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Visitors Info

Open to the public, the Balloon Park prototypes the kinds of spaces, programs, and features that reflect the Orange County Great Park’s dedication towards historical preservation, sustainable practices, and family-friendly activities.

Recycled runway concrete, a bio-swale, low water turf, solar lighting, citrus plantings, and native shade trees, can be found throughout the landscape’s design.

Get Hours & Directions

Great Park Balloon ^Free!

Thursday–Friday: 10 am–3 pm, 7 pm–10 pm
Saturday–Sunday: 9 am–3 pm, 7 pm–10 pm

The Balloon is the Orange County Great Park’s first major attraction. All flights are free. Soaring up to 400 feet above the surrounding landscape, the Balloon simultaneously serves as a feature and public observation deck for the Great Park’s development. Learn more

Great Park Carousel ^Free!

Thursday–Friday: 10 am–10 pm
Saturday–Sunday: 9 am–10 pm

Check-in is required at the Visitors Center. Riders under 42˝must be accompanied by an adult. Rides are approximately two minutes long, reaching a top speed of 4.5 mph. Carrying up to 36 passengers, the Carousel is also wheelchair-accessible. Availability to ride is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and may be subject to weather conditions. Video

Check out Free Sports Equipment at the Visitors Center

Monday-Wednesday: 10 am-Sunset
Thursday-Friday: 10 am-10 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9 am-10 pm

You can check out a football, soccer ball, Bocce ball set, Frisbee or jump rope and play on the many acres of open lawn around the Great Park.

Palm Court Arts Complex

The Palm Court includes the Great Park Gallery and Great Park Artists Studios, housing a publicly-accessible artists-in-residence program. Preserving El Toro’s World War II era atmosphere and architecture, the Palm Court now serves as the Park’s cultural campus, supporting the development of fresh and interdisciplinary, public arts programming.

On Exhibit: Plane Air Power: Paintings and Sculptures by Jorg Dubin

Farmers Market ^{Free Parking!}

Every Sunday: 10 am–2 pm (rain or shine)

Shop for a variety of fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, breads, flowers and plants, and other items from local artisans. Breakfast and lunch from gourmet food trucks are available for purchase. Video

Kids Rock

Kids Rock is inspired by and focused around educating young guests about conservation ecology and the water cycle (condensation, precipitation, accumulation, evaporation). A group of misting shade structures, climbing rocks, “underground tunnels,” a seating area made from recycled runway concrete, and illustrated lakes and streams on recycled rubber flooring, come together to form an educationally unique and environmentally conscious space that is safe, fun, and relaxing.

Special Events

House produced signature events (concerts and dances, workshops, outdoor movies, and more) bring year-round activity to the space—a commitment to the public that the Orange County Great Park remains open during its development.

Find out more by visiting our upcoming events page, signing up for email updates (on the right), or by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Farm + Food Lab

Monday-Friday: 10 am–3 pm
Saturday: 9 am-3 pm
Sunday: 9 am-3 pm

The Farm + Food Lab is a hands-on gardening experience, featuring themed planters with fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs. A “Pizza and Spaghetti Garden,” for example, shows how ingredients and toppings look before they are made into sauce. Other themes include: an “Ethnic Garden,” “Fruit Salad Garden,” and a “Sensory Garden.” The Farm + Food Lab is maintained by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners.

Museum of Heritage & Aviation (MoHA)

The Orange County Great Park Museum of Heritage and Aviation (MoHA) is an integral part of preserving our local history. Currently, visitors can experience MoHA through temporary exhibitions and installations, or preview our growing permanent collection, which includes vintage aircraft like the SNJ-Texan, at special events that are held throughout the year.

Today, it is a museum without walls. In the future, the aim is to become the premier heritage and aviation museum in Southern California.

Walkable Timeline

A prototype of the future Walkable Timeline introduces guests to 31 of the most significant events of the 1940s—a pivotal decade in United States and world history. Ultimately, this feature will be extended on both sides, addressing the historical periods that preceded and followed the 1940s. Future exhibits will include visuals, military artifacts, and interactive experiences such as music and film.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions and answers that might help you plan your visit. We’ll be adding more popular topics in the near future. For further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the Visitors Center (see below).