The 12 best escape rooms in Irvine
From wizardy adventures to hunts for treasure, where to find the best escape rooms in Irvine.
Exodus Escape Room
Overwhelmingly Positive
1220 Village Way b, Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“This is a unique, story-driven room with some great puzzles and decent set. We really had a good time. Our GM, Jamie, was great, took time to get to know our play style, clue preferences, etc., and chatted with us about favorite rooms, room elements, and other escape room stuff, which was wonderful.”
RenoTahoeDG
206 games played
Intrepid Escape Rooms
Overwhelmingly Positive
1622 Edinger Ave Ste C, Tustin, CA 92780, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“This is a solid room. It has a great set, including audio, lighting, and a certain parrot that plays the part of your host and cheerleader. I enjoyed the puzzles and there was one that was a great team puzzle that I have never seen before. It was easy to know what to do and yet not super easy to accomplish it. They crammed a lot into what is a fairly small space. The flow was good and everything made sense. I would recommend a group of 3 or 4 for this room.”
RenoTahoeDG
206 games played
Hidden Donkey
Overwhelmingly Positive
17925 Sky Park Cir Ste B, Irvine, CA 92614, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“The Dragon Wand is an amazing room! The set design, props, and puzzles are high end and very immersive. This was the second room I played at Hidden Donkey tonight and I loved both. In total I have played 46 rooms (41W - 5L) so I still consider myself a bit of a novice. Tonight I played with two other adults with similar stats. We finished with 12:33 remaining and used no hints. We agree that this mostly linear room is medium difficulty so it was nice to have three brains looking at the puzzles from different angles (and checking each others' math). I would definitely recommend this room for all ages and abilities.”
BeatCal
46 games played
Hidden Donkey
Overwhelmingly Positive
17925 Sky Park Cir Ste B, Irvine, CA 92614, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“WOW!!!!! This room is simply amazing. I would love to just hang out in there and admire the set. It’s that good. The soundtrack and audio elements are wonderful and enhanced the experience. The puzzles were really fun and on theme and they can add or omit a bonus puzzle depending on how you’re doing on time. That puzzle was a great addition too. And the ‘working’ transportation system just pushed it over the top. This is truly a work of art and a must do room.”
RenoTahoeDG
206 games played
EscapeX Rooms
Overwhelmingly Positive
17981 Sky Park Cir H, Irvine, CA 92614, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Wonderfully themed, full of some unique processes. The room is stated as being linear, and it is, but the puzzles didn’t necessarily directly flow one into the next each time. But overall a more unique experience with high production value.”
mahka42
32 games played
No. 1 Escapes
Very Positive
18003 Sky Park Cir f2, Irvine, CA 92614, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Tarot themed and chock full of puzzles, we loved this room (and barely finished)! There are story tie-ins to the other two rooms at this location that are delightful Easter eggs (but not necessary to play the room). Great for larger groups. Our GM, Amber, was professional and enthusiastic and really made our experience top 10!”
Patroclus
374 games played
UNLOCKED: Escape Room
Very Positive
2706 Harbor Blvd # 200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“For a relatively short experience room, I really did like this room a lot. It was pleasantly surprising and had a lot of puzzles that fit the theme well without making any one of the puzzles too obvious. Well done! Would recommend 4 people!”
Linking
159 games played
“Pros: Fun and lighthearted, good for families (including kids), linear puzzle-solving with a logical flow, good mix of easier and more challenging puzzles; Cons: Not easy to find (give yourself extra time), overly worn game pieces and props”
jessicals
32 games played
“Absolutely LOVED this escape room because of its unique elements. I love how there were a lot of physical clues in this game too! It was definitely a memorable experience and I always rave about Prison Break to my friends. My top escape room recommendation from this company! P.S. Sorry for the blurry group photo LOL.”
missmisschelle
27 games played
“You’re in elementary school and you have one hour to get everything finished before summer vacation, and this game does a great job of putting you in the mindset of an excited student ready to spring from school. The puzzles aren’t hard, which is fun because just like being in elementary school, it isn’t the difficulty of the activities that is tough, it’s the time crunch of getting all your schoolwork done with enough time to play with friends. Loved just how much there was to do in this room, and was a great challenge to tackle alone. Claire and Gwen were awesome!”
DistortedLeaf
88 games played
Escape Room 66
Very Positive
23621 Ridge Rte Dr c, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Really enjoyed this room, but agree that the storyline doesn’t make a whole lot of sense 😂 But we don’t care about story and we love lots of puzzles, so this room was a good one for us! There’s a split start, and I always enjoy that challenge because it requires cooperative communication. There was also a good mix of different types of puzzles. We did it as a team of 3 enthusiasts who mostly stuck together on all the puzzles so we don’t miss out on anything or complete the room too quickly, and we got out with about 10 mins to spare. We probably would’ve gotten out more quickly if we were better at search and find! 😜”
nonfoodpics
249 games played
Escape Room 66
Overwhelmingly Positive
23621 Ridge Rte Dr c, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“I wouldn't mind being trapped in this Wonderland, lots of whimsy and mayhem all throughout this room. Also on the easy-medium difficulty, but I liked this room the most out of the ones at this location. Puzzles flowed well and there's lots to look at!”
Linking
159 games played
Ink & Ashes
Exodus Escape Room
- Escape room
- IRL
“This is a unique, story-driven room with some great puzzles and decent set. We really had a good time. Our GM, Jamie, was great, took time to get to know our play style, clue preferences, etc., and chatted with us about favorite rooms, room elements, and other escape room stuff, which was wonderful.”
RenoTahoeDG
206 games played
Jewel of the Sea
Intrepid Escape Rooms
- Escape room
- IRL
“This is a solid room. It has a great set, including audio, lighting, and a certain parrot that plays the part of your host and cheerleader. I enjoyed the puzzles and there was one that was a great team puzzle that I have never seen before. It was easy to know what to do and yet not super easy to accomplish it. They crammed a lot into what is a fairly small space. The flow was good and everything made sense. I would recommend a group of 3 or 4 for this room.”
RenoTahoeDG
206 games played
Irvine School Of Wizardry And The Dragon Wand
Hidden Donkey
- Escape room
- IRL
“The Dragon Wand is an amazing room! The set design, props, and puzzles are high end and very immersive. This was the second room I played at Hidden Donkey tonight and I loved both. In total I have played 46 rooms (41W - 5L) so I still consider myself a bit of a novice. Tonight I played with two other adults with similar stats. We finished with 12:33 remaining and used no hints. We agree that this mostly linear room is medium difficulty so it was nice to have three brains looking at the puzzles from different angles (and checking each others' math). I would definitely recommend this room for all ages and abilities.”
BeatCal
46 games played
Irvine School of Wizardry and the Goblin's Secrets
Hidden Donkey
- Escape room
- IRL
“WOW!!!!! This room is simply amazing. I would love to just hang out in there and admire the set. It’s that good. The soundtrack and audio elements are wonderful and enhanced the experience. The puzzles were really fun and on theme and they can add or omit a bonus puzzle depending on how you’re doing on time. That puzzle was a great addition too. And the ‘working’ transportation system just pushed it over the top. This is truly a work of art and a must do room.”
RenoTahoeDG
206 games played
The Curse Of The Black Knight
EscapeX Rooms
- Escape room
- IRL
“Wonderfully themed, full of some unique processes. The room is stated as being linear, and it is, but the puzzles didn’t necessarily directly flow one into the next each time. But overall a more unique experience with high production value.”
mahka42
32 games played
The Fortune Teller
No. 1 Escapes
- Escape room
- IRL
“Tarot themed and chock full of puzzles, we loved this room (and barely finished)! There are story tie-ins to the other two rooms at this location that are delightful Easter eggs (but not necessary to play the room). Great for larger groups. Our GM, Amber, was professional and enthusiastic and really made our experience top 10!”
Patroclus
374 games played
The Return Of The Magician
UNLOCKED: Escape Room
- Escape room
- IRL
“For a relatively short experience room, I really did like this room a lot. It was pleasantly surprising and had a lot of puzzles that fit the theme well without making any one of the puzzles too obvious. Well done! Would recommend 4 people!”
Linking
159 games played
Gold Rush
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“Pros: Fun and lighthearted, good for families (including kids), linear puzzle-solving with a logical flow, good mix of easier and more challenging puzzles; Cons: Not easy to find (give yourself extra time), overly worn game pieces and props”
jessicals
32 games played
Prison Break
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“Absolutely LOVED this escape room because of its unique elements. I love how there were a lot of physical clues in this game too! It was definitely a memorable experience and I always rave about Prison Break to my friends. My top escape room recommendation from this company! P.S. Sorry for the blurry group photo LOL.”
missmisschelle
27 games played
Playground
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“You’re in elementary school and you have one hour to get everything finished before summer vacation, and this game does a great job of putting you in the mindset of an excited student ready to spring from school. The puzzles aren’t hard, which is fun because just like being in elementary school, it isn’t the difficulty of the activities that is tough, it’s the time crunch of getting all your schoolwork done with enough time to play with friends. Loved just how much there was to do in this room, and was a great challenge to tackle alone. Claire and Gwen were awesome!”
DistortedLeaf
88 games played
Prison Break
Escape Room 66
- Escape room
- IRL
“Really enjoyed this room, but agree that the storyline doesn’t make a whole lot of sense 😂 But we don’t care about story and we love lots of puzzles, so this room was a good one for us! There’s a split start, and I always enjoy that challenge because it requires cooperative communication. There was also a good mix of different types of puzzles. We did it as a team of 3 enthusiasts who mostly stuck together on all the puzzles so we don’t miss out on anything or complete the room too quickly, and we got out with about 10 mins to spare. We probably would’ve gotten out more quickly if we were better at search and find! 😜”
nonfoodpics
249 games played
Wicked Wonderland
Escape Room 66
- Escape room
- IRL
“I wouldn't mind being trapped in this Wonderland, lots of whimsy and mayhem all throughout this room. Also on the easy-medium difficulty, but I liked this room the most out of the ones at this location. Puzzles flowed well and there's lots to look at!”
Linking
159 games played
More Escape Rooms
About Irvine
Irvine is bursting at the seams with amazing things to do. For the more outdoorsy types, Irvine sits just a short drive from pristine beaches, and the beautiful mountains that offer stunning views of the vistas below. Irvine is also home to some of the most thrilling kid-friendly attractions any where on the west coast. Go karts, waterparks, and museums dot the landscape. And while the kids are busy, perhaps the parents can sneak away to one of the nearby vineyards for some well deserved relaxation. Of course, when the family is ready to come together for some adventurous fun, Irvine also offers some of the very best escape rooms in southern California. Whatever your desire, Irvine has what you're looking for on your next vacation.
Learn More about Irvine Escape Rooms
Although sometimes overshadowed by (relatively) nearby Los Angeles, Irvine is an incredible escape room destination minus the craziness of the big city. Since the first escape rooms arrived in the city, Irvine has crafted some of the very best immersive puzzle experiences in the southwest. In fact, the Irvine area is home to over 20 different escape room venues, and that number is sure to rise in the future. Irvine School of Wizardry and the Dragon Wand at Hidden Donkey is an award-winning room that remains a strong favorite among even the most experienced of players. Odditorium Emporium at EscapeX Rooms goes all-in on its theme, transporting players out of the world. The Return of the Magician at UNLOCKED: Escape Rooms is a deep experience that provides a thrill throughout its entire story. With nearly 100 escape games in the entire area, you’re sure to find the perfect game for you and your group.
How Do Escape Rooms Work?
Remember those point-and-click adventure games where you’re locked in a room and have to solve puzzles to find the key and escape? Those online games were the original inspiration for the live escape rooms you’ll find all across the world today. An escape room is an immersive experience where you (and your team of 2 or more people) are locked in a room with a series of puzzles for 60 minutes. To escape and win the game, you have to look for clues, solve the puzzles, and find the key. While most escape rooms only give you 60 minutes to complete the challenge, others may have shorter or longer time limits. Many venues are private rooms where you and your team are the only players. However, some places may pair you with other groups who booked a slot at the same time. And don’t worry about getting stuck, asking for hints on a difficult puzzle is totally normal. While the original escape room (created by SCRAP in 2007) had a fairly simple aesthetic, today’s escape games often take you into a different world. Artistic set designs, secret doors, and unique interactive elements are all part of the fun. It’s like an adventure game that you can interact with in real life. But if you’re hoping to preview any rooms before you book a game somewhere, detailed images and videos can be hard to find. To keep the puzzles a secret and preserve the experience of seeing the room for the first time, most venues only offer a few photos or a short trailer about the room’s theme or narrative. The only way to know what it’s like is to go and try it for yourself!
Find the Best Irvine Escape Rooms with Morty
There are plenty of awesome escape rooms to choose from in Irvine. The goal of Morty is to make escape rooms more accessible for everyone to find and play. With Morty, you can: • Browse escape rooms anywhere in the country • Read reviews and ratings from other community members • Book a room together with your friends Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned escape room enthusiast, our aim is to help you play more escape rooms and visit more immersive attractions.
Frequently asked questions
How Do I Book an Escape Room in Irvine?
Most escape room venues don’t accept walk-ins, and time slots for popular games may fill up fast. Besides that, not every escape room is the same — some have varying difficulties, and you don’t want to get stuck playing a room that’s beyond your experience level. That’s why the best way to book an escape room in Irvine is through the Morty app. You can get updates on new games, read reviews, compare details (including difficulty, theme, runtime) and plan an outing with friends, all on the same platform. You can even coordinate games with your friends collaboratively. Download the Morty app and book your adventure today!