Ugh, the limitations of the OC.

September 19, 2007 3:29 PM

I'm looking for a comfortable place to study near Irvine or Costa Mesa, preferably open past 8pm?

The Irvine/Costa Mesa area is a pretty good halfway point between where my boyfriend and I are each individually based. Of course there is the obvious knowledge that practically nothing stays open in Irvine later than 8-9pm, so I'm having trouble finding anything other than the UCI Library that would be an appropriate place to study. Neither of us goes to UCI and would prefer not to pay for metered parking, thus nixing the library option for now.

I've tried various locations of Coffee Bean, Peet's, etc. (no Starbucks please, its odious and equally freezing). Can you recommend a place I haven't thought of to study in or around Costa Mesa or Irvine? An ideal place would be of moderate temperature, can be busy or not, can be quiet or not, just looking for a good study vibe.

posted by Asherah to grab bag (7 comments total)

Barnes and Noble at the Tustin Marketplace (right off Jamboree on I-5)? Open till 11pm every day.
posted by jaimev at 3:40 PM on September 19, 2007

I'm actually looking for a similar thing. Public libraries in OC usually close by 9 pm on week nights. My favorite library is the Newport Beach library on Avocado Ave.

I have also studied at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. They stay open until 10 pm for non-students of theirs. The only thing I hate about this library is that you have to stop at the guard shack and tell them you're going to use their library.

My quest is for a place to study near Irvine or Aliso Viejo.
posted by zzztimbo at 3:41 PM on September 19, 2007

The new Peet's Coffee at the The District at Tustin Legacy (Barranca and Jamboree) is open until 10 pm Sunday - Thursday, and 11 pm Saturday and Sunday, because of the movie theatre around the corner. There are also seating areas outside around the mall, with fire pits.
posted by seymour.skinner at 4:11 PM on September 19, 2007

Considering not a whole lot's open in Irvine past 8pm, good luck! Maybe the Manga cafe in Costa Mesa? You might need to buy a drink though.
posted by edjusted at 4:16 PM on September 19, 2007

Or maybe a Denny's? If business is slow, they might not mind if you just buy a cup of coffee and linger for a while.
posted by edjusted at 4:20 PM on September 19, 2007

Lee's Sandwiches is open until 2:00AM, and it is always filled with people studying/eating (it's across the street from UCI). Granted, you will have to buy a coffee or something to munch on, but I think it's definitely a viable option.
posted by invisible ink at 5:12 PM on September 19, 2007

Manga Cafe seconded.
posted by Brocktoon at 8:09 PM on September 19, 2007