Irvine Park Railroad is located inside of Irvine Regional Park in the foothills of Orange, California. A few days ago was the first time I’ve visited the park in October. It’s the 4th year they’ve offered their pumpkin patch attraction inside the “Locomotive Loop.” It’s a restricted area most of the year, so it’s a special treat just to go inside the normally off-limits area. The Railroad provided tickets to the annual pumpkin patch for a giveaway to our readers.
There are pumpkins of all sizes grouped around the oak trees and sycamores. The cost is anywhere from $5-$22, depending on the size chosen. Tickets for the booths are $4 each or buy a pack of 15 for $45 (which is a $15 savings).
Visit OCParks.com for official information about admission to regional parks. At Irvine Regional Park, it’s $3 weekdays and $5 weekends – more on holidays. If you don’t have an annual pass, you should. The pumpkin patch is open 10am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-6pm on weekends.
FREE:
- Free admission into the patch.
- Walk around inside the Locomotive Loop.
- Navigate through the hay bale maze.
- Explore the spooky Haunted Hotel.
- Take your own photos of the kids among the pumpkins or behind the photo stands.
- Little ones can play pretend cowboy on hay bale horses with saddles.
- Measure up besides the “how tall this fall” stand.
ONE TICKET:
- Train ride
- Hay ride (a shiny green tractor pulls a trailer with hay bales around the park road)
- Moon bounce
- Carnival games
- John Deere tractor racers (new this year for 4-7 year olds — even though it says 3-7 on the ticket sign)
TWO TICKETS:
- Face painting (weekends only)
Additional Cash:
- Snack bar
- Gift shop trinkets
- Custom professional photos
- Purchase pumpkins
Purchased separately:
- Pony rides
- Orange County Zoo
Our Recommendation:
Dara and I took our kids today and decided if we were to do it over with our families we’d make a day of it. Why not? Since you’re paying admission to the park already. Bring a picnic and your bikes. Explore all four playgrounds, go to the Zoo, and the Nature Center (if it’s a weekend). If you must choose one attraction, the train is by far our favorite complete with a park history lesson and tunnel! Check our coverage of Irvine Regional Park attractions from back in November 2008.
Check the Irvine Park Railroad website for coupons and their Facebook, Twitter and Flickr links.
Giveaway
We gave away 16 tickets to you — our readers. (Suzi, Sar, Stacey, and Michelle each won 4 tickets).
Thanks for participating!
