Located 45 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego, Irvine is a vibrant, thriving Orange County, California city that is home to more than 250,000 people. Several major corporations in the technology sector are headquartered in Irvine, along with several major universities. In fact, the University of California, Irvine, is the city’s largest employer. Even better, it has a diverse and wonderful LGBTQ community where all can feel welcome. If you’re thinking of finding your next home in Irvine, chances are, you’ll find plenty about it to love!
A Look at Irvine's History
Irvine was not officially incorporated as a city until fairly recently – in 1971, in fact. Before that time, the area began as a center of Spanish missions, and then after becoming part of the United States, an important area for cattle grazing and agriculture. As the greater Los Angeles area grew, however, the Irvine area grew as well, until it officially became a city. In the nearly 50 years since its founding, the city has grown rapidly, drawing many businesses, schools, and innovators of all kinds. Today, Irvine remains a diverse, innovative, and progressive city that is proud of its reputation for being welcoming and friendly to all.
A Few Fun Facts About Irvine
Read more fun facts about Irvine here.
Irvine’s LGBTQ Community
Irvine is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Orange County is the Irvine area’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
City of Irvine - LGBTQ Resources
The City of Irvine is a city that cares deeply about ensuring that its LGBTQ community is supported, and as part of doing so, it has a designated LGBTQ+ liaison to serve as a resource to the LGBTQ community. The city also has a number of community groups and support services available.
What's the Weather Like in Irvine?
Those who live in Irvine can expect warm and dry summers, and slightly cool winters, with fairly mild temperatures year-round. Over the year, the temperature usually ranges from 56°F to 71°F. There is a minimal amount of rain, about 10-13 inches per year in fact, and no snow. Almost any time is a good time to enjoy the stunning beauty of the outdoors in Irvine!
Can’t-Miss Events in Irvine
OC Pride is the Irvine area’s largest LGBTQ pride celebration each year, and it’s one event you won’t want to miss. This popular annual celebration is a great way to celebrate, connect to the community, and have fun. Those who attend can enjoy parades, parties, family-friendly activities, and more. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate all that the LGBTQ community adds to the Irvine area.
Irvine Global Village Festival
The Irvine Global Village Festival is considered to be the premier multicultural event in Orange County each year, and it's one event that you'll definitely want to put on your calendar. The event is usually held in Great park and offers local and global cuisine, family-friendly activities, an artisan marketplace, live performances, exhibits, and more.
The Best Neighborhoods in Irvine
If you’re thinking of making a move to Irvine, you will find that the entire city is very welcoming. Rather than spreading and expanding naturally, Irvine was actually designed and planned out from the beginning. This means that the city is divided into several different villages, each of which is laid out in a very specific way. While many LGBT people are living in the area, there isn't a single gay neighborhood. That's because the city is so close to many other gay communities that Irvine never needed to develop its own. This truly means that almost anywhere in the city would make a wonderful place to call home. There are a wide variety of home styles available in different price ranges – although almost all homes tend to be on the more expensive side. For those who can afford a more expensive home, however, there are many great options available. The median list price of homes currently for sale in the Irvine area is approximately $1 million.
Arts and Entertainment
UCI Institute and Museum of California Art
The UCI Institute and Museum of California Art is the only museum in California dedicated to the preservation and display of California impressionist art, and its collection is stunning. It’s a great place to learn about the history of art in the state, and to spend an afternoon feeling inspired, learning, and having fun.
The Irvine Barclay Theatre is a beautiful theatre located in the heart of Irvine where visitors can enjoy contemporary dance, world music, excellent theatre, concerts, family events, and more. You won’t want to miss your chance to enjoy a performance for yourself!
Parks and Recreation
The Orange County Great Park is an incredible metropolitan park encompassing a total of 1300 acres. The park was once the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Today, the park offers a farmer’s market, a 194-acre sports complex, a tethered balloon called the Great Park Balloon, that takes visitors 400 miles up into the air to enjoy a spectacular view stretching as much as 40 miles, plenty of hiking and biking trails, and more. It’s the perfect place to spend a beautiful day in Irvine!
For those who want to experience Irvine’s unique natural beauty, Bommer Canyon is a must-see. This beautiful canyon, full of ancient oaks and sycamore groves and plenty of beautiful trails draws thousands of hikers and bikers each year, as well as outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. It's the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful Irvine day.
Irvine Nightlife
Tin Lizzie’s Saloon is a very popular, Victorian-style, LGBTQ bar that draws lively, large crowds for themed nights, happy hours, special events, and plenty of fun. Whether you enjoy a game of pool, karaoke, drinks with friends, dancing, or all of the above, you can do it here!
Contact an Irvine Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Irvine, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Irvine, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact an Irvine gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
