Written by Tamara Jimah
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to go beyond the borders of Irvine to have fun! Below, I share with you a few of many activities to enrich your Irvine experience ☺
So happy for the gift of dance! Have fun learning some cool moves and social dance to great music (salsa, bachata, ballroom, tango, west coast swing, lindy hop). Sign up for a free class and do take advantage of their student discounts!
This is another great hangout location for you and friends! Love delicious Asian cuisine? Then, this mightjust be the perfect place. The center also has a karaoke lounge and escape room for adventure seekers! And, oh, be sure to try some delicious boba milk tea beverage at Lollicup Coffee & Tea and 85ºC cakes ☺
Get your organic farm produce from certified farmers while enjoying friendly chats with vendors. Trust me, your salad has never tasted better! The market opens at 8am on Saturdays. Lots of free samples too!
Irvine Barclay Theater– on campus
Do you love the arts? Enjoy a mini feel of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts right here on campus at the Irvine Barclay Theater. There is a variety of performances available all year round: ballet, opera, classical, soul, jazz, country. The theater has had several great speakers and comedians as well (as usual, remember to ask for the student discount, and if lucky, you just might get some free tickets!)
This is a pretty cool bowling alley for a fun group activity or if looking for a place to throw a birthday party. Every lane has a seating area where you can eat, have a drink, or take a break from bowling.
The Irvine museum features a beautiful collection of California artists. It is a small museum, so you can take your time to fully enjoy each painting. The artwork is breathtaking and makes you appreciate the beautiful state of California.
Source: Irvine Museum Collection, UCI
This is one of the most popular entertainment destinations in Orange County. It has recently been revamped with a plethora of shops and cool sceneries. This great outdoor mall has a vast selection of over 100 stores, whether you are shopping for clothes, electronics, or just wanting an entertaining/relaxing environment for a stroll under the gorgeous palm trees, fountains, and beautiful art murals. There’s a nice multiplex movie theater and an ice-skating rink on location. The center also has some wonderful dining options, including the Cheesecake factory, Habana, Yard House, Subway, Panda Express, and other cafes. Treat yourself to some dessert at Cold Stone, Yogurtland, or Haagen-Dazs after submitting that assignment! The night lights are incredible!
Source: https://www.flickr.com/
New Swan Shakespeare Festival– on campus
Enjoy a warm evening of Shakespearian tales with fellow students, faculty, and Irvine community in this beautiful open-air theater located just outside the Langson library. Here is the 2019 calendar http://newswanshakespeare.com/show-dates/ Make use of the student rush tickets…seating can be a bit tricky but hey, you get to enjoy a free live show ☺
The Great Park is a recreational center with many fun activities on site, e.g., art exhibitions, park trails, farmer’s market, and sports complex. If you are feeling adventurous and not scared of heights, you might like to take a ride on the iconic Great Park orange balloon you see hanging up there in the sky ☺
Source: cityofirvine.gov
More on farm produce…yes, we’re all about public health 😉 Enjoy the day strawberry picking at Tanaka farms. There’s a guided farm tour (crops vary depending on the season so check out their calendar of tours and event http://www.tanakafarms.com/calendar-of-tours-events/
Turtle Rock Viewpoint
Surrounded with beautiful wild flowers, Turtle Rock provides a nice trail for hiking or running. You get some great views of the city and hills and can catch some breathtaking sunsets here!
University Town Center (UTC)– right across the street from campus
Just across the bridge from campus, UTC offers a nice ambience to relax after the day’s work. Enjoy a meal (Luna Grill, Eureka, Tender Greens, etc), froyo, or some boba with peers after class, and get some groceries from the famous Trader Joe’s on your way home.
Finally, what better way to fully experience Irvine than give back to our lovely community?! The City of Irvine offers numerous opportunities to make a difference, while meeting new people and learning more about the city.
*A little bonus: Though this blog is mainly about Irvine, I just could not end without sharing with you two of my favorite spots located just outside of Irvine ☺
Whether you are looking for a serene change of study environment or wanting to attend a book talk or cultural arts event, the Newport Beach library is your best bet. You can sign-up for a library card to check-out books and CDs for leisure. The library also has some beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
In my opinion (well, based on my current knowledge thus far…because I try to stay up-to-date on these matters☺), if you really want to experience the best gelato, you may need to cross the borders of Irvine just a tiny bit to get to Gelato Paradiso at the Fashion Island mall in Newport Beach- so many delicious flavors…but the pistachio is a must-have!
Love and blessings to you!
*Unless otherwise noted, all pictures were taken by the author/pixabay