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Irvine Regional Park

Fill Out Your Wish List and Head on Over to Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train To See Santa! Tickets Now On Sale!

November 3, 2015 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

‘Tis the season once again for Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Christmas Train. This year they’re celebrating their 20th year! Beginning Friday, November 27th through Wednesday, December 23rd you’re invited to visit with friends and family to take an enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train departs every 15 minutes from the brightly-lit train station and drops passengers off at “The North Pole“. If you’ve never been, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

Christmas Train tickets may only be purchased online and in advance to ride the train at a specific date and time. Once you purchase your tickets, you’ll have a specific date and time to arrive at the station, get in line, and board the train any time during the hour for which you purchase tickets. Tickets can be purchased beginning November 1st. It’s important to note that they may not be purchased in person. Visit http://www.IrvineParkRailroad.com for more details.

Visitors may take their own pictures with Santa or you may purchase a picture taken by Irvine Park Railroad. Each 5” x 7” photo will be presented with an Irvine Park Railroad border and available for pickup shortly after being taken.

At the North Pole, visitors may purchase coffee, hot chocolate, freshly-popped popcorn, hot pretzels and cookies from the Elf House Snack Bar. A full kitchen menu is also available at the train station.

After visiting with Santa, hop back aboard the train and enjoy the colorful Christmas lights and decorations, as well as the magical “Tunnel of Lights”, on the ride back to the station.

In addition to riding The Christmas Train, there are many other activities for children to enjoy in Santa’s Village, which is located next to the train station. Stop by before or after your ride aboard the train. Children’s activities will open one hour prior to when the Christmas Train runs and include:

Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Carnival Games
Ice Fishing
Santa Claus Moon Bounce
Christmas Coloring Corner
Picture Stands

Prices for activities in Santa’s Village vary. For additional information and costs, go here.

Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Tree Ranch
Also beginning the day after Thanksgiving, families will be able to purchase Christmas trees at Irvine Park Railroad. Visitors will be able to choose Douglas fir, Noble fir, and Grand fir trees ranging in height from 4′ to 12′. Christmas tree stands, preservatives, tree disposal bags, wreaths, and garland will also be available for sale. The Christmas Tree Ranch is open daily at 10:00 am beginning Friday, November 27th through Wednesday, December 23rd. Families can walk the Christmas Tree Ranch to find their perfect Christmas tree. Irvine Park Railroad staff will help you load your Christmas Tree into/onto your car.

If you’d like, you can print out this Wish List to fill out and bring with you to deliver to Santa himself! Just click on the image above and print out!

As a special way of saying “Happy Holidays”, Irvine Park Railroad is providing me with a Christmas Train Prize package to give away to one of my lucky readers which will include 4 Christmas Train Tickets, 4 Activity Tickets, and 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Bike Rental (excludes the double surrey). Enter to win on the Rafflecopter below. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too.

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to attend a media night in exchange for sharing about the event. All opinions are 100% my own. Some images and logo are property of Irvine Park Railroad.

The 10th Annual Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch Opens Sept. 19th!

September 6, 2015 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

Disclosure: I was invited to attend a special media day at Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Fall is upon us and that means it’s time for the Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch to open again! Located inside of Irvine Regional Park in the foothills of Orange, California, the Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch will open for the season beginning on September 19th at 10:00 a.m. Families are invited to visit the Pumpkin Patch through October 31st.

The Pumpkin Patch is located in Locomotive Loop and Miner’s Meadow just behind the train station, where thousands of pumpkins, in all shapes and sizes, will fill the meadow. You’ll be sure to find the perfect pumpkin!

train rides
hay rides
panning for gold
a child-friendly haunted house
a hay maze
a moon bounce
pumpkin ring toss
carnival games
cookie decorating
John Deere tractor racers
face painting
picture stands

The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch is open daily from September 19th through October 31st. Hours of operation are as follows:
Weekdays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Weekends 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Admission into the Pumpkin Patch is free and prices for the activities vary. For additional information and pricing, click here. Irvine Park Railroad welcomes schools and groups. Please call (714) 997-3968 for school and group information.

Don’t forget to visit Irvine Regional Park’s other activities while you’re there including the Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park, paddle boat rentals, the Orange County Zoo, and pony rides.

Irvine Park Railroad has generously given me a package of tickets to give away to one of my lucky readers. The package includes:

4 Tickets (which can be used to ride the train OR participate in Pumpkin Patch activities)
1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park bike rental (excludes the double surrey)
1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park paddle boat rental

Enter in the Rafflecopter below. Good luck everyone and Happy Fall!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Celebrate Bear Awareness Day on May 2 at The Orange County Zoo!

April 27, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Did you know that May 2 is Bear Awareness Day? You are invited to come learn more about bears and have fun at the OC Zoo on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family event will include activities such as crafts for kids, special zookeeper chats about bears, and a learning station where you can find out more about bear conservation and research, how to “bear proof” camping sites, and what to do if you see a bear.

Reservations are not needed for this event.
All activities are free with paid zoo admission, which is $2 per person. (ages 2 & under are free.)

Visit OC Zoo at http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo.

Irvine Park Railroad’s Annual Easter Eggstravaganza Opens March 14!

March 1, 2015 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

Who else is ready for Spring to get here already? I love the flowers and all of the new baby animals and Easter time! We are so excited about the return of The Easter Bunny Irvine Park Railroad for their annual Easter Eggstravaganza because we had SO much fun together last year! He’s hopping on over starting March 14th!

This year, Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Easter Eggstravaganza will begin March 14th and go through April 4th. It opens daily at 10:00 am. (Note: Irvine Regional Park and Irvine Park Railroad will be open on Easter Sunday, however, the Easter Eggstravaganza events will not be open on Easter Sunday.) This event is held inside of Locomotive Loop… just behind the train station. Children and adults can participate in a variety of fun activities in the beautiful Irvine Regional Park setting.

Here are some of our pictures from last year’s Easter Eggstravaganza!

Irvine Park Railroad train rides (1 ticket per person)
hay rides
carnival games (1 ticket per game)
a moon bounce (1 ticket per person)
face painting (2 tickets per person)
Easter cookie decorating (1 ticket per cookie)
picture stands (free for all visitors)
Easter Egg Hunts– (1 ticket per child) Children ages 2 through 12 can participate in the Easter egg hunt. Each egg will be filled with candy or a prize. Hunts begin daily at 10:00 AM and tickets may be purchased and exchanged for a wristband to participate in an egg hunt at a specific time. Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. (Irvine Park Railroad will also offer Easter baskets for sale.) Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt.
Easter Bunny photos– Children can meet and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny for the cost of $10.00. This cost includes a complimentary photo that will be taken by Irvine Park Railroad staff. Each additional print of the same photo is $6.00. Photos will be printed in a few, short minutes at the Easter Bunny booth.

Activity Tickets – $5.00 each

Book of 15 Activity Tickets – $60.00 ($15.00 Savings)

*Important Note: Coupons, discounts and any other promotions are not valid for the Easter Eggstravaganza dates and are not valid to receive a wrist band to enter the Easter egg hunt. Activities are not included with the purchase of Easter egg hunt tickets and are an additional cost.

Guess what? I’m having a giveaway and one lucky reader is going to win a package that’s worth approximately $70!

The prize package includes:

6 Tickets (which can be used to ride the train OR participate in Easter Eggstravaganza activities)
1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park surrey rental (excludes the double surrey)
1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park paddle boat rental

All you have to do is enter on the Rafflecopter below! Be sure to follow the directions carefully! Hope to see you all at Irvine Park Railroad’s Easter Eggstravaganza in a couple of weeks! Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Irvine Park Railroad is open year-round and is located inside of Irvine Regional Park! They offer other annual events include the Anniversary Celebration, Fourth Grade California History Education Program, Pumpkin Patch, Christmas Tree Ranch, and Christmas Train.

Come to Irvine Park Railroad’s 19th Anniversary Celebration 2015 on February 21st & 22nd!

February 9, 2015 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

Come celebrate Irvine Park Railroad’s 19th anniversary on Saturday, February 21st and Sunday, February 22nd. They’re rolling back prices to their original 1996 prices… including $2.00 train rides! It’s their way of saying thank you to all of their loyal customers who have visited Irvine Park Railroad over the years.

Irvine Park Railroad has become a favorite destination for families (like ours) from across Southern California. While the train takes passengers on a 12-minute ride through scenic Irvine Regional Park, the engineer narrates the ride pointing out all of the history inside of the 114 year-old park.

The anniversary celebration will also feature other $2.00 activities and concessions including carnival games, hot dogs, sodas, ice creams, popcorn, bounce house tickets and cotton candy.

Face painting and panning for gold require two $2.00 tickets. FREE giveaways include Irvine Park Railroad balloons.

The $2 tickets are valid during the Anniversary Celebration weekend only. (Coupons, discounts and/or any other promotions are not valid on the anniversary celebration dates.)

While at Irvine Regional Park, be sure and visit the parks other activities including Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park, bike and paddle boat rentals, pony rides and the Orange County Zoo. The park entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle.

Irvine Park Railroad opens daily at 10:00 AM. The cost for train tickets during the anniversary celebrations weekend is $2.00 per ticket; children younger than 12 months ride free. Irvine Park Railroad is located inside of Irvine Regional Park at 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869.

Irvine Park Railroad is open year round (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Our annual events include the Easter Eggstravaganza, Anniversary Celebration, Pumpkin Patch, Fourth Grade California History Education Program, Christmas Tree Ranch, and Christmas Train. Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for details.

Connect with Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

Also view their pictures on Flickr.

Irvine Park Railroad’s 19th Annual Christmas Train AND Brand New Christmas Tree Ranch!

November 7, 2014 / Celebrations, Holiday Fun, Orange County

I think the holiday season is my most favorite time of the year! There are an abundance of family fun holiday events to attend and enjoy together as a family. People everywhere just seem so happy during this time of the year.

One of our favorite things to do before Christmas is to visit the Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train! You can visit with family and friends and take an enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train departs every 15 minutes from the brightly-lit train station and drops passengers off at the North Pole, where Santa is waiting for the children!

It’s fun to ride the train at night and see all of the twinkling lights! Don’t forget to dress warmly!

We didn’t get to go last year so this year we’re extra excited about visiting on the weekend after Thanksgiving, which is opening weekend! We like to get there early and walk around Santa’s Village, which is set up just next to the train station. Emi loves to participate in all of the fun activities there. (Activities in Santa’s Village will open one hour prior to when the Christmas Train runs)

Irvine Park Railroad always sets up adorable photo props! I think we make a pretty cute penguin and polar bear, don’t you?

Here’s what you’ll find in Santa’s Village:

• Story Time with Mrs. Claus
• Christmas Cookie Decorating
• Carnival Games
• Ice Fishing
• Santa Claus Moon Bounce
• Christmas Coloring Corner
• Picture Stands

Enjoy story time with Mrs. Claus in Santa’s Village. (photo credit: Irvine Park Railroad)

Activities are open weekends ONLY. Activities will be open daily starting December 15th Prices for activities in Santa’s Village vary; for additional information and costs, visit http://www.IrvineParkRailroad.com.

Let’s get back to talking about the Christmas Train though. When visitors are transported on the Christmas Train to “The North Pole”, they are greeted by Santa and his elves.

Santa will be waiting to take pictures with you and your family when you arrive at The North Pole! (photo credit: Irvine Park Railroad)

Coffee, hot chocolate, and other snacks are available for purchase from the Elf House Snack Bar. (A full kitchen menu is also available at the train station) Visitors may take their own pictures with Santa or may also purchase a picture taken by Irvine Park Railroad. Each 5″X7″ photo will be presented with an Irvine Park Railroad border and are available for pickup shortly after being taken.

This was our keepsake photo with Santa from 2012! (excuse the quality of it being a picture of a picture)

After visiting with Santa, hop back aboard the train and enjoy the colorful Christmas lights and decorations, as well as the magical “Tunnel of Lights”, on the ride back to the station. You’ll LOVE the tunnel! Oh and there’s (faux) snow too!

The Tunnel of Lights! (photo credit: Irvine Park Railroad)

Christmas Train tickets may ONLY be purchased online and can be purchased beginning November 1st! Tickets may not be purchased in person. You can purchase your tickets to ride the train on a specific date and time. Then, you print them out, bring them with you, and get in line to board the train any time during the hour for which you purchased your tickets.

Here’s what’s NEW this year at Irvine Park Railroad…..

After visiting Santa, why not pick out your own special Christmas tree to take home at the all-new Christmas Tree Ranch? (photo credit: Irvine Park Railroad)

Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, families will be able to purchase Christmas trees at the all-new Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Tree Ranch! Visitors will be able to choose from among Douglas fir, Noble fir, and Grand fir trees ranging in height from 4′ to 12′. Christmas tree stands, preservatives, tree disposal bags, wreaths, and garland will also be available for sale. The Christmas Tree Ranch is open daily at 10:00 am beginning Friday, November 28th through Tuesday, December 23rd. Families can walk the Christmas Tree Ranch to find their perfect Christmas tree.

Irvine Park Railroad staff will help you load your Christmas Tree into/onto your car. (photo credit: Irvine Park Railroad)

I am already feeling the holiday spirit and am pleased to announce a giveaway hosted by the Irvine Park Railroad! I’m giving away 4 tickets for the Christmas Train, 6 Christmas Activity tickets, 1 Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park bike rental (excludes the double surrey), and 1 Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park paddle boat rental! Just enter below on the Rafflecopter! Good luck and happy beginning of the holiday season!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dogs and professional videography/photography are prohibited. Hours are subject to change without notice. The Christmas Tree Ranch is open weather permitting.

Annual Irvine Park Railroad events include the Christmas Train, Anniversary Celebration, Easter Eggstravaganza and Pumpkin Patch.
Visit Irvine Regional Park’s other activities including Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park — fun and unique bike rentals that can be enjoyed by single riders or an entire family — paddle boat rentals, the Orange County Zoo and pony rides.
Irvine Park Railroad is located inside of Irvine Regional Park. The address is:

Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869

Become a fan of Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Flickr.

For pricing, park directions and complete details, please visit http://www.IrvineParkRailroad.com.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend a media event as a guest of Irvine Park Railroad and given information to share with my readers. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Our Perfect Day at the Irvine Park Railroad’s Eggstravaganza

April 9, 2014 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

We had so much fun spending an afternoon at the Irvine Park’s Easter Eggstravaganza, which is located inside of Irvine Regional Park.

In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, it’s all decorated for Easter too! Everywhere you turn, there are adorable children, dressed up in their best spring outfits. It’s the perfect setting and occasion to photograph some precious moments, that’s for sure!

The Eggstravaganza features so many different activities to choose from that we weren’t sure where to start.
The activities include:
*Easter egg hunts
*Photos with the Easter Bunny
*Train rides
*Hay rides
*Cookie decorating
*Face painting
*A bunny bounce house
*Various picture stands for photo opportunities
*Carnival games

So, we basically decided to do them all!

I loved how organized the Easter egg hunt was. We first obtained a wristband for the age-appropriate time for Emi. They created very fair rules for the children, first sitting them all down together, to explain the rules for the hunt, discussing how many eggs they could “find” and take home in their baskets, as well as other candy they might find on the ground. The kids were so excited to get started and sprinted at the cue to begin.

Although we remembered to bring our own basket, they do have baskets for sale there, as well.

Emi was mesmerized by how much candy there was in the egg hunt area, in addition to the eggs!
After the egg hunt, we strolled over to visit the Easter Bunny. He was extremely interactive with the Emily, first playing peek-a-boo with her, which helped make her unafraid to sit with him. That’s something that might be a relief for parents with hesitant children.

Pictures like this, melt my heart!

Apparently visiting the Easter Bunny makes you hungry, so we stopped by the snack shack for some freshly popped popcorn, before heading on over to the face painting area!

The artists in the face painting booth that would create each child’s ideal design for them. Emi let her artist know that she preferred more of an arm design, as opposed to having her face painted.

She loved her “tattoo” so much, that I think she hid from the water in the shower hitting that arm for as long as she could!

I loved all of the different photo opportunities there were throughout the area. Emi tried to convinced me to get in this one, but I let her do the honors!

I love this one! My little chick!

I was most startled by this one..it shows how tall Emi is getting! She’s only 8! Wow!

Next, we hopped aboard the train, which for me, is the best part of the entire thing. There’s just something about trains that reminds me of childhood! Emi chose to sit directly behind the engineer! We took the token “train selfie” as we relaxed on the long ride.

For our finale, we visited the cookie decorating booth, where Emi got her very own sugar cookie to decorate with colored frostings and sprinkles. What more could a kid ask for?

It was such a fun afternoon.

Head on over before the fun ends on April 19th!

Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza 2014 & Giveaway

March 6, 2014 / Celebrations, Family Fun, Holiday Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

If you have ever been to Irvine Regional Park, you know how much amazing family fun it has to offer! Among some of the activities you can do are hiking, biking ( they even have bike rentals), rent paddle boats, pony rides, visit the Orange County Zoo, and even have a picnic! If you’ve never been, you need to take your family there right away!

One of our favorite things to do in the park is to ride the Irvine Park Railroad. In past years, we’ve gone in December for the Irvine Park Railroad’s Santa Train and festivities!

This year we’re excited to visit for it’s annual Easter Eggstravaganza, which begins on Saturday, March 29th and runs through Saturday, April 19th! Children and adults can ride the train through beautiful Irvine Regional Park. Children, ages 2 through 12 years old, also have the opportunity to participate in an Easter egg hunt, hunting for eggs that are each filled with either candy or a prize.

You can purchase tickets for your child(ren) to participate in the Easter egg hunts, which begin at 10:00 AM daily. Tickets will be exchanged for a wristband which will indicate a specific time for the egg hunt they’ll be participating in. Don’t forget to bring an Easter basket for each child who is participating in the Easter egg hunt. Irvine Park Railroad will also offer Easter baskets for purchase. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event, in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt. Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for complete details on the Easter egg hunts, including times and costs.

During the Easter Eggstravaganza, children can meet the Easter Bunny at a cost of $10.00 per family or group. This cost includes a picture that will be taken by Irvine Park Railroad staff and available for pickup shortly after the picture is taken.

There will be other activities to enjoy during the Easter Eggstravaganza including hay rides, a moon bounce, Easter cookie decorating, carnival games, face painting, picture stands and a lot more. Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for full details including costs.

Irvine Park Railroad’s other annual events include the Anniversary Celebration, Pumpkin Patch, and Christmas Train.

Become a fan of Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, follow us onInstagram (Irvine Park Railroad), view pictures on Flickr, and follow our tweets on twitter (@IrvineParkRR).

While at Irvine Regional Park, be sure and visit the parks other activities including Wheel Fun Rentals^® at Irvine Park bike and paddle boat rentals, pony rides and the Orange County Zoo.

The park entrance fee – charged by the County of Orange – is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends.

Irvine Park Railroad opens daily at 10:00 AM. The cost for train tickets is $5.00 per person; children younger than 12 months ride free. Irvine Park Railroad is located at 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869.

We can’t wait to go to the Easter Eggstravaganza 2014!

Emi already has her outfit and her Easter basket ready to go!

Now for the giveaway….you can enter to win 6 tickets (which can be used to ride the train OR participate in Easter Eggstravaganza activities) and 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park surrey rental (excludes double surrey)! Enter the giveaway in the Rafflecopter below!

Good luck to everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway open to U.S. Residence. No purchase necessary to enter. All fans have an equal chance to win, however, you must enter to win. A winner will be randomly selected via RaffleCopter and notified via email. No cash value. Winner will have 36 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected the same way. Several different ways to earn entries. Not liable for unclaimed prizes or fulfillment. Sponsor has the right to refuse filling prize for duplicate winners from other blogs. Winner’s tickets will be mailed directly to home (or mailing address) and will not be available for will call at this event.

photos courtesy of Irvine Park Railroad