Irvine Spectrum Center is an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex that has grown, over the years, into a legitimate destination rather than just a retail strip. The anchor attractions are a giant Ferris wheel and a large-format IMAX cinema, and the complex is anchored by dozens of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options arranged around open plazas and walkways.
The design is Moorish-California fusion — a style that sounds ridiculous and looks rather better than it should. The complex is best visited in the evening when the temperature drops, the lights come on, and the Ferris wheel is running. During the day in summer, it is too hot and too bright to be enjoyable. It draws a heavy weekend crowd from across Orange County, so weekday evenings are quieter and more relaxed. If you have children with you, there are carnival rides and a merry-go-round in addition to the Ferris wheel. For adults without children, the draw is mainly the IMAX and the restaurant selection, which is diverse and covers more ground than a typical mall food court.