Two-Room Suites near Disneyland and Orange County Zoo

Though it’s years away from being completed, Irvine, California’s Orange County Great Park will one day be larger than New York’s Central Park or San Diego’s Balboa Park. Located on the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, the Great Park offers year-round free rides on an iconic orange balloon that rises up 400 feet, giving visitors a chance to see what could become one of the country’s most-famous parks. Located a short drive away, Embassy Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport puts visitors in close proximity to not only the Great Park, but also to Disneyland Resort, the Orange County Zoo, and John Wayne Airport.

Walking into the atrium at Embassy Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport feels kind of like stepping into a tropical garden. Towering palms, leafy garden boxes, and chic patio furniture fill the hotel’s interior atrium, a relaxing spot to drink a cup of coffee. In the evening, enjoy light snacks and cocktails while mingling during the manager’s reception, which is open to all guests.

Newly renovated two-room suites surround the open atrium and are accessed from glass elevators that offer bird's-eye views of the luxurious atrium. In the morning, head downstairs for a complete breakfast buffet which includes a beverage station, pastries, fresh fruit, and cooked-to-order omelets. The hotel is near Disneyland and other Orange County attractions, but if you’re just passing through, a free airport shuttle runs to and from John Wayne Airport.

Irvine, California: Beaches near Family Friendly Attractions

Located about 40 miles south of Los Angeles and just 12 miles from trendy Newport Beach, Irvine ranked high on CNNMoney’s Best Places to Live in 2008 and again in 2011. It’s also one of Southern California’s most-relaxing places to visit, especially the rolling hills of Irvine Regional Park and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, home to great horned owls, wilson’s warblers, and other colorful birds in a natural habitat. For swimming, boating, and kayaking in the Pacific Ocean, take a short drive to Newport Harbor, a beloved small-boat marina surrounded by picturesque beaches and rocky bluffs.

One of the area’s big tourism draws, apart from its beaches, is the Disneyland Resort, about 15 miles to the north. The main park comprises eight fantasylands, including Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and Mickey’s Toontown, each with its own set of rides and characters. Housed within Irvine Regional Park (about a 20-minute drive from the hotel) the Orange County Zoo is a great way to see animals that are native to the southwest including mountain lions, turkey vultures, and surfers.

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