Best Western Plus Irvine Spectrum Hotel: An Orange County Beach Getaway

We stayed at Best Western Plus Irvine Spectrum Hotel during a Southern California trip that included outings to the coast.

Sponsored by Best Western.

Best Western Plus Irvine Spectrum Hotel is one of my favorite places we have stayed for a beach trip. I loved having a spacious room, a little patio and somewhere the kids enjoyed coming back to at the end of the day. We were inland in Lake Forest, but that actually worked really well for us.

The layout almost reminded me of an apartment complex. I liked how spread out it felt and how easy it was to spend time outside our room. That is just how it felt to me, but it was a big part of why I enjoyed the hotel so much.

A Lake Forest base for coastal outings

The hotel is at 23192 Lake Center Drive in Lake Forest. You can browse rooms and booking details on Best Western’s property page.

The hot tub was really nice after a day at the beach. The pool was not heated during our stay, so the two felt very different at the end of the day. There was also a nice gym and a breakfast we really enjoyed, especially the fresh eggs. The kids loved the hotel, and we had plenty of food options nearby in the business area.

We took Highway 133 toward the coast, and it was such a beautiful, easy drive on our outings. We did not run into traffic going down that way, although I would not count on that every day. I liked being away from the coastal parking and traffic when we were back at the hotel, with options to head in other directions too. For us, it was the best of both worlds.

When I head to the coast, I prefer to pick one area and really explore it instead of trying to squeeze in several stops. There is so much to enjoy beyond the first viewpoint, and I love finding places a little off the beaten path. Give yourself time for lunch, a walk and whatever catches your interest along the way.

Laguna Beach: coves, palms and ocean views

Laguna Beach is one of my favorite places to spend a day on the coast. I love bringing lunch to Crescent Bay Point Park and relaxing above the ocean. There are grassy areas and benches where you can sit and enjoy the view, and it has always been one of my favorite places to take photos.

Main Beach is handy if you want a boardwalk, restrooms and recreation areas nearby. Look for metered parking or a paid lot before heading down to the beach.

Planning an evening at the beach

We went down to the beach to enjoy the ocean, look for shells and spend some time by the water. We ended up staying to photograph golden hour and sunset, then lingered into the evening. I highly recommend leaving room for that part of the day when you can. Bring a jacket or extra layers, though, because it can get chilly once the sun goes down.

If you are staying for sunset, check your parking limit before settling in. A blufftop park and a beach access stairway can have different closing arrangements, so plan the walk back as well as the arrival.

Another beach-day option: Crystal Cove

For another coastal day, Crystal Cove State Park, between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, brings together beaches, tidepools and inland trails.

I’ve learned from experience to check that the parking area actually serves the beach or trail I want to visit. Before driving to Crystal Cove, I recommend choosing your spot and checking where to park. A little planning makes arrival much smoother.

The park also preserves a Historic District of coastal cottages. That gives a visit a different focus from an afternoon spent only on the sand: you can learn about the community that developed here before the area became a state park. Use the park’s official visitor information to decide whether to center your day on the Historic District, a beach or the inland trails, since each involves different access and walking.

More to do around Irvine

A stay here does not have to mean driving to the beach every day. Destination Irvine’s activity guide includes Irvine Spectrum Center for shopping, restaurants and its Ferris wheel, and Great Park for outdoor recreation. These are options to consider for an inland afternoon or a meal closer to the hotel’s side of Orange County.

If you have another day, you could spend it around Irvine before heading back to the hotel. For me, the coast was a big part of this trip, and having the pool and spa to come back to made the hotel part of the experience too.