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Parks Guide 2026
Get to know the top-ranked park system in California, one of the nation’s best
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Apr 1, 2026
Irvine again on happiest cities list
Irvine is the happiest city in Southern California, according to WalletHub’s annual “Happiest Cities in America” ranking. The personal finance …
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Apr 1, 2026
Irvine schools earn top state honor
Seven Irvine Unified schools have been named 2026 California Distinguished Schools, the state’s highest honor for public schools. Lakeside, Rancho …
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Apr 1, 2026
Orange Market Tableware opens at Spectrum Center
Orange Market Tableware, which debuted at Culver Plaza four years ago, has opened a new location at Irvine Spectrum Center. …
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Spring fling: 4 places to celebrate this season
It has been said that spring is nature’s way to say “Let’s party!” For the culinarily inclined, that translates to…
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10 happenings in April
1. Jazz celebrationPianist Emmet Cohen brings together an all-star quintet to honor the centennial of jazz legends Miles Davis and…
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On a roll for spring
Originally a pancake known as the spring dish, the spring roll has existed in China for 1,500 years. It continues…
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Orange Market Tableware opens at Spectrum Center
Orange Market Tableware, which debuted at Culver Plaza four years ago, has opened a new location at Irvine Spectrum Center.…
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Irvine again on happiest cities list
Irvine is the happiest city in Southern California, according to WalletHub’s annual “Happiest Cities in America” ranking. The personal finance…
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Q&A: Queen Nation comes to Great Park
Queen Nation has been called the best Queen tribute band in the U.S. and was inducted into the California Music…
HIghlights
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Great Park is base for Men’s National Team
The U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team has selected Championship Soccer Stadium at Great Park as its official training base during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The World Cup will run […]
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Great Park Ice: Elevating skaters to elite heights
The place has helped produce Olympians and world champions and a growing number of stars who have represented America and beyond. Great Park Ice can…
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Open skating for everyone
Home to skating champions, Great Park Ice also offers opportunities to those who’ve never skated at all. “A lot of people in Southern California might…
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OCSC upgrades stadium ahead of 2026 season
Orange County Soccer Club will expand capacity and upgrade fan experiences at Championship Soccer Stadium ahead of the upcoming season, responding to rising demand following…
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Irvine High runner sets national record and more
Summer Wilson’s incredible cross-country season finished with dominant back-to-back performances
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Irvine’s nationally ranked park system may get even better
Community collaboration guides the vision for a new nature park in the center of the city
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Quail Hill
Celebrating 20 years of open space and amazing views in Irvine
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Green dividends
How parks power Irvine’s success
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A toast to the trees of Peters Canyon
Wildflowers are wonderful, but this spring, I want to propose a toast to trees. Unlike ephemeral, unpredictable-if-beautiful spring blooms, trees are reliable marvels of nature.…
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Portola Springs Community Park
Historically and now, a busy community hub
Master Plan
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Irvine is area’s best city for renters
Irvine once again affirmed its reputation as one of the nation’s premier places to live by earning the top spot among Southern California cities for…
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Best city for families in Southern California
WalletHub recognized Irvine as the fourth-best city for families in the U.S. for 2025.
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Irvine is top city in the state
Irvine has been named California’s best city to live in – and the fifth best in the U.S. – by Niche, a national platform for…
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Irvine earns Master Plan accolade
The master-planned city of Irvine has been recognized as the nation’s best planned community by Zonda, an international real estate research organization.
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Hidden in plain sight: Subtleties of the Master Plan
A master plan may sound like a formidable document full of statistics and theories, but done right – as in Irvine – it’s a blueprint…
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A secret to Irvine’s beauty
The landscape architecture of Irvine is a key part of why the city is such a desirable place to live. Pick a place in Irvine,…
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Early attention to infrastructure pays off
Every great city is built upon a solid foundation, known as infrastructure. Across America, it’s often overlooked or crumbling. In Irvine, however, infrastructure was master…
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Irvine home values are strongest in U.S.
The city’s Master Plan is key to continuing appreciation, experts say.
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Irvine schools earn top state honor
Seven Irvine Unified schools have been named 2026 California Distinguished Schools, the state’s highest honor for public schools. Lakeside, Rancho San Joaquin, Sierra Vista, South Lake and Venado middle schools […]
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Natural Sciences Center brings IVC students together
The new Natural Sciences Center at Irvine Valley College is a win-win for Hinanui Swider. She benefits as both a student and a tutor. Now…
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Young Irvine leaders help fund vehicle for Police Explorer program
For Irvine teenagers interested in law enforcement, the city’s Police Explorer program offers a chance to volunteer alongside officers, assist at community events and learn…
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IUSD dominates at science olympiad
Irvine Unified School District again proved its strength in STEM education at the 2026 OC Regional Science Olympiad, sending more teams to the state competition…
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IUSD students showcase innovation at annual science fair
Innovation and curiosity were on display as Irvine Unified School District students presented hundreds of original research and engineering projects at the 45th annual IUSD…
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How Mag’s Donuts & Bakery savors its success in Irvine
The maple bacon cronut – flaky, chewy, sweet and savory – is one of the chief attractions at Mag’s Donuts & Bakery in University Park Center. It’s also part of […]
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Celebrating Small Business: Culver Plaza
JUNBI MATCHA & TEAOwner: Khanh MongOpened at Culver Plaza in October 2023 “Culver Plaza is a lively, community-centered hub that perfectly aligns with Junbi’s inviting,…
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Danaher to acquire Irvine-based Masimo
Danaher Corp. will acquire Irvine-based medical device maker Masimo Corp. for nearly $10 billion, a deal that further underscores Irvine’s growing role as a hub…
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25 years of making melodies and memories
Irvine Art & Music stays in tune with the community through lessons, special programs and instrument rentals and repairs
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Brewing success
Community and creativity are on display at Left Coast Brewing Company
Sustainability
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Irvine among first Clean California Communities
The city of Irvine has been named one of the first 33 communities in the state to earn the new Clean California Community designation from Caltrans, the state agency responsible for highway maintenance and transportation infrastructure.
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Concepts of environmental sustainability were pioneered in Irvine and continue to guide the city today
Nature was on the minds of Irvine Company planners as far back as 1959. Though “environmental sustainability” is widely recognized today, it was largely unknown…
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Irvine among nation’s greenest cities
Thanks to its abundance of parks, open spaces and trees, Irvine has been named one of the “Greenest Cities in America” by the finance website…
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EV drivers boosted by more city chargers
Electric vehicle owners in Irvine have a growing number of options to charge up.
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Water-wise tips for fall
In September, plants’ water needs drop by approximately 30% even if the temperature is hot. Because the days are shorter, evaporation decreases. Plus, plants begin…
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CommunityWelcome to the holidays
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Welcome to Irvine Standard, a community paper that celebrates the people, places and experiences that make Irvine America’s best master-planned city. Thanks for reading.