UCI: Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Celebrate UCI is an open-ended event intended to allow you to make the most of your time on campus.
- Review the event agenda ahead of time (you must log in with your UCInetID to view). Make a note of sessions that you may be interested in and be sure to plan your arrival with enough time to check in and make it to your first session.
- Register for parking. Parking permits are required at all times for all visitors to campus. Click here for more information.
- Celebrate UCI is a rain or shine event and takes part across our entire campus. Please come prepared with comfortable walking shoes and a light layer in case of morning marine layer.
- Items such as UC Irvine shirts, sweatshirts, plush Anteaters, and more can be purchased at The Hill bookstore. Show your printed program in store on the day of the event for 10% off discount code.
Dining on and near campus
Because Celebrate UCI takes place on the weekend, on-campus options will be limited to our two all-you-can-eat dining halls, Brandywine and The Anteatery, and our Student Center food court featuring Subway, Jamba Juice, and Burger + Fries & Tender Love and Chicken. Our dining halls focus on making healthy eating attainable, sustainable, and delicious. Menus include everything from freshly made tacos and salads to stone oven pizza, Mongolian grill, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to experience life as a college student!
There are also several popular restaurants like Chipotle, Mendocino Farms, Blaze Pizza, In-n-Out Burger, Eureka!, Luna Grill, and more within walking distance of campus at University Center. View a full list here. To get to University Center, take Watson Bridge from the Anteater Plaza.
Exploring Irvine & Orange County
Planning to make a day of it? Irvine is a culturally diverse community in the heart of Orange County. It’s been ranked the safest city of its size by the FBI for 18 years, is just 5 miles from the beach, and close to some of the biggest attractions in Southern California. See some of our students’ highlights below.
University Center
Just across the street from campus, University Center is an unofficial extension of campus for our students. It features more than a dozen restaurants, a movie theater, Target, workout studios, Trader Joes, shopping, and more, all within walking distance of student housing.
Local beaches
One of the things our students love most about UC Irvine’s location is the proximity (just 5 miles!) to some of the best beaches in California. Two of our Anteaters’ favorite beaches are Newport Beach and Corona del Mar State Beach, but you can also head just a few more miles south to find picturesque Laguna Beach. Each option offers plenty of dining, shopping, and, of course, incredible views.
Explore the Arts
From Broadway shows at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, theatre at the Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, or awe inspiring artwork at the Orange County Museum of Art, students have unlimited access to some of the best arts and culture in Southern California.
Beyond Irvine
Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney, just a short drive from campus, are favorite hangouts for our Anteaters. But you can also catch a baseball game at Angel Stadium, hockey games and big-name concerts at the Honda Center, or independent artist concerts at the Observatory OC.