Aiports
John Wayne Airport, despite the man whose name it bears, is actually a gem of an airport serving many large domestic airlines. While offering fewer flights than its ginormous cousin LAX, SNA is located only 10 minutes for UCI campus and offers shuttle services (located on the arrival level of the terminal) that can be booked online from the airport website prior to travel or, depending on when you arrive, at the airport shuttle kiosk. If you can travel through SNA, your commute to campus and hotels is short and sweet.
Los Angeles International Airport, on the other hand (or just LAX as Californios refer to it), is a sprawling metropolis of an airport serving both domestic and international flights. Here, your flight options will be many and varied. LAX can be a bit daunting to navigate, even for veteran travelers, so build in extra time to get between gates and baggage claim. LAX is a 40-75 minutes drive from UCI campus but does offer several shared ride vans, shuttle services, and car rental options. See their website for more detailed information about options.
Accommodations
There are so many ways to stay in Orange County. So many options… The one thing they all have in common is that you want to book early. Orange County is a vacation destination area, so hotels increase in price and decrease in availability dramatically over time. The map below shows our recommendations but by no means the only options. Many offer shuttle service to/from John Wayne (SNA) Airport; some will even offer shuttle services to/from UCI campus.
Transportation
Ridesharing is the primary means of transportation around Orange County if you do not have a car. We may be environmentally conscious but we lack an extensive metro system. OCTA, the Orange County bus transit system, is a great option, but you will want to check schedules and routes here.