Outdoor Activities in Orange, CA

With an average of 277 sunny days every year, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself outdoors in Orange. This Southern Californian city’s outdoor spaces stay open all year round, so get out there and appreciate all Orange offers. If you’re running low on inspiration, try these fun outdoor activities.

Explore Irvine Regional Park

Nestled among welcoming old oak and sycamore trees, Irvine Regional Park is a 495-acre green oasis in Orange. Enjoy a meal at one of four picnic areas with playgrounds or sports fields nearby. A paved cycling and walking trail makes exploring the park easy. If you don’t have wheels, rent some from the park. For a different kind of biking experience, take a rental aquacycle out on Santiago Creek. Irvine Regional Park is fun for kids, with pony and train rides offered all year round.

Location: 1 Irvine Park Road.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily spring and summer, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily fall and winter.
Cost: $3 for parking Monday through Friday, $5 Saturday and Sunday. Some activities have additional charges.

Meet the Animals at Orange County Zoo

Orange County Zoo sits within Irvine Regional Park, but it’s such a special place that it deserves a section of its own. This charming zoo showcases creatures and plants native to the country’s southwestern region, including black bears, mountain lions, ocelots, and beavers. Since these animals came to the zoo with injuries, as orphans or abandoned, they may not have survived without the keepers’ help. You can also meet some barnyard friends in the petting zoo. Explore the zoo independently or call 714-973-6840 on your cell for an audio tour.

Location: 1 Irvine Park Road.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: $2 admission for 3+ years, free for younger children.

Go Horse Riding With Country Trails and Riding School

Another Irvine Regional Park gem, Country Trails and Riding School, lets you explore the park on horseback. Novices can sign up for weekly lessons to help them feel more comfortable in the saddle. If you’re already a confident rider, join one of the guided trail rides. This is a great way to celebrate a birthday, a special occasion, or any day you want to spend time with these beautiful animals.

Location: 1 Irvine Park Road.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Cost: $80 for a one-hour trail ride or $310 monthly for weekly lessons.

Hike the Trails at Peters Canyon Regional Park

Peters Canyon Regional Park is a very different space from Irvine Regional Park. It’s the kind of place where you can reconnect with nature and enjoy a little solitude. While the paths are more rugged than in Irvine, many are family-friendly and suitable for hikers of all abilities. The tracks also allow horse riders, mountain bikes, and dogs on leashes. Admire the willows, rare black cottonwoods, and sage scrub while keeping your eyes peeled for local wildlife. You might see bobcats, opossums, raccoons, or even a mountain lion in your travels.

Location: 8548 E. Canyon View Ave.
Hours: 7 a.m. to sunset daily, except after heavy rain.
Cost: $3 for parking.

Have a Picnic in Handy Park

With so much to see at Irvine Regional Park, a simpler municipal park in Handy Park often gets overlooked. However, that’s exactly what makes it a great place for a picnic. You can usually secure one of the tables in the covered seating area and a BBQ grill for cooking hot dogs or steaks. After lunch, your kids can play in the playground or use the sporting grounds for a game of volleyball, soccer, or baseball.

Location: 2143 E. Oakmont Ave.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Cost: Free.

Practice Your Putting at Super Range Golf

Orange might not have a golf course like many Orange County cities, but you can perfect your swing at Super Range Golf. It’s an enjoyable driving range that rarely gets so busy that you’ll need to wait for a lane. If your putting needs much work, you can organize lessons through Super Range Golf. Some time with a private instructor may be just what you need to blow your buddies away.

Location: 2190 N. Canal St.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Monday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Cost: Mats from $8, grass area from $10, and seniors receive a $2 discount.

Shop at the Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisan Market

Get excited about your food and where it comes from at the Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisan Market. A local institution for more than 10 years, it attracts high-quality vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, teas, baked goods, and much more. Live musicians serenade shoppers as they fill their baskets with tasty goodies. While the market isn’t dog-friendly, except for service dogs, there’s a no-charge Park Your Paws pet-minding service if you can’t leave Fido at home.

Location: 303 W. Palm Ave.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday.
Cost: Free to attend.

Eat a Great Meal Outdoors

After a busy day of outdoor adventures, there’s nothing like winding down with a good meal — outside, of course. Orange’s warm year-round weather means you can always enjoy time on the patio, although you may want to bring a jacket or cardigan during winter. Orange has several great restaurants with outdoor seating that take advantage of the city’s great weather. Try Citrus City Grille or Orange Hill Restaurant & Events for a celebration meal. You can’t go wrong with Market Broiler or King’s Fish House if you love seafood.

These are the outdoor activities the team at Mazda of Orange love, but we want to hear from you. Have we missed any of your favorite ways to have fun outdoors? Contact us online or visit our Orange dealership and let us know how you have fun outside in Orange.

Irvine Regional Park Bike Family by OCParks_CA is licensed with CC BY 2.0

OC Zoo – Goat by Rian Castillo is licensed with CC BY 2.0

A Horse by Brady O’Brien is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Peters Canyon Regional Park by OCParks_CA is licensed with CC BY 2.0