The Best of Irvine
Make the most of your visit with our carefully curated ideas. Watch for exclusive deals courtesy of our Metrolink partners – just show your Metrolink ticket. Enjoy like a tourist. Act like a local.
Come Capture Irvine's Abundant Fun Factor
Irvine welcomes you and your family with plenty of places to escape, explore and enjoy. Catch a ride on the big orange balloon at Irvine’s Great Park, then visit Irvine Spectrum Center for unique shops and restaurants. Or bring your bike on Metrolink and take a challenging cycling adventure to the coast and back!
Metrolink train lines
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Orange County Line
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Inland Empire-Orange County Line
Fun
Adventurous
Delicious
Day Trips
Take your kids on an adventure complete with a balloon ride and Ferris wheel.
For serious cyclists, ready for a challenging ride to the beach and back!
Fun Things to Do
Orange County Great Park
On the site of the decommissioned El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, this popular park features rides on the Great Park Balloon, trails, play areas, art and a Sunday farmers’ market.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
Irvine Spectrum
This enormous outdoor mall is well-known for its impressive architecture and opportunities for entertainment for all ages.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
Pretend City Children's Museum
This “world in a nut-shell” museum is a child-size interconnected city that balances education and fun where children can assume various real-world roles and let creativity rule.
From station: Take Metrolink to the Tustin Station, from there take OC Bus route 90 and exit Irvine Center Drive/Hubble or take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to the Tustin Station, from there take OC Bus route 90 and exit Irvine Center Drive/Hubble or take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
Great Ice Park
For family fun, enjoy the daily skating sessions at the largest ice facility in the U.S. Skate rentals available. Located at Orange County Great Park.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
The Escape Game
Pick a theme from a 1950’s prison to deep space, or even a classic art heist, then team up to follow clues, solve puzzles, and complete your mission in under 60 minutes. Located in Irvine Spectrum.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
Giant Wheel
Whether at the top looking out over Orange Count or in the courtyard below mesmerized by the lights, the view is spectacular from this huge Ferris wheel at Irvine Spectrum.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
Great Places to Eat & Drink
Cucina Enoteca
Contemporary Italian cuisine prepared with a focus on California seasonality and the bounty of local farms, located at Irvine Spectrum. Irvine Spectrum Center
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
Fogo de Chao
In the heart of Irvine Spectrum, this Brazilian steakhouse features an open kitchen to showcase gaucho chefs at the churrasqueria grill.
Hello Kitty Café
At the Irvine Spectrum, enjoy a supercute menu with cookies, cakes, donuts, seasonal goodies, drinks and themed merchandise. Afternoon tea and cocktail service available by reservation. Irvine Spectrum Center, (Near the Giant Wheel Court)
Capital Seafood
Enjoy more than 100 kinds of dim sum and seafood in a casual, East-meets-West atmosphere. Conveniently located at the Irvine Spectrum Center.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
Between the Rinks
This restaurant/café is just the place for watching hockey games or grabbing a bite after ice skating. Located at Great Park Ice in the Orange County Great Park.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
Wood Ranch
An affordable American barbecue restaurant with a wide range of food for all tastes. At Irvine Spectrum Center.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
From station: Take Metrolink to Irvine Station, then take Uber/Lyft or taxi to the destination.
How to Get There
Everything you need to know, including train schedules and tips on buying tickets and riding Metrolink trains. Easy!
Good to Know Before You Go
- Metrolink’s specially marked Bike Cars have multiple stalls designed to hold three bikes each. Also, each regular Metrolink train car can accommodate three bikes.
- Be sure to check the last train departure time for your ride home.