Travel experience report:
Irvine & surrounding area
As you are usually only on campus at Westcliff two to three times a week, it is a great opportunity to explore California and the region in more detail. The region around Irvine, Orange County is beautiful and there is a lot to explore. Laguna and Newport Beach are two particularly beautiful places right by the sea. In Costa Mesa, just around the corner from Westcliff University, there are lots of cute coffee shops and restaurants where you can study. Kit Coffee is particularly nice, with very tasty coffee and salads.
Most beautiful beaches nearby
Laguna Beach is a super cute little town right by the sea with beautiful bays. The beach “Thousand Steps Beach” is particularly beautiful and there really are 1,000 steps leading to the bay. Laguna Beach is also a great place to have dinner and then take a stroll through the town, where there are numerous galleries with beautiful paintings. One of my favorite places is definitely Newport Beach, especially the small Lido Village with cute cafes and stores right on the water.
Major cities in California
San Diego and Los Angeles are also very easy to reach by car, both only 1-1.5 hours away from Irvine and definitely worth a visit. Another highlight is San Francisco, which can be reached inexpensively from Los Angeles. In the low season, you can book a return flight from LAX to SFO for 60$. There is also the option of driving to Santa Barbara, Malibu and Palm Springs, which can be reached within 2-2.5 hours.
Hawai'i
Hawaii has always been a dream destination and much more accessible from Los Angeles. In October 2024, direct flights cost €250 roundtrip. My personal favorite island was Kauai, a rather untouched island with beautiful nature, my highlight on the island was definitely the boat tour to the world-famous Na Pali Coast.
National Parks & Las Vegas
There are also numerous national parks in California, such as Yosemite National Park. Other beautiful national parks, such as the Grand Canyon, can be found in the states of Utah and Arizona, just under an 8-hour drive from Orange County. These national parks can also be easily combined with Las Vegas, as the city is on the route.
