Irvine Regional Park & OC Zoo
Orange, CA
Parking $3–$5; OC Zoo $2
By Simir Shah
Updated September 26, 2026
★★★★★4.8(8,901 Google reviews)
From our editor — we've been
Update, Sept 26: we went back for the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch and it was worth every bit of the afternoon — but budget for it in two separate pieces, because the pricing really is two different systems stacked on top of each other. First, a weekend Pumpkin Patch reservation is required now (ours was booked for 2pm), and that reservation itself is the main cost — about $21 per person, which is what actually gets you in the gate and includes one train ride. Second, and separately, we bought the 15-ticket activity pack for $100 (a $120 value at the $8-per-ticket rate) to cover cookie decorating, a handful of carnival games, and letting the girls each pick a pumpkin to decorate — none of that is included in the reservation. On top of both of those, park entry is $5 to park on a weekend. There's pumpkin bread for sale near the entrance and pony rides for the kids too, both separate again. The train itself runs a little over ten minutes through the park under the oaks — genuinely fun, not just a formality to say you rode it. Bring cash for the extras and budget more time than you think; we were there a few hours and could have stayed longer. Photos from the day are below. Outside pumpkin season, this is still the same fantastic park it always was — massive, easy to lose an afternoon in, and the spot where we used to take fishing classes and rent paddle boats.
1 / 10Made it — Irvine Park Railroad, opening weekend of the patch.
💡 Local tip: Book your weekend Pumpkin Patch reservation online before you go — it's required from Sept 26 through Oct 31 and is what gets you in the gate plus one train ride, about $16–22 per person. That's separate from activity tickets: buy the 15-pack for $100 instead of paying $8 each if you know you'll do more than a couple of things; it pays for itself at ticket #13. Paddle boat rentals are at the historic boathouse (around $22 for a half hour) once pumpkin season is over, and fishing is allowed at the park's pond.
What parents say
AI summary of 5 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
Parking is paid per car and the small OC Zoo costs a little more on top. Reviewers list train and pony rides, bike and paddle boat rentals, playgrounds, and shaded paved paths with restrooms. Peacocks wander loose. On event days come early or expect a long walk from the car.
Pony rides, paddle boats, a tiny train, and giant oaks make this a reliable all-day outing, with the adjoining OC Zoo tucked inside for a still-modest $2 per person (ages 3 and up). Rather than exotic species, the zoo focuses on animals native to the Southwestern U.S. — black bears, mountain lions, bald eagles, and kit foxes among them — many rescued or unable to survive in the wild, alongside a barnyard of goats and sheep for little ones.
Good for
- Ages 0–2
Happening near here
- Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube OCSanta Ana · 7 mi
- Bowers Museum — Free Sundays (Santa Ana residents)Santa Ana · 7 mi · 10am–4pmFree
- Anaheim Ducks Kids' Sock Sundays & Día de Muertos Night (Honda Center)Anaheim · 7 mi
- Family ART Experience (Yorba Linda)Yorba Linda · 8 mi
1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, USA
Hours via Google — confirm before a special trip.
Map
What visitors say
- Rola Kutby★★★★★
Irvine Regional Park has everything you could want for a fun and relaxing family day. There are so many activities to enjoy that you can easily spend the entire day there! The park has a small zoo that costs only $2, and the entrance fee is around $5 on weekends. There is also a small natural history museum that is free to visit. Families can rent bikes and paddle boats, and there is even a train ride that kids will love. The park also offers hiking trails and BBQ areas, making it a great place for a family picnic. You can also see horses available for rent, and one of the most unique things about the park is seeing peacocks walking freely around the park! Overall, this is a beautiful park with something for everyone. Whether you want to enjoy nature, have a BBQ, explore the zoo, ride a bike, go hiking, or simply relax with your family, Irvine Regional Park is definitely worth visiting. Highly recommended!
a month ago
- Chris★★★★★
Irvine Regional Park is one of the best parks in Orange County if you want a full outdoor day with family or friends. The park is huge, with beautiful oak trees, open grassy areas, and plenty of space to relax or explore. There are great walking and biking paths, playgrounds for kids, picnic areas, and even paddle boat rentals. The Orange County Zoo inside the park is a fun stop, especially for families. You can also ride the little train, rent bikes, or simply enjoy the peaceful scenery. It’s clean, well maintained, and easy to spend several hours here. A great local spot when you want nature without driving far. Parking is $5
6 months ago
Showing 2 of 5 Google reviews · Read them all on Google Maps
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