<p>Hey guys, I just went to that Celebrate Irvine thing today and was just wondering whats there to do around uci thats not on campus? I know theres like the generic answers like Newport beach, etc... but anything more specific, malls, stores.. lol. Any good places to eat out? I went to Yogurtland. yummy. =]</p>
<p>The Irvine Spectrum is a huge outdoor mall type thing, movie theater Barnes and nobles, clothing stores, etc etc. A few restaurants too, Red Robin Cheesecake Factory, Fox Sports Grill, one or two Bars.</p>
<p>A few miles south of UC Irvine is Fashion Island, as the name suggests, it's a mall. Several miles from UC Irvine is Irvine Spectrum where it mixes the downtown and mall atmosphere. </p>
<p>The University Center just across UC Irvine to me is basically a disorganized food court with high prices. It was originally planned to be the downtown of Irvine or a center of high activity like Irvine Spectrum but that seemed to have gotten kicked in the head somewhere around the 1960 - 70s.</p>
<p>You'll notice some similarities between the University Center and Irvine Spectrum, maybe the former was meant to be like the latter.</p>
<p>There is also South Coast mall in Costa Mesa. People drive everywhere in the OC to do stuff. People often drive to San Diego, LA, and...TJ. There is also a Boomers for bowling, laser tag, minigolf, and gaming nearby. I suggest joining a club that interests you. Clubs (and Fraternities/Sororities) often put together events that will take you everywhere around the area to just socialize. It should be fun =].</p>
<p>and disneyland is only 15 minutes away too :)</p>
<p>I went over to "The District" later that night.. that place is huggge! That shopping/eating place, however is "far" since i have no car... lol Do buses go there? I hear about the buses and stuff, but never actually saw any.</p>
<p>If you this "District" is within Orange County, you know the general address for it, and you know where you're going to live, then go here:</p>
<p>OCTA</a> - Trip Planner</p>
<p>Buses are free if you use your Student ID card.</p>
<p>By attempting the bus system, it's possibly to get to many places. "The District" is possible via the 59 bus (only on weekdays though). As for other places that I've found interesting by bus, there's also the Tustin Marketplace (via 79) or even South Coast Plaza (via 57, but a bit far to walk to bus stop from UCI).
With no car myself, I have attempted to try to go to various places via public transit, such as Disneyland and Knott's. It sure takes a long time to get there, but you feel better when you do not have to pay for parking or the high gas prices nowadays.</p>
<p>I guess if I go there I will need to learn how to ride the bus and actually know where I am... haha</p>
<p>where do you get time tables for the bus?</p>
<p>For the time tables, OCTA</a> - Schedule & Maps, but I personally prefer Google Transit as it helps you with transfers and estimates how long the bus will take to arrive at a particular stop. It is because the sheduled departure is for specific bus stops, and if your stop is a few stops after that scheduled departure the bus will take longer to come.</p>
<p>Go five minutes down the road to Newport and stuff your face with Sprinkles cupcakes. At least that's what I do whenever I visit Irvine. O_o</p>
<p>banana and dark chocolate cupcake ftw!</p>
<p>i was trying google transit to see how I would get to disneyland through bus and it says it take an hour and 47 minutes! Is that true, does it take that long?</p>
<p>jb, if it does it is only because the bus might take some crazy route and stop a million times. Disneyland is only 15-20 min away.</p>
<p>my favorite thing about irvine is that the Anaheim ducks and angels are pretty close =]</p>
<p>I know that it is only 15 minutes away but it seems extreme for the bus to take an hour and 47 minutes..don't you think?</p>
<p>and gym girl... I am super excited to go to angel's games! I want to one of the chicks that blasts t-shirt to the upper decks!
ahah</p>
<p>yep, it's true, disneyland takes ~2 hrs to get to. It's mostly because of the one transfer required (either start with the 57 or the 59) and then transfer to the 38. If you take the 57 (one of the few buses with a weekend schedule, you'll have to walk ~30 minutes to the bus stop. Factor in the fact that the bus needs to make frequent stops, and then it's about correct. A 20 minute drive is ~1 hr by bus, and if you factor in the time to walk to the bus, plus the wait for the transfer, it seems reasonable.
I guess it takes forever, but understand that you'll probably be saving $10 for parking plus wear on your car and such. Also factor in that parking on campus is very expensive.</p>