Irvine, California

🌍United States

Irvine, California, United States

As if the honor of being deemed "America's Safest Big City"* since 2005 isn't enough, Irvine − the center of Orange County, California − offers visitors shopping, diverse dining, outdoor recreation and family-friendly activities. Just minutes from the area's popular beaches and world-famous attractions − Irvine is the ideal location for a true Southern California experience!

Population:

282,572

Currency:

U.S. dollar = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

911

Opening Hours:

Newspapers:

Orange County Register
Irvine Standard

The City

Irvine is a city like no other: a master-planned balance of urban living and preserved natural space at the center of Orange County in coastal Southern California.

Reflecting the visionary spirit of its University of California campus, Irvine is not only a great place to vacation, it's an exceptional destination for meetings and events, a multicultural home to over 100 company headquarters.

At the same time, Irvine is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the country, ranked "America's Safest Big City" by the FBI since 2005 and less than half an hour from some of California's best-loved attractions, including Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Disneyland Park® and Knott's Berry Farm.

If you love sunny days and mild nights, world-class shopping, hiking and biking, and diverse dining, find it all at the center of Orange County: Irvine, California.

Irvine boasts the most open space in all of Orange County with 16,000 acres offering 54 miles of off-street bikeways, along with hiking and horseback riding trails.

Much of Irvine’s open space is part of the Irvine Ranch which encompasses 50,000 acres and has been named a Natural Landmark by both the U.S. Department of the Interior and State of California. The area, deemed by scientists as one of the world's biodiversity "hot spots," features hundreds of different species of plants and animals, including eagles, badgers, mountain lions, Tecate cypress trees, and many rare species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Bommer and Shady Canyons beckon walkers and hikers to stroll past ancient oak and sycamore groves and rough rock outcrops.

The 2.8-acre Quail Hill Trailhead is an easy two-mile natural surface trail and is the only wilderness trail part of the Natural Landmarks that allows dogs.

San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary are comprised of more than 300 acres of restored coastal freshwater wetlands. Twelve miles of trails serve as an oasis for walkers, joggers, and birdwatchers as well as a living laboratory for students, teachers and the public.

25 Things to Do in Irvine

From the Great Balloon and the Giant Wheel to Diamond Jamboree and the Irvine Global Village Festival, experience a plethora of outdoor recreation, family-friendly attractions and events along with globally diverse cuisine in Irvine.

1.
Get a bird's-eye view of the area 400 feet above ground aboard the Great Park Balloon, at the Orange County Great Park. The Great Park Balloon is one of the largest tethered helium (not hot air) balloons and the first of its kind in the United States. It is environmentally safe, non-polluting, and virtually silent.

2.
Take a spin on the Irvine Spectrum Center's iconic 108-foot tall Giant Wheel, custom-designed and handcrafted in Italy. Featuring over 52,000 energy-efficient LED lights, the Giant Wheel is capable of projecting a dazzling 16 million color schemes. Whether you’re at the top looking out over Orange County, or in the courtyard below mesmerized by the lights, the view is spectacular.

3.
Please your palate with a variety of international flavors at Diamond Jamboree. With over twenty-one restaurants it is a must see for all who like to explore the cuisines and cultures of the Pacific Rim.

4.
Sip afternoon tea or a signature cocktail in the Bow Room of the Hello Kitty Grand Café. Hello Kitty Grand Cafe inside the Irvine Spectrum Center is not your average cafe. Underneath the neon Bow Room sign and behind the white door marked with a simple gold bow is an area found only in Irvine, California. The Irvine Bow Room is the Hello Kitty themed oasis, providing traditional Afternoon Tea by day and signature drinks at night.

5.
Catch a professional soccer game as the Orange County Soccer Club takes on opponents. It's the only professional soccer team in the OC and is the official affiliate partner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) of Major League Soccer (MLS).

6.
Visit the Irvine Museum, the only museum in the state dedicated to the preservation and display of California Impressionism. California has long been a golden land with beautiful weather and an environment that is perfect for growing the most succulent of fruits. Over 100 years ago impressionist artists would come from miles around to paint the beautiful landscapes of the day. The Irvine Museum is home to many such paintings and is keen to keep today’s generation painting the glorious surroundings that they live in. There are many fixed exhibitions as well as traveling ones meaning there is always something new to see.

7.
Let the kids play grown-up at Pretend City Children's Museum. This hands-on Exploratorium is a magical, interconnected “city” designed to “build better brains”. Kids can pretend they are grown-ups through 17 interactive exhibits, purposeful play, role playing, educational programing and hands-on learning experiences.

8.
Celebrate 50 different cultures at the Irvine Global Village Festival, Orange County's largest multicultural festival. The festival incorporates the best of Irvine's historic fall festival to offer more food, art, and music. Families delight in Kids Village with crafts, interactive activities, seek-a-treat, and a petting zoo. Attendees of all ages enjoy local and global cuisine, an artisan's marketplace, music, art, and exhibits.

9.
Pay your respect at the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial, the nation's only memorial dedicated to honoring all of the fallen American service members in the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq.

10.
Get an introduction to the large botanical garden that contains over 11,000 trees and shrubs, including 33 species of eucalyptus at Aldrich Park. Aldrich Park is the natural centerpiece of the University of California, Irvine. The numerous trees on campus make UCI one out of 74 campuses nationwide to win the Tree Campus USA designation.

11.
Pick melons, strawberries, and pumpkins at Tanaka Farms. Tanaka Farm is a 30-acre family-run farm in the heart of Irvine where they grow over 60 different organic fruits and vegetables throughout the year.

12.
Attempt a triple Salchow on the Irvine Spectrum Center's ice skating rink, OC Chill. Irvine Spectrum Center is transformed into a winter wonderland when the festive outdoor Holiday Ice Rink returns to Giant Wheel Court during the holiday season. The outdoor Ice Rink offers fun for the whole family.

13.
Experience a sensory overload at one of Irvine's farmers market, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, as well as arts and crafts fair. Take home fresh produce grown on the Great Park Farm and other local farms. Explore the Farm + Food Lab and get home gardening tips from master gardeners from the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.strawberries

14.
Enjoy contemporary dance, world music, theater, chamber music and family events at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. “… consistently presents one of the country’s most impressive rosters of music, dance and dramatic events… and there’s no bad seat in the house” – Where MagazineBarclay Theatre

15.
Explore the area's history and learn how the city began with a visit to the Irvine Historical Museum and the Irvine Ranch Historic Park. Irvine Historical Museum is located in the San Joaquin Ranch House, it was commissioned by James Irvine in 1868 and considered the oldest standing structure within the original boundaries of Irvine Ranch. Built for $1,300, the home was the first wooden house to be erected between Anaheim and San Diego. A research library and extensive photo collection of local historic information are available.

16.
Hike the distinctive Quail Hill preserve with your furry, four-legged friend. The 2.8-acre Trailhead, an easy two-mile natural surface trail, provides a great location to connect to southern Irvine’s extensive trail network. You can also experience Irvine’s self-guided audio tour on your phone.Quail Hill Hikers

17.
Trek the outstanding trails of Bommer Canyon past ancient oak and sycamore groves and rough rock outcrops. Being more than 180 years old, Bommer Canyon beckons hikers, mountain bikers and all outdoor enthusiasts. There are free programs such as yoga, full moon hike and rugged mountain bike rides.

18.
Discover hundreds of species of plants and animals at the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. Learn about the Marsh, water conservation and environmental protection at the interpretive center. The 12-mile trail is an oasis for walkers, runners and birdwatchers. Over 100 different species of birds call this place home including blue herons, snowy egrets, brown pelicans and many other feathered friends.

19.
Bike Irvine - 60 miles+ of off-road bicycle trails and 300+ miles of on-road bicycle lanes. One-third of Irvine is preserved for outdoor recreation, making it one of the greenest cities in America!

20.
Shop at one of Irvine's retail and lifestyle centers. Irvine and the surrounding area offer fashionistas, casual shoppers and people-watchers several retail and lifestyle centers such as Irvine Spectrum Center, Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza, The District and The Market Place.

21.
View artwork and meet artists at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. The Irvine Fine Arts Center provides art classes, open studio programs, events, and exhibitions for all ages in fully-equipped art studios.

22.
Golf at one of Irvine's picturesque courses. Irvine has many fantastic options for the avid golfer, including a variety of courses and plenty of tee times to fit your schedule.

23.
Hear Grammy award-winning artists at FivePoint Amphitheatre, adjacent to the OC Great Park, the 12,000-capacity venue is the first one to be built in Orange County since 1983.

24.
Go around and around on Irvine's two carousels - Orange County Great Park, featuring hand-painted artwork inspired by vintage orange crate labels and Orange County scenes and Irvine Spectrum Center.

25.
Cheer on the University of California, Irvine athletes as the Anteaters compete in 18 different Division I intercollegiate sports.