Free things to do in SoCal

Mission Viejo · Parks & Hiking

A whimsical paved creek trail dotted with mosaics, gardens, and a koi pond — right next to the library's story-time programs. Started by community…

Free

Lake Forest · Parks & Hiking

Shady creekside singletrack leads to Red Rock Canyon's mini badlands — a payoff hike that feels like a desert adventure for kids. The canyon's…

Free

Irvine · Museums & Learning

A 10,000-square-foot former El Toro hangar showing historical photographs and a nine-minute archive film about the Marine air station that became…

Admission not published

Irvine · Animals & Nature

A free teaching garden at Great Park with themed beds, an orchard, a pollinator garden, an aquaponics demonstration, a seed library and free-range…

Free

Irvine · Arts & Culture

A free city gallery inside a restored El Toro air base building at Great Park, with rotating exhibitions and working artist studios alongside.

Free

Irvine · Parks & Hiking

Ride a tethered helium balloon 400 feet up for skyline views, then a spin on the carousel and a romp at the huge play areas. At 118 feet tall and…

Balloon free; carousel $4

Balloon free; carousel $4

Aliso Viejo · Parks & Hiking

Wide, stroller-friendly canyon trails with shaded creek crossings and big oak meadows — an easy intro to hiking for kids. The 4,500-acre wilderness…

Free (street parking) / $3 lot

Free (street parking) / $3 lot

Irvine · Parks & Hiking

Parking and restrooms for the two-mile Quail Hill Loop — a wide, mostly flat grassland walk that suits younger legs. Almost no shade, so go early.

Free

Irvine · Parks & Hiking

A gentle former cattle-camp canyon with wide dirt paths and shady oaks — an easy, scenic hike that older kids can handle. The canyon was a working…

Free

Laguna Beach · Beaches & Coast

Manicured bluff gardens and a ramp down to a gentle cove with rich tide pools — accessible, beautiful, and free to enjoy. The beach takes its name…

Free (paid garage)

Free (paid garage)

Irvine · Animals & Nature

A five-acre city preserve with a paved interpretive trail through riparian, desert and woodland habitats, a native plant garden and a stone…

Free

Irvine · Arts & Culture

An 18,000-square-foot city art centre in Heritage Park with rotating local-artist exhibitions and ceramics, painting and printmaking studios. Free to…

Free to visit; classes charged separately