It’s a new year! And we all know what that means… new year resolutions. Whether it be healthy eating, working out more or saving money, it’s that time where we start setting physical and mental goals for ourselves to carry into the new year. If working out more is on your list of new year resolutions, but you aren’t a fan of the traditional gym scene, we’re here to help! There’s plenty of ways to break a good sweat and get an awesome workout without spending hours on a treadmill, and here are a few of our favorite ways to do so. 

We think everyone can agree that dogs make the world a better place! And we all know there’s nothing better than bringing our four-legged best friend with us as we run errands around town. So when it comes to going out to eat, you guessed it, having your pup there makes it all the more fun. That’s why we’ve gathered some of the best dog-friendly restaurants and cafes in the Irvine area for you and your pup to grab a bite to eat. 

Not only is it the end of another fabulous year here in Irvine, but it’s also the end of an entire decade! The last ten years brought spandex back into the fashion atmosphere, introduced us to the duck face (and selfies in general), shifted music trends and advanced technology to new heights. And those are just a few things… Given all of the glorious change that has impacted each of us in different ways, it’s only right to celebrate the new year (and new decade!) accordingly. Here are some ideas for how you might want to welcome 2020 this New Years’ Eve.

Living next door to the John Wayne Airport means one less hassle when it comes to traveling! But any true Californian knows the craziness that the airport becomes when the holiday season is in full swing. Flights that are full from nose to tail, rushing from one gate to another, luggage full of presents and everyone working hard to get home for the holidays. With all things considered, even though our neighborly location to the airport helps us out a bit, we’ve got a few tips to help make your holiday travels a breeze.

The holidays are a time for giving. Whether it be gifts, money, baked goods, or even your time, the end of the year is notorious for gifting, giving, and everything in between. While it can be tough to find the time and energy during the holidays to donate or volunteer, there are many advantages that come with it! So why not get that warm fuzzy feeling this holiday season by spreading cheer throughout orange county and in your Irvine community with these three volunteer opportunities!

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s the Orange County Great Park Balloon! The big orange sphere floats high above Irvine, casting shade on those below it and carrying passengers up and into the sky for an unbeatable birds-eye view of the city of Irvine. If you’ve never been to the Orange County Great Park, the name is very fitting and it quickly becomes clear once you get there why “great” is part of it. With everything from grassy areas and picnic tables to the vintage carousel, farmers market and art studio, the Great Park lives up to the expectations. But one of the first attractions that made the park so special was (and still is) the iconic orange balloon. 

Authentic, quality, street-style Mexican food cooked within inches of your dinner plate. When you dine at Descanso, a modern taqueria and one of the newest members of the Irvine restaurant scene, that’s exactly what you get. November marks one year that guests have been sitting and observing as the talented chefs ignite a delicious meal right in front of you. Inspired by the flavor and charm that ordering from a hometown taco-stand brings, Descanso aims for the experience of street-style food, but in a full service, modern restaurant setting. Imagine the Benihana of Mexican food, where a la cart ingredients are prepared on a plancha (a flat iron grill), the aromas of fresh ingredients sizzling and the sounds of your dinner being cooked float throughout the restaurant air. Descanso elevates your ordinary night out for dinner to an experience that highlights authentic Mexican cuisine, just minutes from your home at Main Street Village.

Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and if you’re hosting this year, the holiday stress might be starting to settle in. Plus, with November nearly over, that means Christmas festivities are closer than they might seem! But have no fear, Main Street Village is here to help ease your worry with your guide to hosting this holiday season. Follow these tips for hosting and you’re sure to feel less stressed and more prepared when guests start knocking on your door in the coming weeks!

While sunny and 75 might not be considered “Fall” in other parts of the U.S, here in California it’s cool enough for us to justify decorating the apartment with autumn colors, cozy blankets and pumpkin decor. Since it’s finally the season for homemade soups, cuddling on the couch for a movie, and filling our apartments with seasonal decor here are three places you can find the perfect household essentials for autumn decor, and tips for what to buy while you’re there.

November is here and that means one thing; the holidays are near! Thanksgiving is just weeks away, followed by black Friday shopping and Christmas tree finding. But one thing that is a sure mark of the holidays being just around the corner is the opening of the Ice Skating Rink at the Irvine Spectrum Center. The ice rink is the perfect remedy to the hustle and bustle of the season, serving as a break from shopping and a festive tradition for friends and families alike.