Hello everyone! I know it might be a bit early, but some of you must be making some plans for December vacation. The campus will be closed for Winter Break. In this post, I shall let you know about some places in and around Irvine that you can visit for a short vacation or a day out.
In Irvine
Irvine Spectrum
The Irvine Spectrum Center is an outdoor shopping center developed by the Irvine Company, located on the southeast edge of Irvine, California, US. It has huge variety of shops of all categories. There is a ferris wheel and ice skating during the holiday season. There are many restaurants as well that serve delicious food. It also consists of a huge movie theater that always has a bunch of amazing movies latest movies playing. If you have your student ID card, you can get discount movie tickets at the window or you can purchase discount tickets through Associated Students UCI.
George Mason Park
The Irvine Spectrum Center is an outdoor shopping center developed by the Irvine Company, located on the southeast edge of Irvine, California, US. he park is named for former Irvine Company President William R. Mason, who headed the company from 1966 until his death at 54 in 1973.Its numerous trails eventually lead to Ridgeline, a street that connects Turtle Rock Loop to University Drive. The trails offer a different view of Irvine as well as a popular route for the cross-country runners of University High School as well as runners from other schools. (source: Wiki). This park has a lake at the center and is a calm location to spend your evenings.
Beaches
Most beautiful blessing that Irvine has are its beaches. There are many beaches near by Irvine where you can have a good time along with your friends and family. To name a few are Corona Del Mar State Beach, Huntington beach, Laguna beach and Newport beach. There are also exiting trials alongside these beaches which you can visit.
Around Irvine
Two most visited destinations around Irvine are Los Angeles and San Diego.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is pretty busy tourist location. There are many places worth visiting in LA. Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of them. It is a street with names of famous personalities engraved on the walkways. You would also get a good view of the Hollywood Symbol from one of the spots on Walk of Fame. Griffith observatory is another place to visit. It is a planetarium and the view of LA city from the mountain is breathtaking. Other hot locations are Disneyland, Universal Studios, Santa Monica Bay, etc. LA also has some good restaurants which one should give a try at.
San Diego
San Diego is equally famous tourist location as LA. It is very scenic and hosts beautiful places worth visiting. La jolla Cove is one of the awesome places that I have visited. It is so soothing and calm. The area alongside La Jolla has beautiful roads. San Diego zoo is also a must visit. Its very famous amongst the tourists and comprises of a huge variety of wildlife. Sea World is one such place that is loved by everyone. You will get to see huge aquariums with a wide variety of aquatic animals. Whale and dolphins shows are very elegant and fun to watch. About half an hour from San Diego city is Coronado Island. That’s a good place to visit too. The bridge that takes you to coronado is gigantic and amazing. Here too you will find a couple of beaches with water sports. Oh ya…how can I forget San Diego Skyline watch point. At this location, you can see all the huge buildings in San Diego. This place in the evenings in awesome. There are also good restaurants beside this place with can be tried out for delicious food.
Overall, irrespective of which location you choose from this list, you will have a lot of fun. However, travel safely and carry your identity cards wherever you go. Plan well ahead of time and enjoy your trip. Wish you a Happy Journey in advance. :–D
Megan Brooker says
December 5, 2017 at 9:09 pmAll of the SoCal theme parks (Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, etc.) have special celebrations during the month of December. If you want to get in the holiday spirit, they are especially fun this time of year!
The Irvine Spectrum also offers Christmas festivities including a nightly tree lighting, ice skating, and photos with Santa!
Laia says
December 5, 2017 at 7:20 pmGood tips!
I just wanted to clarify that San Diego has two main zoos, one is the San Diego Zoo and the other one is the San Diego Safari Park. These are two different locations with different entry tickets (a combination ticket is also available). The Zoo has more animals (one of the biggest diversity in the world) while the Safari specializes in animals from arid climates and has a format a little different from conventional zoos. The herbivores of the Savana, for example, are all together in a giant enclosed space that you visit with a guided troller. To me, it’s the perfect place for those who love animals and are against zoos because it’s a protected space for many endangered species.
PD: if you go, don’t miss the opportunity to see the cheetas run with their dog friends!