Orange County Great Park
Orange County Great Park is a 1,300-acre park in Irvine with sports fields, trails, playgrounds, gardens, arts spaces, the Great Park Balloon, Great Park Carousel, Great Park Ice and a growing lineup of concerts and community events. The park is large enough that it helps to decide what you want to see before you arrive.
The park is being developed on the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, and reminders of the site's aviation history remain throughout Great Park. Historic Hangar 244, the Walkable Historical Timeline and other features connect today's recreation and cultural spaces with the site's military past.
Great Park continues to grow with new visitor attractions, dining, cultural spaces, gardens and open space. Because destinations can be far apart, use the interactive map and choose parking near the attraction or event you plan to visit.
Great Park at a Glance
Website: City of Irvine Great Park
Address: 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: 949-724-6247
General Park Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; individual attractions may have different hours
Parking: General Great Park parking is free; separate charges may apply for Wild Rivers, special events and premium parking
Dogs: Permitted in many outdoor areas when leashed
Map: Great Park Interactive Map
Getting Around the Great Park
Great Park covers a large area, and the Balloon, sports fields, Great Park Ice, arts facilities and event venues are not all clustered together. Check the interactive map before arriving and park near your destination, especially on tournament and event days.
Electric Vehicle Charging
Paid ChargePoint EV charging is available near Great Park Ice at 888 Ridge Valley. Charging availability can change, so check the charging network or current Great Park information before relying on a specific station.
Things to Do at the Great Park
First-time visitors may want to start with the Great Park Balloon and Carousel, explore the Farm + Food Lab and Palm Court Arts Complex, walk or bike the trails, visit the playgrounds, or stop at The Canopy for dining and shopping. Sports visitors can head to the Great Park Sports Complex or Great Park Ice, while concerts and larger entertainment events are held at Great Park Live.
The Canopy at Great Park
The Canopy is a new 12-acre dining, shopping and gathering destination next to Great Park. It gives park visitors a growing selection of places to grab a meal, coffee or dessert before or after a game, concert or day at the park.
In-N-Out opened at The Canopy in September 2026, with additional restaurants, cafés, shops and services opening in phases. Announced businesses include T&T Supermarket, Philz Coffee, H&H Bagels, The Taco Stand, Shootz, Osen Urban Table, Chicha San Chen, McConnell's Fine Ice Creams and other food, retail and lifestyle businesses. Because openings are happening in phases, check The Canopy's current directory before visiting for a specific restaurant or store.
Orange County Great Park Features
Farm + Food Lab
The Farm + Food Lab is a demonstration garden where visitors can learn about fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as sustainable gardening practices such as composting and water-conscious growing. Educational programs and garden activities are offered throughout the year.
Farmers Market and Picnic Area
The Great Park hosts a Sunday Farmers Market with produce, prepared food and local vendors. Check the current Great Park calendar before visiting.
Great Park Live
Great Park Live is the park's temporary outdoor amphitheater for concerts, festivals, cultural celebrations and community events. Visit our Great Park Live guide, concerts and events, and parking and directions.
Giving Grove
The Giving Grove near the Festival Site contains fruit trees whose harvest helps support local food banks.
Great Park Balloon
The iconic tethered helium Great Park Balloon rises about 400 feet above the park and provides panoramic views of Irvine and the surrounding area. Operations are weather-dependent and have separate operating hours, so check current status before making a special trip for a ride.
Great Park Carousel
The 38-foot Great Park Carousel features hand-painted panels celebrating Orange County. It originally operated at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Operating days and hours may differ from general park hours.
Great Park Ice
Great Park Ice is a large ice and sports facility offering public skating, hockey, figure skating and learn-to-skate programs. It also serves as a training facility for the Anaheim Ducks and includes dining and other visitor amenities.
Great Park Trails
Walking and biking paths connect many areas of Great Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. Trail amenities include paved pedestrian and bike routes, seating, drinking fountains, restrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, shade and lighting. Use the Great Park Interactive Map to plan a route.
Historic Hangar 244
Historic Hangar 244 is a restored former squadron complex with exhibits and artifacts related to aviation and the site's history as Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. It also includes a memorial honoring U.S. Air Force personnel and Marines who died in the 1965 Loma Ridge crash.
Kids Rock Playground
Kids Rock near the Great Park Visitors Center is designed for toddler- and elementary-age children, with climbing features, tunnels, interactive play elements and shade. Additional children's play areas are located elsewhere in Great Park.
North Lawn
The North Lawn is a seven-acre open recreational space used for family activities, casual sports and community programming.
Palm Court Arts Complex
The Palm Court Arts Complex includes a shaded outdoor plaza, Great Park Gallery and Great Park Artist Studios. Exhibitions, arts programming and community events are held here throughout the year.
Reflecting Ponds & Viewing Pier
The Reflecting Ponds and viewing area near the Marine Way side of Great Park connect with the Walkable Historical Timeline and nearby cultural attractions. Changing construction and access routes can affect this area, so check the current map when planning your visit.
South Lawn Sports + Fitness Complex
The South Lawn is part of Great Park's extensive recreation area, with basketball and soccer facilities, open space and the Kaiser Permanente Thrive Path for walking and fitness.
Sports Complex
The Great Park Sports Complex is one of the park's major destinations, with soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball and sand volleyball facilities, playgrounds and a championship soccer stadium. Field and court availability varies with leagues, tournaments, reservations and drop-in use.
Terraced Lawn
The Terraced Lawn between the North Lawn and Palm Court provides open lawn space and is also used for outdoor performances and community events.
Walkable Historical Timeline
The Walkable Historical Timeline follows a path through the park and highlights major events spanning thousands of years of history. It also provides context for the area's military past, including Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.
Wild Rivers Water Park
Wild Rivers Water Park is a separately operated water park at Great Park with wave pools, raft rides, tube slides, body slides and family attractions. Admission, hours and parking are separate from general Great Park use; see our Wild Rivers guide for details.
Orange County Great Park Events
Farmers Market
The Great Park Farmers Market is held on Sundays and features produce, prepared food and local vendors. Hours and vendor lineups can change, so check the current Great Park calendar before visiting.
Classes & Community Programs
Great Park offers changing seasonal programs that may include children's garden activities, family games, gardening workshops, storytimes, recreation programs and wellness classes. Check the Great Park Event Calendar for current dates and registration information.
Movies on the Lawn
Outdoor movies are offered on select dates, particularly during warmer months. See our Orange County outdoor movies guide and the Great Park calendar for current screenings.
Great Park Live Events
Great Park Live hosts concerts, festivals and community events. For current shows, see our Great Park Live concerts and events page.
What's New and Coming to Great Park
Great Park is changing quickly. The Canopy is already beginning to open with new dining and shopping, while other parts of the park are being developed into new gardens, open spaces, lakes, cultural attractions and family destinations.
Upcoming additions include a Botanic Garden, Great Meadow, north and south lakes, Veterans Memorial Park & Gardens, a permanent amphitheater, Pretend City Children's Museum, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum and additional arts and cultural spaces. Opening dates will vary, and work in progress can temporarily change driving, walking and parking routes.
For the latest openings and visitor information, check the City of Irvine Great Park website.
Know Before You Go
Great Park is much larger than a typical neighborhood park, so choose your destination and parking area before arriving. Attraction hours can differ from general park hours, the Great Park Balloon is weather-dependent, and concerts, tournaments and ongoing improvements can affect parking or routes. The interactive map is especially helpful for first-time visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there outdoor gym fitness equipment?
Great Park has walking, sports and fitness areas, including the Thrive Path. For dedicated outdoor exercise equipment elsewhere in Orange County, see our guide to parks with outdoor gyms and workout equipment.
Are drones allowed?
Rules for drones and other specialized activities can change or depend on the event and location. Check current City of Irvine park rules before bringing a drone.
Can I barbecue or bring a shade canopy?
Picnic and shade options vary by area. Check current Great Park rules before bringing grills, canopies or other large equipment, particularly during special events.
Is there RV parking?
Oversized-vehicle and RV parking can be affected by events and parking operations. Check current Great Park parking information before arriving; overnight parking should not be assumed.
Can I use the tennis, basketball and volleyball courts?
Great Park has tennis, basketball and sand volleyball facilities, with a mix of programmed, reserved and drop-in use. Availability varies by day and event, so check the Great Park Sports Complex information before visiting specifically to play.
Are the baseball fields natural grass or artificial turf?
Field surfaces vary across the sports facilities. Check current Sports Complex field information if surface type matters for your event or reservation.
Updated September 2026. Great Park is actively growing, so attraction access, parking routes and construction areas may change.
