A patch of Orange County that once grew the world's most productive lima bean crop, then trained Marines and launched blimps during World War II, has reinvented itself again. The 4,000 acres that became Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in 1942 were decommissioned in 1999, and today the site is the Orange County Great Park — a recreation and culture hub on Irvine's eastern edge that is only partway through its transformation. Currently around 500 acres, it is slated to add 300 more, with plans eventually taking it to 1,300.
The park's signature experience nods to its aviation past: a giant hot air balloon lifts visitors 400 feet up for 360-degree views, from the Saddleback Mountains to the coast at Crystal Cove State Park. Closer to earth, there's a classic carousel and Great Park Ice, a 280,000-square-foot skating complex open all year.
Families have plenty more to work with. Wild Rivers Waterpark relocated here in 2022 and is now one of its biggest draws, with dozens of rides for all ages. Sporty visitors get an almost overwhelming pick: 12 baseball and softball diamonds, 13 soccer fields, 25 tennis courts, eight basketball courts, five sand volleyball courts and a kids' play area. The park is also home base for Orange County's only professional soccer team.
History lingers in the buildings. Hangar 244, a renovated aircraft hangar, now serves as an arts venue but still shelters a few historic planes, while the Palm Court Arts Complex reuses WWII-era structures for an outdoor performance plaza, an artist-in-residence program and permanent public art. Music fans should look out for Great Park Live, an open-air amphitheater with a growing concert calendar, plus markets including a Certified Farmers Market and the Irvine Nights evening market series.
For anyone staying in or around Los Angeles, this is an easy escape — about 40 miles southeast of downtown LA, and just 10 miles from John Wayne Airport (SNA). Long Beach Airport is roughly 30 minutes away, with LAX around two hours by car. It works equally well as a full family day out or a half-day add-on to an Orange County itinerary, and with the park still expanding, repeat visits will keep turning up something new.
