Imagine a destination that has it all. A location that features a safe community ideally situated in the heart of Southern California. One that emphasizes an exceptional quality of life, superior work opportunities, a myriad of entertainment, recreational options and, of course, great weather. In every way, it's a place where you want to be. Irvine is that destination. Long recognized as one of the nation's most livable cities, Irvine is the destination in which to live, work, travel and play. 

BUSINESS 

Irvine is a dynamic business center. An international hub for the high-tech and bioscience industries, Irvine is home to dozens of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of on-the-grow businesses. Backed by a supportive business climate, a complete transportation network, a wealth of lifestyle amenities and an excellent climate, Irvine is emerging as one of the most prestigious business addresses, both nationally and internationally. 

DINING 

Irvine offers award-winning restaurants for every taste. Whether for lunch meetings, weekend celebrations or other occasions, the city offers a mix of restaurants that range from fine dining to specialty foods to contemporary fare. 

ENTERTAINMENT, SHOPPING AND CULTURE 

Entertainment opportunities abound in Irvine. The city is home to the Irvine Spectrum Entertainment Center featuring a three-story IMAX 3D theater and numerous state-of-the-art cinemas, as well as Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, which feature outdoor concerts, events and more. For culture and the arts, it's home to the Irvine Barclay Theatre and minutes from the renowned Orange County Performing Arts Center and South Coast Repertory Theatre. Major shopping centers are also close by, as well as a variety of museums, including the Irvine Museum. In addition, professional sports teams are less than 15 minutes away. 

TRAVEL 

For travel, Irvine offers premier resort accommodations at non-resort prices for both business and leisure. With its 2,500-plus hotel rooms, scores of meeting centers, endless recreational amenities and proximity to John Wayne Airport, the city is well suited for business travelers. And, with its central Southland location between Los Angeles and San Diego, it's close to many world-renowned attractions, such as Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World, Universal Studios, beautiful beaches, and more. 

EDUCATION 

Irvine boasts a strong educational community. At the collegiate level, the city is home to one of the nation's most prestigious academic institutions, the University of California, Irvine, as well as Concordia University, Irvine Valley College, and nearly a dozen college level institutions for extended education. At the prep level, the Irvine Unified School District consistently ranks among the top three in the nation in terms of student performance and overall curriculum. 

RECREATION 

Whether it's a round of golf on a championship course, a nighttime tennis match, a bike ride to the beach or a sunset walk in the park, Irvine has it. Plus, the city offers one of the nation's highest ratios of park acreage per resident that includes 20 miles of open space, along with sports and recreational facilities, from softball and baseball fields to tennis and basketball courts and more. 

LIVING 

An internationally recognized master-planned community, Irvine is a great place to live. Ranked as one of the nation's safest communities for a city with a population approaching 156,000, Irvine offers a diverse mix of housing types, ranging from affordable to executive living, and an ideal environment for family life. 

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION 

Area: 74 square miles 
Water supply: Irvine Ranch Water District 
Form of government: Incorporated in 1971 as a Charter. City Council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 5 p.m. at the Civic Center. 
Registered voters: 93,556 
Population: 180,803 
Taxation: .0775% sales tax rate 
Housing: Median price of a new home or condo - $712,000; median apartment rate - $1,660 per month 
Climate: Moderate, average temperature of 56 degrees in January and 71 degrees in August; yearly rainfall of 10 -13 inches 
Median Age: 33.4 
Median Household Size: 2.79 
Median Household Income: $85,624 
Education: Median years 14.4; 40% 
College graduates; 95% high school graduates 
Ethnic Breakdown: 61%, White; 29%, Asian; 7%, Hispanic; 2%, Black; 1%, Other 
Crime (National Ranking): 
Irvine is the safest large city in the nation with populations of 100,000 or more based on FBI crime statistics. 
Consumer Price Index: 2.1% or 157.3 
Employment and Industry: More than 250,000 people work in Irvine. Biotechnology, electronics, computer components, and service are the predominant employers. Dozens of corporate headquarters and Fortune 500 companies are housed