Irvine Regional Park

We've been living in Southern California for a whole year now and it was hitting that milestone that made me realize, we have yet to really take advantage of this area outside of our immediate environs, really explore it, you know? So a couple of weekends ago I took the kids out to the Irvine Regional Park for a day of fun.

It's a big regional park that has a little bit of everything -- wide open lawns for picnicing and parties (there were at least two family reunions taking place the day we were there), play structures for the kids, trails for biking and hiking and horseback riding, pony rides, a mini train that gives rides, a lake where you can rent paddleboats and fish and feed ducks. The Orange County Zoo is even housed there.

There was so much to do that we definitely weren't going to fit it all into one trip, especially since it was just me and the kids, and some things like the paddle boats I wouldn't want to attempt without my second parent friend present, hehe.

The first thing we found when we drove in was a play structure area for the kids, so we spent about an hour there. Violet made some little friends right away, a family of 5 other kids, ranging from a baby in a stroller to a girl who was something like 6 or 7 I should think. Max mostly threw sand but also climbed up the baby structure and went down the slide a few times.

Eventually we made our way to the train.

 

We ended up arriving and getting our tickets just in time to catch the next ride before it left. It's a cute little train on a real track that winds around the lake and some other parts of the park in a big loop, probably 10 minutes or so altogether. Max hadn't had his morning nap so he was already pretty exhausted by this time, but he got interested once the train started moving.

There are peacocks on the property. Apparently one of the trees is famous for having been in a Lassie movie, and some other films have been shot here as well. I think the guide said like, Wuthering Heights, or something that is set on the English countryside, hehe.

After the train Violet got to ride the ponies, a first for her. She had the option of a walking pony or a trotting (faster) pony. Three guesses which one she choose. She ended up going twice, she liked it so much.

I'd intended to hit the zoo, but we were hot and getting tired and cranky, so we went to the snack shack and bought some ice cream treats and then went back to the play structure for a bit. Violet's friends were still there.
   
Then, finally, I got them back into the car, cranked up the AC, and headed home.

Maxy didn't last very long. :)

So that's one new place we've discovered that has a ton of potential for family outings, and I'm excited to bring Shawn back with us next time now that I know you can fish in the lake. I think he and Violet would have fun doing the paddleboats together.

Not sure what's next on our adventure schedule, but I'll keep you posted!