Category: Hot Picks

Nestled in the midst of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve, is the Limestone Canyon Wilderness Area. The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve spans over 50,000 acres and is home to numerous activities such as horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, and many wilderness activities. Specifically, the Limestone Canyon Reserve is comprised of limestone geological formations that are commonly referred to as, "The Sinks". The Reserve is home to a variety of flora and fauna and is a haven for hikers and bikers.

The Limestone Canyon Reserve offers a number of guided tours and activities. Reservations are required for participation, so make sure to check with their list of scheduled activities and register in advance for any activities that you would like to engage in. The best way to determine the activities available is to visit the official website (see information below). The activities are classified in groups of easy, moderate, or strenuous to let you know the physical exertion that will be required.

Some examples of the activities offered by the Limestone Canyon Reserve include equestrian rides, animal bone identification workshops, autumn hikes to the Sinks, hiking under a full moon, animal tracking workshops, and plenty of hiking adventures. Online registration is available if you’re interested, so be sure to visit the official website.

Many of the animals commonly seen in the canyon include White Tailed Kite, Bobcats, Mule Deer, the Coast Horned Lizard, the Grey Fox, Red Tailed Hawks, Coyotes, Meadowlarks, and the Acorn Woodpecker. It is always wise to use caution when hiking or exploring the Canyon Reserve. Also, the canyon is a perfect spot for bird watching.

The Irvine Land Reserve Trust protects the Limestone Canyon Reserve. They have enabled for the reserve to become a National Natural Landmark. Artists make frequent use of the land and have depicted its beauty in many paintings.

Looking for a "hidden jewel" in the Orange County area? Looking for a quirky place that not too many people know about, where you can enjoy great food and a good time? Well, look no further than Azteca Restaurant in Garden Grove. This is an Elvis-themed Mexican Restaurant, complete with a pinball machine and classic rock jukebox. The restaurant is lined from ceiling to floor with Elvis memorabilia. And I do mean ceiling to floor. The ceiling itself is lined with posters from just about every movie Elvis ever starred in! The restaurant plays Elvis concerts and sports on a variety of screens throughout the joint. If you are looking for an "experience" rather than just a meal, be sure to check out this restaurant. Words cannot fully describe the atmosphere and experience of dining at Azteca.

The food is delicious too. I've visited the restaurant on a few occasions, and I have yet to be disappointed. Initially, I was skeptical because I didn't believe an Elvis-themed restaurant could possibly have good Mexican food. It didn't seem like a natural fit. However, I have yet to leave the place without finishing my entire meal (portion sizes are good, but don't expect Claim Jumper sized dishes). I've especially enjoyed the burritos and chimichangas.

If you are looking for something fun and different from your normal routine, be sure to check out Azteca's adjacent bar as well, aptly named the Crooners Lounge. You can access the bar while in the restaurant by entering through western themed swinging wooden doors. The Crooner's Lounge has happy hour Monday through Thursday from 3:30pm to 7pm, and then from 10pm to closing. The place has a cool vibe, and their martinis have been raved about by the Orange County Register. The margaritas are also a local favorite. Go, and you won't regret it.

TIP: The best nights to go (if you want to beat the crowd) are Mon. to Thurs. The restaurant can get noisy and crowded on a weekend night, as Garden Grove residents are well-aware of the fun atmosphere of the restaurant. There is extra parking in the rear of the restaurant, right across the street from the Home Depot.

If you ever find yourself in or near the city of Brea, chances are you won’t see much of a nightlife to speak of. You can always head to downtown Fullerton for some fun, but if you are inclined to stay in the area, I highly recommend that you check out Diamonds Billiard Club in Brea. Located next to the Brea Mall, Diamonds is home to many throughout the week.

The decor of Diamonds lends itself to classiness, with dim lighting (not too dim), music (jukebox), and relaxing (plenty of booths with upholstered furniture for eating or just hanging out with friends). The staff is mellow and friendly, and the food is decent as well. It’s a great place to go with friends or with a date. Tip well, and the bartenders are likely to reward you with some stiff drinks.

Be sure to bring your drivers license. The bouncer at the door doesn’t allow anyone under 21 into the establishment at night. This “diamond in the rough” is located on the third floor of a shopping structure right across from the Embassy Suites. Parking can be found underground in the parking structure below the Embassy Suites. If you want more of a laid back atmosphere, try going on a Tuesday or Wednesday. If you want a fun environment, try going on a weekend night. Whatever the choice, Diamonds is sure not to disappoint.

If you haven't been to Slide Bar in Fullerton, you should be relieved that you don't know what you're missing. If you knew, you would have to go. So please, if you want to remain blissfully ignorant, close this window now.

Still there? Okay, here's what you should know about Slide Bar. It opened for the first time in the summer of 2005 in Downtown Fullerton. It is co-owned by members of the rock group Lit. On any given night, you might see your favorite band playing there. It's a fun atmosphere.

You want to know more? Slide bar is the place to be in Fullerton. The entire joint is decorated with rock n' roll paraphernalia (No Doubt, Social Distortion, and many more) and good tunes are always blasting over the sound system. Slide bar also has an 80's style arcade, where you can revisit your love of Pac-Man and other 80s games. The patio is where most people tend to hang out though. Although crowded on most nights, the patio is where everyone goes to mingle and have a good time. It is also where the stage is located.

The owner's regularly invites friends and bands to come over. After a few drinks, they are enticed to get up on stage for an impromptu performance. The owners have a good working relationship with the House of Blues, so if you are looking to guess at who might be dropping in that night, take a look at the House of Blues lineup for the night. Celebrities also show up from time to time. Don't be surprised to see Dennis Rodman at Slide Bar.

Slide Bar doesn't only have good music and a good night scene. They are also rumored to have excellent food. They are open during the day as well, and offer free wireless internet. Make sure to try the Mac & Cheese - they're famous for it.

The best weeknight to go is Thursday. However, be prepared for long lines and a packed crowd if you go on a weekend. It's an unfortunate byproduct of being famous. If Slide Bar is not your speed, check out some of my other reviews for Downtown Fullerton. Other bars within stumbling distance include Heroes, Stadium, Revolution, Rockin' Taco Cantina, Continental, and Back Alley.

Check out their MySpace page for upcoming events and more information.

If you're in the southern Orange County neighborhood, you can't afford not to visit Soka University of America (SUA).

With construction completed a little over 6 years ago, SUA is definitely eye candy to any person who passes through the small and conservative town of Aliso Viejo. One can't help but notice the campus's 103-acres of stunning Tuscany, Italy feel, which is surrounded by 4000-acres of wilderness park.

Although SUA is a private university, its campus is open to the public during the day. Many nearby residents take advantage of its beautiful scenery by taking daily walks with friends, family, and other loved ones. If you keep your eyes open, you might just catch some rabbits and deers along the way. Local college students also take advantage of the public hours by visiting SUA's Ikeda Library, which contains a 225,000-volume capacity. There is also a large internet access distribution, including wireless access. If you get hungry after your walk, go to SUA's bistro cafe, where they serve an eclectic variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. If fortunate enough, you might catch Sushi night, yum! If you check SUA's calendar ahead of time, prepare for one of its many marvelous student show cases and international festivals.

If this is your first time hearing about SUA, you may be wondering what this university is all about. SUA is a private, non-profit liberal arts college, which opened in 2001. "The mission of Soka University of America is to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life." SUA's educational system is based on a student-oriented one, thus offering an exceptional 9:1 student to faculty ratio. A university founded upon Buddhist principles of peace, culture, and education to foster global citizens is nothing short of idealism, yet its practical, hands-on training (e.g., mandatory study abroad, internships, senior thesis research papers, etc.) prepare students students for graduate school and the real world.

To learn more about Soka University of America, visit the Soka University Website

If you happen to be in Orange County, near the Irvine area, take advantage of the Irvine Spectrum Center. Whether it's a night out with family, friends, or a date, the Irvine Spectrum Center offers a plethora of fun and entertaining activities for people of all ages. From movies, children's fashion, adult fashion, restaurants, book stores, beauty stores, to specialty shops, you name it - the center has it all.

For a relaxing time out, enjoy the Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 & IMAX Theatre, which offers one of the best movie going experiences with its recently renovated facilities. Nothing beats watching the latest IMAX movies with stadium seating and updated surround sound systems - all from an eight-story movie screen.

If you want to add a little romance to the event, take your honey on the Spectrum Ferris Wheel. There's no better way to impress your date.

If you're looking for more of a boys or girls night out, Dave and Busters is a must. One can describe it as an adult version of Chucky Cheese. Dave and Busters offers a variety of adult entertainment, including a restaurant, bar, pool tables, and tons of arcade type games. They even have a genes machine, which produces a picture of what your baby will look like. The most exciting part of it is that you can choose your baby's race, regardless of what race you and your partner are. The machine basically takes you and your partner's facial structures and combines them with the chosen race.

If you want to experience a more upbeat evening, party until the late night (well, until about 1:30am anyways) at either Crazy Horse or Yard House, although the latter is a bit less brouhaha-ish. Both bars usually have a $5 cover charge.

Lastly, if you're just looking to get some quality shopping done, enjoy from the numerous stores that the Spectrum has to offer, including Forever 21, H&M, and an array of other eclectic clothing stores.

Whatever kind of entertainment you're looking for, Irvine Spectrum will most likely offer the service. As an outside shopping mall and entertainment center, one can't help but enjoy the experience under a nice sunny day or under a warm, clear night.