Get Ready for Fast Swimming in Southern California

The main competition pool at the Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine, California, has become one of the most prestigious swimming venues in the U.S.

Katie Ledecky’s world record in the 400 freestyle at the 2014 Phillips 66 National Championships showed how fast the water in Irvine is, and the pool has hosted that meet multiple times, most recently in 2022.

Masters swimmers will get their chance to race there at the 2023 USMS Spring National Championship April 27–30, with the meet returning to Irvine for the first time since 1981.

More than 2,000 athletes are expected to compete, and the facility has plenty of space to accommodate everyone. Competition will take place in two pools, each of which will have 10 lanes for competition and seven for warm-up/cool-down. Concrete bleacher space and grassy areas will provide seating areas inside the venue, but be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen as the sun in Southern California can be unforgiving as the day rolls along.

Irvine—and all of Southern California—is the type of place where you can find almost anything to suit your desire for entertainment within a 20-mile radius.

The most visited place in Southern California excluding Disneyland is Irvine’s Spectrum Center, says Cory Hilderbrand, the community services manager for the City of Irvine. With everything available there, from restaurants and shopping to a large Ferris wheel and a movie theater, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Also in Irvine is the Irvine Great Park, a former Marine base that’s becoming what Hilderbrand describes as “almost twice the size of [New York City’s] Central Park.” The Great Park Balloon is a must for any visitor, giving you the chance to see Orange County from 500 feet in the air. Fans of historic planes can visit Hangar 244 in the Great Park, and art lovers can peruse the work of international artists at the Great Park Gallery, with exhibits announced at cityofirvine.org/great-park/exhibitions.

Even after a long day of swimming, it’s understandable if you want to spend some time on any of the wonderful beaches located just 40 minutes away from Irvine. Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and surfer-friendly Laguna Beach are the most popular hangouts. If you want to find a quieter place to feel the sand between your toes, and don’t mind hiking over a pile of rocks, try Dana Point Headlands Beach. Located behind the Ocean Institute on Dana Point Harbor, the sandy part of the beach is about a 10-minute walk from parking at Dana Point Pier.

For those who want adventures that don’t require getting wet, Disneyland in Anaheim is just one of the many top-notch amusement parks within an hour of Irvine. Inside the city limits is the go-kart racing venue K1 Speed, as well as miniature golf hangout Boomers.