Los Olivos Apartment Village
350 Gitano, Irvine, 844-700-5206; irvinecompanyapartments.com
It’s a four-peat in the top spot on this list for Los Olivos Apartment Village, the Irvine Co. property set among rolling hills and olive trees on the former Lion Country Safari (and later Wild Rivers) property in Irvine.
The resort-style living is immediately evident as you walk through a breezeway to the leasing office, which overlooks two large, back-to-back saltwater pools framed by rows of beach chairs, umbrellas for shade and mature palm trees.
The Mediterranean-style community features four other saltwater pools with spas, a three-acre great lawn and seven other parks, the Village Market and dry cleaners onsite, four club rooms, playgrounds, an eating and entertainment area with fireplace and barbecues, a sand volleyball court and more.
There are two junior/one-bedroom floor plans that are 564 and 589 square feet; the rest of the floor plans are one and two bedrooms with up to 1,225 square feet. Among those options are a two-story, two-bedroom town home. Inside, there are granite or quartz counter tops and washers and dryers, with options including high ceilings, center islands for the kitchen and direct-access private garages.
The first phase of Los Olivos Apartment Village included 1,750 already completed apartments; phase two is expected to include about 1,780 more units on a portion of former Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre land, according to the Orange County Register.
The Village at Irvine Spectrum
50 Prism, Irvine, 844-437-2707; irvinecompanyapartments.com
Making this list for the sixth year in a row is the Village at Irvine Spectrum, with its own Village Market, Starbucks, St. Joseph Hoag-affiliated wellness center, media screening room with stadium seating onsite.
The “uptown-style” apartment community also features four saltwater pools with spas, wading areas and mini splash park, sports club game room, fitness center with cardio theater and meditation and movement studio for yoga and spin classes. Special events and programs are regularly available to residents, who also get free daily shuttle service to the nearby Irvine Spectrum Center.
Apartments are grouped into four communities – Cambria, Mirador, Serena and Delrey. There are 49 floor plans in total, which range from 563-square-foot studios to 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom apartments. All feature full-size washers and dryers, walk-in closets, fully equipped kitchens and home alarm systems; ultra-high-speed internet is available in the community.
The Park at Irvine Spectrum
18000 Spectrum, Irvine, 844-681-5493; irvinecompanyapartments.com
The Irvine Co. goes three for three in this category with the Park at Irvine Spectrum rounding out the list.
The studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans include some units with lofts or dens and range from 607 to 1,421 square feet.
A 2.4-acre park sits in the middle of the community for relaxing, recreation and activities. On its edge are a grand gazebo on one end and Le Café at the Park on the other, which sells coffee, food, beer and wine. The park itself plays host to resident events such as concerts and outdoor markets.
Scattered through the community are three saltwater pools, a wading pool and four spas, five club rooms and a fireside lounge, movie theater and internet café. The Village also offers a St. Joseph Hoag Health Wellness Corner and free daily shuttle service to Irvine Spectrum Center to residents, as well as ultra-high-speed internet throughout the community.