Things to do in Irvine, California

Xtreme Adventures, Irvine, California

Xtreme Adventures is an exotic car driving experience located on Irvine Center Drive. It is a family owned business operated by Alex, Daniel, and Michel Lombrozo, all exotic car enthusiasts. The company offers several car experiences such as their Exotic Autocross Challenge, Exotic Car Rentals, Exotic Car Tours, and more.  Click here for more information.

For the Exotic Autocross Challenge, guests can choose between a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, and a Porsche: professionals give instructions to guests before they begin their adventure.

For those who are too young to drive, the company offers them the opportunity to ride in one of the exotic cars driven by a professional driver. The company also welcomes groups for corporate and private events.

8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California, Phone: 619-289-5972

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»Chocxo Bean to Bar Chocolatier

Located on Irvine Center Drive, Chocxo Bean to Bar Chocolatier is a chocolate and coffee factory. Founded by Richard Foley, the company collects the finest cocoa beans from Central and South America and processes them using the latest technology. If you are looking for romantic date ideas in Irvine, California, this is a great place to visit.

The coffee beans come from a variety of countries such as Costa Rica and Ethiopia. Visitors are welcome to see the chocolate making process through viewing windows at the company’s factory. Tours are also available such as the “Full Factory Tour and Chocolate Tasting” and the “Chocolate Education Tour.”

The company offers guests the opportunities to taste their artisan espressos and chocolates while being educated by the knowledgeable baristas.

9461 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California, Phone: 949-825-5781

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»Things to Do in Irvine: Oak Creek Golf Club

The Oak Creek Golf Club is home to a public golf course located on Golf Club Drive. Designed by Tom Fazio, one of the best and most famous golf course designers in the world, the 18 hole course is surrounded by a scenic landscape of lakes, fairways, bunkers, and greens.

It is also the home of several kinds of birds such as egrets, hawks, herons, owls, and other animals. Opened in 1996 on land that was a former orange grove, the 71-par 6,834-yard course is appropriate for players of all skill levels. The course is open every day with reduced fees from Monday through Thursday.

1 Golf Club Drive, Irvine, California, Phone: 949-653-5300

»Clay Oven

Watermelon curry and tandoori Thanksgiving turkey are not on the menu of your average Indian restaurants. But Clay Oven is not ordinary in any sense of the world. Chef and owner Geeta Bansal aim to educate fans of Indian food about the new trends that are keeping the Ayurvedic principles but experimenting and adjusting to the times.

The food in Clay Oven is not a fusion of any kind, just the modern version of the thousand-year-old cuisine. In this simple, understated but very pleasant restaurant you can find such surprises as tandoori frog legs and a range of game dishes including wild boar, rabbit, and venison.

The menu is seasonal and many vegetables, spices, and fruits come from their own garden. There are many vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

15435 Jeffrey Road, Suite 116, Irvine, California, Phone: 949-552-2851

»Bistango, Irvine, California

There is a lot of art at Bistango: on the walls, placed around the spacious dining room, in the room design, and on the plates. Bistango is located in the award-winning Atrium Building in downtown Irvine and the art is part of the revolving exhibition.

The food, which is as spectacular to eat as it is to look at, is modern American, focusing on high-quality fish and seafood, but it also offers a large selection of pasta and specials like Bison Ribeye with Brandied Peach and Cherry Demi-Glace.

Their award-winning wine list has more than 400 labels. The bar, which is an art statement in itself, offers great tapas, innovative cocktails, and nightly entertainment, showcasing everything from jazz to classics and R&B.

19100 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, California, Phone: 949-752-5222

»Things to Do in Irvine, CA: Orange County Great Park

Located on C Street, the Orange County Great Park is the name of the county park that is now found on land that was formerly the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine.

Made up of 1,347 acres, the park opened in 2007. The park includes “The Great Park Balloon,” an attraction that holds up to 30 people and rises 400 feet above the ground to serve as an observation deck.

The Palm Court Arts Complex contains the Great Park Gallery, the Great Park Artist Studios, and the 10,000 square foot Hangar 244, an events center. The “Certified Farmers Market” is held at the park every Sunday.

C Street, Irvine, California, Phone: 949-724-6247

»William R. Mason Regional Park

William R. Mason Regional Park is a park located on University Drive in southern Irvine. Named after former Irvine Company President William R. Mason, the park is sometimes referred to as Mason Park. It opened in 1973 with 45 acres of land; in 1978, 50 more acres were added and this included a nine-acre lake.

The park is divided into two parts: the east side of the park is a natural wilderness area made up of rugged hills, a small creek, and a bike trail. The west side of the park is more traditional: it is made up of grassland, an artificial lake, and many trails.

18712 University Drive, Irvine, California, Phone: 949-923-2220

Boomers! Irvine

Located on Michelson Drive, Boomers! Irvine is an amusement center that features many forms of fun and entertainment. There are many attractions like bumper boats, go-karts, laser tag, miniature golf, rock wall climbing, and many more. Buccaneer Cove is a large water play area with five levels, several slides, spray loops, wet tunnels, and other activities.

The center also features a state-of-the-art arcade room with games like virtual racing and snowboarding. Corporate, school and youth groups are welcome and the center offers a variety of package visits. The center is a popular place to celebrate birthdays and there are many options available.

3405 Michelson Drive, Irvine, California, Phone: 949-559-8341