UC Irvine (UCI) Parents & Families Guide

Where campus sits

UC Irvine's main campus is in the city of Irvine, in the middle of Orange County. The core of campus is laid out in rings around Aldrich Park, a 21 acre wooded park at the center.

The nearest airport is John Wayne Airport, code SNA. The admissions office describes it as about 15 minutes from campus, and the physics department puts it roughly 4 miles away. Long Beach (LGB) is about 24 miles out and LAX about 43, so SNA is usually the first airport to check when you price flights.

How the year runs

UCI is on the quarter system. Fall, winter and spring each have their own instruction weeks and their own finals week, which means three exam crunches a year instead of two. For 2026 to 27, fall instruction began Thursday, Sept 24, fall finals wrap up Friday, Dec 11, and winter break runs Dec 14 to Jan 1. Spring break is March 22 to 26, 2027, and the registrar lists commencement for June 11 to 14, 2027.

Because quarters end later than semesters, your student will likely still be in finals while friends at semester schools are already home. Keep that in mind before you book a December flight.

Where students live

Mesa Court and Middle Earth are the first year residence hall communities, with theme halls and live in resident advisors. Arroyo Vista is a theme house community with first year theme houses alongside sophomores, juniors, seniors and transfer students. Each community has its own mailing format and package pickup spot, which the local life page in this hub spells out. Student Housing is based in Laurelin Hall, Suite 2301, and answers at 949-824-6811 on weekdays.

The parent office and Family Weekend

UC Irvine Parent and Family Engagement runs the parent newsletter, a Parent Executive Board and the fall Anteater Family Weekend, which is set for November 13 to 14, 2026. The office lists its email as parentengagement@uci.edu and its address as 510 East Peltason Dr., Suite 5000.

Using this hub

The dates page lays out every quarter, holiday and finals week for the year. The travel page compares SNA, LGB and LAX, covers visitor parking rates, and lists hotels from UCI's own negotiated rate list. The move page walks through check in and checkout for Mesa Court, Middle Earth and Arroyo Vista, and the local life page covers health care, police, mail and groceries near campus.