A master-planned California city with top-rated schools and business parks. Located in Orange County, near LA, with 212,375 residents and clean, safe streets.
Irvine, a city of 307,670 residents in Orange County, California, lies 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles. You'll find unique experiences here, from floating 400 feet above ground in the Great Park's observation balloon to walking through wetlands at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. The city's grid-like streets and organized neighborhoods reflect its origins as a master-planned community, while its technology companies and universities, including UC Irvine, create an environment focused on education and innovation.
Transportation in Irvine
You can reach Irvine easily through Interstate 5 and 405, which connect to Los Angeles and San Diego. The Irvine Transportation Center connects you to Metrolink trains running to Los Angeles, San Diego, and neighboring counties. To move around the city, take the local iShuttle service or Orange County Transportation Authority buses that run between employment centers, shopping areas, and residential neighborhoods.
Parks and Natural Areas
At the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, walk through 300 acres of restored wetlands on 12 miles of paths. Watch for more than 100 bird species and stop by the butterfly garden. The Orange County Great Park covers 1,300 acres and includes the Championship Soccer Stadium, tennis courts, and the Farm + Food Lab where kids learn hands-on about agriculture. Take a ride in the park's tethered helium balloon to see Orange County from 400 feet in the air.
Arts and Cultural Scene
At UC Irvine, the Beall Center for Art and Technology displays works that merge art with digital technology. The UCI Langson Institute and Museum of California Art houses California Impressionist paintings. The annual Irvine Global Village Festival fills the streets with local merchants and performers sharing food and entertainment from their cultures. Visit the Great Park's Palm Court Art Complex to see rotating art installations on its one-acre plaza.
Asian Food Scene
Diamond Jamboree has emerged as a central spot for Asian dining in Irvine. The Trade Food Hall combines multiple Asian and international food vendors in one location. Throughout the city, you'll find Asian supermarkets selling ingredients from Japan, Korea, China, and the Philippines.
Historical Development
The Tongva Indians first inhabited this area before Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá arrived in 1769. James Irvine bought the land in 1876, and his son created the Irvine Company in 1894. The land supported farms growing barley, lima beans, and oranges until the 1960s, when the Irvine Company began developing the area. The city incorporated in 1971.
