Orange Balloon – Irvine, California - Atlas Obscura
Unusual adventures and hidden discoveries. Explore our 2018 trips now »
What's near me?

Irvine, California

Orange Balloon

One of the largest helium balloons in the U.S. is a 112-foot ginormous orange. 

The Orange Balloon at the Orange County Great Park at night. Justirvine (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Twilight view of the balloon from inside the park. rosalbre (Atlas Obscura User)
Nighttime view of the balloon from inside the park during a outdoor movie event. rosalbre (Atlas Obscura User)
Taking off - the balloon can hold up to 30 people, and is wheelchair accessible. Eli Pousson (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Big Orange balloon. Joe Wolf (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Irvine is in southern California, about 40 miles from Los Angeles. Being in Orange County, the city had no other color choice for their huge helium balloon ride, the centerpiece of Orange County’s Great Park.

The giant orange orb looks like a hot air balloon, but with a twist—it’s safely filled with helium (no hydrogen danger here) so it’s completely silent. Owned and operated as a community ride attraction by the city, the big, bright ball is one of the largest helium balloons in the United States.

Big Orange has been around since 2007, and was the first of its kind. As tall as a 12-story building, the tethered inflatable can host up to 30 people in its steel gondola, while rising 400 feet straight up to some pretty breathtaking scenery.

On a good, clear day, you can see 40 miles in every direction, taking in the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island to the west, the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, and even Disneyland, just up the 5.

Know Before You Go

Great Park is in Irvine, Orange Country, California, about 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Balloon rides are given Thursday through Sunday from 10AM to 3PM, and 7PM to 10PM (no rides Monday to Wednesday). Rates are $10 for adults (19 and older), $5 for children 18 and younger without an accompanying paid adult, and free with an adult (kids under 13 must have an adult with them). There is also a carousel at the park, which is only $3 for an all-day pass (single Ride: $2). See the website for more details and group rates.There is free parking at the site, and rides are first-come, first-served. Flight availability also depends on weather conditions. During Halloween season, the balloon is decorated to resemble a giant pumpkin.

aircraftparks
Related Places
Gravelly Point Park
Arlington, Virginia

Gravelly Point Park

This lovely picnic spot featuring thunderous jet landings is an aircraft spotter’s dream.
38.8644, -77.0393
Added by Elliot Carter
Drone's-eye view of Grand Sky from front gate
Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota

Grand Sky Drone Park

The U.S.' first commercial park dedicated entirely to flying drones.
47.9525, -97.3824
Added by Dylan
The tomb was built in the 1850s.
Chicago, Illinois

Couch Tomb

No one knows how many bodies are in this vault in a Chicago public park.
41.9132, -87.6314
Added by jessicahester1
During the daytime, there are enough swings beneath the bridge that there's usually an open seat!
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Swing Park

An off-the-beaten-path place to literally hang beneath Milwaukee's Holton Street Bridge.
43.0537, -87.9035
Added by Emma Kumer
Near This Place
A fairy house
Mission Viejo, California

Oso Creek Fairy Trail

This beautiful ridge-top trail is dotted by tiny homes apparently built by a group of itinerant fairies.
33.6013, -117.6514
Added by Salamandre
Water Use, a "creek" that runs through the park
Costa Mesa, California

California Scenario

A small sculpture garden that provides a microcosmic representation of California.
33.6891, -117.8833
Added by jessicarockwell
Laguna Niguel, California

Moon Amtrak

Despite efforts to stop them, thousands gather every year to moon passing trains.
33.5654, -117.6737
Added by Nicholas Jackson
A waterfall in Black Star Canyon.
Silverado, California

Black Star Canyon

The site of murders and Satanic cult gatherings.
33.7882, -117.6607
Added by Bswanson
From Elsewhere