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.

Finalist (2025)

Finalist (2024)

Enroll at Irvine School of Wizardry and unleash your magical potential! Test your skills with thrilling puzzles and challenges. Learn to cast spells, discover magical creatures, and uncover the goblin's secrets to defeat the Dark Lord!

The Phoenix Ring:
Step into the Department of Beast Mastery as you encounter rare creatures, engage with a variety of magical artifacts, explore the botanical chamber, and journey deep underground to uncover long-lost secrets!

What a great episode 2 of the School of Wizardry series!  Hidden Donkey does not disappoint. 

The Marauder’s Map guide system is on-theme and kept us on track.  Set design was beautiful and “room transitions” were very memorable.

Highly recommended.

Hidden Donkey

Irvine School of Wizardry and the Goblin's Secrets

Escape room

Nominee (2025)

Best of Morty (2024)

Nominee (2024)

In this spine-tingling mystery, you are transported back to October 1984, where renowned author Jane Oliver is found dead in her own home under suspicious circumstances. Despite exhaustive efforts by detectives, it remains unsolved and has become a cold case.

Excellent room, did not disappoint. Did this with 2 people (though it is priced for 4) and beat it with 8 minutes to spare. Would recommend a group of 3-4, but if you’re ambitious it’s definitely do-able if you lock in. 

Great story and flow, everything was themed together nicely. Non-linear. Nice atmosphere. Would definitely recommend as one of the top rooms in OC.

Exodus Escape Room

Ink & Ashes

Best of Morty (2023)

Nominee (2023)

Best of Morty (2022)

Finalist (2022)

Finalist (2021)

Nominee (2020)

Silver - Best Fantasy Theme (2020)

Become a student at Irvine School of Wizardry and put your magical skills to the test through a series of puzzles and challenges. Learn to cast magical spells, brew mystical potions and unlock secret chambers to defeat the Dark Lord!

We had such a great time with this room! The scenery was Hollywood level. We thought we had just walked into a certain wizard school from the movies. The puzzles were really fun and the tech was pretty wild. We will definitely be back to play their other room.

Irvine School Of Wizardry And The Dragon Wand

Best of Morty (2025)

Reopening for 2026. Hours, dates, and admission may vary — check official site for current details.

Last verified: 8/31/2026

It looks like some of our camp counselors read that weird book they found in the forest, and now Camp Slashers is plagued with monsters! You will need to be trained on proper axe-throwing self-defense (and other fun games) to protect yourself from the undead! Slashers is the only venue in Southern California to offer hatchet and big axe throwing, interactive projected targets, and draft beer. Slashers is from the same creators of Cross Roads Escape Games in Anaheim.

This was one of the best Axe Throwing Experiences we have done. We really enjoy Whoop Axe due to all the extra equipment they allow you to throw, but this place has the theming! This place has not only the theming, but they have the high tech equipment. I would highly recommend this place to multiple people

Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales

Other 

Haunt

Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime, or rather, an adventure in a whole different time! Join forces with Intrepid and explore the Tipsy Tailor, a secretive shop from the 1920’s!

Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Tipsy Tailor seems to host more than just your average suit and tie. Some say it was involved in a bootlegging ring, with the uptight owner at the helm of a hidden speakeasy that produced many tonics despite the era’s prohibition laws.

However, there seemed to have been at least one tonic gone bad. Poisonous, even!

The Intrepid Adventure Society needs your help uncovering the secrets held both within and past the Tipsy Tailor’s walls. Will you and your team be able to procure some under the table product before it’s too late?

I'm not sure how this game was played previously, but in the version we played a few days ago we were tasked with gathering as many tonic bottles as we could. To find them we had to solve a lot of fun and clever puzzles. And I do mean a LOT. Apparently there is a less difficult version of the game with fewer tasks to complete, but knowing we had 100 games under our belts, we got the full complement of tasks. 

We appreciated the multilayered puzzles, of which several were also very unique. There were also aspects of humor and silly-ness, which were very welcome. 

Decor and props were excellent and period appropriate. 

While we usually like to solve puzzles and do things together, towards the end we had no choice but to divide and conquer. One triple-level logic type puzzle made me feel insanely proud to have done on my own, which is a great feeling to have in an escape room. 

We were allowed to go over time, and I'm glad we were, since it allowed us to fully complete all puzzles/tasks AND find the maximum number of tonic bottles. 

Of the three games we played at this location, this was my favorite (Jewel and Relic were the other two.)

Also, tip of the hat to one of THE BEST lobbies in the business.

Intrepid Escape Rooms

The Tipsy Tailor

Reopening for 2026. Hours, dates, and admission may vary — check official site for current details.

Last verified: 8/31/2026

"Take your seat in a gloomy Doom Buggy for an eerie tour through this house of happy haunts. Dearly depart into a foreboding estate, drag your body to the dead center of the Portrait Chamber and watch as the walls begin to stretch before your eyes. Climb into your waiting Doom Buggy and embark on a shivering journey into an unearthly realm.

The disembodied voice of the Ghost Host is your private guide through the cadaverous dwelling—home to grinning ghosts and other spectral surprises. 

Glide past a rattling casket in the conservatory. Head off to Madame Leota's spirited séance room. Float by the Grand Ballroom and its waltzing apparitions. Take a spin through a cemetery where the spirited residents regale you with song. 

Beware of lurking hitchhikers—these phantom pranksters may try to follow you home!"

Such a fun, spooky attraction at the Disneyland Resort! Not necessarily “scary,” but this is a dark attraction with dim lighting, but lots to see and enjoy. This is always a classic to ride during the holidays (Halloween, Christmas time) because they will transform this attraction into The Nightmare Before Christmas theme!

Disneyland Resort

Haunted Mansion

Haunted house

Embark on a journey through the Midnight Theater, entering horror film worlds where you must survive the deadly Slasher's rage. Can you escape these movie nightmares, or will you be trapped among decaying corpses in the ruined theatre? The sinister Midnight Theater beckons the brave into Cinema Slasher.

I don’t know if I just got lucky with a really good actor when I walked through, but I got more jump scares on this maze than any of the others. The creepy guys with film reels for a head were particularly freaky and really got in my face and followed me around—it was great!

Knott's Berry Farm

Cinema Slasher

Reopening for 2026. Hours, dates, and admission may vary — check official site for current details.

Last verified: 8/31/2026

Within the canvas tent lies the secret of the most potent force in the universe: the human mind. Give in and succumb to the hypnotist Mesmer and his sinister sideshow, as it pries on your hidden fears.

Release your inner thoughts and descend into a world of madness, torture, and eerie enlightenment. There you will uncover the grotesque secrets hidden as you brave through the most terrifying show ever created.

I loved this theme of hypnotization. Of all the mazes at Knott’s, this one is the best at telling you a complete story throughout the entire maze. The voice talks to you through the entire maze, which makes perfect sense for the hypnotization theme. There are also some really cool, freaky moments during this maze where they play with your mind. I only wish there were even more mind tricks sprinkled all throughout!

Mesmer: Sideshow Of The Mind

Honoring Scary Farm's inaugural maze, "10 Chilling Chambers," began in 1977. This unsettling attraction pays tribute to its past while horrifying today's audience. The Keeper leads you through a foreboding cathedral, encountering classic maze themes. Unleash 50 years of modern terror, reliving the eerie collections and diabolical characters of seasons past.

This might be my favorite haunt of all time! It’s not at all cohesive, but that’s because it’s basically ten mini haunts! Every time I turned a corner, I had no idea what would come next. It never stoped surprisingly me, and my smile just got wider the further I went in. I kept thinking I was almost at the end, but the maze lasts like seven minutes! That’s crazy long for a theme park haunt!

The Chilling Chambers

#92 - Top Rooms (2023)

Golden Lock Winners (2023)

Nominee (2022)

The Weeping Witch is a spirit that lures people close by mimicking the sound of a woman crying. When people hear its wails, they follow the sound into the darkness, thinking someone needs help. Once they get close enough, the Witch attacks and slowly sucks the life out of its victims.

If you choose to enter Madam Ruby’s study, that is what is awaiting you. Will you be able to banish the evil spirit and end your family curse before the Weeping Witch consumes you too?

The ambiance, props, story, mirrors, smoke, table… everything amazing, but HER! I don’t get scared easily, she was freaking real! Play it if you want to immerse yourself into an unreal room …trapped with her. Would I do it again? Yes. Did it set my bar as “is your live actor as scary as that witch?” for the next rooms? Absolutely yes.

Cross Roads Escape Games

The Weeping Witch

Months have gone by since five friends vanished without a trace. Four of the missing individuals have been discovered in separate locations across the frozen hills, indicating potential foul play. Law enforcement suspects that the fifth friend, whose remains have not been found, is responsible for the crimes. Despite an extensive search, the authorities believe that the final survivor has also perished, labeling the case as a cold one and closing it.

However, you have a different hypothesis. One of the four bodies found was located inside an old cabin known for a terrifying tale from the 1950s. The story goes that a man went insane and murdered his entire family and anyone who came close to the cabin. Despite his confession, the authorities never located the bodies from that crime, and the perpetrator was sentenced to death and locked up in a mental institution. Until his dying breath, he insisted that the house was haunted, and the spirits made him commit the gruesome acts of violence.

Determined to uncover the truth, you and your friends venture into the hills to locate the infamous cabin and search for any signs of your missing friend. However, as you approach the cabin, you begin to feel lightheaded and pass out one by one. When you come to, you realize that your face is covered, and you can only use one hand. To make matters worse, some members of your group are missing. Can you locate your friends, find your missing companion, and escape before suffering the same fate as the family from the eerie tale?
* Previously at Clever Fox in Menifee, CA.*

Great room, owner was super helpful and an awesome GM.  Came with 4 teen girls.  Live actor was definitely a plus for the experience!  They toned it down for us, but still a lot of scares/anxiety (in a good way). Can’t wait to see what the other rooms are like.

Cloud Escape

Cold Case

Zoe is not just a story. Zoe is tangible proof that nightmares aren't reserved solely for your dreams.
Zoe Is Real.

You find yourself drawn to an abandoned house that has been haunting your dreams.
The eerie force calling you becomes unbearable, and once you arrive at the location, you become trapped.

Trapped in a place where a terrifying world where nightmares become reality.
The spirits will tell you all that you need to know to free Zoe; all of the dark secrets and rituals you need to execute to end this once and for all.

But you're not alone.

Uncle Robert is here.
While you and your team try to solve the puzzles, you must fight and flee from uncle robert. One wrong step, and his axe will be swiftly put into your back.

Imagine a mysterious, run-down house from your darkest nightmares. The abandoned home is vast and consists of multiple rooms, separated by a never-ending hallway of doors. Over 2000 square feet to explore in this 100 minute horror experience.

Prepare to explore zoe's bedroom, robert's lair, and other twisted rooms that you'll have to see to believe - if you can last that long without running away in fear.

Nightmarish Puzzles

Zoe's puzzles exist solidly within its nightmarish world, challenging you with intuitive tasks that feel like genuine interactions with the spirits or means to stay alive.

With cryptic sigils, rituals, haunted paintings, satanic circles, and liters of blood, the puzzles will immerse you further into the horror of what has been done to Zoe and what she has become..

Though the puzzles may seem simple outside the haunting environment, the terror you'll experience within Zoe's world makes even the easiest tasks nearly impossible to complete.

Selected Purgatory Mode..
All I can say is this:
There is a waiver. A REAL Waiver.
They are not kidding about what is on it. 
Read thoroughly.  You've been warned. 
The rest of it is up to you. 

Puzzles weren't complicated at all, but we still managed to not complete the room. You'll understand why as soon as the game starts. 
Good luck.

Escapade Games

Zoe: Reborn

Nominee (2019)

There is a psychopath on the loose and you’ve been kidnapped! The killer likes to toy with victims and has left to make preparations… Escape within the hour or become the next victims!

So awesome! It was very immersive and the theming was really well done. All of the puzzles made sense and the technology was really cool. Our game master was Joel and he was super friendly and awesome!

Mission Escape Games

Escape the Darkest Hour: Torture Chamber

You have been hired as private investigators to gather evidence against a suspected serial killer. After hearing of several missing persons alerts, it is time for you to step in and finish this hunt for the truth. Investigate Ted Gein's apartment, and bring the criminal to light in order to receive payment for your service. Manage the two on-going investigations and you'll be successful in this horror escape room. As a bonus in this horror escape room experience, you will record footage that you will be able to keep with you after the game!

Discover as much as possible about the killer while fighting a clock as you gather evidence.
Try to find out not just what he did, but also what he is..

While struggling to find evidence against the killer, you must also bring hard evidence of missing persons in order to get paid for your service. Manage the two on-going investigations and you'll be successful in this horror escape room.

You must also be careful. While there's a lookout to ensure that he is away from his apartment, you must leave no traces behind and be as quiet as possible. You don't know who's listening.

The Hide is a fun, mysterious, and interactive adult game of Hide-and-Seek with the elements of a scare actor, intense darkness, bloody props, and suspenseful music.

What I liked most about this room was how much was compacted into the physical space, the interactive “hide-and-seek” element with a scare actor, and the ability to video record using the Escape Room Era’s devices. This room is very immersive which accounts for the laughs, fun, and memories that are made in this room. As you are an investigator, this room truly makes you feel like you’re investigating and having to “hide” when you’re interrupted. 

We truly had a lot of fun in this escape room! It’s more so about what you can’t see vs what you can see. The real fear factor in this escape room is your own mind. Can you escape?

Escape Room Era

The Hide

The gang needs your help investigating the mysterious disappearances at Joffre Manor. Do you have what it takes to solve the mystery in this zoink-tastic adventure?

I enjoyed it! Pretty physical and straightforward. Definitely something I’d bring kids to. 10-14 ish age.

Not too scary and the puzzles didn’t seem too hard. 

It was pretty easy for us. Requires some actual reading through the clues they give you though and I know that some escape roomers can be pretty go go go in terms of just blindly solving puzzles and undoing locks.

I wouldn’t bring anyone with mobility issues to this one though. At least half the room is behind lots of ladders and stairs and short ceilings.

Clearly a lot of heart in this room. Good energy. Some of the more secret areas could use a little bit more theming to fit in with the absolute knockout theming and decor of the first two rooms.

Nerdy by Nature Escape Rooms

Hijinx at Joffre Manor

Imagine waking up to find yourself curled up in a cozy corner, surrounded by a scratching post, litter box, and the fluffiest napping spot you've ever seen. You stretch, yawn, and—wait a second... this isn’t your home! You’ve somehow landed in a pet shop adoption cubby, and there’s a sign that says “AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.” Uh oh. You’re a cat, and you’re in the wrong place. Time to put your paws to work and get back to your real family!

This is an easy game designed for younger players. 

We did with a 4 and an 11 year old, our little cats LOVED it! It’s fun for adults too, such a creatively designed room. The most (maybe the only?) child-friendly room around LA, definitely recommended to do with kids, I mean cats, of all ages. Jeremiah was so passionate and kind as a GM, and also as an escape room connoisseur. We’ll be back for the other room soon :)

Exit Game OC

Meow! I'm a Cat.

Set sail on an exhilarating journey aboard the "Jewel of the Sea," a mysterious 18th-century pirate ship! Join Intrepid's elite team of seasoned adventurers as you explore the secrets of this legendary vessel.

Now a museum, the ship is cloaked in captivating tales about a massive gemstone rumored to be hidden within and a mysterious descendant of the infamous pirate captain who is tirelessly searching for the treasure.

The Maritime History Museum invites you to uncover the secrets of this historic ship. Will you and your team be the ones to finally discover its long-lost treasures and reveal the true Jewel of the Sea?

Went over by 20 seconds, I’m still calling it “escaped” 😅

It is a very creative use of small space with great atmosphere.  Got a couple puzzles/props I’ve not seen before.  Even the clue system was whimsical!

I’d recommend it for 2 strong players or 3-4 regular players.  The space is too small for more than that.

Things to Do in Irvine: Escape Rooms, Haunted Houses and More

Top escape rooms in Irvine

Irvine School of Wizardry and the Goblin's Secrets

Ink & Ashes

Irvine School Of Wizardry And The Dragon Wand

Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales

The Tipsy Tailor

Top escape rooms for kids in Irvine

Irvine School of Wizardry and the Goblin's Secrets

Irvine School Of Wizardry And The Dragon Wand

Hijinx at Joffre Manor

Meow! I'm a Cat.

Jewel of the Sea

Top horror escape rooms in Irvine

The Weeping Witch

Cold Case

Zoe: Reborn

Escape the Darkest Hour: Torture Chamber

The Hide

Top haunted houses near Irvine

Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales

Haunted Mansion

Cinema Slasher

Mesmer: Sideshow Of The Mind

The Chilling Chambers

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Anaheim

Downtown Los Angeles

Hollywood

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