Member of the Month Archive

Irvine Restaurants with Outdoor Dining Service Remain Open Amid Shutdown Restrictions

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Irvine offers ample opportunities for diners to practice social distancing while enjoying a meal and taking in Southern California's beautiful year-round, picture-perfect weather. A list of Irvine area restaurants serving meals and drinks at their outdoor spaces and patios can be found at DestinationIrvine.com/restaurants/outdoor-dining. Updates are made regularly, so bookmark the page and check back often! Irvine area restaurants open for outdoor dining as of July 20, include: 90 Pacifica 90 Pacifica, Irvine Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails 2607 Main St., Irvine Angelina's Pizzeria Napoletana 8573 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine Bacchus Bar & Bistro 6735 Quail Hill Pkwy., Irvine Bistango 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine BJ's Brewhouse 1313...

Irvine Ranks in America’s Top 10 Fittest Cities

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

With 16,500 acres of dedicated open space, parks and sports fields, including 62 miles of hiking and biking trails and the 194-acre sports complex at the Orange County Great Park in the city, it’s no wonder Irvine ranks in the top ten Fittest Cities in America by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem foundation. Irvine was ranked the #7 Fittest City in America in 2020, behind top ranked Arlington, VA, and Seattle, Minneapolis, Madison, WI, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Completing the top ten from #8 to #10 are Denver, Boise, and Boston. To be among the fittest cities in the American Fitnes...

Irvine Featured in Washington Post List of Top US 10 Cities for Parks

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

The Washington Post featured Irvine’s 62 miles of hiking and biking trails and Orange County Great Park in a recent article highlighting the top 10 cities for parks in the United States. The article outlines information from the annual Trust for Public Land ParkScore index which ranks U.S. cities on their parks, based on acreage, access for residents, amenities, and investment. “Thanks to this SoCal city’s Master Plan, one-third of Irvine’s land is preserved for outdoor recreation — including 62 miles of off-street trails and the largest acreage of natural habitats and wild lands in Orange County,” the article reads. Also featured i...

Staybridge Suites Now Open, Adding to Irvine’s Diverse Hotel Portfolio

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

The newly-built, 168-room Staybridge Suites Irvine hotel is now open, and is located in the heart of the Irvine Business Complex, just minutes away from the John Wayne Airport. Business and leisure guests alike will enjoy the Staybridge Suites as it delivers a break from the travel norm. “We are excited to be part of the Irvine hotel community. By creating a ‘feel like home atmosphere,’ we offer more than just unconfined space but a greater sense of community and life balance that provides a sense of normalcy for all our guests,” said Sean Hashemi, general manager, Staybridge Suites Irvine. The ne...

City of Irvine Ranked No. 1 in California, Top 10 in Nation for Public Park Access

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

The City of Irvine has been ranked No. 1 in California and No. 7 in the nation for public park access by the Trust for Public Land annual ParkScore Index. The index ranks the nation’s 100 largest cities based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities. This is the third consecutive year the city’s parks have ranked in the top 10 nationally. Irvine earned perfect scores in park spending per resident and basketball hoops per 10,000 residents; the city also earned high marks in community centers and playgrounds. The ParkScore Index noted that 82% of Irvine parks are within ...

You Can Shop Anywhere in California, State Officials Relax Coronavirus Restrictions

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

(Sacramento Bee) The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that retail stores statewide can now open for in-store shopping as long as they follow state guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection for workers and customers. State health officials also announced guidelines for in-person protests and events designed for political expression. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has faced protests regarding the stay-at-home order, which has been in place since March 19. The vast majority of large gatherings remain prohibited under the state’s stay-at-home order. The guidance for protests limits attendance to 25% of an area’s maximum occupancy, or up to 100 attendees, accordin...

Travel and Tourism, a Vital Economic Driver to the Irvine Economy

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

In 2019, traveler expenditures for Irvine came to an estimated $781 million, an increase of 3.9% over 2018, according to the 2019 Visitor Impact report conducted specifically for Irvine by Dean Runyan Associates, on behalf of Destination Irvine. The Irvine travel industry contributed $49.6 million in local and state taxes. Without visitor spending, it is estimated, that resident households in Irvine would each pay $560 more a year in state and local taxes. “Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) pay for local services, said President and CEO of Greater Irvine Chamber Bryan Starr. “In Irvine, the 8% TOT, which is paid by hotel guests, account...

Irvine Named a Best City to Stay-in-Place in the United States

Monday, May 04, 2020

With every major U.S. city under stay-in-place orders, a popular radio station issued a list of American cities from best to worst when it comes to living under social distancing mandates. Irvine made the #2 spot on the list. (Although, we strongly argue it should be #1!) The criteria used for the ranking include average apartment size, the amount of parkland per person, percentage of residents with broadband internet, and the number of restaurant takeout options. Master-planned features of Irvine make complying to stay-at-home orders more comfortable. An extensive network of beautifully-appointed villages that have always connected us, now helps us adhere to social distancing. Irvine resident...

Irvine Restaurants Show Support for Community Among COVID-19 Crisis

Monday, April 13, 2020

With many struggling to make ends meet amid the health crisis, Irvine restaurants are showing their support through free meals, fundraiser campaigns, and donations. Panini Kabob Grill, a Greater Irvine Chamber restaurant member, recently donated meals to the doctors, nurses, techs, and support staff on the front lines at CHOC Children's Hospital. The Melt is offering a free to-go meal to all hospital and medical staff that show their hospital badge/ID. Each week, Greater Irvine Chamber restaurant member Twenty Eight is donating 200 meals to hospitals and first responders as part of “Thankful Thursday.” To see what some other Irvine restaurants are doing to support th...

Greater Irvine Chamber Members Are Eligible for Rewards for Booking Group Meetings at Irvine Hotels

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Destination Irvine’s Loyalty Pays Off program offers exclusive rewards to Greater Irvine Chamber members that book group meetings in Irvine. Groups booking 10-30 rooms total earn $300 toward their hotel account, groups booking 31-74 rooms total earn $500, and groups booking 75+ rooms earn $750. Participating Irvine hotels include, AC Hotel, Atrium Hotel, Candlewood Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Irvine Airport, Courtyard Irvine Spectrum, DoubleTree by Hilton, Irvine Spectrum, Embassy Suites Irvine, Extended Stay America - Irvine Spectrum, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Irvine, Homewood Suites, John Wayne Airport, Hotel Irvine, Hyatt House, Irvine Marriott, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Irvine Spectrum, Marriot...

Irvine’s Modern Stays and International Culinary Venues Featured in Popular Pacific Northwest Magazine

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Irvine’s modern, recently renovated Hotel Irvine, and one-of-a-kind international shopping and dining center Diamond Jamboree were highlighted in the March 2020 issue of Northwest50Plus magazine. The feature detailed the palm tree-lined pool at Hotel Irvine, which can be enjoyed on the nearly 300 days of warm, sunny Southern California weather, as well as the facilities expansive ballroom and Red Bar lounge. Also included in the feature was Diamond Jamboree’s wide variety of international food options, highlighting the city’s many cultures. “Everyone knows California is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, and it's evident in Orange County. One of my favorite ventures wa...

Irvine’s Diverse, Modern Cuisine Featured in Popular Travel Blog

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Newlyweds and popular travel bloggers Allie and Bobby Talley of Traveling Newlyweds in a recent post highlighted Irvine as a destination for date nights, detailing the city’s diverse mix of modern dining options. The post outlines date night dining options at Irvine’s one-of-a-kind international shopping center, Diamond Jamboree, including dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan and specialty ice cream shop Somi Somi. “Recently we’ve been hooked on Irvine. It’s a city that can get easily overlooked by its flashy and touristy neighbors — but we’re here to let you in on a little secret. Irvine is on the rise. It’s bursting wit...

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