Oak Creek - Irvine, CA

Originally an agricultural town, the Irvine Company planned the city for urban development in the mid-20th century after the establishment of the University of California's Irvine campus. Visit the Orange County Museum of Art in next door Newport Beach for seasonal fine art exhibits. Check out antique airplanes and military vehicles as you watch planes take off down the runway at the Lyon Air Museum right next to the John Wayne airport. Indulge in the carnival rides, games and fried food at the Orange County Fair held every summer in nearby Costa Mesa.

A high population of immigrants from Asian countries have settled in the region, demonstrated by the abundance of Asian restaurants of all varieties that line the streets. Most restaurants sit off Jeffrey Road in shopping centers or at major intersections. Stop by Miyabi Shabu Shabu & Grill for the Japanese take on the hot pot, known as Shabu Shabu. During this interactive culinary adventure, dip small bits of high-quality raw meats and veggies in your personal pot of boiling broth, seasoning it with condiments and sauces and letting each item cook to your specific taste. For a thick, juicy burger, head to the Cut Handcrafted Burgers, and chow down on the Savory Burger topped with the perfect combination of bacon relish and garlic aioli. Get a group together for traditional Taiwanese-style Chinese fare at A & J Restaurant, where the owners make you feel like one of the family. Start off with the fried scallion pancakes, and savor the generous portions of spicy beef noodle soup served with your choice of thick or thin noodles in a flavorful broth.

Locals consider the Oak Creek neighborhood one of the more tranquil areas of Irvine, and for nightlife, people tend to gather at restaurants with in-house bars and remain there for the evening instead of bar hopping. Sip on a glass of wine at Bacchus Bar and Bistro from its extensive list as you delight in the sound of live music on Sunday nights. Share a pitcher of margaritas with friends at Javier’s Cantina and Grill, located in the Irvine Spectrum Center, the area’s entertainment hub that features nicer chain restaurants, lavish shopping and a massive movie theater.

Residents of Oak Creek typically commute and run most of their errands via car throughout this sprawling suburb. A few OCTA bus system routes service Irvine Center Drive and Jeffrey Road within the neighborhood, and the Metrolink rail system has a station in Irvine, providing a convenient way to travel to other parts of Southern California. Call ahead to schedule a ride with a local taxi company, or set up a more personal ride with Uber. You should have no problem finding free public parking most places with the exception of the Irvine Valley College area, where you can only park with a permit. I-5 and I-405 sandwich the neighborhood from the north and south, respectively, making it efficient to travel to other areas of Orange County. Bike lanes and wide streets abound. However, use caution during rush hour traffic when biking or walking as the housing divisions and shopping centers spread out across Oak Creek, so although the area is safe for both, walking and biking may not be the most efficient forms of travel unless going a short distance.

While you can find well-maintained community parks throughout the neighborhood to take your dog for a jog, locals consider the Orange County Great Park the real gem in the region. Originally an old military base, Irvine acquired the land and designed a huge metropolitan park for the surrounding communities. Catch great views of the sunset over the ocean with the family as you ride an air balloon high above the park. Attend the annual Flights and Sounds Summer Festival, and pick the perfect carving pumpkin at the Great Park Pumpkin Harvest each fall. Open year-round, the park provides free parking except during events when it changes to a fee around $10.

Oak Creek enjoys a cost of living about 7 percent lower than Irvine’s average, yet still high in comparison to the rest of California. A day pass to travel anywhere in Orange County via bus costs $5. Be prepared to pay $1,755 on average for a one-bedroom residence in the area. The price of a beer runs over $6. Expect to pay gas prices that range around 22 percent above the nation’s average price.

The neighborhood of Oak Creek resides next to the Irvine Spectrum Center, a giant outdoor mall that serves as a shopper’s paradise with high-end boutiques and typical chain retailers all in a luxurious setting. If you’re looking for a new hobby, visit Irvine Tennis to pick up all the brand-name equipment you need to hit the court. The informative staff will guide you in the right direction if the walls of choices overwhelm you. Head to O.C. Succulents for some unique plants that practically stay alive all on their own, perfect for a housewarming gift.

Pick up all your weekly groceries at Ralphs or Albertsons, or check out Gelson’s Market for a larger selection of specialty items. 99 Ranch Market supplies the area with Asian-specific goods and rare produce not found at mainstream grocery stores. The Great Park Farmer’s Market opens every Sunday.