Irvine is a sunny city in California, full of fun things to do, beautiful weather, and interesting history. Learn more about what defines this city and attracts so many visitors and new residents. These nine facts paint a picture of this idyllic Californian city, which might be the perfect example of what the state has to offer.
9 Irvine, California Facts
1. Irvine is a haven for parks, with over 60 of them to explore. (Source)
Irvine has mile after mile of parkland and greenbelts throughout the city. Their famous “Great Park” even has a carousel and a balloon ride.
2. Irvine might be the most family-friendly city in America. (Source)
Irvine was named the best city for families and has an A+ rating on public education. Combine this with all the parks and an abundance of family-friendly activities, and it’s easy to see why Irvine is so prized by families.
3. Irvine’s University of California has an anteater mascot. (Source)
Peter the Anteater has undergone eight redesigns since his debut in 1980. The anteater was chosen because it’s not threatening unless attacked, in which case they’ll fight to the death.
4. Many TV shows and movies are filmed in Irvine. (Source)
Some of the most famous features filmed in Irvine include Criminal Minds, Rosewood, Ballers, Shark Tank, The Hangover Part III, Zero Dark Thirty, Chips, and The Real Housewives of Orange County.
5. UC Irvine has the most eco-friendly campus in the U.S. (Source)
The campus features 22 LEED Platinum award-winning, eco-friendly buildings. This is more than any other campus in the United States. UC Irvine is a highly popular college with over 240,000 alums and an $8 billion annual impact on California’s economy.
6. Irvine hosts the annual Irvine Global Village Festival. (Source)
The festival takes place in October and features the many cultures of Orange County residents. The celebrations include exhibits, cultural entertainment, and food from all over the world. The festival is hosted in the Orange County Great Park.
7. Irvine has some of the best weather in the nation. (Source)
Irvine earns this honor due to the sheer number of sunny days. It has about 300 days of sun every year and virtually no snowfall. The average high temperature is 73 degrees, and the average low is 52 degrees. Irvine is a haven for people who want to spend a lot of time outdoors.
8. The Irvine Unified School District has one of the nation’s best music programs. (Source)
The NAMM Foundation gave this district the distinction in 2010 and 2013. More than 20,000 students in the district were selected to show off their musical abilities in regional competitions and festivals, and the district won 10 Grammy Signature Awards.
9. Irvine hosted the first Boy Scout Jamboree. (Source)
The first celebration was held in 1953 at Irvine Ranch. Since Irvine is close to Hollywood, many stars attended the Jamboree, including Roy Rogers, Bob Hope, President Eisenhower, and James Stewart.
Featured image photo credit: Jessica Lewis.
