Olympic medalists Amanda Beard and Aaron Peirsol hail from Irvine, as well as tennis player Lindsey Davenport, singer Aubrey O'Day and dancer Dita Von Teese. Plus Irvine has been the location for hundreds of films, including Zero Dark Thirty and Transformers.
ImprovCity has been named the best comedy club in southern California and the best improv show in the OC. You might also like the price-only 10 bucks per show!
Blizzard Entertainment is headquartered in Irvine and is the eighth largest employer in the city. However, you'll probably know it from its world famous video games: World of Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft. Not too shabby.
California is hot, you need ice cream. At Creamistry your ice cream is made to order using liquid nitrogen, right before your eyes! They also have dairy-free options, and dozens of toppings and flavors. It's the first ice cream shop of its kind in the OC.
High-end clothing company St. John Knits is headquartered right here in Irvine. Angelina Jolie and Gisele Bundchen used to be the famous faces of this designer brand.
Make no mistake, Irvine really knows how to party. The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater has hosted artists like Fall Out Boy, Maroon 5, and Dave Matthews Band, and more big names are always on the schedule.
On Saturdays, Irvine residents and visitors gather to show off their babies at Cars and Coffee Irvine. Concept cars, hotrods, restored classics-this event has them all. Plus the only cost is the price of coffee.
Irvine's designer William Pereira divided the city into townships, or individual villages. Each village has a distinctive architectural theme: El Camino Real is done in Spanish style, while Northwood is Bungalow Craftsman. There are 46 different villages in the city so you can take your pick!
What!?! Yes, you read that right. Cameras and ground sensors monitor the flow of traffic in Irvine and automatically adjust traffic lights accordingly. The Irvine Traffic Research and Control Center is behind the miracle, to make sure you don't ever wait at that red light too long.
Who knew there was a museum dedicated to Impressionist paintings of California landscapes? At the Irvine Museum you'll see gorgeous renditions of California life in this world-famous style. Artists featured include Emil Kosa Jr. and Phil Dike.
Irvine's non-profit Ayn Rand Institute works to promote the author's capitalistic ideas and philosophies in education, and also holds lectures and conferences for anyone interested in learning more.
Last year the FBI rated Irvine as the city with the lowest crime rate in a city with a population over 100,000 for the ninth year in a row. That's the safest big city in the country!
At the last census nearly 70 percent of people in Irvine had a bachelor's degree or higher. No wonder-there are eight universities and three libraries here, so you'll never have no problem finding lively conversation.
The Irvine Spectrum Center is home to a 21-screen movie theater. Yep, you heard that right, 21 screens. It was the biggest movie theater on the West Coast at the time it was built. I've been here. It's still awesome.
You have to come to Le Diplomate Cafe, if only for the garlic sauce. It's a simple sandwich shop, but trust me, it's no Subway. The menu includes salads, breakfast, and of course sandwiches (both hot and cold). Plus the restaurant is on the UC Irvine campus so the prices are very student-friendly.
Coffeebar Byul breaks the chain coffeeshop mold by using organic single origin ingredients in all their drinks. They even have an espresso called Gangnam Style! You know that one is gonna wake you up.
This festival is held every October to celebrate the city's diversity, and you can sample delicious foods, browse through wares from local merchants and hear and see live performances.
You won't have to travel across the globe to get a dose of South Africa if you live in Irvine. The UC Irvine Arboretum is home to the South African Bulb Garden, where beautiful flowers bloom year-round.
The Bacchus Bar and Bistro specializes in wine and impeccably complemented pairings. The menu has more than 350 local and imported wines including rare finds like Viognier. Just ask your server for the perfect cheese pairing!
The San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary is 300 acres of wetlands with an arboretum and birdhouses, and is home to more than 100 species of flighty visitors. There are also miles of hiking trails for anyone who wants to break a sweat while searching for birds.
When you have dinner at Andrei's Conscious Cuisine and Cocktails, you won't be missing your money: 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Andrei Foundation, focusing on eye research and blindness support. Plus the California/Mediterranean food is scrumptious, so you'll feel twice as satisfied.
Even if it's raining, your short game will be in top form thanks to OC Indoor Golf. This place uses state of the art technology to simulate a real life game of golf-inside! You'll never lose your ball in the sand again.
Tanaka Farms grows an abundance of delicious produce throughout the year including strawberries and watermelon. During the fall the farm has a pumpkin patch, and you can even pick up a Christmas tree in the winter.
They're exceptionally special, thanks to the Flights and Sounds Summer Festival. This August nighttime festival offers residents a chance to relax and unwind, while listening to local musical acts from around the world. The best part: It's free!
Pretend City Children's Museum is exactly what it sounds like-an adorable, miniature sized pretend city, with everything your kids need to build their own adventures: An amphitheater, police station, library and even a café.
The Irvine Barclay Theatre & Cheng Hall is one of the state's most imaginative theaters, and the place to go for performances ranging from ballet to Hawaiian music and many others. There's always something for everyone.
Just because it's pricey to live in Irvine doesn't mean you'll always be scrimping and saving. Businesses close to the university like Mick's Karma Bar and Piedology Pizzeria purposely keep their prices down to save you money, so you can still have a fun night out with no guilt. At least about how much you spend.
Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial honors heroes who lost their lives in war, and also holds ceremonies on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Stop by to take a moment and remember.
Feature Image Source: Flickr user jus10h
