Best Places To Visit As A Family In Orange County Before Summer Ends
Summertime is an important milestone on the kid calendar, especially for students who don't have classes during the summer months. After July 4th, however, those back-to-school displays suddenly appear in stores, reminding parents and children that homework assignments are on the horizon. During those last precious weeks of summer vacation, block out time to spend with the kids at the following Orange County attractions.
Big Air Trampoline Park
23251 Avenida de la Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 305-9788
www.bigairusa.com
When summertime boredom hits, children tend to bounce off the walls, much to the dismay of their parents. At Big Air Trampoline Park, though, bouncing is highly encouraged. Their main court area features trampolines positioned every which way for the best bounce potential. For your more competitive offspring, the Battlebeam offers jousting over a foam pit. Lil' Air, the place set aside for smaller visitors, lets them bounce without worrying about the bigger kids. Toddler Time, one of Big Air's programs, opens the whole complex to children ages seven and under, letting them have the run of the place. An hour of jumping costs $14 and everyone needs socks and a signed liability waiver.
Oak Canyon Nature Center
6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road
Anaheim, CA 92807
(714) 998-8380
www.anaheim.net
Before homework and classroom time keep them indoors during the week, enjoy the Anaheim Hills with the whole family. The Oak Canyon Nature Center features four miles of hiking trails, which are perfect for checking out local flora and fauna. Located on the grounds, the John J. Collier Interpretive Center has informational exhibits, some of which contain live animals. Admission to the Oak Canyon Nature Center is free, but small donations are encouraged to help maintain the grounds and exhibits.
Marconi Automotive Museum
1302 Industrial Drive
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 258-3001
www.marconimuseum.org
If your children love playing with toy cars, this assembly of beautiful, full-sized automobiles should be right up their alley. Founded by Dick Marconi in 1994, the museum contains the collection of street and race cars that he amassed over the years. A sapphire blue FX Ferrari and a Jaguar XJ220 are two of the more eye-catching pieces in the collection, all of which have been donated to the Marconi Foundation for Kids. The museum is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., for self-guided tours, but it is closed on weekends. Admission for children 12 and under is free; adults are encouraged to make a $5 donation.
Orange County Great Park
6990 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
(866) 829-3829
www.ocgp.org
Built on repurposed land from the decommissioned El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, this Orange County landmark has something for everyone. You can take a ride on the Great Park Balloon and then come down to Earth for a spin on the carousel. The visitor's center also offers free rentals of sports equipment for use in the park. If you visit the Great Park on Sundays, check out the Farmer's Market that's open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Before you go, make sure to check the Great Park website to see what attractions are open that day.
Irvine Spectrum Center
670 Spectrum Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 753-5180
www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com
When night falls in Irvine, it's easy to spot the illuminated, 108-foot-tall ferris wheel that's located inside the Irvine Spectrum Center. With that gigantic ride, a well-maintained carousel and a junior-sized train, this outdoor mall is decidedly kid-friendly. The Spectrum also is home to Dave & Busters, a Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop and a 21-screen movie theater. A few play areas are also positioned throughout the mall. As summer draws to a close, a trip to the Irvine Spectrum Center might be just the ticket for family fun.
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