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CITY TO LIVE IN 2. Huntington Beach huntingtonbeachca.gov
Huntington Beach gets its fair share of attention (and media coverage) as a destination and gathering spot. What many people don’t see are the quiet streets, sidewalks and yards full of kids playing and folks winding down from their workdays with a stroll. As is to be expected in a town of 32 square miles, there are several distinct neighborhoods. These include Sunset Beach, home to oceanfront mansions, a wide swath of greenbelt and quirky shops. There is Huntington Harbor, which includes homes with their own boat slips that offer great views of the annual holiday boat parade. The Central Park area features the largest city-owned park in Orange County, with its more than 350 acres full of lakes, meadows, walking trails, kids’ play areas, equestrian center, sports complex and dog park. Then there’s downtown, with homes that range from the original craftsman cottages to modern coastal masterpieces. It’s a city that appeals to a variety of tastes and lifestyles, even out of the spotlight.
3. Newport Beach KEVIN SULLIVAN, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A soccer team practices on one of the artificial turf fields at the Orange County Great Park’s Sports Complex in Irvine.
1. Irvine cityofirvine.org For the sixth consecutive year, Irvine ranks as the top choice in this category, which it has won 8 of the past 10 years. Another reason to celebrate? Irvine is marking a milestone anniversary: It was incorporated as a city 50 years ago this December. “As we reflect on our past, we recognize that what makes Irvine so special isn’t how we have changed, but how we have remained committed to the principles of Irvine’s master plan,” Mayor Farrah N. Khan said. “The vision established 50 years ago has ensured Irvine is a safe city with outstanding schools and higher education institutions, beautiful parks and a wealth of jobs, shopping and dining.” Irvine is a perennial presence on various national and state rankings
of cities and their attributes. For example, it ranked No. 1 on 24/7 Wall Street’s listing of best-run cities in America, which is based on the economy, job market, crime level and welfare of the population. It also ranked as the No. 1 place to start a business in California and as the third best city to raise a family in surveys by the personal finance outlet WalletHub.com. Khan also points to the city’s diversity as something that draws people to it. “Irvine is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse and fully integrated cities in the country,” she said. “We celebrate our diversity each year through events, such as the Irvine Global Village Festival being held in October.”
— Kathie Bozanich
newportbeachca.gov One of the best ways to appreciate Newport Beach is to find a scenic viewpoint on one of the many waterclose hillsides. From there, you can take in the boats and homes that dot the harbor, the largest recreational one on the West Coast, or cast your eyes directly out to sea. A drive down Balboa Peninsula’s 3-mile stretch is one way to go, or a bike will get you even closer to the action. With the harbor on one side and the ocean on the other, the path takes you by the Balboa Fun Zone, plenty of restaurants and shops, and then through a residential area, ending at the world-famous Wedge surfing beach. Corona del Mar has its own distinct vibe, with new construction going on all over just next door to small, vintage homes. The beaches in this area are kid-friendly, as are the tidepools. Newport Coast has lived up to the vision of working to preserve the area’s natural beauty among its (relatively) new contemporary neighborhoods.
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