The sprawling Great Park in Irvine, California, is set to begin charging for parking as the city seeks to address budget shortfalls. The Irvine City Council recently approved ending the park's free parking policy, with hourly rates expected to range from $2 to $4 and special event parking reaching up to $40. Officials anticipate these new fees could generate between $3 million and $5 million annually.
To offer a benefit to local residents, Irvine residents who obtain an annual permit will be able to park for up to four hours each day without charge. The new parking fees are slated to take effect in late 2026.
The $1 billion Great Park project is transforming a former military base into a vast recreational and entertainment area, with plans that rival or exceed the size of New York's Central Park. The development is designed as an "all-day destination" and includes features such as lakes, museums, shopping areas, and an amphitheater. While hundreds of acres are already operational, significant phased developments are continuing through 2028 and 2029.
Key attractions and planned facilities include The Amp, a 10,000-seat amphitheater intended to revive Orange County's outdoor concert scene. The park also boasts a 194-acre athletics hub with various sports fields and one of the region's largest soccer stadiums, which will serve as the United States' base camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The park's recognizable orange balloon, offering aerial views, is already operational.
A "Cultural Terrace" is under construction, featuring arts and museum spaces, including the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, the Asian American History Museum, and a Children's Museum, housed in restored military hangars. Additionally, a botanical garden with themed spaces and walking trails is planned for the northern section, alongside a Veterans Memorial park and Garden that will preserve parts of the old military tarmac as a "Walk of Honor."
The project also includes "The Canopy," a 90,000-square-foot retail and dining hub. This area is expected to host restaurants, grocery stores, and shops, with Canadian Asian grocery giant T&T Supermarket and an In-N-Out Burger scheduled to open in winter. The In-N-Out is expected to be 3,808-square-feet and include a drive-thru. The Great Park project broke ground in June 2023 and is expected to be fully completed by 2029.