Welcome to Irvine
Irvine, California was master-planned to be an economic powerhouse and offer an extraordinary quality of life. A leading business center with more than 100 global corporations; a family-oriented multicultural community where residents speak more than 70 languages; and a leader in education, Irvine is where community, business, and nature are in harmony.
Beautifully manicured office parks are surrounded by more than 16,500 acres of parks, sports fields, and dedicated open space, the most in the county, offering residents and visitors alike preserved natural habitats and wildlands with miles of hiking and biking trails. You’ll also appreciate Irvine being recognized as “America’s Safest Big City” by the FBI since 2005.
Irvine is a perfect meeting destination, located minutes from a multitude of diverse businesses and corporate centers; served by one of the country’s most passenger-friendly airports, and conveniently located near the area’s highways. Sports tournaments will score in Irvine with over a dozen sports fields and facilities, including the Orange County Great Park’s Sports Complex.
And for those looking for a weekend getaway, Irvine is right in the middle of all that makes Orange County postcard-worthy! The center of the city is only 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Newport Beach.
Shopping
Irvine Spectrum Center should be the first stop for shopping in Irvine — easily spotted by its iconic 108-foot tall giant Ferris wheel, handcrafted in Italy. Over 130 nationally recognized retailers call Irvine Spectrum Center home, including award-winning Australian activewear retailer Lorna Jane; Brandy Melville for Bohemian-inspired apparel, and Kaitlyn Clothing for a curated collection of trendy designer brands such as Fresh Laundry, True Religion, Juicy, Seven, and many others.
Fashion Island is undoubtedly the shrine for the serious shopper, a perfect symbol of California lifestyle featuring an expansive open-air layout comprised of 150+ high-end shops, an amazing variety of eateries, live musical performances, and plenty of comfortable spots to just relax and people watch. From world-class department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale’s to specialty boutiques found nowhere else in Orange County such as Kate Spade, Jonathan Adler, and Halston Heritage, Fashion Island is well worth a visit.
South Coast Plaza is the largest mall on the West Coast and is unparalleled in its collection of luxury stores. Here you will find 250 boutiques from Balenciaga and Cartier to Hermès and Gucci, plus 30 restaurants. It’s a great spot to window shop, catch up on current fashion trends, and capture the latest runway items from your favorite designers.
Outdoor Guide
One of the important priorities for Irvine’s development was to create a community where business and nature co-exist in harmony. As a result, you will find beautifully manicured office parks surrounded by more than 16,500 acres of dedicated open space, parks and sports fields.
Mountains to the Sea Trail
A 22-mile journey from the Cleveland National Forest to the Pacific Ocean! Begin in rugged, oak-filled Weir Canyon and walk, hike, or bike south toward the coast while enjoying an amazing variety of scenery and topography.
Bommer Canyon
Wilderness hikes, sand volleyball, and acres of open space to roam date back to 1837.
Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST)
Walk, hike, or bike along this 3.5-mile trail past indigenous plants and trees, tunnels, bridges, and more.
Quail Hill Preserve
Take your dog along for exploration on the only wilderness trail part of the National Landmarks that allows dogs. It’s an easy two-mile natural surface trail.
Shady Canyon Trail Loop
A collage of Irvine bikeways including Bonita Canyon Trail, Shady Canyon Trail, Quail Hill Trail, and most of University Trail.
San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary
You’ll find hundreds of bird species here at the more than 300 acres of restored coastal freshwater wetlands. Twelve miles of trails serve as an oasis for walkers, joggers, and birdwatchers — who often spy great blue heron, snowy egrets, finches, falcons, brown pelicans, yellow warblers, and many other feathered friends here.
More To Do
Great Park Balloon
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.
Irvine Spectrum's Giant Wheel
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 scheme. Whether you’re at the top looking out over Orange County, or in the courtyard below mesmerized by the lights, the view is spectacular.
Diamond Jamboree
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.
Hello Kitty Grand Café
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.
