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Around Orange County

Diversity, Beauty, Comfort & Safety

Students walking up to the beach

The Beach

Our campus is located in the Southern California city of Irvine. Not only is Irvine consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in America, it’s also ranked as one of the most desirable in which to live.

With a diverse population of more than 220,000 people, an average yearly temperature of 73°F and a thriving economy that attracts both startups and established businesses, it’s no wonder that Irvine has claimed a place of prominence on so many “best of” lists (like those created by MONEY, Forbes, The Daily Beast and Businessweek, just to name a few).

We're also just 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean and less than 30 miles from the Santa Ana Mountains. If you feel like getting off campus, we're also 90 minutes from San Diego; 60 minutes from Los Angeles; and 20 minutes from Disneyland.


Outdoor Activities

  • Newport Beach & Pier
  • Huntington Beach & Pier
  • San Clemente Beach & Pier
  • Corona Del Mar Beach fire-pits
  • Surf at Trestles
  • Swim in the Pacific
  • Skim board at San Clemente
  • Snorkel at Crystal Cove
  • Take a boat to Catalina
  • Fish off a pier (no license required)
  • Environmental Nature Center (ENC)
  • California Scenario: The Noguchi Museum
  • Great Park Balloon ride
  • 1,000 steps beach (Laguna)
  • Top of the World
  • Mountain Bike (Arroyo, Mission Viejo, Chino)
  • Ski Big Bear
  • Road Bike Back Bay (and 100s of miles of OC trails)
  • Frisbee Golf at Huntington Beach (where it all started)
  • Golf at dozens of private and public course
  • Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Softball
  • Hike up our own French Hill

Churches

  • Abiding Savior Lutheran
  • Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E.
  • Christ Lutheran
  • Irvine Baptist
  • Irvine Presbyterian
  • Light of Christ Lutheran
  • Mariners
  • Newsong
  • Rock Harbor
  • Saddleback Church
  • St. Andrews Episcopal
  • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic
  • St. John's Lutheran
  • St. Paul's Greek Orthodox
  • St. Paul's Lutheran
  • Trinity Cristo Rey Lutheran
  • The Crossing

Entertainment

  • Disneyland
  • Lakers game
  • House of Blues
  • Knotts Berry Farm
  • Angels game
  • Magic Mountain
  • The Coach House
  • Ducks game
  • Dave & Busters
  • Downtown Disney
  • Boomers
  • Irvine Lanes
  • University Movie Theater
  • Huntington Beach Main St.
  • Movieland Wax Museum
  • Cars and Coffee
  • K1 Speedway
  • Irvine Fine Arts Center
  • Sky High Sports
  • Dollar Theatre
  • Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Events

  • US Open of Surfing, Jul 30-Aug 7
    Huntington Beach, 15 min
  • Sawdust Festival, June24-Aug 28
    Laguna Beach, 15 min
  • OC Fair, Jul 15-Aug 14
    Costa Mesa, 7 min
  • Pageant of the Masters, Jul 7-Aug 31
    Laguna Beach, 15 min
  • Movies on the Beach, Weekly
    Newport Dunes, 8 min

Food

  • In n Out - Double-double with fries!
  • Wahoo's Fish Tacos
  • Pei Wei
  • Kéan Coffee
  • New York Pizza
  • Cha for Tea
  • Paradise Perks
  • Berkley Dogs
  • Taco Tuesday at the Derby
  • Peet's Coffee
  • Kula Sushi
  • Chronic Taco
  • New York Cafe
  • Ho Sum Bistro
  • Bear Flag Taco
  • The Original Zpizza
  • Tia Juana’s
  • Pho-tasia
  • Mr. Pickle
  • Coffee, Tea & Tulips
  • Buca di Beppo
  • Yen Sushi
  • The Old Spaghetti Factory
  • Tacos & Co.
  • Kotobuki Sushi
  • La Galette Creperie (San Clemente pier)
  • Eagles' Landing Coffee & Grill (on campus)

Shopping

  • Fashion Island
  • The Lab/The Camp
  • Downtown Disney
  • South Coast Plaza
  • The Spectrum
  • Mission Viejo Mall
  • The Block at Orange
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