Spotlight on attractions in Irvine Calif

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, 5 Riparian  Irvine, CA is located adjacent to the UC Irvine campus, upstream from upper Newport Bay.  There is a access road that goes to the Audubon House, Duck Club and the Wildlife Sanctuary from Campus Drive.  It is open to the public daily from dawn until dusk, seven days a week.  Dogs and bikes are not permitted to this hidden oasis which is free to everone to visit and take a walk to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Of the 10 miles of trails through the Sanctuary, one leads to Newport Beach.  Read all about it here.The Diamond Jamboree Center, is a unique Southern California retail center locatedAlton Parkway & Jamboree Road.  Here one will find a variety of stores that include medical, banks, supermarkets, spas and even a karakoe lounge and fun house.  Restaurants range from casual fast food to elegant fine dining  with an emphasis on Asian cuisine.  Companies located in the center, will find nearby places to hold a business lunch meeting at one of the 20 Restaurants.  Visit here for a calender of what's happeningThe 30-acre Tanaka Farms, has always been a family farming operation, which has come down over the years to the present owner - Farmer Tanaka, his wife Shirley and his son.  In 1998 the farm moved to it's present location in a valley in the heart of Irvine. They open the 'market stand' when harvesting begins - sweet strawberries and more than 60 different fruits and vegetables - are grown both conventionally and organically and can be purchased here. During the seasons they also offer tours, where visitors can see how a working farm operates. Visit here for more information View the list »
View of the Irvine Business Center from the 405 Fwy

City Guides newsletter

The planned community of Irvine celebrated it's 40th birthday in 2011. Located in the heart of Orange County, it was originally used for agriculture, ranching and citrus grooves, which continued even after developers began building homes in the 70's.

Related topics

Advertisement

The city has grown over the years and now has a major airport, which was recently renovated and expanded; one of the top Universities in Southern California; 44 miles of off-road bicycle trails; over 280 miles of bike lanes; a network of more than 50 parks; a wilflife sanctuary; a real working farm; and the new Orange County Great Parks, which is being built in the area where the former El Toro Marine Base once stood.

Rounding out the community are residential homes, shopping areas such as the ';Spectrum', and neighborhood parks, taking over where the orange grooves used to be. Along with many fine dining establishments featuring contemporary cuisine, eastern Mediterranean influences, European style bistros selling wine and cheese, and restaurants serving american favorites, Irvine has grown to be one of Southern California's top cities.

Irvine Calif
33.686878204346 ; -117.825340271
View the list
  • The 30-acre Tanaka Farms, has always been a family farming operation, which has come down over the years to the present owner - Farmer Tanaka, his wife Shirley and his son.  In 1998 the farm moved to it's present location in a valley in the heart of Irvine. They open the 'market stand' when harvesting begins - sweet strawberries and more than 60 different fruits and vegetables - are grown both conventionally and organically and can be purchased here. During the seasons they also offer tours, where visitors can see how a working farm operates. Visit here for more information 
  • The Diamond Jamboree Center, is a unique Southern California retail center locatedAlton Parkway & Jamboree Road.  Here one will find a variety of stores that include medical, banks, supermarkets, spas and even a karakoe lounge and fun house.  Restaurants range from casual fast food to elegant fine dining  with an emphasis on Asian cuisine.  Companies located in the center, will find nearby places to hold a business lunch meeting at one of the 20 Restaurants.  Visit here for a calender of what's happening
  • San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, 5 Riparian  Irvine, CA is located adjacent to the UC Irvine campus, upstream from upper Newport Bay.  There is a access road that goes to the Audubon House, Duck Club and the Wildlife Sanctuary from Campus Drive.  It is open to the public daily from dawn until dusk, seven days a week.  Dogs and bikes are not permitted to this hidden oasis which is free to everone to visit and take a walk to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Of the 10 miles of trails through the Sanctuary, one leads to Newport Beach.  Read all about it here.
  • The Strawberry Farms Golf Club combines the beauty of the surrounding area with the challenge of a par-71 championship golf course.  The 18-hole course is set among the canyons and wetlands with a view of the 35-acre reservoir, natural vegetation, scenic hills with granite boulders , and wildlife; and is at the end of a white picket fence lined road.  Besides golf it is also used for weddings in the Big Red Barn, which offers a unique ambiance from the typical banquet room  The interior includes twinkling lights strung across the wood beam ceiling, and organza draped pillars.  Only one wedding is performed on any given day at the location that can accommodate up to 250 guests.
  • The Irvine Museum, 18881 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 100  Irvine, is open Tues through Sat, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.  General admission is $5 and children, students and seniors are free.The Museum plays a role in the education, preservation and display of California art from the Impressionist period 1890 - 1930.  Displays are changed every three to four months, and the Museum offers tours of the Exhibits - to students and teachers - every week Tues through Thurs at 9 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.  Regularly scheduled tours for the public are led by Docents every Thursday at 11:15 a.m, for which  no prior registration is required. 
  • Orange County Great Park is now being developed where the El Toro Marine Base once existed.  The plan, which is to use it as a multi-use development consisting of homes, stores, restaurants. parks and more. has been in the development stage for many years.  Presently it has many newly constructed homes and runs many events during the year.  The first attraction built in tghe park is the 'Orange Balloon'  which soars 400 feet over the area and can accommodate 25 passengers. There is also a Farmers Market held on Sundays between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; the Great Park Gallery and Artists Studios in the Palm Court Arts Complex, a Carousel which gives rides on a firtst-come-first -to-ride basis to even those under 42", who must have an adult with them however.  The visitors center checks out sports equipment to residents, to use for play on the acres of open lawns that surrounds the Great Park.
View the list

, Anaheim City Guide Examiner

Mona lives in Orange County and knows all the places that would be of interest to visitors as well as residents of Orange County to enjoy a vacation or week-end getaway. Places that appeal both to adults and children, to the adventurous, beach lover, boater, fisherman, golfer, actually all...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...