Irvine California
Location of Irvine, CA
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Irvine is located in California, Orange County. The nearest major city to Irvine is Santa Ana, which sits to the North West about 5 miles away.
A number of corporations, particularly in the technology and semiconductor sectors, have their national or international headquarters in Irvine. Irvine is also home to several higher education institutions including the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Concordia University, Irvine Valley College, the Orange County Center of the University of Southern California (USC), and campuses of California State University Fullerton (CSUF), University of La Verne, and Pepperdine University.
Every October, Irvine hosts the Irvine Global Village Festival to celebrate the diversity among the citizens of Irvine and Orange County. The festival consists of exhibits from local merchants, entertainment from diverse cultures, and sampling of foods from various regions of the world.
The event used to be held at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park but has since then been moved to the Orange County Great Park.
Irvine has three public libraries: Heritage Park Regional Library, University Park Library, and Katie Wheeler Library
Transportation in Irvine CA.
Automotive
Streets and intersections owned by the city have trademark mahogany signage and are fiber optically linked to the city’s Irvine Traffic Research and Control Center (ITRAC). Traffic cameras and ground sensors monitor the flow of traffic throughout the city and automatically adjust signal timing to line up traffic, allowing more vehicles to avoid red lights. Several major highways pass through Irvine (Interstate 5, and Interstate 405, California State Route 73, California State Route 133, California State Route 241, and California State Route 261). Major arteries through Irvine are built out widely and run in a northeasterly direction with speed limits higher than 50 mph (80 km/h). As a result of the signal timing, wide streets, and road layout, Irvine’s side streets are capable of handling a higher volume of traffic than other cities in Orange County.
In 2015, 5.0 percent of Irvine households lacked a car; this percentage decreased to 4.0 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Irvine averaged 1.83 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.
Mass transit and freight services
Bus and shuttle services
Local bus routes are operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority.
The city of Irvine has operated its own mass-transit bus service called the iShuttle since 2008. Four weekday commuter shuttles serve major employers, residential areas, shopping centers, and transportation facilities. Two lines, Route A and Route B, connect the Tustin Metrolink Station to the Irvine Business Complex area. Route A provides service between the Tustin Metrolink Station and John Wayne Airport with stops along Von Karman Avenue. Route B heads along Jamboree Road before continuing through Main Street and Michelson Drive. The remaining two lines, Route C and Route D, offer connections between the Irvine Station and the Irvine Spectrum Area, which includes major employers, the Irvine Spectrum Center, and residential communities The Park and The Village. Route C follows Irvine Center Drive and ends at the Capital Group campus, while Route D serves the Irvine Spectrum Center, Kaiser Permanente – Irvine Medical Center, and Hoag Hospital Irvine.
Passenger rail
Irvine is served by commuter rail to Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties at both the Irvine and Tustin stations of the Metrolink Orange County Line and the Inland Empire–Orange County Line. OCTA is currently implementing a major service increase on the Orange County line, with trains approximately every 30 minutes during weekday commuting hours. Amtrak trains run approximately every 60 to 90 minutes all days of the week along the Pacific Surfliner route between San Diego and Los Angeles. Amtrak trains stop only at Irvine station, unlike Metrolink, which stops at both Irvine and Tustin station. Rail2Rail monthly passes allow commuters to use both Metrolink and Amtrak services, standard tickets are specific to a single operator. A four-story parking structure was recently completed at the Irvine station as part of a station renovation.
At one time Irvine intended to build a tram / guideway, but in February 2009 the city of Irvine canceled the project. Initially plans were underway to connect the Orange County Great Park to the Irvine Spectrum Center and surrounding businesses with a fixed-route transit system, also stopping at the Irvine Transportation Center (Irvine Station). In 2008, two possible routes were selected, but neither will be developed now. The entire $128 million in funding will be returned to the Measure M fund, and be available for other cities in Orange County.
Freight rail
A major contributing factor to the growth of Irvine was the freight rail provided by ATSF (now BNSF) Transportation. The Venta Spur was Irvine’s first spur. Built in the 1920s, it moved citrus from three processing plants in what is now Northwood to the rest of the country. The processing plants were essentially Irvine’s first and biggest employers of the time.
The plants started to go out of business in the 1970s and the spur was abandoned in 1985. In 1999, following its donation to the city of Irvine, it was turned into the Venta Spur bike trail.
The Irvine Industrial Spur is the second railroad spur in Irvine. It serves various industries in Irvine’s Business Complex. It currently sees little to no movement and the Irvine planning department is considering turning it into a bike path.
Bikeways
Irvine offers a system of bicycle lanes and trails to encourage the use of bikes as a means of transportation. There are 54 miles (86.9 km) of off-road bicycle trails and 301 miles (484 km) of on-road bicycle lanes in Irvine.
Top 6 Things to Do in Irvine California
Turtle Rock Community Park
Address: 1 Sunnyhill, Irvine, CA 92603
Website: https://legacy.cityofirvine.org/cityhall/cs/commparks/cparks/cparks_turtle.asp
Phone Number: (949) 724-6734
Turtle Rock Community Park is one of the largest parks in Irvine, CA. It spans over 100 acres and includes a variety of amenities such as a playground, picnic areas, basketball courts, and hiking trails. The park is also home to a large lake, which is popular for fishing and boating.
Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art (Langson IMCA)
Address: 18881 Von Karman Ave Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612
Website: http://imca.uci.edu/
Phone Number: (949) 476-0003
The Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art is both a work of art in itself and a showcase for the best of California art. The museum was founded in Irvine, CA, by two major California art collectors, Jack and Shanaz Langson. The museum houses a renowned collection of early California paintings, as well as a growing collection of contemporary works.
Pretend City Children’s Museum
Address: 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
Website: http://www.pretendcity.org/
Phone Number: (949) 428-3900
Pretend City Children’s Museum is the perfect place for a family outing in Irvine, CA. With more than 17 different exhibits, there is something for everyone. The Water exhibit is a great way to cool off on a hot day, while the Art Studio is perfect for those who want to get creative.
Great Park
Address: 8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618
Website: http://www.ocgp.org/
Phone Number: (949) 724-6247
The Great Park in Irvine, California is a fascinating example of city planning and park design. Covering more than 1,300 acres, the park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The park was designed by a team of internationally-renowned architects, and it features a wide variety of amenities and attractions.
Wild Rivers
Address: 10000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618
Website: http://www.wildrivers.com/
Phone Number: (949) 749-1900
Located in the heart of Orange County, Wild Rivers is one of Southern California’s most popular water parks. With over 30 rides and attractions, there is something for everyone at Wild Rivers.
Valley Vista Park
Address: 100 Arrowhead, Irvine, CA 92618
Website: https://www.villagesofirvine.com/villages-neighborhoods/portola-springs/parks/
Phone Number :
Valley Vista Park is one of the most popular parks in Irvine, CA. The park offers a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages. There are picnic tables and BBQ pits for those who want to enjoy a day outdoors with family and friends.
Driving through Irvine California
Weather Forecast for Irvine California
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