A festival schedule is a menu of possibilities. You do not have to do all of it. Use this simple planning sequence to make the day easier to navigate.
Choose the date before the activities.
Multi-weekend events can change their entry rules. Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch does not require weekend reservations September 12–20, 2026, but does require them September 26–October 31. Read the instructions for your exact visit date.
Book the non-negotiable part.
Some festivals are included in admission to a larger attraction. Baja Splash is included in aquarium admission, and reservations are required. Choose an available entry time before building a plan around the festival; saving it here does not hold a ticket.
Keep one anchor and one optional extra.
Our suggestion: choose the activity everyone most wants to do, then add one nearby option. At the Maritime Festival, the published pirate shows give you a specific time to plan around. Leave space for walking, food and breaks rather than stacking every activity.
Source: Maritime Festival / Ocean Institute ↗View our event details →
Recheck the morning of your trip.
Open the organizer link for schedule changes, weather notices and access instructions. Bob Baker Day had not published its full schedule and parking details when we checked. An honest “not yet confirmed” is more useful than a confident guess.
How to use this guide
Event examples refer to September–October 2026. Prices, policies and availability can change. Open the organizer’s page before making a booking. Planning suggestions are ours; we have not personally tested these itineraries.
How we choose and check →
