What to do while visiting Irvine?

February 7, 2007 9:09 AM

I'm visiting family in Irvine, CA 2/15 - 2/22. Can you help me put together an itinerary of must-do / see things in the area?

I'm mostly interested in hiking / sightseeing / art museums / kayaking. Offhand, I was thinking Joshua Tree, San Diego Zoo, Catalina, Getty Museum, kayaking on Back Bay, and seeing a film set / stars houses in L.A.

What else should I consider? Where are some good (healthy, fairly inexpensive) places to eat? I'd like to do one or two overnights -- where should I stay?

posted by indigo4963 to Travel & Transportation around Irvine, CA (22 answers total)

That's a lot of driving (and boating), especially for seven days. San Diego is worth an overnight, I'd say, and the whole park it's in is fabulous. Catalina is nice, but it is mostly nice for being low-key, and the rest of your trip doesn't sound low-key. Driving up to LA can easily take forever, even though it isn't that far. Can you maybe give us a little more to go on? What do you like to do? What do you want to see most?
posted by dame at 9:15 AM on February 7, 2007

it=the zoo
posted by dame at 9:16 AM on February 7, 2007

You might want to consider the San Diego Wild Animal Park in place of/in addition to the Zoo. It's in Escondido (North San Diego County), set back in the mountains, and features the animals in a more "natural" environment than the zoo. The Zoo is close to downtown in Balboa Park, though, which is definitely worth spending some time in.
posted by sbrollins at 9:18 AM on February 7, 2007 [1 favorite]

Also, you know the ocean is totally freezing, right? And that Catalina, Joshua Tree, LA, and San Diego are four separate directions, right? The more I think about it, the more I would skip Catalina for something nearer, like Dana Point, where the area around the Ocean Institute is pretty and you can go to tide pools and poke sea creatures.
posted by dame at 9:24 AM on February 7, 2007

If you have yung'ins try Lego Land (in between Irvine and SD). Ditto with Sea World (which trumps Disneyland in the minds of my 10 and 8 year olds).
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 9:24 AM on February 7, 2007

Response by poster: dame - yeah, I'm seeing that it's a lot of driving / boating. I probably should figure on hitting only 2-3 destinations. We're flying into LAX, so maybe the L.A. part of our trip should happen first or last. And maybe Catalina when it's warmer.

sbrollins - I'll consider Wild Animal Park, too.

Taken - no kids along this time ... maybe next time.
posted by indigo4963 at 9:54 AM on February 7, 2007

For hiking, Mt. Baldy is not too far away from Orange County, but might be a little chilly this time of year.
posted by jaimev at 10:03 AM on February 7, 2007

A meal at La Brisas overlooking the ocean in Laguna Beach (the food is good, but there is better in town; however, the view is grand).
A walk in Crystal Cove State Park.
posted by caddis at 10:18 AM on February 7, 2007

Response by poster: jaimev - wow, Mt. Baldy looks a lot more strenuous than what I'm capable of doing right now. I suppose I should have qualified it as "light hiking" Maybe when I'm more fit, I'll consider that one.
posted by indigo4963 at 10:30 AM on February 7, 2007

Ahhh..for light hiking, try Crystal Cove State Park near Newport Beach.
posted by jaimev at 10:38 AM on February 7, 2007

indigo4963, btw, I know some adults who go "ga-ga" for Lego Land.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 11:41 AM on February 7, 2007

First off, I'm sorry, but Irvine kind of sucks. There's really nothing there, other than a couple malls, tilt-up office parks, and tract homes. It's attractive to some people because it's a master-planned city, but they've basically master-planned it to be sprawl. My friends that live there say that the only bars and nightlife are really in the malls.

They're kinda cheezy and obvious, but Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm are just a couple miles up the road from Irvine.

Services will be extremely limited on Catalina during the off-season (i.e. now). Ferry service will be cut back, and many businesses in Avalon don't bother opening aside from days when the cruise ship comes in (I think Wednesday).

If you end up going down to SD, Torrey Pines State Park has some nice trails. If you're a history buff at all, there are a few missions in the area in Oceanside and San Juan Capistrano.

The LA Museum of Contemporary Art usually has some interesting exhibits, and it's right across the street from the Disney Concert Hall. The LA County Museum of Art is a little further west down Wilshire in the Miracle Mile area.
posted by LionIndex at 11:44 AM on February 7, 2007

For the days when you don't want to drive too far, there are things to do in Orange County itself. The Orange County Museum of Art is holding a Chuck Close show while you're in town.

There's also plenty of hiking/biking opportunities. The aforementioned Crystal Cove is quite nice, as is Aliso Canyon.
posted by Durhey at 11:54 AM on February 7, 2007

Response by poster: Taken - yeah, I'm a big LEGO fan and am actually tempted to see it without my kids along, so that I can really enjoy it.

Lion - yeah, Irvine keeps getting bigger every time I visit, and it does seem to be lots of residential and commercial development. Point taken on Catalina. I'll check out the park in SD.

Durhey - Chuck Close's artwork looks fascinating, and I'll check out bike rides ... I remember a great ride along the coast on rented bikes.
posted by indigo4963 at 12:21 PM on February 7, 2007

Eat at Ramos House.
posted by sixacross at 12:47 PM on February 7, 2007

Response by poster: sixacross - I'll check out Ramos house. Interesting menu with the choice of a tasting menu if I can't decide (which I'm notorious for)
posted by indigo4963 at 1:24 PM on February 7, 2007

Seconding Ramos House...yum.
posted by Asherah at 1:26 PM on February 7, 2007

If you want casual, healthy food in the local area, try Mother's Market and Native Foods. Local chain Wahoo's is good, too.

I think Laguna can be a nice place to wander around. You can check out the museum, many galleries, and gorgeous ocean views.

I'm also a fan of Long Beach. Closer than LA, and there's the aquarium, the Queen Mary, two museums, and tons of restaurants. There's also a cheap (maybe free?) tourist bus that takes you to all the big spots.

If you do go to Mt. Baldy, have lunch in the Claremont Village.
posted by faunafrailty at 2:16 PM on February 7, 2007

Catch a Ducks game.

Check out the swallows in San Juan Capistrano.

Visit the Fullerton Arboretum.

Hike in/around Irvine Regional Park.

Eat the best Cuban food in OC at the Felix Continental cafe in Old Town Orange.
posted by tdischino at 7:04 PM on February 7, 2007

Offhand, I was thinking Joshua Tree, San Diego Zoo, Catalina, Getty Museum, kayaking on Back Bay, and seeing a film set / stars houses in L.A. ... I'd like to do one or two overnights

You're wildly optimistic, because...

Catalina, Joshua Tree, LA, and San Diego are four separate directions

Truer words are rarely spoken. Irvine to Joshua Tree is a day trip all by itself. Irvine to Catalina is a day trip. Irvine to San Diego is a day trip. Irvine to LA is a day trip.

Focus your efforts!
posted by frogan at 7:27 PM on February 7, 2007

I'm also a fan of Long Beach. Closer than LA, and there's the aquarium, the Queen Mary, two museums, and tons of restaurants. There's also a cheap (maybe free?) tourist bus that takes you to all the big spots.

I second Long Beach; it's a really neat place to spend a day. If you find yourself there, I recommend George's Greek Cafe on Pine Street. Yum!

Also, since you mentioned kayaking, once a month the Aquarium offers kayak tours of Upper Newport Bay guided by a naturalist that I've heard are great. (disclaimer: I've never done it myself, though I want to!) The website doesn't seem to be updated for 2007 yet, but I checked my member magazine and this February's date is 02/17.
posted by everybody polka at 8:54 PM on February 7, 2007

Response by poster: faunafrailty - thanks for the tips on healthy, casual dining. I may check out the laguna art museum. I'll definitely do a day at Long Beach.

tdischino - a hockey game sounds great! unfortunately the home games conflict with other plans. perhaps I can convince my wife to try cuban food.

frogan - yes, I am wildly optimistic. I'm planning lots of day trips. still, I'm cutting some things out and focusing.

everybody polka - that kakak tour sounds great. The days don't work for me, but maybe I'll rent kayaks from one of the local kayak places on the bay. And I'll definitely check out the Greek cafe on my day in Long Beach.
posted by indigo4963 at 9:32 AM on February 12, 2007