10 Things to Do in Irvine, California

Irvine is a planned city, which makes it easy to navigate — and easy to miss if you only visit a shopping center. This guide gives you ten things to do, grouped so you can build a day around parks, culture, food, and shopping, rather than driving from one isolated stop to another.

This guide does not list a price, hour, or booking requirement for any stop, because those change. If a specific venue matters, confirm it before you go.

1. Orange County Great Park

The Great Park is Irvine's large, open space with trails, sports fields, and events. It is a good first stop for a walk, a picnic, or a look at the city's open space.

Check what is on at the park before you go, as events and facilities change.

2. Irvine Spectrum Center

The Spectrum Center is Irvine's outdoor shopping and entertainment area, with shops, restaurants, and a Ferris wheel. It is a useful lunch or dinner stop, and a good evening destination.

If you are visiting with children, the Spectrum's open areas and attractions make it a convenient afternoon or evening stop.

3. Jeffrey Open Space Trail

The Jeffrey Open Space Trail is a long, landscaped trail through Irvine. Walk or bike a section of it for a look at the city's planned green space.

Use the trail to move between stops, or as a standalone walk if you want a quieter Irvine experience.

4. UCI Arboretum

The UCI Arboretum is a botanical garden at UC Irvine, with plants from around the world. It is a quieter, nature-focused stop, and a contrast to Irvine's shopping areas.

Check opening times and any visitor requirements before you go, as university gardens can change their hours.

5. Diamond Jamboree

Diamond Jamboree is Irvine's international food and shopping area, with a range of restaurants and shops. It is a good place for a meal, especially if you want to try something different.

Choose a place based on what your group wants to eat, rather than trying to cover the whole center in one visit.

6. Woodbridge Village Center

Woodbridge Village Center is a lakeside shopping and dining area, with a lake, trails, and shops. It is a good afternoon stop for a walk and a meal.

The lake area is best explored on foot, and it is a quieter alternative to the Spectrum Center.

7. Pretend City Children's Museum

If you are traveling with children, Pretend City Children's Museum is an interactive museum designed for play and learning. It is a good indoor stop, especially on a hot or rainy day.

Check ticket and booking requirements before you go, as children's museums can sell out on weekends.

8. Tanaka Farms

Tanaka Farms is a working farm in Irvine, with seasonal produce, tours, and family activities. It is a good stop if you want a farm experience close to the city.

Check what is in season and what activities are running before you go, as farm offerings change through the year.

9. A park day in Irvine

Irvine has many neighborhood parks, and a park day — a walk, a picnic, and time to play — is a simple way to see the city at a slower pace.

Pick a park near where you are staying, or near another stop on this list, to keep the day simple.

10. Dinner and a walk in Irvine

For dinner, choose a place near where you are staying or near the Spectrum Center, so you are not driving across the city after a full day.

End the day with a walk — at a park, a trail, or a shopping area — rather than adding another major stop.

For more Orange County ideas, see Laguna Beach in a Day: Beaches, Tide Pools & Where to Eat, Newport Beach: What to See, Do & Eat in 3 Days, and Things to Do in Anaheim, California (Beyond Disneyland).