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Open Space Legacy

The natural open space, parks and trails throughout The Irvine Ranch® comprise 57,500-acres – nearly 60 percent of the historic 93,000-acre ranch.

 "My dream is that The Irvine Ranch will be known and celebrated as much for what is not developed here-the sweeping expanse of beautiful and valuable open space-as it is for the outstanding communities we've planned and built offering an unparalleled quality of life." - Donald Bren, Chairman, Irvine Company
“My dream is that The Irvine Ranch will be known and celebrated as much for what is not developed here-the sweeping expanse of beautiful and valuable open space-as it is for the outstanding communities we’ve planned and built offering an unparalleled quality of life.” – Donald Bren, Chairman, Irvine Company

A majority of these lands have been designated a Natural Landmark by both the U.S. Department of the Interior and the State of California, based upon a rigorous evaluation of its environmental value.

The Irvine Ranch’s permanently protected open space is home to hundreds of species of native plants and animals and offers every form of public recreation imaginable. It is a remarkable legacy of foresight, and reflects the fact that protecting precious natural resources has always received the same level of thoughtful planning as has the creation of the acclaimed master-planned communities on The Ranch.

More than a century in the making, The Irvine Ranch’s network of open spaces and parks emerged through the Irvine Company’s collaborative efforts with local municipalities, environmental groups, community organizations and county, state and federal entities. The land has been preserved through outright donations, land sales, development agreements and ballot measures.

The land’s sheer magnitude is matched only by its diverse geography, which includes everything from rugged foothills, to undulating meadows, to oak-filled canyons, to sandy beaches.

Explore the Open Space Timeline ›