Irvine’s Westpark is a large community west of Woodbridge forming a buffer between the business and industrial area around the John Wayne airport and the residential heart of Irvine. The community is bounded by the 405 on the south, Culver Drive to the east, Irvine Center Drive to the north, and both Harvard Avenue or the wash which separates the western office parks from residential Irvine.
The community is bisected by several cross streets including Main, Alton Parkway, Barranca Parkway, and Warner Avenue. Paseo Westpark is the north/south collector conveying traffic through the community.
Westpark is the quintessential community of the late 80’s and 90’s. It’s curvilinear streets, large, front-loaded stucco houses of similar size and character, and numerous parks were definitive of the era.
The collector streets are wide, curvilinear and attractively landscaped. Whenever I think of Westpark, I think of John Mellencamp‘s song Little Pink Houses. Drive around Westpark, and you will understand why.
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The above sequence was shot in three different, typical neighborhoods. Can you tell them apart?
Despite the sameness of the neighborhoods, the individual properties are very attractive.
Most of the local streets are front loaded and not very attractive, but this particular neighborhood is rear-loaded and quite attractive.
There are several apartment complexes and condominium apartments.
I do not think these glorified apartments sold as condominiums are a good idea. They have a single carport space and open parking. Why would you want to own your apartment?
As apartments go, the complexes in Westpark are very nice.
Above is the entrance to San Carlo.
They have a variety of sizes and levels of quality.
Not shown above are Villa Coronado, San Leon Villa, San Marco Villa, San Marino Villa, and San Paulo.
The original village of Westpark is aptly named “Westpark Village One.” It is the only sub-neighborhood in Westpark (that I could find) with its own identity.
There are not many trails through the neighborhoods of Westpark. it is surprising given the preponderance of them in other early neighborhoods. Westpark is much like other subdivisions of its era except that it has more parks.
Westpark Village One community center.
The park in Village One has all the amenities.
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The tot lot looks new.
The pool is large and popular.
The houses in Village One are unique and more varied than later villages. I found this home particularly unique. Notice the landscaping is part of the house itself.
The sub-neighborhoods have unique signage, but no name identity.
An area of higher density condos.
Another condominium complex.
Each of the Westpark identity signs is different.
Another view of the unique alley-loaded neighborhood.
This neighborhood stands is stark contrast to the garage dominated neighborhoods in Westpark.
The schools in Westpark are very highly rated.
The school facilities are first-rate.
One of two suburban plazas in Westpark is Westpark Plaza.
There are plenty of opportunities for entertainment.
The suburban plaza is vibrant and well designed.
The second suburban plaza is in the complex on Barranca Parkway. It is newly renovated, but it still hasn’t caught on with the community.
There is only office building in Westpark, and it is one of my favorites in Irvine. I used to commute past this building, and I was always impressed with its appearance.
What really gives Westpark its identity is its variety of parks.
San Marco Park.
San Leandro Park is adjacent to an elementary school.
The tot lots are newly renovated.
San Marino park has all the amenities.
The pool is popular with residents.
Santa Clara Park.
Santa Ynez Park.
Plaza Park is also near an elementary school.
Children at play.
Westpark is also home to a number of very large, beautiful homes.
Two Mercedes parked in the driveway: Hmmm…
I like this one.
If the house is big enough, even a 3-car garage doesn’t dominate the elevation.
Maybe the song should be Big Pink Houses…
Irvine’s Westpark is a large and varied community. There are many different nieghborhoods and many different housing products. The core of Westpark is a series of neighborhoods with very similar housing stock: a collection of little pink houses.
Irvine’s Westpark: a great place to live.
Well theres people and more people
What do they know know know
Go to work in some high rise
And vacation down at the gulf of mexico
Ohhh yeah
And theres winners, and theres losers
But they aint no big deal
cuz the simple man baby pays for the thrills,
The bills and the pills that kill
Chorus:
Oh but aint that america for you and me
Aint that america were someting to see baby
Aint that america, home of the free
Little pink houses for you and me
Oh but aint that america for you and me
Aint that america were someting to see baby
Aint that america, home of the free
Little pink houses for you and me
