Irvine: star of the OC
If you’re on a business trip to Irvine’s thriving tech economy or the University of California, renting a vacation home in Irvine can offer much sought-after extra space and freedom – not to mention the benefits of a private pool. Irvine is also a great vacation destination, with vibrant shopping and dining scenes and fantastic local attractions such as the Irvine Spectrum Center and the Buccaneer Cove waterpark. Added to this, an Irvine vacation rental is just a 20-minute drive from Disneyland and an even shorter drive from Orange County’s 42 miles of golden sandy coastline.
Enjoy Irvine’s many attractions
If you’re traveling with kids, you can’t ignore the fact you’re just a 20-minute drive from Disneyland here. More local family attractions in Irvine include the bright, interactive Pretend City Children’s Museum, which includes the fantastic Imagination Playground, or a day out picking strawberries or watermelons under the Californian sunshine at Tanaka Farms fruit farm. For something a little more cultured, the Irvine Museum houses an extensive collection of Californian Impressionist art, or head to the Irvine Barclay Theater for contemporary dance, art, and theater.
Head to the beach in Irvine
The orange globe of the Great Park Balloon is probably Irvine’s most iconic sight. Take a ride in this tethered hot-air balloon, which rises to 400 feet above Orange County Great Park to enjoy great views over the OC. Although Irvine doesn’t have any beaches of its own, it’s close to some of the best beaches in Southern California – so a trip to the ocean is another must-do from your Irvine vacation rental. Corona del Mar State beach, Crystal Cove State Park, and Crescent Bay Beach are 3 easy-to-reach stretches of perfect golden sand.
Irvine brims with natural beauty
The city of Irvine is blessed with numerous hiking, mountain-biking, and equestrian trails. The San Diego Creek Trail is the major backbone of the city’s biking trails – stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean at Newport Beach. The city’s Quail Hill Loop Trail and Bommer Canyon are dotted with ancient oak and sycamore groves and rough rocky outcrops; get back to nature here with a self-guided hike. To the eastern border, the picturesque wilderness of the Lake Mathews Estelle Mountain reserve offers seasonal fishing and hunting.
Transportation options to and around Irvine
The nearest airport is in John Wayne Airport (SNA), located 3.8 mi (6.2 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could also fly into Los Angeles - Ontario Intl. Airport (ONT), which is 28.6 mi (46 km) away.
If you'd prefer to travel by train, the main station serving the city is Irvine Transportation Center.