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7 Things to do in Irvine, California with your family.

Irvine, California is filled with fun and adventure. In a single day, you can go from visiting a Chocolate Factory to walking through a Great Park. Field Trips and educational places are abundant in Southern California. The City of Irvine in the county of Orange is filled with great shops and eateries. As a local, I would like to share with you a few of my favorite spots that I have visited with my family. 
Update -  Sad to report that they closed the store. :(
Chocxo - Award winning chocolate made here in Irvine, Ca. The product is Gluten Free and Kosher certified. The only Chocolate factory that offers field trips and tours in Orange County. You will have to contact them in advance to book a field trip or tour. It is a unique experience that your taste buds will love.

9461 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618. 

Irvine Spectrum Center

The Irvine Spectrum is a great outdoor shopping mall with a whole lot more for families.  Start out your weekend indulging in cocktails and a delicious meal with your friends or family.  Enjoy amazing cuisine prepared by talented chefs at places like Kabuki, Tender Greens, Cucina or Paul Martin's American Grill.  Afterward, take in a newly released blockbuster at the Edwards IMAX 21 Theaters or grab a latte at Starbucks, Le Cafe de Parc or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.  Satuday morning can include an after breakfast stroll among the 164 stores located within Irvine Spectrum.  Enjoy great stores like Target, Barnes and Nobles and Nordstroms as well as others like H & M, Osh Kosh, Active, Adias and Verizon.  Enjoy an adults evening out at the Improv with your loved ones and end the evening with a Carmel Apple or delicious chocolate treat at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  There is something for every member of the family at the Irvine Spectrum.  Fun, Food, Family Fantastic, visit the Irvine Spectrum today.

Playground is located near the Carter's Baby store. They have a small water play area that get really busy. We recommend that you bring snacks, towels, change of clothes for the kids. 

670 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618

Orange County Great Park - This large open space is perfect for walking, riding a hot air balloon, enjoying a carousel ride or just visiting one of their many events. The park offers a vegetable garden for kids to explore and learn about growing a garden. The garden is cared by the Master Gardeners of Orange County. Visit their calendar of events to find the next adventure at the OC Great Park. 

C Street, Irvine, CA 92618

Pretend City - Here your child will learn through touching  and experiencing. This children's museum is one of a kind with many interact displays for kids of all ages. Imagination play is very big here and is encouraged. Parents love that kids play and learn at the same time. The museum hosts many fun events throughout the year to encourage the love of life learning. Make sure to check their calendar of events. 

The Irvine Museum - A small art museum that is located near the John Wayne Airport is a perfect place for Art fans. This museum offers educational tours with advance registration. Folks that work nearby will often take a moment to visit the museum during lunch hour to decompress from their busy schedule. Take moment from your busy schedule and visit them today. 

18881 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 100 Irvine Ca 92612

UCI Arboretum - Right off Campus Drive and Jamboree road you will find a tiny driveway that will lead into another world. This Arboretum is filled with plants native to California and wild trees from other parts of the world. Walking through this plant retreat you will find birds singing and butterflies touring right along with you. The Arboretum is small, but it still delivers a beautiful experience. 

Campus Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660

UCI Basketball / Sports

Take in an exciting basketball or baseball game at the University of California Irvine.  Adult ticket prices start a $11.00, children $8.00.  This exciting weekend sporting event gets your children exposed to college campus life including the local team rally excitement.  Studies have shown children exposed to repeated events through childhood tend to continue those tendencies through adulthood. Why not make this exposure a positive one on a college campus.

You can find more exciting places to visit in Orange County:

http://www.fieldtripmom.com/2013/05/field-trip-to-medieval-times.html

http://www.fieldtripmom.com/2014/04/fun-places-to-take-kids-on-spring-break.html

http://www.fieldtripmom.com/2015/08/factory-tours-and-museums-in-southern.html


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