Irvine

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Irvine is a city in Orange County, California.

[edit] Understand

Irvine is one of the newest and largest cities in Orange county, and it is still growing. Irvine is spearheading the growth in Orange County where almost everything is either new or refurbished. 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 city is best characterized as a perfectly planned suburbia, which it is. 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.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

  • Fly via John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA) and Irvine is across the street. Alternatively, you could try Los Angeles International (LAX) is about an hour's drive away without traffic, or Long Beach Airport.

[edit] By train

  • Amtrak provides rail service via Metrolink and the Pacific Surfliner with a stop right in Irvine. [1]

[edit] 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.

The 55 state freeway may be used to get to destinations in the northwest of Irvine; north of the 55 is Santa Ana.

[edit] By bus

[edit] Get around

[edit] 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.
  • Since Irvine is bounded on all sides by freeways, most of the arterial streets (which tend to be 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.

[edit] By bus

  • The Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) provides bus transport. [2]

[edit] By bike

Irvine is a large city, covering 74 square miles, 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 oppossums 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.

[edit][add listing] See

  • University of California, Irvine (UCI) The largest (1500 acres) and highest ranked university in Orange County.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Visiting Irvine [3] city portal information on city and events.
  • Verizon Wireless Irvine Amphitheater [4] hosts various concerts ranging from rock to classical.
  • Wild Rivers Waterpark [5] - located next to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Open from mid-May until the end of September. There are lots of awesome rides including a wave pool and a lazy river. Unfortunately, the park will be closing down in 2008 to make way for new condominiums.
  • The Irvine Barclay Theatre [6] features concerts, plays, and performances that range from student groups to world-renowed international artists.
  • The Bren Events Center [7] 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.
  • Park Place. A Regal Cinema movie theater (closed down 2006), Fat Burgers, California Pizza Kitchen, Houston's, Ruth's Chris steakhouse, and Wahoo's Fish Taco. Located on Jamboree and Michelson.
  • Boomers!. 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 [8]
  • Irvine Spectrum. Features an IMAX theater, Edwards 21 Theater, Dave and Busters
  • A park called the Great Park is currently under development, but some attractions are already open, such as an "orange balloon ride".

[edit] Learn

  • University of California, Irvine - The fourth largest campus of the University of California, UC Irvine (24,000 students), is located in the city's southern suburbs. [9]
  • Concordia University - A Christian university of roughly 1800 undergraduates. [10]
  • Irvine Valley College - Part of the California Community College system enrolling about 16,000 students. Popularly referred to as "IVC". [11]

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Marketplace, Irvine, CA. Corner of Bryan/Jamboree. Hosts Circuit City, Lowes, Ross, Barnes & Nobles, 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,  edit
  • The Irvine Spectrum has shops, boutiques, department stores, and plenty of merchant carts. http://www.shopirvinespectrum.com/ . 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.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Culver Plaza. One of the two shopping plaza featuring a multitude of Asian stores and restaurants, including 99 Ranch, Sam Woo's, JJ Bakery, Morning Glory, etc. Located at the intersection of Culver and Irvine Center drive.
  • Walnut Plaza. The other Asian shopping plaza located at the intersection of Walnut and Jeffrey, also built around a 99 Ranch, along with Pho 99, House of Shabu Shabu, Taiko Restaurant, Lollicup, A&J's Restaurant, etc.
  • The Market Place. 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. Located on the border of Irvine and Tustin, on Jamboree. [12]
  • Irvine Spectrum. The Irvine Spectrum [13] has several restaurants in additon to its food court which includes: The Cheesecake Factory, Johnny Rocket's, PF Chang and Wolfgang Puck.
  • Heritage Square. Shopping plaza located at the intersection of Culver and Walnut. Features several Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants, including, Caspian Restaurant, Denny's, Elephant Bar Restaurant, India Cook House, Kaya Restaurant, Korean Dae Myoung OK Restaurant, Sumo Sushi & Seafood Restaurant, Super Mex, Wheel of Life. Bakeries include Diho Bakery and Assal Pastry.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Irvine Spectrum. Crazy Horse (closed down since 2005) and Dave & Buster's.

There are several areas of the city where bars are clustered. Please be aware that 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.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • A Comfort Inn Irvine Spectrum, 23061 Ave de la Carlota, (949) 581-5135, Near Irvine Spectrum Entertainment Center[14].
  • Candlewood Suites, 16150 Sand Canyon Avenue, (949) 788-0500, [15].
  • Courtyard Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County, 2701 Main Street, (949) 757-1200, Fax: (949) 757-1596, [16].
  • Crowne Plaza Irvine Hotel, 17941 Von Karman Ave., (949) 863-1999, [17]. Close to Orange County Airport (SNA).
  • Doubletree Hotel at Irvine Spectrum. Barranca Road.
  • Embassy Suites Irvine - Orange County Airport, 2120 Main Street, (949) 553-8332, Fax (949) 261-5301. $6M Renovation completed April 2008. [18].
  • Hyatt Hotel, Jamboree Road at Interstate 405.
  • Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman Avenue, (949) 553-0100, Fax: (949) 261-7059, [19].
  • Residence Inn Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County, 2855 Main Street, (949) 261-2020, Fax: (949) 261-2011, [20].
  • Residence Inn Irvine Spectrum, 10 Morgan Street, (949) 380-3000, Fax: (949) 588-7743, [21].

[edit] Stay Safe

Irvine is considered America's safest city by FBI studies. Feel free to walk around alone at 3:00 AM if you are over 18. The Irvine curfew is 11:00 PM for minors unless accompanied by guardian; just don't jaywalk or you may find yourself run over on Irvine's fast moving streets.

[edit] Get out

  • 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.

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