Do you want to know the best places to see airplanes in Orange County? Well, I have all sorts of plane spotting locations for airplane lovers. Most are in Orange County, but some in nearby LA County, Riverside County, and San Diego County that would be worth the day trip.
Plus, I’ve also split the list into
- aviation museums,
- restaurants with views of the airport runways,
- parks and outdoor open spaces to see the planes,
- places where hobbyists fly model airplanes (by permit),
- and, finally, air shows and festivals in Southern California.
The best part of lists like this is that they can keep growing with input from readers, so please send me your recommendations or spots I missed!
This blog post exists because of a reader request. Hannah asked:
“This might be a niche request but you know all when it comes to cool stuff for kids I was curious if you knew of any good spots near the airport (parks of just open areas) where kids can watch planes come in or take off? My toddler is really loving airplanes lately and I was thinking of finding a spot to watch some with her and thought you might know of spots! Thanks for reading, always love your tips!“
Then I asked Instagram followers and they delivered with all the spots to see planes! Surprisingly, I had thought of even more that no one mentioned. So I’d say this list is about half you & half me.
Parks Where You Can See Airplanes or Play on Airplanes
Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach – This might be a surprise spot, but I’d pick this place over any other if you are VIEWING with kids. It’s very near the airport and it’s a great spot because the planes come in regular intervals. It’s a wide open space. I have a ton of great photos of planes flying by overhead. You even get the LOUD sounds of the planes as they roar out of the area. This is me capturing a video of my parents with the plane roaring behind them. More often they pass from the other direction, but the wind/weather will determine the take-off and landing patterns at John Wayne Airport. And don’t forget to go INTO the nature center below! (Closed Mondays.)
Bayview Park in Newport Beach – is very near Muth Interpretive Center so you can hang out at the playground and view the planes.
Lions Park in Costa Mesa – You may not be able to see airplanes fly overhead from here, but you can climb in one!
Vista Park in Costa Mesa – has good views of planes when the Huntington Beach air show is in town (October).
Boysen Park in Anaheim – many of you wrote in about Boysen Park in Anaheim which many adults in OC remember visiting as kids. It gets mixed reviews on safety to the point where it’s never been recommended to me to include on the blog. Heather of OCParentGuide was kind enough to share this photo of the big plane at the park with us — and she has an Instagram post about Boysen Park.
Garden Grove Park – is built on an old airfield and it has some fun play elements that are reminiscent of airplanes and air travel!
Victory Park in Tustin – has a ton of history with photos on display and even the restroom building is built in the shape of a hangar.
Peppertree Park in Tustin – one parent wrote in suggesting Peppertree Park because it’s in the flight path, but she warned the planes are further away than the ones closer to the airport (as expected!). So just remember to look up when you are there!
Beckenham Park – this one has a little ride-on airplane.
Aviation Museums and Air Museums
Air museums are often passion projects of dedicated volunteers who are trying to preserve the planes and want others to be able to learn about them. So, keep that in mind when you go to pay the admission which might seem steep in some cases.
Lyon Air Museum (John Wayne Airport) – right next to the airport. Admission fee. Kids 5 and under are free.
OC Great Park (Irvine) – There is a plane in the Palm Court and exhibitions featuring aircraft from time to time, but the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum will be moving here from San Diego in 2025-26.
March Field Air Museum (Riverside) – 115 aircraft! Admission fee. Kids 4 and under are free.
Planes of Fame Air Museum (Chino) – My husband took the kids to this one when they were little (photo below is from circa 2010) and they LOVED it! Lots of you commented about this one and gave it your vote to include on the list. Admission fee. Kids 4 and under are free. This one has so many planes to display they are going to expand to a second location in Santa Maria on the Central Coast.
Restaurants Where You Can See Planes
I can’t vouch for the food at these restaurants, but I can say that they are located very nearby airports with some right on the runway! If you have other favorites, please send them my way!
In & Near Orange County
Wings Cafe in Fullerton – Super kid-friendly and a favorite of families for YEARS. Serving breakfast and lunch with views of planes. I’d highly suggest following them on Instagram because they know their plane-loving audience!
Moulin in Newport Beach – This one is a little further away from the Orange County Airport, but I saw a mom and toddler watching the planes from the outside seating area here one morning. It’s also a good option for grabbing breakfast or a sandwich to go for a picnic to watch the planes!
Long Beach Exchange / The Hangar – We just visited for the first time after picking up one of my kids from the airport. It’s super fun decor and there is outside seating. But I can’t say that I saw many planes overhead. Have you? It is literally just a block from the airport with tons of yummy food offerings. Our favorite: Cassidy’s for a Cinnamon Glazed Bagel with Sweet Cream (cream cheese).
LA County
The Proud Bird LAX – this one has been featured heavily on social media and it was the most recommended. It’s actually a Food Hall so you can satisfy everyone’s cravings + play at the playground near the runway.
In N Out on Sepulveda in LA was often mentioned with the The Proud Bird since you are watching the same planes from LAX.
Eureka! in Hawthorne – This is the chain burger restaurant, but it’s right on the tarmac at Hawthorne airport.
Annia’s Kitchen in El Monte – Next to San Gabriel Airport serving breakfast and lunch.
Riverside County
Corona Airport Cafe – Open for breakfast and lunch at the municipal airport – so not lots of plane traffic. Butterfield Park is across the street with a playground and ball fields, but lots of wide open space to watch planes.
Riverside Airport Cafe – Open for breakfast and lunch.
San Diego County
French Valley Cafe at the French Valley Airport (Murrietta) – a small cafe next to the airport. Also a “Wings and Rotors Air Museum” there.
The Landings at McClellan-Palomar Airport (view of runway) – it’s just up the road from Legoland! So if you are down in Carlsbad for a trip, head up to The Landings for a sunset meal on the runway.
94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Kearny Mesa – next to an executive airport, but themed inside “a replica of a World War I French farmhouse, the restaurant sits overlooking Montgomery Field Airport and is packed full of military memorabilia, antique farm implements, and aviation relics.” It’s popular for its weekend buffet brunch.
Liberty Station San Diego – I always think of this in terms of airplanes because it’s at a historic Naval base and is reimagined with homes, shops, offices, and restaurants. Airplanes take off near here.
Ventura County
Waypoint Cafe at Camarillo Airport (Ventura County) – You order at the hostess stand before you even get seated and then you can ask to eat outdoors to see the planes land and take off.
Model Airplanes
There are regulations for flying model airplanes and the Harbor Soaring Society seems to have the most up-to-date list of the sites for flying and the clubs to join. Be aware of rules and permits, but otherwise you should be able to watch from a distance.
Fairview Park in Costa Mesa — model airplanes are flown here. You need a permit to fly your own, but you can view the Harbor Soaring Society planes from a safe distance. Check for “fly days.”
Kite Hill in Laguna Niguel — also has an RC field where you can see planes flying from below at Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Visitor Center.
El Dorado Park in Long Beach – there is an electric power aircraft and glider field in the park.
Festivals and Air Shows
Long Beach Festival of Flight – free event at the airport in October.
Pacific Air Show in Huntington Beach – is the first weekend in October, but the planes are often practicing up through the week before the event.
Antique Aircraft Display Days – every second Sunday of the month at Fullerton Airport which is fun to pair with a meal at Wings (see restaurant listings).
Other Spots to View Planes
These were the last two suggestions from readers from Instagram!
Fence near Rock Harbor Church
Parking Lot A at John Wayne