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City in Orange County, California, US
Photo: Nandaro, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Irvine is a city of 308,000 people (2020) in Orange County, California. Irvine is one of the newest and largest cities in Orange County, and it is still growing. The city is a perfectly planned suburbia. The Irvine Company started developing the area in the 1960s and the city was formally incorporated on December 28, 1971.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
UCI
The largest (1,500-acre) and highest ranked university in Orange County. They offer free campus tours.
The original prototype for the TRIGA (Training Research Isotopes General Atomic) reactor, one of the safest reactor designs. 66 such reactors are or have been operational worldwide, mostly at universities for educational use. The reactor has been declared a nuclear historical landmark.
Displays California art of the Impressionist Period (1890-1930).
Small, house-sized museum that displays ranch artifacts and other items related to the history of Irvine.
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.
A 22-acre community park with basketball courts, volleyball courts, and picnic areas.
Honors Americans who died since 2001 in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
City portal information on city and events.
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.
In addition to selling produce, they offer family-friendly farm tours and host seasonal harvest festivals.
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.
Features concerts, plays, and performances that range from student groups to world-renowned international artists.
A non-profit, community-based theatre.
This annual event is Orange County's largest multicultural festival. Occurs in Fall. Free.
An inexpensive cinema, formerly known informally as "The Dollar Theater," previously screening movies a couple months after they have left other theaters. Highest movie ticket price used to be $2. Yo can expect to pay $15-$20 for a seat today.
Shows independent, art house, and foreign films.
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.
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.
Features an IMAX theater, Edwards 21 Theater, Dave and Busters.
Fat Burgers, California Pizza Kitchen, Houston's, Ruth's Chris steakhouse, and Wahoo's Fish Taco.
Hosts evening dances (M-Sa). Styles include: ballroom, swing, and salsa. Charming venue that attracts people of all ages.
Comedy club and dinner theatre, featuring local and nationally recognized comedians.
A 40-lane bowling alley.
A space with 72 state-of-the-art gaming computers.
Indoor go-kart.
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.
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.
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.
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
The Irvine Spectrum has multiple upscale chain restaurants.
Shopping plaza at the intersection of Culver and Walnut. Features several Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants, including Denny's, Super Mex, and Wheel of Life. Bakeries include Diho Bakery and Assal Pastry.
Tasty sandwiches. Chicken Broccoli Mushroom is one of their most popular sandwiches.
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.
Korean BBQ with relatively cheap all-you-can-eat. May not have AYCE on weekends, so check before going. Garden Grove tends to have better Korean food, but Shik Do Rak is great if you're not willing to drive to Garden Grove.
Decently sized food court in a Korean supermarket. It features a good variety of eats. You can expect it to cost ~$20 for a meal here.
Pub features Monday night comedy and other events. Located on the UC Irvine Campus.
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.
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.
Embassy Suites Irvine
Offers complimentary airport shuttle service from John Wayne Airport. State-of-the-art fitness center.
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.
Free breakfast buffet, free WiFi. Near Irvine Spectrum. Easy access to freeways. All suite hotel.
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,.
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.
By train
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.
By bus
By bus
By bike
Irvine is a large city, covering about 66 square miles (170 km2), but is very friendly to bicyclists.
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Santa Ana · International · SNA
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