Irvine is minutes away from beautiful beaches where you can swim, surf, water ski, charter boats, book a romantic gondola or experience an electric "Duffy" boat.
But Irvine is also the home of the William Woollet Jr. Aquatics Center, used for Olympic trials and other swimming and diving competitions.

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• Catalina Island

  Located just off the coast, this beautiful island looks much like California did 200 years ago-- a wilderness of oak, cactus and sage, with secluded ocean coves serving as home to lush kelp forests and abundant sea life. At the same time it offers all of the accommodations and recreational activities of a modern beach resort.

  Corona Del Mar

  With beautiful sand beach and coves, and nestled on and at the foot of the San Joaquin Hills ronting the Pacific Ocean, Corona del Mar is situated at the south end of Newport Beach and includes some of Orange County's most prestigious residential areas. Less than 4 miles west of Irvine, Corona Del Mar features a unique selection of shopping, restaurants, services and retail fashions.

  Dana Point

  Featuring a marina with shops and restaurants, sport fishing, Orange County Marine Institute and the tallship Pilgrim, Dana Point is about 20 miles south of Irvine. Salt Creek Beach Park is a long, sandy beach, a popular surfing spot. Doheny State Beach is administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The 62-acre site features over one mile of sandy beach and some of the best swimming and surfing in California.

  Huntington Beach

  The dynamic coastal City of Huntington Beach, with its sunny Mediterranean climate and idyllic setting, is home to more than 202,250 residents. Internationally known as Surf City, Huntington Beach boasts eight miles of scenic, accessible beachfront, the largest stretch of uninterrupted beachfront on the West Coast. Tourism remains a vital part of the economy, as over 11 million visitors flock to the city during the summer, on weekends and for special events.

  Laguna Beach

  Picturesque and serene, this seaside artists' colony is famous for it's rocky coastline and slightly quirky residents. It's also a great place to find one-of-a-kind works of art as well as some of the best dining in Orange County.

  
• Newport Beach and Balboa Island

  Nine distinct neighborhoods make up Newport Beach, each lending to the city a unique culture, charm, natural beauty and history -- that makes it a truly unforgettable destination: Fashion Island, Balboa and surrounding seven islands, Balboa Peninsula, Cannery Village, Mariner's Mile, Back Bay, Corona Del Mar, Airport District and Newport Coast/Crystal Cove. Explore them all, or one by one during your stay, and all over again as you return. This beautiful seaside resort was featured in the hit Fox TV show The OC.

  San Clemente

  A coastal community located halfway between San Diego and Los Angles at the southern tip of Orange County, San Clemente is located on the Pacific Ocean and is bordered by Camp Pendleton Marine Base on the South, Cleveland National Forest on the East and San Juan/Dana Point on the North. Only about 27 miles south of Irvine, the city of San Clemente, is known as The Spanish Village by the Sea.