Endless Things to Do in Irvine, California, This Summer

With the dog days of summer officially underway, why not take family travel beyond crowded cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles and head to an equally fun California destination? Irvine, located in Orange County, California, is one of America’s greenest, cleanest and safest cities, allowing families to best enjoy Southern California without the hustle and bustle of the state’s larger cities.

Here’s what awaits in Irvine for families this summer:

Explore and Learn About the History of PAC-MAN

Irvine and Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc,. invite visitors and locals to experience Journey Through the Maze: 45 Years of PAC-MAN, a special exhibition open through Sept. 28 at Great Park Gallery. Free to visit, this exhibit includes original arcade cabinets, classic gameplay experiences, rare memorabilia, behind-the-scenes stories, interactive displays and more.

© City of Irvine and Destination Irvine

Cool Off at Wild Rivers

This thrilling water park features a wide range of rides and slides: Bombay Blasters brings guests down two dark, enclosed tubes before shooting riders into the air before landing in a pool; Bora Bora Boomerang, a raft ride that accelerates riders into an open-air flume before winding into an abyss; Castaway River, a relaxing lazy river; Cook’s Cove, a kid’s area with one of the largest rain fortresses in the world; Fiji Falls, a four-story body slide complex with twists and turns; and more.

© City of Irvine and Destination Irvine

Fly High in a Helium Balloon

Soar 400 feet above ground on the Great Park Balloon, one of the largest tethered helium balloons in the world and the first of its kind in the United States. And this summer, the Great Park Balloon dons PAC-MAN’s face in celebration of the exhibition of the beloved video game. Tickets are just $10 for adults and free for kids, with rides available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

© City of Irvine and Destination Irvine

Watch a Movie at Hicks Canyon

Irvine’s Summer in the City series features a variety of family-favorite activities like Movies on the Lawn. Offered through the end of August, Movies on the Lawn takes place in Hicks Canyon and includes gourmet food trucks and a snack bar. Bring low-back chairs, blankets and a picnic.  Upcoming movies include Mufasa: The Lion King (July 18), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (July 25) and Inside Out 2 (Aug. 8).

Do a U-Pick Farm Tour at Tanaka Farms

Kids can harvest their own summer vegetables fresh from Tanaka Farms’ fields. These farms also offer melon-tasting tours, available through the end of August.