Orange County has many great places to eat, shop, and play that offer military discounts as a small thank you to military personnel and their families for their sacrifices. Here is a list of just a few of the great businesses in Orange County that offer these Military discounts.
Applebee’s
During Military Appreciation Month (May), all members of the military active and retired, receive 15% off their meal purchase. Members who dine in on Armed Forces Day (May 18th), will receive a $5 bonus card to use on their next visit. A valid military ID or proof of military service is required to receive these discounts.
Atomic Creamery
Atomic Creamery at Fashion Island in Newport Beach is veteran owned and operated. Military and first responders in uniform receive free ice cream, and those with a valid ID receive any item for $3.50.
Bad To The Bone BBQ
The San Juan Capistrano BBQ restaurant is offering a 10% discount to military members during the month of May in honor of Military Appreciation Month. The offer is available to all veterans and active duty military members through May 31st.
Boomer’s
Boomer’s in Irvine and Fountain Valley offer an all day attraction pass for only $29.99 to active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents when they show their military ID. Boomer’s offers a variety of attraction including mini golf, go karts, batting cages, rides, and arcade games. The Irvine location also has Bucaneer Cove, a water park that is open during the summer months.
Bowers Museum
All active duty military receive free admission to Bowers Museum with a valid military ID. The Sunday before Veterans Day, veterans also receive free general admission to the museum. Bowers Museum participates in the Blue Star Museums Program every summer from August 1 – September 1.
Casa Romantica
Casa Romantica offers free admission to all active duty military members with a valid ID. Casa Romantica is a cultural center and gardens in San Clemente that is the former home of the city’s founder, Ole Hanson. The estate is a historic site and hosts a variety of arts and cultural events throughout the year.
The Discovery Cube
The Discovery Cube Orange County offers a 10% military discount off admission for up to six tickets with a valid Military ID card. The Discovery Cube is a family-friendly science center with interactive exhibits. Families will learn and explore a variety of concepts from coding to dinosaurs. Everyday is an adventure at the Discovery Cube.
Disneyland® Resort
The Disneyland Resort is saluting active and retired U.S. military personnel and their families by offering 3 and 4-Day Park Hopper tickets. Three day packages are available for $178 and four day packages are available for $198. Disneyland is the the Happiest Place on Earth with rides and attractions for the whole family. See Mickey and Minnie, watch the most popular parade in the country, or attend one of the magical shows that include popular Disney characters. Park hopper tickets allow visitors to move from Disneyland to California Adventure throughout their visit. Discounted rates at the Disneyland Hotels are also available.
Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim
The Great Wolf Lodge Howling Heroes program offers a discount of up to 30% off the best available rates. The discount applies to active, retired, and veteran military personnel, and fire, emergency medical service personnel, 911 dispatchers, police and correctional officers. A valid identification card is required and the eligible person must be present at check in to receive the discounted rates. Great Wolf Lodge is a hotel and indoor water park that offers fun for the whole family. The kid-friendly water park features 14 slides, four pools, and a variety of fun activities in the water and on dry land.
John’s Incredible Pizza
John’s Incredible Pizza offers a 10% discount off of buffet and beverage purchases with a valid Military ID or Veterans ID. The discount is extended to all military service members, Veterans and their spouse and children. The discount is not applicable on merchandise, FunCards, or birthday parties. John’s Incredible Pizza has two locations in Orange County – Buena Park and Westminster. John’s Incredible Pizza offers a delicious menu that includes an all you can eat buffet with pizza, pasta, soup, salad, fried chicken, desserts, and more. In addition to great food, John’s offers a huge game and attraction area with arcade games, bumper cars, lazer maze, bowling, and so much more.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm offers a special daily low rate for members of the military. Online military tickets are available for $47, or you can purchase them at the ticket booth for $52. Knott’s Berry Farm claims to be America’s first theme park, with fun for the whole family from the wild west Ghost Town to Camp Snoopy. There are many attractions and roller coasters with something to offer every level of thrill seeker. Learn more about Knott’s Berry Farm.
Lyon Air Museum
Veterans get into Lyon Air Museum for $9, a $3 discount off general admission. Located near the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, the museum houses a collection of rare aircraft and automobiles, including military vehicles, motocycles, and the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
Medieval Times
Medieval Times salutes the men and women of the military by offering two exclusive offers. Special military tickets with free Royalty Upgrades can be accessed from participating military bases in the United States, or tickets can be purchased at discounted rates online through the Medieval Times website with ID.me. The military discount is available to Active Military, Veterans, Retirees, Military Spouses and their Immediate Family Members. Medieval Times provides an exciting dinner experience with knights battling with medieval weapons, performing horses, falconry skills, and more. The interactive experience is fun for the whole family and meal options for food allergies, vegetarian, or vegan preferences are available.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano offers $1 off admission for military personnel and their families with a valid U.S. Military ID. They also offer free admission for military personnel on the following holiday weekends: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Mission San Juan Capistrano is the seventh of 21 missions throughout California with a rich history that spans more than 230 years. Families who visit Mission San Juan Capistrano will learn about the Spanish founders of the Missions, the Native Americans, and what life was like during the early days of the Mission.
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse offers 10% off to servicemen and women, police officers, firefighters and first responders, with corresponding state or federal service ID, plus Military Personnel and their immediate family members with valid identification. Famous for their Bloomin’ Onion, Outback Steakhouse has a wide selection of steaks, chicken, ribs, and seafood. Outback Steakhouse has locations in Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Foothill Ranch, Garden Grove, Laguna Hills, and Westminster.
Pirate’s Dinner Adventure
Pirate’s Dinner Adventure in Buena Park offers an everyday low rate for military tickets with a valid military ID. The discounted tickets also include a free seating upgrade for Monday through Thursday shows. Tickets can be purchased online, but seat upgrades must be handled over the phone. Complete details are available on the website. Pirate’s Dinner Adventure is a unique dinner and show with swashbuckling, sword fights, and sea monsters. The show is family friendly and includes volunteer participation in the shows.
Pretend City Children’s Museum
Pretend City offers a military discount for military (active or veteran) and their immediate family members for $10.95 per person, a savings of $3 off regular admission prices. Pretend City in Irvine is a children’s museum with multiple hands-on activities and exhibits for kids. The museum is most relevant for kids from 18 months to 10 years old. Exhibits allow children to learn about the world around them and gives them the opportunity to participate through role play. Kids can sort mail at the post office, shop for dinner at the grocery store, become a firefighter or paramedic, explore the beach, and build at the construction site with a variety of materials.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda offers free admission to active military members year round and $15 admission to retired military with valid identification. Permanent galleries at the library include Nixon’s helicopter and birthplace, a replica of Nixon’s Oval Office, artifacts and documents from his presidency, a gallery dedicated to Watergate, and exhibits about Nixon’s life and family.
Rock & Brews
Rock & Brews Buena Park offers 10% off food and beverage purchases to active and retired military personnel with a valid Military ID. Rock & Brews, founded by KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and friends Michael Zislis and the Furano Brothers, serves up American comfort food in a rock star environment complete with concert lighting and band memorabilia suitable for the whole family.
Sterling BMW
Sterling BMW located on West Coast Highway in Newport Beach is offering a special discount to military members living in the United States. Eligible military personnel and their families can save up to $2,000 on the lease or purchase of a BMW. For complete details contact the dealer directly through the online contact form.
Teatro Martini
Teatro Martini, located in Buena Park, offers military members $25 off ticket prices at the time of purchase. Military ID must be presented upon check in. Teatro Martini Dinner Comedy Theater is a dinner and show for adults over 18. The European-style variety show features music, magic, comedy, dancing girls and much more. Dinner options include steak, salmon, and chicken, and specialty cocktails are available for purchase.
Texas de Brazil
Texas de Brazil offers a “Thank You” discount of 20% off dinner and lunch prices, including the salad area, for military members, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, nurses, EMS & teachers. To receive the discount, a valid badge or ID must be presented and is valid for up to 4 people per table. Texas de Brazil, located in Irvine, is Brazilian steakhouse with a huge selection of meats to pair with delicious sides like garlic mashed potatoes, Brazilian black beans, sweet fried bananas, or jasmine rice, and a fresh salad bar.
Events With Free Admission
Winter Fest – December-January
Sawdust Festival/Winter Fantasy – June Through September + November & December
Festival Of Arts – July & August
Orange County Fair – July & August
San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival – September
Oktoberfest – September & October
Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County, an expert at exploring all that Orange County has to offer, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights.