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Westcliff University
Student Life

Around WU

Local Restaurants

Irvine & Costa Mesa

Irvine, CA is home to so many amazing high class and hole-in-the-wall places to eat. Foodies should check out some of our local favorites!

  • potstickers on a plate with chop sticks
  • group of people eating food together.
  • A soup dish
  • Chef Hung is a local restaurant known for its Taiwanese beef noodle soup.
  • Jollibee is a Philippines-based chain known for its burgers, fried chicken, spaghetti & Filipino dishes.
  • Looking for delicious Italian food? Check out Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana
  • Enjoy delicious Greek/Mediterranean style food right next to campus at Apola Gyro Grill.
  • One of our favorite local coffee spots is Portola Coffee Lab.
  • Grab a milk tea (and don’t forget the boba!) at Milk Box.
  • Want Russian food? It’s more of a market than a restaurant, but delicious gourmet items can be found at Moscow Deli of Orange County.
  • BCD Tofu House is a casual Korean restaurant chain serving classic fare such as soft-tofu soup, bibimbop & bulgogi.
  • Visit Gen Korean BBQto grill your own food tableside. Get there early because there’s always a wait (but, it’s so worth it)! 
  • Dying for some Mexican food? La Sirena Grill serves up some of the best tacos in Irvine.
  • Check out CoCo ICHIBANYAfor contemporary Japanese street food.
  • Looking for a popular bakery nearby? Give 85*C Bakery Cafe a try.
  • Craving pad thai? Thai Kitchen is a must-go!
  • Annapoorna Fina Indian Cuisine has some of the best deals on local Indian food.
  • If you’re into delicious, but still healthy food, try Avocado Cafe Irvine. 
  • Want to try a scrumptious whole-in-the-wall type of place? Visit Tasty Noodle House.

Cerritos

  • a gourmet cheeseburger
  • Dish of rice, peppers and shirmp
  • Are you a fan of seafood? Try Pier 76 Fish Grill.
  • Check out Luna Grill for delicious Mediterranean style dishes.
  • BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse is a local favorite! With many locations across Southern California, you can have a variety of different American style food. They also brew their own beer.
  • At Blaze Pizza, you can choose each of the toppings for yourself and get a personal pizza that delights the senses.
  • Eureka! is another local favorite! Try any number of their scrumptious options, and you won’t regret it.

Local Activities

Airports

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  • Man at the airport looking out the window at sunset
  • travelers walking through an airport

The closest airports to Westcliff University are John Wayne Airport, Orange County, Long Beach Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport.

John Wayne Airport (SNA), named for the famous “old west” actor John Wayne, is about 35 miles south of Los Angeles, CA and just a 10-minute drive from WU.

Long Beach Airport (LGB), situated for easy access to both Los Angeles and Orange Counties, is about a 30-minute drive from WU.

Banking

All faculty, staff, and students are eligible to become members of the Schools Federal Credit Union. Students can apply for low-interest loans and a free interest-earning checking account. The college account package is available for students to help manage their finances.

Urgent Cares & Hospitals

There are several nearby hospitals and urgent care centers if students are in need of medical care.

Urgent Care Centers

Hospitals and Medical Centers

Hiking in Orange County

Orange County has some absolutely gorgeous places to hike and explore. If you enjoy the exercise and adventure, opt outside (#OptOutside) and journey off on one of the many trails. There is a variety of OC Regional and Wilderness Parks that offer some exciting experiences.

If you’re not a regular hiker or don’t know So Cal very well, be sure to acquaint yourself with the different types of wildlife that you might encounter before you head out. The OC Parks provide a list of important hiking safety tips.

  • Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is home to the Red Rock Canyon trail, an easy in and out beginner hike, along with many other hikes. Your end goal is sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of Orange County.”
  • The easy hike out to Holy Jim Falls is shady and beautiful. The Falls can provide a nice little spot to sit down and have a snack before you head back.
  • Back Bay Newport houses several easy hikes and gives you a chance to get to know the coastal wildlife.
  • Santiago Peak is the tallest peak of Saddleback Mountain – which reigns supreme over much of South O.C.
  • The slightly smaller Modjeska Peak is also part of Saddleback Mountain and is a bit less of an elevation gain.
  • Black Star Canyon is sometimes better known for its spooky stories, hauntings, and (sometimes unwelcoming) residents. But, if you head out there during the daylight hours, be prepared for partially paved and partially unpaved trails that lead to majestic forests, scrambling over boulders, and a good size waterfall at the end.
  • The Aliso & Woods Canyon Parks have a huge amount of different trails that range from superbly easy to very difficult. One of these hikes is the Top of the World trail that leads up to a stunning view of Laguna Beach and other coastal areas. You might even feel like you’re on top of the world!
  • Quail Hill Trail is an easy local loop hike that is dog-friendly (must be on leash) and (in the right season) is full of wildflowers.
  • The Long Beach El Dorado Nature Center offers an oasis of natural habitat and creates a sanctuary for animals and plants. There are numerous trails and lakes to explore.
  • The City of Fullerton is also home to a wealth of different recreation activities and approximately 28 miles of hiking trails.