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Hikes, Pancakes, and Family Fun: Celebrate the Outdoors at Irvine’s Open Space Event

Issue # 0600

Author

Joshua Tjia
31 Mar

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚔👮🐕 Irvine PD Open House Returns April 11 with Live Demonstrations and Activities

⛪️🌿 Celebrate Easter Sunday at Free Chapel Orange County on April 5

🩵🍼 City of Irvine Hosts Baby Gift Drive for 2/11 Marine Families Through April 21

🥞🌳 Hikes, Pancakes, and Family Fun: Celebrate the Outdoors at Irvine’s Open Space Event

🍓🍰🫐 New Berry Cake Now Available at 85°C Bakery Cafe

🥗🍽️ Join UCI’s Free Wellness Class on Healthy Eating on April 7

🌱🥾 Join a Spanish Learning Nature Hike at Round Canyon on April 11

🩰 Orange County Ballet Theater to Perform Raymonda and Contemporary Works, Apr. 10

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛🐕 6 Pets Adopted at Irvine Animal Care Center During March 23–29

🤽‍♀️ UC Irvine Women’s Water Polo Defeats CSUN 16–9 in Big West Match

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🍼 Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in $400 Baby Formula Theft

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What’s a buck’s least favorite sandwich bread?

Sour doe.

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

Irvine PD Open House Returns April 11 with Live Demonstrations and Activities

The Irvine Police Department will host its 2026 Open House on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Irvine Civic Center piazza and parking lot. The family-friendly event will feature police and fire vehicles, K-9, drone, and motorcycle demonstrations, plus photo opportunities, games, face painting, and special giveaways.

Celebrate Easter Sunday at Free Chapel Orange County on April 5

Celebrate Easter Sunday at Free Chapel’s Orange County Campus on Sunday, April 5, with worship and a message at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Bring your loved ones and join in a special celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ filled with hope, joy, and renewal.

Hikes, Pancakes, and Family Fun: Celebrate the Outdoors at Irvine’s Open Space Event

Join the Open Space Celebration on Saturday, April 18 at 9 a.m. at the Quail Hill Trailhead. This free community event includes a pancake breakfast, family-friendly activities, and a guided 1.8-mile hike on the Quail Hill Loop Trail.

New Berry Cake Now Available at 85°C Bakery Cafe

85°C Bakery Cafe has introduced a refreshed favorite, the Berry de Leche Cake — featuring soft cake layers, fluffy cream, and sweet mixed berries for a light and satisfying treat.

City of Irvine Hosts Baby Gift Drive for 2/11 Marine Families Through April 21

The City of Irvine, in partnership with the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee, is hosting a Baby Gift Drive through April 21 to support Marine families stationed at Camp Pendleton.

  • Community members are invited to donate new, unopened baby essentials such as onesies, blankets, carriers, baby bathtubs, and care kits, with monetary donations also accepted.

  • Drop-off locations include Irvine City Hall, Irvine Police Department, and the Great Park Visitors Center.

  • For the full wish list and more details, visit cityofirvine.org/babygiftdrive.

Join UCI’s Free Wellness Class on Healthy Eating on April 7

UCI Health is hosting a free online Healthy Living Series, with the next upcoming session on Tuesday, April 7, from 3–4 p.m. via Zoom. This upcoming workshop will focus on tips for eating healthy during the holidays, helping participants build practical habits for better nutrition and overall wellness.

  • The series continues every other Tuesday through May 19 with additional topics including stress management, heart health, and healthy eating as we age.

  • Registration is free, and participants will receive a Zoom link, handouts, and instructions by email before the class.

Join a Spanish Learning Nature Hike at Round Canyon on April 11

Join “Hiking in Spanish in Round Canyon” on Saturday, April 11, from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Irvine Ranch Open Space. This 2.5-mile, level-2 guided interpretive hike offers a fun way to practice Spanish while exploring the natural beauty of Round Canyon and learning vocabulary related to the historic Irvine Ranch, with all Spanish levels welcome.

Orange County Ballet Theater to Perform Raymonda and Contemporary Works, Apr. 10

Experience an evening of dance at Momentum 2026: Raymonda & Contemporary Works on Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Irvine Barclay Theatre. Presented by Orange County Ballet Theater, this special performance will showcase the talent of emerging dancers from across Orange County through a blend of classical ballet and contemporary works.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. April 7, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: IUSD Honor Orchestra Concert

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. April 7: 42nd Annual Donald Bren Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. April 7, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. March 27 - April 2: Hawaii Choir Tour

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No further upcoming events for this month

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

6 Pets Adopted at Irvine Animal Care Center During March 23–29

Another positive week at the Irvine Animal Care Center, where six pets found loving new homes from March 23–29. The adopted pets included:

  • Dogs: The Dude, Lyla, Parappa, and Polar

  • Cats: Nemo and Zino

During the same week, Ella the dog and Sky the cat were transferred to rescue, and three dogs were safely reunited with their owners.

For adoption details and shelter hours, visit Irvine Animal Care Center’s website.

UC Irvine Women’s Water Polo Defeats CSUN 16–9 in Big West Match

UC Irvine women’s water polo defeated CSUN 16–9 after opening the match with a dominant 5–0 run. Vivian Bailey and Sydney Hagan scored three goals each as the Anteaters improved to 12-12 overall and 3-3 in Big West play ahead of their regular-season finale at Long Beach State on April 2.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women's Golf

  • Tue, Mar 31 - Silicon Valley Showcase, 8:00 AM

Baseball

  • Tue, Mar 31 - UCLA, 6:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Tue, March 31 – vs Orange Coast, 2:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With March Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2026

Monday, April 6

  • Lacrosse, Girls - 4:00 PM vs Sage Hill

Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in $400 Baby Formula Theft

Irvine Police Department arrested a 39-year-old man from Granite Bay after officers responded to a reported theft at the Target on Jamboree. Approximately $400 worth of baby formula was recovered, and the suspect was taken into custody.

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

April 2 Electrification 101 Workshop 6 – 7:30 PM

April 9 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

April 9 Jeremy Denk, piano 8 PM

April 11 Used Oil Filter Exchange 8 AM - 2 PM

April 11 Jazz in the Palm Court 1 - 3 PM

April 16 - April 21 Puccini's Turandot 8 PM

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Irvine and surrounding areas and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Irvine Insider with them! It’s simple!