Irvine

Answer 1

Irvine is situated in the heart of Southern California, in Orange County and borders on spectacular Newport Beach. According to FBI studies, Irvine is consistently recognized as one of the nation's safest communities. Last year it was voted as the safest city in the US. Irvine emphasizes an exceptional lifestyle, with top-notch entertainment and recreational options. Its population is approximately 160,000. The City is also known for its pleasing moderate weather: 56 degrees in January and 71 degrees in August.

Most of the growth in Irvine was fueled by the generous donation of a large parcel of land to the University of California system. The 1500 acre University of California at Irvine (UCI) is the 4th largest UC campus based on attendance and the highest ranked university in Orange Country.

Irvine is home to the Irvine Spectrum Entertainment Center featuring a three-story IMAX 3D theatre, The Wild Rivers Waterpark (May to December), and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (May to December). In addition, the Irvine Barclay Theatre features year-round concerts, plays, and performances. Nature lovers will enjoy the Irvine Land Reserves and the William R. Mason Regional Park that sits on 345 acres with open grassy areas, trees, lakes, and playgrounds.

During Fall, the free Irvine Global Village Festival is Orange County's largest multicultural festival.

A short jaunt from Irvine is Crystal Cove State Beach, known as the nicest beach in Orange County. Irvine is also in close proximity to the Orange County Performing Arts Center and South Coast Repertory Theatre.

Visitors to Irvine enjoy a wide range of resort lodging choices with over 2,500 hotel rooms from which to choose, including cozy inns to large hotel accomodations. A fine selection of eating establishments and award-winning restaurants await, as well as two convenient malls and a host of major shopping centers.

For recreation enthusiasts, Irvine has championship golf courses, bike rides and paths, softball and baseball fields to tennis and Basketball courts. Fact: Irvine offers one of the nation's highest ratios of park acreage per residents that includes 20 miles of open space.

Irvine is served by John Wayne/Orange County Airport. Los Angeles International (LAX) is about an hour away. Amtrak provides rail service via Metrolink and the Pacific Surfliner with a stop right in Irvine.