I had one purpose for attending the media preview of the Los Olivos Apartment Village near Irvine Spectrum:
Find out how to access the parks and trails going into what's being billed by the LA Times as the "largest apartment complex in Orange County" with 1750 units slated to open by 2014.
Need to Know:
- There is no public access right now. Although the apartments are opening this weekend, it won't be completely built out with public access to the trail until 2014.
- Consult the City of Irvine Bikeways web page for the most up-to-date info and links to maps. By linking to the PDF map, you find out how to access the trails near Irvine Spectrum.You will see the red dotted trail wrapping around Verizon Amphitheater and linking up with Lake Forest Drive. When complete, it will extend through the new property and meet up with the blue on-street bike trail system. So eventually, the bike path from the apartments will meet up with the entire Irvine bike trail system so you could ride off-street from here all the way to Back Bay.
- What you can see from Interstate 405 is a catch basin and part of the completed bike path, plus access roads.
- There will be 8 parks for residents only, although none of the playgrounds are complete yet.
- It’s within walking distance to Pretend City Children's Museum -- and a short bike ride or a long walk to Irvine Spectrum. The bike trail goes UNDER Interstate 405 and meets up with Alton Parkway, so you don’t have to walk over on the busy Irvine Center Drive overpass.
- A public access bike trail will follow the back side of the property against what used to be Lion Country Safari. The plan for the hillsides and natural area is donation and preservation as part of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Irvine Ranch Conservancy lands. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy must always balance "conservation management and recreational enjoyment."
- Once construction is complete, it will be possible to use the entire outer perimeter of the property on access roads and the main trail as a running course.
- I could also imagine it would be perfect for kids to ride their bikes in loops on the access road around the small catch basin.
Side Notes:
- Walking the unfinished trail with a guide, I spotted a mighty hawk and nest in a tree snag. I also saw swallows nests on the freeway underpass.
- The property feels like a luxury resort village with expansive salt water pools and spas that double as fountains. If you are looking for a hands-on property manager and a responsive resident services team -- then this would the community for you. I met the manager, Sean, and was impressed with his dedication and customer service vision.
- If you are in the hunt for an apartment or just curious about the property, the Grand Opening is this Saturday, March 2nd from 11am-4pm. There will be prize drawings and bands.
