Irvine has again been named the best city to live in, securing the top spot for the 11th consecutive year in the Orange County Register’s annual reader rankings.
“The reasons are myriad,” according to the Register’s write-up in the Best of Orange County rankings. “Its park system is ranked No. 2 in the nation. The Great Park, the U.S. Men’s National Team’s base camp during the World Cup and site of Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival, is gaining attention far beyond the county line. New‑home communities in Irvine are growing, too.”
The consistent honors reflect the strength of Irvine’s Master Plan, which integrates residential villages with schools, shopping centers, commercial hubs and preserved open space. Longtime residents point to that deliberate planning as key to their daily quality of life.
“When you drive in Irvine, you see trees, grass and shrubs all over – it makes you feel good,” says Sam Ko, who first moved to Irvine in 1968 to attend UC Irvine and returned permanently in 1978. “Whenever we looked at neighboring cities for a new home, none of them came close to Irvine. So we just ended up buying another house here, and years later, another one. We couldn’t move away because Irvine is such a beautiful place.”
In addition to the overall city honor, Irvine destinations captured first place across numerous categories.
- Irvine Spectrum Center was voted best shopping and dining destination.
- Regal Irvine Spectrum took best movie theater.
- UC Irvine placed first among four-year colleges and universities.
- Tanaka Farms was named best farmers market.
- Esperanza Apartment Homes won best apartment community.
- Crestview at Orchard Hills ranked among the top three new-home communities.
- Local dining options added to the tally, with Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar both capturing first‑place honors.
