Irvine offers plenty of open spaces, world-class attractions, sights and fun things to do. With this 48 hours itinerary guide, you can explore and experience all that Irvine has to offer.
San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary at 8:00am!
Start your morning at San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary which features 300-acres of freshwater marsh with wildlife, an arboretum and birdhouses. It has over 200 types of birds, including song sparrows, cranes, American avocets, peregrine falcons and mallards. It also has 12 miles of trails for birdwatchers, hikers, joggers and walkers.
Address: 5 Riparian View, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Phone: 1 949-453-5300
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Breakfast at 10:00am!
Visit the Panini Cafe that serves the fusion of Mediterranean and Italian food. Popular dishes on the food menu include Charbroiled Chicken Shish Kabob, Panini sandwiches, Flat Iron Steak Shish Kabob, and egg dishes.
Address: 3041 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Phone: 1 949-260-9800
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00am-9:30pm
Distance from San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary: 1.9miles or 5inutes drive
Irvine Museum at 11:00am!
Head off to Irvine Museum that features in Californian Impressionist paintings from 1890 through 1930. It houses the art that depicts the Southern California landscape as it was during the Impressionist period.
Address: 18881 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Phone: 1 949-476-0294
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Distance from Panini Cafe: 1.2miles or 4minutes drive
UC Irvine Arboretum at 12:00pm!
Head off to the UC Irvine Arboretum which is over 12 acres of botanic garden and research facility. It has an extensive collection of species and plants of South Africa, and plants and communities of the coastal California.
Address: Campus Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660, United States
Phone: 1 949-824-5833
Distance from Irvine Museum: 0.7miles or 2minutes drive
Next, stop by the UCI Beall Center for Art Technology which specialize in interactive art exhibits by artists from all over the world. The art here is promoted using digital technologies.
Distance from UCI Arboretum: 1.3miles or 3minutes drive
Lunch at 2:00pm!
For American comfort food, head to Daily Grill (2636 Dupont Dr). Enjoy New American fare at Bistango (19100 Von Karman Ave). Visit Twenty Eight Restaurant and Lounge (19530 Jamboree Rd) that serves with New American cuisine with Chinese flair.
Irvine Historical Museum at 3:00pm!
Explore the Irvine Historical Museum which is one of the oldest standing structures within the limits of Irvine Ranch. Know the history of Irvine and how the people lived in the area through displays, stories, photos and crafts.
Address: 5 San Joaquin, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Phone: 1 949-786-4112
Opening hours: Tuesday and Sunday: 1:00pm-4:00pm
K1 Speed at 4:00pm!
Head off to K1 Speed which is an indoor go-kart racing arena. Experience the thrill of racing at this spot. It houses two professional race tracks, arcade games, big projection screens, electric go-karting, authentic racing memorabilia and artifacts, pool tables, and a Pit Cafe snack bar.
Address: 17221 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614, United States
Phone: 1 949-250-0242
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 12:00pm-10:00pm; Friday: 11:00am-12:00am; Saturday: 10:00am-12:00am; Sunday: 10:00am-10:00pm
Distance from Irvine Historical Museum: 3.6miles or 9minutes drive
Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center at 6:00pm!
Have a multicultural shopping, dining and entertainment experience at Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center. It is a lively and bustling shopping center with a wide array of shopping, dining and services. It features fashion stores, health & beauty, HMart Supermarket, and more.
After shopping, satisfy your taste buds with an array of cuisines and international flavors at the any of the dining establishments here. There are many Asian Pacific restaurants and cafes, along with local, casual eateries.
Address: 2700-2750 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606, United States
Phone: 1 626-285-5550
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00am-8:00pm
Distance from K1 Speed: 0.3miles or 1minutes drive
Or
Irvine Barclay Theatre at 6:00pm!
Head off to Irvine Barclay Theatre that features performing arts show. The theatre is known for variety of performances, like live music, plays, musical acts, theatre arts and dance, with wonderful acoustics.
Address: 4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Phone: 1 949-854-4646
Dinner at 8:00pm!
For American fare, stop by Eureka! Restaurant (4143 Campus Drive), head off to Blaze Pizza (4255 Campus Drive #A120) for Italian food. Enjoy the Middle Eastern cuisine at Kochee Kabob House (4143 Campus Dr Ste C195). For steaks and seafood, step into Houston's (2991 Michelson Dr).
Let the nightlife excursion begin at 10:00pm!
Head off to the Daily Dose, a sports lounge offering draft beers and cocktails, comedy nights and karaoke. Catch your favorite sporting event on the big screens lining the walls, while sipping on cocktails and munching on delicious pub grub. If you’re looking for a good laugh and the perfect dose of entertainment, attend Comedy Nights on Wednesday that features up-and-coming comedians.
Address: 2963 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Phone: 1 949-863-0908
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00am-2:00am
Or
Swing by the Anthill Pub & Grille that offers delicious pub grub and a wide selection of beers on tap. Enjoy the big game on one of the TV screens, while sipping on a roaster of beers and munching pub grub.
Address: 215 Pereira Dr, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
Phone: 1 949-824-3050
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 11:00am-12:00am; Saturday: 7:00pm-1:00am
Day 2 in Irvine
Breakfast at 9:00am!
Kick start your day with hearty American fare at Knowlwood. It is a casual American and hamburger eatery at multiple locations in Irvine. The warm and friendly atmosphere, and great quality food makes it local’s favorite spot.
Address: 14952 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
Phone: 1 949-857-8927
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 6:00am-9:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 6:00am-10:00pm; Sunday: 6:00am-9:00pm
Orange County Great Park at 10:00am!
Visit the Orange County Great Park that offers plenty of fun activities for families, including kids rock playground, the great park balloon, incredible edible farm, man-made lake, and carousel. Be about 400 feet in the air and enjoy the 360 degree view of the city from the Great Park Balloon. Outdoor lovers of all inclinations will love this spot as there is always something happening at this park!
Address: C Street, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
Phone: 1 949-724-6247
Opening hours: Thursday & Friday: 10:00am-10:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am-9:00pm (hours vary depending on the park amenities)
Distance from knowlwood: 2.1miles or 6minutes drive
Pretend City Children’s Museum at 12:00pm!
Next, off to Pretend City Children’s Museum where kids have an opportunity to act grown-up by taking up a profession, going to grocery store, donation, visiting the health care, collecting money from an ATM, working on construction site, and more. The museum help build the critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and intellectual skills of the kids ranging from infants to 8 years old. Kids learn through role play based on real-world exhibits and experiences!
Address: 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
Phone: 1 949-428-3900
Opening hours: Monday: 10:00am-1:00pm; Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Distance from Orange County Great Park: 5.7miles or 11 minutes drive Interstate-5 South
Lunch at 1:00pm!
Visit Fukada Restaurant (8683 Irvine Ctr Dr) that serves up Japanese, Asian and sushi. Craving for Mexican, head off to Javier's Cantina & Grill (45 Fortune Dr). For Italian cuisine, stop by Brio Tuscan Grille (618 Spectrum Center Rd), or Peppino's Italian Family Restaurant (23600 Rockfield Blvd Ste 2S). Swing by Paul Martin's American Grill (31 Fortune Drive #302) for American fare.
Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial at 2:00pm!
Head off to The Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial which is the only memorial in the nation to honor all of the American service members who lost their lives in wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. Pay respect to the war heroes!
Address: 4531 Bryan Avenue, Irvine, CA 92620, United States
Phone: 949-724-6728
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-9:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am-10:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Irvine Ranch Historic Park at 3:00pm!
Next, head off to the park which has numerous original buildings and unique structures reflecting the Irvine Ranch history. It has the James Irvine II home, residential buildings, the Orange County public library, and several barns.
Address: 13042 Old Myford Road Irvine- 92602, CA, United States
Phone: 1 949-923-3748
Distance from Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial: 2 miles or 6minutes drive
Irvine Regional Park at 4:00pm!
Next, take a leisurely stroll in the Irvine Regional Park. The park offers a paved walking and bicycle trails. Rent a surrey or paddle boat and explore that land, rent a horse and meander through the park, go birding and experience the natural beauty. The park encompasses several different activities from horseback riding and pony rides to paddle boat and bike rentals, playground, train rides, softball fields, volleyball courts, snack bar, and a variety of flora and fauna. Also, there is a Irvine Park Railroad which is a 12-minute train ride through scenic Irvine Regional Park.
Address: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, United States
Phone: 1 714-973-6835
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Distance from Irvine Ranch Historic Park: 5.6miles or 10 minutes drive via Jamboree Road
Go Shopping at 6:00pm!
Visit the Irvine Spectrum Center. It features more than 130 nationally-known retailers and specialty boutiques. Shop for stylish and trendy wear for men and women, accessories, chic designer brands, and more are available here. Some of the name-brand retailers featured here are Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Target, along with plenty of popular specialty stores, including Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, H&M, and more. It also has a giant wheel carousel, one of the America’s largest movie theatre, water fountains, comedy club, and plenty of restaurants.
Address: 670 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
Phone: 1 949-753-5180
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 10:00am-9:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 10:00am-10:00pm; Sunday: 10:00am-8:00pm
Dinner at 8:00pm!
Visit the Yard House (620 Spectrum Center Dr) that puts out New American fare, or head off to Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (83 Spectrum Center Dr) for American comfort food and gourmet burger. For seafood, stop by Capital Seafood (85 Spectrum Center Dr #329). Enjoy Italian fare at CUCINA enoteca Irvine (532 Spectrum Center Dr). For Mexican cuisine, go to Javier's ( 536 Spectrum Center Dr).
Nightlife begins at 10:00pm!
Head off to Dave & Buster’s which has something for everyone. Indulge in American fare, play arcade game, catch a game on the giant HDTV screens, kick back and enjoy a few drinks with friends. It has an impressive selection of wines, and international and domestic beers.
Address: 661 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
Phone: 1 949-727-0555
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 11:00am-12:00am; Thursday to Saturday: 11:00am-1:00am; Sunday: 11:00am-12:00am
Day 2 Tour Map Guide of Irvine
