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ith its gorgeous weather, cool culture, and great attractions—Orange County, located in the heart of Southern California, is considered one of the most desirable places in the world to live, work, and play. There’s no better way to experience all the excitement of Orange County than to stay in the hub of it all—beautiful Irvine, CA. Recognized as the safest city in the US*, Irvine is an ideal student group destination. Whether you’re booking a sporting event or a fun group travel package, you’ll find that Irvine has something for everyone. Its central location and accessibility reduce travel time so your groups can spend more time at their events or enjoying all that the city has to offer. From the state-of-the-art facilities to the world-class shopping and close proximity to beaches and famous amusement parks, Irvine really is a one-stop destination that will fit every group tour’s needs. If you’re still not convinced, here are five great reasons to make Irvine, CA the travel destination for your next group event. You can also visit www.StayInIrvine.com for more information.
Reason #1– Location!
Irvine is a youthful, active city with many choices for having fun. It’s home to the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Wild Rivers Waterpark, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, golf courses, lakes, beautiful community parks and so much more. Your group certainly won’t run out of things to do in Irvine, and with hotel rooms starting at only $89 per night, it’s affordable as well. So book them an extra day or two so they can fit in all the activities that they want. Irvine is literally minutes away from some of the best places in the country for having fun. Here are some of them: Wild Rivers Waterpark: A family water park with over 40 water rides and attractions. Enjoy thrilling waterslides or simply relax as you float down the Lazy River. Located in Irvine, Wild Rivers is close to Irvine hotels and offers discounted prices for large groups.
Boomers: There is probably no better place for group fun in Irvine, than Boomers. Whether you are racing your friends on go carts, challenging them at mini-golf, dodging them in laser tag, or ramming into their bumper boat, laughter will be kept at a maximum when you’re at Boomers. Boomers also offers discounted tickets for groups of any size.
Beaches: Orange County is home to world-famous beaches and Irvine’s hotels are centrally located to all of them. By staying at an Irvine hotel, your group gets the best of both worlds—close proximity to the beach without paying for beach room rates. In fact, Irvine’s just minutes away from the beautiful and prestigious Newport Beach (featured on the hit Fox TV show, The OC), the nearby seaside artist colony of Laguna Beach (featured on the hit MTV series, Laguna Beach), and Huntington Beach, dubbed “Surf City USA” and home to numerous surf contests. Nearby Attractions: Everyone will enjoy spending the day at any of California’s famous theme parks. Disneyland, California Adventure and Knott’s Berry Farm are just a few miles north of Irvine. Book group tickets to catch an Angel’s baseball game or watch the former Stanley Cup Champion, Anaheim Ducks, play at the nearby Anaheim Stadium and Honda Center. Plus, if they have time for more sightseeing, Los Angeles and San Diego are just over an hour away.
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Reason #2– Shopping and Dining
Irvine is a shopper’s dream come true! The Irvine Spectrum is a large outdoor shopping and entertainment complex. Its vibrant atmosphere, beautiful Mediterranean setting, live entertainment, and wide variety of stores make it the ultimate hangout spot and shopping experience. The Spectrum has over 120 stores including large department stores, such as Nordstrom and Macy’s, to lifestyle brands and specialty boutiques that cater to every style. There is no shortage of dining and entertainment options; in fact, your group can even check out a comedy show at the world-famous Improv Comedy Club or experience the thrill of IMAX at the Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 Cinemas. The Irvine Market Place is yet another option with a dynamic selection of over 120 stores and restaurants. It offers a range of dining, shopping and entertainment experiences and is situated in a serene and beautiful outdoor setting. Whether you’re looking for sporting goods, fashion apparel, home furnishings and décor, to electronics, books and more, the Market Place has it all! Just a few miles from Irvine is the world-famous South Coast Plaza that offers plenty of glitz and glam with over 300 high-end boutiques and designer shops.
Don’t forget the food! Irvine’s cafés and restaurants offer a wide variety of international and American cuisine to please any palate. There’s a wide selection of popular “kid friendly” eateries like The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza
Kitchen, Claim Jumper and Yard House. For those who crave a more international flavor, there are numerous options ranging from Chinese to Mexican to Japanese. Who says you can’t play with your food? Groups can release their inner child and let loose at Dave and Buster’s where they can grab a soft drink, enjoy the food and have some fun or dive into the Melting Pot for an interactive fondue experience. The “foodies” in the group will want to check out Bistango, Zov’s Café Bakery & Bar or The Counter, where they can build their own unique gourmet burger.
Reason #3– Convenience & Affordability
One of the best features of Irvine is that it’s located within a mile of John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA), which means no traffic or long delays to check into your hotel. It is also one of Southern California’s major airports and is conveniently located in the heart of Orange County, just minutes away from Irvine hotels. In addition, two freeways, the 405 and the 5, meet in Irvine, allowing for easy access to the city and nearby attractions.
With 13 great hotels to choose from in Irvine, from luxury to limited service your group can select accommodations that best fit their budget and lifestyle. No matter what your group’s choice, they will surely enjoy the comfort, convenience and hospitality that Irvine hotels are known for.
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To get the best hotel rates, use the IrvineCVB booking engine at www.StayInIrvine.com.
Reason #4– Arts & Entertainment
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is home to the Bren Event Center, a modern arena with state-of-the-art lighting and sound. The perfect venue for concerts and sporting events, this 5000-capacity seating stadium has played host to a variety of events, from the Dalai Lama to Blink 182 concerts. The Barclay Theater also located on the UCI campus showcases performances in dance, music and theater. With its intimate seating of 750, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. You can check out popular concerts and music events at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. This large outdoor arena is nestled up against the rolling green hills of Irvine. With reserved and lawn seating of nearly 15,000, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater it is a great place for your group to see some of their favorite artists perform. The famed South Coast Reparatory theater and Orange
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Irvine, California and has been designated a National Natural Landmark. Activities such as docent-led hikes through limestone canyons, mountain bike rides up to gorgeous vistas, early morning fitness walks, and kayaking with a trained naturalist are just some of the many unforgettable experiences available at the Irvine Ranch Wildlands and Parks. The surroundings provide an excellent opportunity for team building and fun educational experiences. Large groups can register for a private program at www.IrvineRanchWildlands.org.
County Performing Arts Center are also great for groups to experience the fine arts. Check out www.IrvineCVB.org .com for information on group tickets.
Reason #5– Sports & Recreation:
The UCI Anteaters, have won 25 national team championships in nine different sports, and have captured 58 conference championships. In addition to the spacious Bren Event Center, home to the Anteaters’ basketball & volleyball teams, UCI also offers the Anteater Ballpark, with 900 chair back seats and 2000 festival capacity seating and the Anteater Stadium, a multi-purpose venue equipped to accommodate both soccer and track & field tournaments, with 2500 spectator seating. There is also the Anteater Complex, which has a 210 foot by 75 foot Olympic-sized swimming pool which is perfect for swim meets and water polo matches, and can also be configured for diving competitions.
For the golfers in your group, Irvine has much to offer with its gorgeous weather, pristine landscapes, and championship golf courses. Some of the more popular golf courses in the city include Strawberry Farms Golf Club, Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course, and the serenely beautiful Oak Creek Golf Club. Irvine is a unique city in that it has committed over 30 percent of its land to open space. The Irvine Ranch Wildlands and Parks comprise more than 50,000 acres of protected wilderness
Irvine’s master-planned community design successfully balances a thriving urban environment with the preservation of natural open space resulting in an abundance of parks, lakes and recreational facilities. Irvine has 36 neighborhood parks, with playgrounds and sports facilities and 18 community parks offering a range of programs and services. The historic Bommer Park is another great site for group events, with sycamore-shaded picnic tables, a covered stage, plenty of lighting, barbeque pits, sand volleyball courts and horseshoe pits. Other outdoor activities are available at the expansive Irvine Regional Park, with 477 acres of rolling foothills shaded by oak and sycamore trees. It is just the right place for a picnic, game of touch football or horseback riding. These are just some of the many reasons why Irvine, CA would be a great choice for your next group tour or event. You can’t go wrong with the affordable accommodations, numerous facilities, easy airport and automobile access, and scores of entertainment, recreation, dining, and shopping options. Be the hero of your next group event and let them experience the excitement of Irvine in the heart of Southern California. For help on planning your next group trip to Irvine, CA visit the Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau Website at www.StayInIrvine.com or call 1-877-IRVINE-7.
*Irvine has been recognized as The Safest City in the Country with populations of 100,000 by the FBI for five consecutive years since 2004.
When planning your next student travel event, look no further than Irvine, CA where exceptionally good rates and plush accommodations are one and the same; rooms start at just $85 a night. Irvine boasts state-of-the-art facilities for both sports and events – plus, John Wayne Airport and UC Irvine are only minutes away. With an average temperature of 72º and lots of sunshine, it’s easy to enjoy local attractions, restaurants, and outdoor adventure. Gorgeous beaches and popular theme parks are just a short drive away. Whatever your passion, no other destination is better located to host a memorable event and let students experience the best of Southern California.
Visit StayInIrvine.com/PT or call 877-IRVINE-7 for special discount packages.