Orange County Parking Nightmares
I have long held the contention that Irvine is the worst city in Orange County when it comes to adequate parking. I was reminded of perhaps the most vivid example of that today when I paid a visit to Park Place at lunchtime.
Though there is a new parking structure behind the Edwards Cinema, there still doesn’t seem to be enough parking for all of those office towers and the shopping venues and resturants. I don’t think I’ll be going there again any time soon. I don’t like Mother’s Market that much.
Nevertheless, while I hiked from the parking structure ($3 an hour?!) to my destination, I tried to remember if there was a worse parking nightmare in Orange County.
My top five (in no particular order) Orange County Traffic Nightmares:
1. Park Place, Irvine
2. The Block, Orange
3. The Spectrum, Irvine
4. LA Fitness, Irvine (near Tustin Marketplace)
5. Beach Areas, Newport Beach
The Block and the Spectrum make their own parking problems with their valet business. If all those spots were open they wouldn’t have nearly the issue they do now.
I defiantly agree about the Spectrum…and the worst part is that it is 100% saturated all the way until you pass Robinson’s May and then there is a huge empty lot. People seem extremely uptight about getting the absolute closest parking spot possible.
Just remember, your lack of parking is how Donald Bren has made all of his money. He has shorted all of his developments of 10% of the parking they need. That’s why parking is so bad in all of Irvine, since his company is the one that built the city.