Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! …no wait, it’s a giant orange orb? The Great Park Balloon is 118 feet tall, but it’s not full of hot air. It’s helium, you know, the stuff that makes your voice sound squeaky if you breathe it. A steel cable tethers the balloon to the ground so they can crank out more rides. Floating above, you can see from the mountains to the sea across the OC.
Maximum Altitude: 400 feet
Balloon Height: 118 feet
Volume: 210,000 cubic feet
Balloon Model: Aerophile Aero30 tethered helium balloon
Boarding
Join the waiting list upon arrival. You will be texted when it’s time to check in. Check-in begins 30 minutes before each flight. The gondola is an aluminum cage that can hold 6 to 16 passengers. It is shaped like a donut and you stand in the ring.
Upward
The OC Great Park is on the former grounds of the El Toro Marine Base, which used to hold an annual air show. When I was a kid, the Blue Angels would perform screeching feats of aeronautical skill. Who knew we would one day occupy the same airspace? Unlike a hot air balloon, the balloon does not have to be inflated. It is already filled with helium. There isn’t really a take-off as a winch is feeding out the cable. You soon notice the green sports fields and little patch of open space in the middle of the metropolis. The balloon rises quietly and smoothly, and within a few minutes you are 400 feet off the ground.
The View
Just like Phileas Fogg, you won’t be traveling anywhere in a balloon. Once it reaches the fixed point, you are basically on a floating terrace. On a clear day, you have 360-degree views of Saddleback Mountain, the ocean, Catalina, and even the Hollywood Sign.
Downward
After a few minutes at the top, the balloon begins its descent. If you are near Irvine, check out this unique bird’s eye view of SoCal.
Directions
From LA, follow the I-5 S to Irvine. Take exit 96A for Sand Canyon Avenue. Make a left onto Sand Canyon Avenue. Turn right onto Marine Way. Continue for 0.5 miles. Turn left at Ridge Valley and drive 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Phantom and drive 0.2 miles. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Corsair. After 0.2 miles, turn right. Park in Parking Lot 3. Follow signs southwest toward the balloon to join the line.
Plan Your Visit
Vendor: Orange County Great Park | City of Irvine | Balloon Waiver
Cost: Free
Reservations: None, first-come, first-served basis, wait times up to 3 hours
When: Thurs-Fri: 10 am-3 pm, 7 pm-10 pm | Sat-Sun: 9 am-3 pm, 7 pm-10 pm
Weather: Call (949) 724-6247 to check weather conditions.
Bring the Kids: A parent or guardian must sign for children younger than 18. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
