Located in the heart of Orange County, Irvine offers the best of Southern California living.  From spectacular beaches to major theme parks, first-rate shopping and dining, and an array of cultural attractions, Irvine is in the center of everything.  Irvine is one of America’s first and most successful master-planned communities.  In addition to its public school system that ranks among the best in the nation, Irvine is also home to one of the top research universities - the University of California, Irvine.   All of which make Irvine a great place to live for Henkel employees.

Outdoor Adventure and Natural Attractions
The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve offers more than 50,000 acres of permanently protected open space with a rich menu of recreational opportunities, from hiking and horseback riding to bird watching and picnicking.  Irvine Regional Park is California’s largest county park and offers a serene setting for leisure activities.  The city of Irvine also provides 44.5 miles of off-road bicycle trails and 282 miles of on-road bicycle lanes.

Theme Parks - Your inner child will be very glad you came to Irvine.  Wild Rivers Water Park offers some outrageous, adrenalin-popping fun, including the Liquidator, a seven-story water slide.  Of course, there’s Disneyland, where you can take a ride on Space Mountain, shake hands with Mickey Mouse, and explore Disney’s California Adventure and the Downtown Disney District, which is filled with unique shops and restaurants.  In nearby Buena Park, Knott’s Berry Farm offers the 30-story Supreme Scream roller coaster and Camp Snoopy. 

Beaches - Want beautiful beaches?  Take your pick!  There’s Newport Beach and Balboa Island, featured on the hit TV series “The OC.”  Huntington Beach is known around the world as “Surf City” and plays host to many major surfing contests.  Laguna Beach and Corona Del Mar offer beautiful scenery, and nearby Catalina Island looks much like California did 200 years ago.

Culture and the Arts
The Irvine Barclay Theatre showcases top-notch artists and entertainers from across the nation and around the world.  With only 750 seats, everyone gets a great view no matter what you choose to attend – established artists, cutting-edge work, contemporary dance, world music, theater, or family events.  The Orange County Performing Arts Center hosts everything from Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals to world-class dance performances, symphony concerts, opera, cabaret, jazz, and chamber ensembles.  The Irvine Museum hosts more than 30,000 visitors a year.  And the vast array of cultural attractions in Los Angeles are within easy reach.

Sports to Watch
Orange County is home to the Anaheim Angels of Major League Baseball and the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League.  And nearby Los Angeles offers sports fans even more action, with two professional basketball teams – the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers - the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, and the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. 

College sports are also a huge draw in southern California.  The Bruins of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Trojans of the University of Southern California (USC) provide sports fans with plenty of action.  And the nearby Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena is world famous for hosting the New Year’s Tournament of Roses football game as well as the Olympics, NFL Super Bowl games, and World Cup soccer matches.

Sports to Play
Golfers can enjoy the facilities at five local golf courses, including Golf at the Greens and Strawberry Farms Golf Club, Oak Creek Golf Club, and Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course. There are several sport leagues that the whole family could take part in by getting involved in the local softball, volleyball, and bowling leagues, etc.

Shopping and Fine Dining
There’s no lack of choices when it comes to shopping and dining in Irvine.  South Coast Plaza's unparalleled collection of boutiques and anchor stores, many of which are exclusive to California, attract visitors from around the world and are annually visited by 24 million.  Irvine Spectrum Center has quickly become a major destination for both residents and visitors. This state-of-the-art attraction has received international acclaim for its quality entertainment, top-quality restaurants and architecturally pleasing ambience. Fashion Island is one of the best places in Orange County to find the latest couture fashions and one-of-a-kind treasures. The Market Place offers a dynamic selection of more than 100 stores and an exciting selection of dining and entertainment options.

Central Location
Irvine is conveniently located in the heart of Orange County and is served by commercial and private aircraft at John Wayne Airport, which borders the city.  Long Beach and Los Angeles are nearby airports that can be reached via the 5 and 405 freeways that intersect in Irvine. The nearby train station serves passengers arriving and departing via the Amtrak or Metro link railways.