Skip to content
William R. Mason Regional Park
Photo via Wikimedia (William R. Mason Regional Park)
Budget-friendlyParks & Hiking

William R. Mason Regional Park

Irvine, CA

★★★★★4.7(2,226 Google reviews)

A lake with turtles and ducks, bike paths, and huge picnic lawns — the easy, central Irvine park for a relaxed afternoon outside.

Good for

  • Ages 10+

Happening near here

Everything on this weekend →

18712 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, USA

(949) 923-2220

Parking $3–$5

lakebikingpicnicplayground

Map

What visitors say

  • Darkhan Shalkibassov★★★★★

    I absolutely love spending time at William R. Mason Regional Park. It is easily one of the best-maintained parks in Orange County. Whether you are looking for a place to go for a long walk, set up a picnic, or just clear your head, this park has it all. The 9-acre lake is the highlight—it's so peaceful to watch the ducks and turtles, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see people sailing their model boats, which is always fun to watch. There are miles of paved paths that are perfect for biking or a casual stroll under the shade of the massive sycamore trees. I also appreciate the 'wilderness' side of the park for a slightly more rugged hiking experience. It’s very family-friendly with great playgrounds and plenty of clean restrooms. Even on the weekends when it gets a bit busier, the park is so massive (over 300 acres!) that it never feels overcrowded. Definitely worth the small parking fee for such a beautiful, well-kept space. Highly recommend!"

    3 months ago

  • Armine Hovhannisyan★★★★

    I recently visited this park and overall had a nice experience. The park is truly beautiful, with plenty of open space and a peaceful atmosphere that makes it perfect for a relaxing walk or spending time outdoors with family. The majority of the trees were small though. Parking was convenient and reasonably priced at $5, which felt fair considering how well-maintained the park is. It was not that easy to find a spot, but access to the park from the parking area was straightforward. However, there was one issue that took away from an otherwise great visit. There were quite a lot of unleashed dogs throughout the park. While many owners seemed relaxed about it, it can be concerning, especially for families with kids or people who may not feel comfortable around off-leash dogs. What made it more frustrating is that I tried calling the number provided for park security, but no one answered. Because of this, I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5. With better enforcement of rules and responsive security, this park could easily be a perfect spot.

    4 months ago

  • Richard Strawson★★★★★

    A gem of a park to visit and stroll around and great for picnics. Watch the many birds and tiny turtles in the lakes. Plenty of restrooms and areas for bigger gatherings and activity areas for children and adult fitness. There is a small entry fee for vehicles which is included in your regional park annual pass if you have one.

    8 months ago

  • R J★★★★★

    The park was extremely clean and very spacious and very breath-taking. The views were extremely nice and the people around were extremely respectful of my space. I had a really great time here with my family. I was able to picnic and walk my dogs all around the park. And across the lakes and over the bridge is because the park is so spacious and so nice. I had a great time in the air. Was extremely fresh and I will definitely come back here again even though you have to pay for parking. But that ISO k because parking is extremely cheap. I definitely recommend anyone who is just even passing by 2 just drop by here. Just even for 1 hour or 2 because this is. A great place and a great place to relax and take a breath from all the hard work.

    a year ago

  • Mona Rouhani★★★★★

    Beautiful, Peaceful, and Perfect for Families – Mason Regional Park is a Gem! Mason Regional Park is one of our favorite spots in Irvine. It’s incredibly well-maintained, peaceful, and spacious—perfect for relaxing walks, family gatherings, or just letting the kid run free. The large lake with ducks and geese adds such a calming atmosphere, and the wide, shady walking paths make it enjoyable even on warm days. There are plenty of open grassy areas for picnics, flying kites, or just lounging under the trees. The playgrounds are clean and fun, with equipment suitable for different age groups. It’s also a great place to bring a bike or scooter—lots of flat, open paths that are safe for kids. Parking is easy and convenient, and the restrooms are usually clean (which is a huge plus when visiting with little ones). Whether you’re looking for a quiet solo walk or a fun family outing, Mason Park is a perfect escape in the middle of the city. Highly recommend!

    a year ago

Reviews from Google · See more on Google Maps

Nearby places

📬 Free weekly email

Love finding spots like this?

Get our best family things to do near you in one weekly email — free outings, weekend picks and local tips. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.