Irvine is a master-planned city located in Orange County, bordered by Santa Ana, Tustin, Lake Forest, and Mission Viejo. It’s known for being a city that has it all: beautiful weather, plenty of shopping and amenities, as well as diverse dining options. For many people who are familiar with Irvine, the first thought that comes to mind is that the city is not easy to travel around without a car. However, times are changing, and the city has since added many much-needed improvements to several neighborhoods, including pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, master-planned communities, and new mixed-use developments. Nowadays, when it comes to walkable neighborhoods in Orange County, many neighborhoods in Irvine are starting to pop up. Even though Irvine is still many years away from being a pedestrian haven like Downtown Los Angeles, there are still many walkable communities in the city. 

Here are four pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods in Irvine. 

Irvine Spectrum Center photo courtesy of Nandaro

Irvine Spectrum

Irvine doesn’t have an official Downtown, but if there were one, Irvine Spectrum would probably win that title. Affluent and luxurious, this neighborhood is within walking distance of the Irvine Spectrum Center, which is teeming with amenities. Residents are just steps away from fine dining, nightlife, and a seemingly endless number of shops. Most of the homes in this neighborhood are upscale condos and loft-style homes. Homebuyers who choose to live in this neighborhood can expect a price tag in the $1 million range. 

University Park

Surrounded by two major streets, Culver Drive and University Drive, as well as the 405 freeway, University Park is not just a master-planned community, it’s also one of Irvine’s first neighborhoods. Homes in University Park boast historic architecture and range from single-family homes and attached homes to condos, lofts, and townhomes. Because Irvine has some of the best schools in the nation, many residents living in this community tend to be families and students. With windy trails, a thoughtful pedestrian walkway, as well as tree-laden sidewalks, University Park is considered one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods. The main pedestrian walkway in this community connects to local parks and playgrounds. It’s not uncommon to see residents taking a walk down one of the pedestrian trails or even riding their bike to the park. What’s refreshing about University Park is that residents living in this community always have the option of leaving their car at home. After all, the community itself offers residents plenty of greenspace, scenic pathways, and even local pools.

Cleveland National Forest

Woodbury

Located towards the northern section of Irvine is the amenity-filled neighborhood of Woodbury. Not to be confused with Woodbury East, which is another Irvine neighborhood, Woodbury is a pedestrian-friendly community that features a variety of homes, award-winning schools, nature trails, and public greenspaces. Situated at the center of Woodbury is a popular hangout spot known to locals as The Commons. It features a neighborhood park, several athletic fields and swimming pools, gardens, and other recreational facilities. This neighborhood is connected to Woodbury Town Center, which is one of Irvine’s popular outdoor shopping malls. For locals, this town center is a daily destination to complete errands on foot, such as grocery shopping, coffee runs, and picking out home goods. Also, Woodbury is surrounded by acres of historic trails and plants. Nearby landmarks include Cleveland National Forest and the Jeffrey Open Space Trail. Many of the streets in Woodbury are tree-lined with landscaped terraces and parks, and the community also has a central clubhouse for residents. 

Westpark

Sitting pretty between the popular Irvine Spectrum Center and Irvine Business Complex is the community of Westpark. This neighborhood is located towards the city’s south side, and it has Westpark Village—one of the city’s busiest urban corridors—at the heart of the neighborhood. This community is filled with palm trees and lush greenery, and it features many walking paths and paseos that connect the village to several local parks, schools, shops, restaurants, and fitness centers. Hotspots in this neighborhood include Westpark Plaza, a plaza that’s home to several chain restaurants and Edwards Westpark Cinema 8, as well as restaurants near Woodbridge and the Irvine Business Complex. The community of Westpark is also conveniently located near John Wayne Airport, making it a great option for homebuyers who travel often.