From the center of this CA city, one can readily reach a myriad of key locations that include spectacular beaches along the Pacific Coast, plush 5-star resorts, world-class shopping, award-winning restaurants, noted arts and celebrated theme parks. All of the best features in California’s Orange County are accessible from and within Irvine, CA.
Irvine celebrates as being recognized as one of the cleanest and safest cities in Southern California. Conveniently located to the John Wayne Airport within a brief drive, Irvine has easy access and transportation to favored sites.
More than 30,000 visitors per year recognize Irvine's early beginnings. The Irvine Museum, founded in 1992 by Joan Irvine Smith and her mother, the late Athalie R. Clarke (1903-1993), the Irvine family celebrates the uniqueness of the area. It is the only museum in California dedicating itself to the preservation and display of California Impressionism and outdoor Plein-Air paintings. The Plein-Air style began in the late 1800’s to the early 1900,s and flourished in Southern CA. Today, the area has holdings and exhibits of excellent renowned impression artists who reflect the color and energy of the Pacific coastal area. As one drives along the Pacific Coast Highway, artists can be spotted by the shoreline with easels and brushes at hand.
Accommodations
The Doubletree Hotel Irvine Spectrum is conveniently located in the heart of Southern California’s Technology Coast. It is 7 miles south of the John Wayne Orange County Airport, and less than one hour from Los Angeles and San Diego. The hotel has a backyard full of entertainment and dining at the Irvine Spectrum Entertainment Center.
The Crowne Plaza Irvine Hotel, a beautiful high rise, is located in the heart of Orange County's prestigious Irvine Concourse Corporate Center. The location is close to many key attractions including Disneyland, California Adventures, Irvine Spectrum Entertainment Center, and the Anaheim Convention Center.
The Old Town Historic La Quinta Inn, Irvine Spectrum, is in a league of its own. Converted from a bean and grain warehouse, unique rooms are built in a lima bean silo. This three-story hotel is listed in the National Registry of Historical Sites. Amenities are plentiful and a unique ambience and history perspective are offered at the Inn.
A few of the other noted hotels include the Hilton Irvine, and the Marriott Irvine. Top notch 5-star resorts are within minutes of Irvine.
Restaurants
Bistros and first-rate American cuisine serving inviting California salads, Pacific seafood and specialty pastas, make the area an inviting diners’ location.
In addition to good food, there's live entertainment at the Vessia Ristorante. They serve authentic regional Italian cuisine in a comfortable, contemporary setting.
When you step inside a Claim Jumper Restaurant, the environment is warm and comfortable. The interiors of the restaurant feature huge Douglas Fir logs, natural rock, and large fireplaces. Discovery of interesting restaurants are throughout the Irvine area and options to explore are extensive.
Shopping
Irvine is a shopper's dream where the most sought after shops and boutiques abound. The famed venues of South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island are close by, and are an escapade for shopping. At the Spectrum Center extensive shopping is brought together in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Major Attractions
Irvine Spectrum Center Entertainment is a mega-complex and adult playground featuring movie theaters, eateries, arcade games, theater cinema complex (with a six-story IMAX 3-D theater), and several spirited restaurants (including Crazy Horse Steakhouse and Saloon, a local bastion of country music) and cafés, and 150 shops.
The Barclay showcases top-notch artists and entertainers. With only 750 seats, everyone gets a great view where contemporary dance, world music, theater, chamber music or family events are esteemed.
A visit to the world famous Pageant of the Masters "living pictures" classical and contemporary art re-creations is truly unique, and is located close by.
For golfers, wonderful courses and scenery are spellbinding. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Saddleback Mountains, Oak Creek Golf Course has been said to be one of the most beautiful settings among all Southern California. The Strawberry Farms Golf Course combines rural beauty and tranquility of the surrounding area with the challenge of championship golf. As a premier golf course in Southern California, Strawberry Farms is serves corporate groups and golf enthusiasts alike.
Written by: Karen J. Lee
