Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Irvine (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Wild Rivers, Islamic Center of Irvine, and Blue Gum Park. Also, be sure to include William R. Mason Regional Park in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Irvine (California).
Table of Contents
Wild Rivers
Water park. Wild Rivers is a water park in Irvine, California, United States. It opened in July 1986 on the site of the former Lion Country Safari. Following the expiration of its lease with The Irvine Company, it closed on September 25, 2011. Since the closure, there have been plans to recreate Wild Rivers in Irvine on or near the Orange County Great Park, which have been under development. The developers secured full funding and commenced construction on July 1, 2021, confirming the park's reopening for Summer 2022.[1]
Islamic Center of Irvine
The Islamic Center of Irvine is a mosque and Islamic community center founded by the local Muslim community in the city of Irvine, California on August 28, 2004. It is one of the largest Muslim congregations in California, with an estimated 5,000 worshipers attending weekly programs, and offers a variety of services from youth programs to senior workshops and interfaith sports activities. The Islamic Center of Irvine is partnered with the Islamic Society of Orange County in nearby Garden Grove, the Orange County Islamic Foundation in Mission Viejo, and the Islamic Institute of Orange County in Anaheim. The center has also teamed up with various churches and recently signed a friendship pact and held an event with Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in the country.[2]
Address: 2 Truman, Irvine
Blue Gum Park
Park in Irvine, California. Blue Gum Park is located in the Northwood community in the city of Irvine in Orange County, California. The park is located near the I-5 freeway Jeffrey Road exit.[3]
William R. Mason Regional Park
Park in Irvine, California. William R. Mason Regional Park, or as it is more commonly referred to, Mason Park, is a park in southern Irvine, California. It is one of the largest parks in Irvine and is traversed by trails.[4]
Address: 18712 University Dr, 92612-2601 Irvine
Mariners Church
Place of worship in Irvine, California. Mariners Church is a non-denominational, Christian megachurch located in Irvine, California, situated in central Orange County. It is the 2nd largest church building in California, and as of 2016 was the 17th largest church in the United States by number of attendees.
Through its period of rapid growth, the main personality behind the church was Kenton Bashore. The son of a pastor in La Cañada Flintridge, California, Bashore received his undergraduate and graduate educations at Biola University. He came to Mariners as a college pastor in 1978. Eric Geiger has been senior pastor since 2018.[5]
Address: 5001 Newport Coast Dr, 92603-0164 Irvine
Silkwood Park
Park in Irvine, California. Silkwood Park is located in the Northwood community in the city of Irvine in Orange County, California, USA. The park sits next to Westwood Basics Plus Elementary School and Sierra Vista Middle School.[6]
Address: 1 Mayflower, Irvine
Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
Amphitheater in Irvine, California. Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre was an amphitheatre located in Irvine, California. The establishment was built in 1980 by Irvine Meadows Partnership and it opened in 1981. In 2016 the amphitheatre was closed and demolished. It was the largest amphitheatre in Orange County, with 10,418 reserved seats and 5,667 on the lawn. The architect was Gin Wong Associates of Los Angeles. The unique design of this venue is that it was built on a hillside so the seats have a steep slope toward the stage.[7]
Address: Irvine, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
Irvine Blacksmith Shop
Irvine Blacksmith Shop, at 14952 Sand Canyon Ave. in Irvine, California, was built in 1915-16 by the Irvine Company. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
It has a utilitarian style generally and a Western false front, with a wide step-down parapet. It is constructed from wood frame and wood posts, with narrow-lap siding, and is 60 by 62 feet (18 m × 19 m) in plan.
The blacksmith shop was converted to a restaurant, Knowlwood Restaurant, in 1989.[8]
UCI Arboretum
Arboretum in Irvine, California. The University of California, Irvine Arboretum is a 12.5 acres botanical garden and arboretum, part of the University of California, Irvine in Irvine, California. It is located north of the main UCI campus, on Campus Drive in Irvine, near the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Upper Newport Bay. The Arboretum carries out conservation activities and supports student and faculty research.[9]
Address: Campus Drive, 92660 Irvine
Pretend City Children's Museum
Museum in Irvine, California. Pretend City Children’s Museum is a nonprofit children’s museum in Irvine, CA. The museum features 17 interactive exhibits designed as a small, interconnected city. Pretend City aims to “build better brains” through purposeful play, hands-on learning experiences, role playing, and educational programming. In addition, the museum offers community resources such as developmental screenings and tools for families, educators and community agencies.[10]
Address: 29 Hubble, 92618-4209 Irvine
Concordia University Irvine
Private school in Irvine, California. Concordia University Irvine is a private Lutheran university in Irvine, California, United States. It was established in 1976 to provide a Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod college to serve the Pacific Southwest and provide training for pastors, religious education teachers, and Christian school administrators. Concordia University Irvine has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,592 and its campus size is 70 acres. It is one of nine colleges and universities in the Concordia University System.[11]
Address: 1530 Concordia W, Irvine