Last-Minute Ideas for Father's Day 2023 – Near LA & Orange County

Last-Minute Ideas for Father’s Day 2023 – Near LA & Orange County

Get ready to make this Father’s Day one for the books! We’ve rounded up a list of exciting and unforgettable activities to celebrate Dad in style. Take Dad on an adventure to see awesome planes, trains, and cars. Or how about some friendly competition with a belly flop contest?

Go to a Special Event

Photo: Petersen Museum

Hoods Up! for Father’s Day
Petersen Museum, Los Angeles
June 16-18, 2023
For Father’s Day, the Petersen Museum will be lifting the hoods on some of their most iconic vehicles! Treat the family to an up-close viewing of the complex motors that power some of the rarest cars in the world. General admission is $19.95 for adults, $12.95 for youth (ages 12-17), and $10.95 for children (ages 4-11).

Father’s Day
Pretend City, Irvine
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Celebrate Father’s Day with engaging activities, special art, story time reading of The Night Before Father’s Day, and more.

Father’s Day Themed Roar & Snore
San Diego Safari Park, Escondido
June 17-18, 2023
Spend the night at the Safari Park with your family! Experience a sleepover that includes walking tours, wildlife presentations, and a Father’s Day BBQ.

Pops & Props
Yanks Air Museum, Chino
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Experience a Father’s Day celebration with delicious food, one-of-a-kind aircraft bar, prizes, exclusive tours, photo ops, and thrilling flight demos. BBQ lunch sold separately. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Father’s Day BBQ
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Celebrate Father’s Day with a Farm-to-Table Hilltop Luncheon at Tanaka Farms. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet-style service with views of the farm and a lawn for kids to run and play. Cost is $69/adults (ages 13 and up), $49/children (ages 4-12), free for children 3 and under.

Father’s Day Lunch
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Sunday, June 18, 2023
The Aquarium of the Pacific will host a Father’s Day lunch, where visitors can celebrate dad and see ocean animals. Tickets include all-day admission and a meal served on the Aquarium’s rooftop overlooking Rainbow Harbor. Reservations are $84 for adults and $55 for kids (ages 3-11).

Father’s Day Classic Car Ride
The Zimmerman Museum, El Segundo
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Take a ride in a classic car, chauffeured by a knowledgeable and experienced docent from The Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum. Tickets are $5-15, free for children 10 and under.

Father’s Day Belly Flop Contest
Raging Waters, San Dimas
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Bring the whole family out to watch the live belly flop contest in the Raging Waters Wave Cove. Judges rate belly flops based on splash, creativity, and crowd reaction. All are welcome to flop! Win fun prizes including a $100 Home Depot gift card, cordless tool combo kit, or a propane gas grill! Sign up to flop here.

Summerfest with Fireworks & Drone Show
Fountain Valley Sports Park
June 15-18, 2023
Rock with a jam-packed line-up of live concerts, enjoy carnival rides and games, taste delicious eats, see talented local performers, and shop from vendors. Enjoy a free fireworks show on Friday and Drone Light Show on Saturday. General admission is $5. Carnival rides and wristbands sold separately.

Tall Ship Sail
Ocean Institute, Dana Point
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tall ship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines, and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the majesty of sailing the seas aboard a tall ship. Must be 4 years or older to sail. Tickets are $65.

Repticon
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
June 17-18, 2023
Repticon is a reptile event featuring vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, and merchandise. See live animals up close at fascinating encounters and seminars. Exciting, educational, family-oriented fun for everyone! Tickets are $11-12/adults, $6 (ages 5-12), and free for ages 4 and under.

Summer Concerts 2023
Find out if a free concert is playing near you during Father’s Day weekend. Nothing like packing a picnic, sprawling out on the grass, and enjoying your favorite tunes!

Summer Movies 2023
Snuggle up for an outdoor movie at the beach or the park. Check out our list of summer movies to find a screening at your local park!

Find more fun things to do on our Calendar!

Cool Exhibits to Visit for Father’s Day

Photo: Discovery Cube OC

Paw Patrol: Adventure Play
Discovery Cube OC, Santa Ana
The hands-on exhibit is a fun way for the whole family to learn bravery and heroism, with exciting stories. Guests will learn how to combine skills to problem-solve together and save the day. Themes include jobs, safety, and more!

Camping in the City
Pretend City, Irvine
Step into the wilderness this summer at Pretend City and embark on an unforgettable adventure! Get ready to explore trails, trace the footprints of critters who call our City home, and gather around the campfire for stories and s’more-making lessons.

Maya: The Exhibition
California Science Center, Los Angeles
The California Science Center proudly presents Maya: The Exhibition, featuring over 250 authentic artifacts—many on tour outside of Guatemala for the first time—highlighting the ancient Maya civilization of Mexico and Central America.

Free Stuff for Dads

Photo: Bowers Museum

Free Admission to Bowers Museum
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Bring the entire family to the Bowers Museum this Father’s Day and dad’s general admission will be free! Tickets will be issued onsite only on Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Free Admission to Irvine Greek Festival
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Opa! Bring the family for Greek food, live Greek band, folk dancing, marketplace, church tours, and kids’ play zone. Dads get free admission on Father’s Day. Regular admission is $3 per person, children under 10 are free.

Fun Places to Go for Father’s Day