How Safe Is Irvine for Travel?

Irvine, California, is a city in Orange County that isn’t along the beach but is just minutes from the top beaches in the state.

This master-planned community is filled with cookie-cutter neighborhoods, busy streets, and a taste of the good life.

Irvine is also home to the John Wayne Airport, so travelers need to know about the flight pattern in this area.

When a plane takes off, it has to be above a certain level in a certain amount of time to avoid too much residential noise.

This can make taking off feel like you are on a rocket ship.

The city has a large Asian population (43% of all residents) which leads to some of the best Asian dinings in the Southern California region.

Shopping is a way of life here, too, with three major shopping destinations in and around Irvine, all bringing their own unique vibe.

You’ll get a taste of the agriculture in the region by visiting Tanaka Farms, where you can pick fruits and veggies throughout the year, and it really springs to life in the fall for pumpkin season.

Outdoor enthusiasts can head for the beach at Crystal Cove State Park or the mountains at Limestone Canyon Regional Park, both flanking the sides of the city.

Warnings & Dangers in Irvine

OVERALL RISK : LOW

There's a very low risk here as Irvine is consistently rated the safest community in the country. Violent crimes are very low, and most thefts are reduced to petty crimes of opportunity.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW

There is a public transportation system here, but it's so rarely used the city has canceled some routes. This is definitely a city where people love their cars, so consider a rental car to save money on expensive taxis and rideshares.

PICKPOCKETS RISK : LOW

There's a low risk, but 16 pickpockets and purse snatchings were reported in 2020, with an average take between $600 and $1800. Keep an eye on your stuff when you sit down to eat or while shopping. Don't fill up the trunk of the car and head back into the mall because thieves could be watching the parking lot, looking for a score.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : MEDIUM

Wildfires are the biggest risk here, and the city has even upgraded the safety and evacuation plan as each year brings more destructive and dangerous fires. Flash flooding is also an issue because when it rains here it can rain a lot in a short amount of time. There's a medium risk, mostly due to fires.

MUGGING RISK : LOW

This is another low risk averaging 80% lower than the national average. On top of that, robberies in public places were at 16%. This doesn't give you an excuse to let your guard down, but it also means you can feel confident and safe walking down the street.

TERRORISM RISK : LOW

Since it's part of the greater Los Angeles area and one of the largest population centers in the nation, there's a medium risk here. There are some tech companies that might make targets, but the city of Los Angeles would be a more likely target.

SCAMS RISK : LOW

There aren't any reported tourist scams here, but the typical residential scams happen - like people posing as police officers or the IRS. Keep your guard up, but know that you're not a moving target. You might get panhandled by homeless people, but just keep walking, and you'll be fine.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW

Women will love the low risk of visiting a safe place like Irvine with all the great shopping and restaurant options.

TAP WATER RISK : LOW

Wouldn't it be a bummer if a city this safe had terrible drinking water? Well, it doesn't. The 2022 Water Quality Report shows full compliance along with water conservation tips to help during the drought.

Safest Places to Visit in Irvine

The Great Park lives up to its name and is a massive sports complex.

Don’t let that deter you, because once you’re parked you’ll see an awesome carousel open for rides and the Great Balloon Park, where you can ride up to 400 feet in the air for a 360 view.

The rides are free, but follow the sign-up rules because you could have to wait a while for your turn.

The phone number for more information is (949)724-6247.

There’s another carousel to ride at Irvine Spectrum Center, which is a shopping mall with more than 120 stores and some of the most upscale fashion brands.

You can also ride “The Wheel,” which is a Ferris Wheel with LED lighting.

Whether you take a ride using a fast pass or just watch the light show from the ground, The Wheel is a popular place to be.

Tanaka Farms is a place where you can harvest a good time with fresh fruit, beautiful wildflowers, and barnyard animals.

You can pick your own produce and learn about the art of farming with hydroponics.

This is a fun family attraction, but be sure to get a parking pass in advance.

One of the most fun things in Irvine is going to the Diamond Jamboree and arguing with friends and family about which restaurant to try.

Seriously though, this is a mall made up of the most exquisite and unique restaurants you can imagine.

You can eat your way through Asia here, but should definitely save room for the Milky Bun, which is a doughnut stuffed with ice cream.

I’m kicking myself for not thinking of that dessert first.

Boomer Canyon is a great way to get into the wilderness and go through the historical lands while enjoying the wonderful Southern California weather.

Check the schedule for night hiking, yoga, and mountain bike group rides.

Quail Hill is another hiking spot that gives amazing skyline views of the city and beyond, with an easy three-mile walk.

SECRET SPOTS: The Irvine Marriott has two speakeasies on the property, but we’re not giving away any more than that.

Ask the hotel concierge for help with that one.

Those shouldn’t be confused with the rooftop restaurant Hive & Honey at the top of Marriott Irvine Spectrum.

The two hotels are about eight miles apart.

Places to Avoid in Irvine

There aren’t dangerous parts of Irvine or places to avoid, but you’re going to run into a lot of gated communities if you try to look at houses for fun.

(Am I the only one who does that??)

Never sneak through a gate to get into a community, and don’t lie to the gatekeeper in a vain attempt to enter.

Your license plate will be recorded on video.

Irvine comes with a lot of traffic, and even outside of rush hour, you should double the length of time you think it will take to get you somewhere.

I once sat at a traffic light for 10 cycles before going through an intersection trying to get out of John Wayne Airport.

As tempting as it is with the shopping in Orange County, set a budget and stick to it.

If you have issues with impulse shopping as I do, it’s smart to bring just one credit card and have a friend with you who can help reign you in.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Irvine

So... How Safe Is Irvine Really?

Irvine is in its 16th year (and counting) of being rated the Safest Community in America.

Keep in mind – that’s the violent crime rate.

The property crime rate is also low, but the common thefts that worry a tourist still happen.

There is an average of four car break-ins each day.

While pickpocket and purse snatching numbers are low, the average pickpocket loss was $1800.

That’s one reason we say (ad nauseam) to leave valuables at home and don’t carry a lot of cash with you.

The best part is reducing your risk of theft is easy, with simply locking car doors and keeping your wallet/purse secured and hard to steal.

Don’t rest a purse on the back of your chair at restaurants.

Keep it on your lap or wrap the strap around an empty chair in your line of sight.

To give some context of how safe the city is, we compared two other cities of similar size to Irvine.

Keep in mind, the average city in the United States has 399 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

• Irvine: 49 violent crimes per 100,000
• Stockton, California: 1,231 per 100,000
• Henderson, Nevada (next to Las Vegas): 207 violent crimes per 100,000

Some people will call Irvine “boring” because of its lack of nightlife, but with the best beaches of Orange County minutes away and the great city layout with mountains nearby, can you really go wrong here?

How Does Irvine Compare?

Useful Information

• Visas - You need a U.S. Travel or Work Visa whether you're crossing the border from Mexico or flying internationally. Check to see if your country has a Visa Waiver eligibility first. You'll need a passport too. Visa approvals can take several months, so start planning early.
• Currency - The U.S. Dollar will be the only currency accepted here. While there's little need for cash, you can find plenty of banks to exchange currency throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Even the toll roads don't take cash any longer.
• Weather - Southern California gets great weather throughout the year, and it rarely rains, so bring clothing for warm weather with a few pairs of sweats just in case of a cold morning or night. While this is a very fashionable area, you still want to wear comfortable walking shoes since you'll be on your feet a lot seeing all the great sights.
• Airports - John Wayne Airport (SNA) is actually in Irvine, so it's the best option for those visiting Orange County. If you're heading to LAX instead, plan for at least an hour on the road and plan for a lot of that infamous L.A. traffic.
• Travel Insurance - Travel insurance is a smart idea to protect the trip investment and your belongings as you travel. You'll want to have some kind of health protection, too, as hospitals and urgent facilities charge for any service used, and paying out of pocket can get expensive quickly.

Irvine Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature