Irvine

Understand

Irvine was incorporated on December 28, 1971, Most of the growth in Irvine was sparked by the donation of a large parcel of land to the University of California system in order to establish the 4th largest UC Campus (in terms of attendance) - UC Irvine. The city is becoming the de facto business center of Orange County with many national and international companies having a presence in Irvine. Most of Irvine bordering Newport Beach (and the airport) and the areas surrounding any freeways are commercial areas where most of the larger companies have their offices. The arterial streets are very wide and have very generous speed limits. Most residential areas are off the arterial streets on smaller two-lane residential streets that lead to housing communities.

Getting there

By air John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA IATA) is practically located between Santa Ana and Irvine, NE of the intersection of Hwy 55 & I-405. Alternatively, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX IATA) is about an hour's drive away without traffic via freeway 405, or Long Beach Airport (LGB IATA) about 30 minutes away, also via 405.

By train Metrolink, ☏ +1-800-371-5465. Runs commuter trains to/from downtown Los Angeles and San Bernardino via its Orange County and Inland Empire routes. Most trains continue to Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, and a few trains go as far as Oceanside in San Diego County. Depending on your intended destination, the 1 Tustin station may be closer than the 2 Irvine Transportation Center. (updated Feb 2020) Amtrak, ☏ +11-800-872-7245. Pacific Surfliner trains also serve the Irvine Transportation Center (but not Tustin). Trains run between San Luis Obispo and San Diego via Los Angeles, and are more frequent than Metrolink on weekends. (updated Feb 2020) Most buses serving the Irvine and Tustin train stations run only during peak commute hours on weekdays.

By car Irvine is at the intersection of the 5 and 405 freeways. One does have to consider, though, that these freeways have a significant amount of traffic and may be slow during rush hour. If you are traveling northbound from San Diego and wish to avoid traffic, consider using State Route 73, which splits off from Interstate 5 in Laguna Niguel. It is a toll road. The 55 state freeway may be used to get to destinations in the northwest of Irvine; north of the 55 is Santa Ana.

By bus Flixbus, ☏ +1-855-626-8585. Offers non-stop services to/from Los Angeles, Ontario, Oceanside, San Diego, and San Ysidro. Their stop in Irvine is found on the UC Irvine campus in front of Crawford Hall. (updated Feb 2020) Greyhound, ☏ +1-714-542-2215. There is a station in Santa Ana, a neighboring city. (updated Feb 2020)

Getting around

By car As in all suburbs, it is extremely difficult to get around without a car. Rental cars are available near John Wayne Airport. Irvine is known for its winding streets that do not follow the traditional grid pattern most urban drivers are used to. It is extremely easy to become disoriented and lost if you are unfamiliar with the area. Bring a GPS or a map if you are new to the area. In the various housing tracts, if you follow the double yellow lines it will always lead you to an exit or through fare to a major street. Since Irvine is bounded on all sides by freeways, most of the arterial streets (which tend to be at least 4 lanes in either direction) will eventually lead to a freeway, but it may be many miles before this happens. Gas stations are unusually rare for a city this large and are not usually visible from the street. If you are in need of gas in Irvine, your best chances are to look in large shopping plazas where a gas station is usually hidden. Hiding the gas stations are a 'sign of upscale gentrification' in this city where household incomes rank as one of the highest in the nation. Most of the major roads in Irvine have a bike path near the shoulder. Watch out for cyclists using the bike paths.

By bus The Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) provides local bus transport in Irvine and surrounding cities.

By bike Irvine is a large city, covering about 66 square miles (170 km2), but is very friendly to bicyclists. There are over 45 miles of off-road bicycle trails and 282 miles of on-road bicycle lanes provided in Irvine. It is possible to transit from north to south in Irvine via tree shaded greenbelt bike trails with only two grade level crossings of highways. Other trails lead into the nearby hills for road touring or mountain biking experiences. Some paths parallel wildlife corridors and riders can often get glimpses of some of the wildlife native to the area - ranging from birds (sparrows to hawks), to opossums and skunks, and coyotes to mountain lions. City of Irvine Bikeways. There are numerous bicyclist clubs in Irvine and weekend mornings are a favorite time for street touring by groups sometimes numbering in the dozens. Buses and trains carry bicycles when riders are traveling longer distances.

See

1 University of California, Irvine (UCI). The largest (1,500-acre) and highest ranked university in Orange County. They offer free campus tours. 2 Irvine Museum, 18881 Von Karman Avenue Ste. 100, ☏ +1 949-476-2565. Displays California art of the Impressionist Period (1890-1930). Free. Irvine Historical Museum, 5 San Joaquin, ☏ +1 949-786-4112. Small, house-sized museum that displays ranch artifacts and other items related to the history of Irvine. $1 (suggested donation). 3 William R. Mason Regional Park, 18712 University Dr, ☏ +1 949-923-2220, [email protected]. Spring-summer 7AM-9PM; fall-winter 7AM-6PM; park office: M-F 8AM-4:30PM, office closed alternating Mondays. Expansive 345-acre park with open grassy areas, trees, and lakes. Also features playgrounds. Great place to have a picnic or go for a stroll. (updated Jan 2022) Woodbridge Community Park, 20 Lake Rd.. A 22-acre community park with basketball courts, volleyball courts, and picnic areas. 4 Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial, 4531 Bryan Ave (within Northwood Community Park), ☏ +1 949-724-6728, [email protected]. Honors Americans who died since 2001 in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. (updated Jan 2022)

Do

Visiting Irvine. City portal information on city and events. Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau, 2485 McCabe Way Suite 150, ☏ +1 949-660-9112. The Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau, also known as the Irvine CVB, exists to direct individuals traveling to Irvine in Orange County, California for business and for leisure. 1 Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University Drive, ☏ +1 949-653-2100, [email protected]. In addition to selling produce, they offer family-friendly farm tours and host seasonal harvest festivals. (updated Feb 2020)

Events 2 Bren Events Center. Offers concerts for many independent and lesser known groups. Along with various dance groups and shows, they feature UC Irvine's Anteater Athletics events, most notably their well regarded basketball games, in which the men's team has had two NCAA Division II tournament bids, four NIT bids, and has been the champions of the Big West two times. Irvine Barclay Theatre. Features concerts, plays, and performances that range from student groups to world-renowned international artists. Musical Theatre Village, 36-C Mauchly, ☏ +1 949-753-1996. A non-profit, community-based theatre.

Festivals Irvine Global Village Festival. This annual event is Orange County's largest multicultural festival. Occurs in Fall. Free.

Golf Oak Creek Golf Course, One Golf Club Dr, ☏ +1 949-653-5300. Ranch San Joaquin Golf Course, One Ethel Coplen Way, ☏ +1 949-786-5522. Strawberry Farms Golf Course, 11 Strawberry Farms Rd, ☏ +1 949-551-1811.

Movies Woodbridge Movies 5, 4626 Barranca Parkway, ☏ +1 949-733-3795. An inexpensive cinema, known informally as "The Dollar Theater," that screens movies a couple months after they have left other theaters. Highest movie ticket price is $2. Edwards University Town Center 6, 4245 Campus Dr, ☏ +1 949-854-8818. Shows independent, art house, and foreign films.

Parks 3 Boomers!, 3405 Michelson Drive, ☏ +1 949-559-8341. A family amusement park near the intersection of Michelson and Harvard which features indoor/outdoor activities such as miniature golf, batting cage, laser tag, go-karts, and arcade games. 4 The Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd, ☏ +1 949-724-6247, [email protected]. A lot of the park is still under development, but the Great Park Balloon ride, carousel, art galleries, and many other parts are open to the public. (updated Jan 2022)

Shopping centers 5 Irvine Spectrum, 670 Spectrum Center Dr, ☏ +1 949-790-4871. Features an IMAX theater, Edwards 21 Theater, Dave and Busters. Park Place, on Jamboree and Michelson. Fat Burgers, California Pizza Ki

Buy

1 The Market Place, 2961 El Camino Real, Tustin (corner of Bryan/Jamboree), ☏ +1 714-730-4124. Hosts Lowes, Ross, Barnes & Noble, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond to name a few. Several popular restaurants include California Pizza Kitchen, BJ's Restaurant and Brewery, Bucca di Beppo, Cafe Chin Chin, Corner Bakery, French 75 Brasserie, Macaroni Grill, On the Border,. 2 Irvine Spectrum Center, 71 Spectrum Center Dr, ☏ +1 949-753-5180. Has shops, boutiques, department stores, and plenty of merchant carts. The Spectrum is also considered by natives in Irvine as one of the better places to spend time. The spectrum is a common place of diversion by most people living in southcentral and southern Orange county. (updated Aug 2018)

Eat

Culver Plaza (Located at the intersection of Culver and Irvine Center drive.). One of the two shopping plaza featuring a multitude of Asian stores and restaurants, including 99 Ranch Market, Sam Woo's, JJ Bakery, Morning Glory, etc. Walnut Plaza. The other Asian shopping plaza located at the intersection of Walnut and Jeffrey, also built around a 99 Ranch Market, along with House of Shabu Shabu, Taiko Restaurant, Lollicup, A&J's Restaurant, Shik Do Rak Korean BBQ, etc. Is actually two plazas on either side of Walnut. Diamond Jamboree. A newer Asian shopping plaza located at Jamboree and Alton with several shops and restaurants. Includes Kula Revolving Sushi Bar, Capital Seafood (serves dim-sum in the morning and all day in the to-go side), BCD Tofu House, Lollicup (boba/bubble tea), Yogurtland (self-serve frozen yogurt), and the 85ºC Bakery Café (with a wide selection of Asian breads). Also has H-Mart, a Korean supermarket, which has a very small food court inside. Diamond Jamboree is very popular and often gets crowded in the evenings, especially on the weekend. The Market Place (Located on the border of Irvine and Tustin, on Jamboree). A two-sided large shopping center divided by Jamboree the side opposing the Irvine side is theTustin Market Place. It features a lot of restaurants Irvine Spectrum. The Irvine Spectrum has multiple upscale chain restaurants. (updated Jun 2022) Heritage Square. Shopping plaza at the intersection of Culver and Walnut. Features several Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants, including, Caspian Restaurant, Denny's, Super Mex, Wheel of Life. Bakeries include Diho Bakery and Assal Pastry. Walnut Village Center. Shopping plaza across from Heritage Square. Features Trader Joe's and Smart & Final, among other restaurants. Individual restaurants

Le Diplomat Cafe, 4237 Campus Dr Ste B161, ☏ +1 949-854-5161. Tasty sandwiches. Chicken Broccoli Mushroom is one of their most popular sandwiches. 1 Wholesome Choice, 18040 Culver Dr, ☏ +1 949-551-4111. This independent grocery store features Middle Eastern and Central American foods. Don't miss the freshly-baked sangak (Persian flatbread). Enormous produce section and excellent array of herbs, spices, and condiments. Many kinds of prepared foods, including kebabs, pastries, and traditional Iranian foods. The food court inside of the grocery store offers a variety of food options: pizza, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Persian, American, Mexican, and Italian. Can be very busy, especially on weekends, so give yourself plenty of time to look around. (updated Jun 2022) Shik Do Rak, 14775 J

Drink & nightlife

Anthill Pub & Grille, 215 Pereira Dr, ☏ +1 949-824-4182. Pub features Monday night comedy and other events. Located on the UC Irvine Campus. Dave & Busters, 71 Fortune Drive Suite 960, ☏ +1 949-727-0555. Known for its food, bar, and arcade. During the school year, D&B is popular among UC Irvine students, especially on Thursdays. Located at Irvine Spectrum. There are several areas of the city where bars are clustered. The Irvine Police Department knows where they are, too. The IPD is very concerned about keeping drunk drivers off the city's streets, so if you have been drinking to the point of intoxication don't be surprised to see flashing lights in your rear view mirror. The IPD stakes out these areas at closing time and actively pulls over anyone showing signs of DUI.

Sleep

Courtyard Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County, 2701 Main St, ☏ +1 949-757-1200, fax: +1 949-757-1596. State-of-the-art lobby, free Wi-Fi. The Bistro provides guests with healthy food and beverage choices in the morning, and evening dinner service with cocktails. Doubletree Hotel, 90 Pacifica (at Irvine Spectrum). 1 Embassy Suites by Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport (Embassy Suites Irvine), 2120 Main St (From 405 fwy. North or south - Exit at MacArthur Blvd, and turn right-east onto Main St. Drive two blocks to Gillette and turn right- Hotel located on the corner of Main Street and Gillette. Just north of the intersection of Main Street and Von Karman. Complimentary Orange County Airport (SNA) shuttle from 5:30AM - 11PM daily. Call hotel at +1 949-553-8332 for airport pickup.), ☏ +1 949-553-8332, toll-free: +1-800 EMBASSY (3622779), fax: +1 949-261-5301, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Offers complimentary airport shuttle service from John Wayne Airport. State-of-the-art fitness center. $149 - 329. Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman Ave, ☏ +1 949-553-0100, fax: +1 949-261-7059. Residence Inn Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County, 2855 Main St, ☏ +1 949-261-2020, fax: +1 949-261-2011. Sonesta Irvine Orange County Airport, 17941 Von Karman Ave, ☏ +1 949-863-1999. SpringHill Suites, 17601 Fitch, ☏ +1 949-757-0500. Suites with microwave, mini-fridge, large work desk, free internet, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free parking, free airport shuttle, free hot breakfast, pool and fitness center. $150. Residence Inn Irvine Spectrum, 10 Morgan St, ☏ +1 949-380-3000. Check-in: noon, check-out: 3PM. Free breakfast buffet, free WiFi. Near Irvine Spectrum. Easy access to freeways. All suite hotel.

Go next

Crystal Cove State Beach. Generally considered the nicest beach in Orange County. Follow the Pacific Coast Highway south from Newport Beach. Corona del Mar. Nice small beach with tidepools and natural reserve on one side, and firepits on the other. Free parking on the side of the road, or $6 parking at lot on the beach. Southern end of Irvine. Keep going south on Jamboree until you hit the Pacific Coast highway. Fashion Island. Another shopping mall similar to South Coast Plaza. Based in Newport Beach. Take Jamboree south. Laguna Beach. One of the nicer beaches around here with plenty of restaurants and shops. Take the 405 or 5 south until they merge, then take the 133 south all the way until you hit the Pacific Coast Highway. South Coast Plaza. The largest shopping mall around here in Costa Mesa. Just as luxurious as Fashion Island, but much larger. Newport Beach and Balboa. these two semi-connected beaches are closest to irvine. Take the 5 North to the 55 South which ends in the center of Newports shopping district.