, playgrounds and volleyball courts.

In all, everyone is almost guaranteed to have a memorable fun day in the sunny outdoors.

Photo Credit: Nazeem Sheik

In the middle of this marvelous and huge park, you can find the Orange County Zoo. Home to many animals and plants native to the southwestern region of United States, the zoo and park structure provides a wonderful home for these animals.

The history of the OC Zoo dates back to 1905 where red foxes were held in cages for hunting purposes. It then turned into an informal collection of animals and then evolved into a zoo around 1935. Now, it provides a home for wildlife animals that are injured and cannot go back home to the wild.

Some of the animals on exhibit are black bears, mountain lions, bald eagle, island foxes, ocelot, red-tailed hawk, great horned owls, porcupine, coyotes, turkey vultures, coati and many more. There is also a children's petting area at the Children's Zoo, where children have the opportunity to play around and feed goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and rabbits.

The orange county zoo offers school tours, scouts events, toddler lessons and story time sessions. It would be an entertaining and educational experience for your children. Not only do they learn more about the animals that they cohabitate on Earth, they also learn the importance of caring for these animals, to be more nurturing, and more aware on why they need to protect the wildlife-home to more such species.

You can also see excitement and joy in your child's eye as they take pride in feeding the little animals found at the Petting Zoo. Children and adult alike can also learn more about the different species of animals that live all around us, along with us.

Photo Credit: Nazeem Sheik

Founded in April 1996, the Irvine Park Railroad offers a scenic train ride around the this IRvine park that amazes children and adults alike. Kids do enjoy an exciting ride on the "Choo Choo Train" and parents could enjoy some fun time with their little ones.

Built in 1996, the Railroad was created by two good friends, John Ford and Steve Horn, who with the support of family and friends started from a concessions business, and expanded by adding paddleboat rides, opened a catering business and eventually founded the Irvine Park Railroad.

This Irvine Railroad also houses fun activities like horse rides, kids pony rides, and offer bikes and paddleboat rentals.

Special events are hosted throughout the year like the Easter Eggstravaganza, Anniversary Celebration, Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Train. The Irvine Park Railroad has also been expanded over the year to include Party Pavilions, moon bounce rentals, a full-service snack bar and much more.

Irvine Park Railroad is a great spot for a day of family fun filled with fun family outdoor activities.

Photo Credit: Orange County Parks