The 12 best escape rooms in Irvine (2026)

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.”

ideinit

346 escape rooms

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!

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.”

robyn

108 escape rooms

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”

Fatmonkey43

17 haunts

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.”

BavarianErin

116 escape rooms

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.”

ideinit

346 escape rooms

Since the passing of the legendary knight Melkor and disappearance of his sword, a great curse has fallen on the town. A thick fog lingers through the village — persisting far longer than normal. It has long been said that the only way to bring back balance to the land is to return to sword to its rightful home. Can you return the sword and lift the curse before time runs out?

“Amazing atmosphere. I loved the theming a lot! The puzzle flow felt great, and I loved the tangible props and decorations. If you are looking for those Dark Souls, Zelda shadow temple, dark fantasy vibes - this is great. Puzzles are cool, and puzzle flow was smooth. For a very experienced group of 4 it was a little short. I wanted to be in there longer!”

Cajeeb

143 escape rooms

Activate offers a range of games that test your physical and mental abilities. Whether you're climbing walls, solving puzzles, or dodging lasers, there's something for everyone. Enter the game where you become the player in the world's first active gaming facility. Jump, climb, problem-solve and laugh, as you and your friends move between challenges. Each dynamic game room has interactive technology that reacts in real time, ensuring an adrenaline-filled adventure.

SEE YOU ON THE PLAYGROUND Summer is here! Well, almost… If you and your friends are going to leave for summer vacation, you’ll need your final report card. Here’s the problem, you haven’t finished your work and these assignments are unlike anything you’ve encountered in a classroom before. Luckily, you’ve got a great squad and everyone brings something different to the table. Band together to ace the ultimate group project. Pass or fail, you’re in this together!

Come Play the Game of Chue Can you solve the mystery or will you go barking up the wrong tree? Play an exciting game of clues, chues and crazy hounds to figure out who, what, when, where and why this puzzling crime occurred.

“We absolutely loved this room! I loved the brightness of this room (finally not a dark room!) and all of the fun dog related elements. I will say I didn’t enjoy the loud audio noises at times (supposed to be jumpscares), but otherwise, super fun & challenging puzzles! Highly recommend this room.”

missmisschelle

52 escape rooms

Step right up to Wicked Wonderland - where Alice in Wonderland meets carnival chaos! Ed, the white rabbit is being hunted by the Queen, who's determined to lop off his head. Journey through twisted carnival games and dizzying funhouse puzzles to unlock secrets and save Ed. Can you escape the Queen's wrath in time or will Ed's head be her prize?

“Great room and company! Loved the asthetic and set design of this one and the puzzle connections were a lot of fun. Overthought a few puzzles but we were able to get through it with only 2 hints. We would come back to do their other rooms after the great experience here. Non-linear which was nice to break out and focus on different things.”

capnrogers7

98 escape rooms

Can you escape a fate at the hands of your deranged captor? Your heart won't stop pounding as you use tools & artifacts, find clues and solve puzzles to escape the past before you become the next experiment.

“I'm a BIG Escape Room 66 fan! Their sets are always so fun, well done, and colorful. Their puzzles go on and on and on, in a good way. Groups have tons to do, no matter how small or large they get. We did this in a group of 2 and it was a lot to do and we got nudges from our GM to ensure we kept pace against time to make it out successfully. It'd be fun for a larger group. The best make of a prison escape of any escape room.”

jpr

193 escape rooms