University Town Center - Irvine, CA

The city of Irvine was created out of thousands of acres of rolling hills and pastures as a massive planned community centered around a major university. University Town Center was first developed as a small shopping center adjacent to the campus of the University of California, Irvine in the early 1970s. Gradually, the residential neighborhood grew up around it, but because the university preceded it, UTC has always catered to UC Irvine.

Art lovers in the UTC neighborhood should always check in at the UC Irvine Beall Center for Art + Technology. This on-campus gallery dedicates itself to art containing high-tech components and proves fascinating for fans of both fields. Also on campus you'll find the Irvine Barclay Theater, home to a wide variety of performances ranging from comedy, concerts and ballet to opera and plays.

Everything in the University Town Center neighborhood tends to have college students in mind, and the culinary choices are no exception. The UTC shopping center features plenty of welcome name brands that combine a college student's need for something quick with a southern Californian emphasis on the healthy. Look for familiar quick-serve and fast food places such as In-N-Out Burger, Tender Greens, Veggie Grill and Chick-fil-A, among others.

You can find some one-of-a-kind spots to eat in UTC as well. Stop in at DelSushi when you have a late-night sushi craving. Locals rave about the rainbow roll that combines crab, avocado, tuna, salmon, albacore and shrimp, or pick up a baked scallop or baked lobster roll.

When you're in a hurry, Le Diplomate Cafe makes amazing sandwiches and panini, especially if you love garlic. Try the garlic chicken, chicken cordon bleu or barbecue banh mi, and make sure to get extra garlic sauce for dipping. Another quick, satisfying place is Blaze Pizza. Build your own pizza on a thin, crispy crust, and choose a gluten-free crust if you prefer. The fresh veggie toppings are unlimited, so you can turn pizza into health food.

Because UTC caters to students, many of whom are under the drinking age, you won't find many bars in the immediate area. Stop in at Eureka to sample a large beer list or try a flight of whiskeys. Thursday nights bring live music to the joint, and you can take advantage of other weekly specials, including discounts on wine on Tuesdays and on Bloody Marys on weekends.

While it's very easy to get around on foot or by bicycle in the immediate University Town Center neighborhood, most residents rely on their private cars for transportation away from the campus area. Parking is highly regulated in much of UTC. Only those with UC Irvine parking permits can park in university lots; conversely, private security at UTC watches to make sure UCI students don't take up free spots in shopping center lots. When you're leaving the area, Interstate 405, or the San Diego Freeway, lies nearby, providing access to Long Beach, Los Angeles and San Diego.

If you need to rely on public transportation, the Orange County Transportation Authority runs buses to connect UTC locals to Tustin and Newport Beach. In addition, UC Irvine's Anteater Express operates shuttles running to Newport Beach and several other Irvine neighborhoods, including the Irvine Spectrum. Taxis and airport shuttles are all available on-call.

While UC Irvine students can take advantage of the lovely Aldrich Park at the heart of the university campus, residents of the larger University Town Center neighborhood enjoy having the William R. Mason Regional Park right at their back door. Although you'll pay for parking at this enormous, 339-acre park, locals find the small fee worthwhile for access to the 9-acre lake, barbecue grills and kids' playgrounds.

Once you're in, take a leisurely stroll by the lake on a romantic evening, or enjoy the butterfly garden. The sports-inclined appreciate access to running paths, workout stations, beach volleyball courts and baseball diamonds. Geocachers also make fine use of this park, as do locals walking their dogs and moms pushing strollers. The park features an amphitheater that's often used for local fundraiser events and shows outdoor movies during the warm summer season.

The cost of living in the University Town Center neighborhood runs about 11 percent below that of Irvine in general. A one-bedroom apartment in UTC rents for about $1,762 per month. Gasoline runs a bit high, typically about 11 percent higher than the national average. Bus fare around the area costs $2. If you want to grab a quick beer after class, it'll cost you about $6 to $8, but if you stop in at the Anteater Pub on the UCI campus on your 21st birthday, your first beer is free.

While most residents of the University Town Center neighborhood typically hop a shuttle to the Irvine Spectrum for significant shopping runs, University Center itself contains some unique shops that help make life easier or more fun.

Hello Kitty fans head straight for Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle in UTC. Not only can you find the latest in fan and anime paraphernalia, but you get to choose from Japanese shampoos, skin care products and snacks, including hard-to-find green tea Kit Kats.

When you need groceries, both Albertsons and Trader Joe's lie right in the neighborhood, close enough to walk or bike to for many residents. While the UTC neighborhood no longer has its own farmers market, several are within an easy drive, including the Irvine Farmers Market which opens it doors on Saturday mornings at Mariners Church on Newport Coast Drive.