THE LEGACY OF THE LAND: A CENTURY OF CULTIVATION
The Irvine Ranch® encompasses a breathtaking expanse, stretching from the rugged base of the Santa Ana Mountains to the sun-drenched shores of the Pacific. This land has been shaped by hands in the soil for centuries, but its modern agricultural identity was forged in the late 1800s. It was then that James Irvine II transformed 93,000 acres of wild ranchland into one of the most productive farming regions in California.
Originally famed for its vast groves of Valencia oranges and sprawling fields of lima beans, the Ranch became a diverse tapestry of crops, including sweet corn, strawberries, asparagus, and celery. Remarkably, this heritage isn’t just a memory. These same flavors continue to thrive in the Irvine soil today.
THE STEWARDS OF THE SOIL
Today, the legacy of the Ranch is carried forward by a dedicated collective of family-led farms. The Smith, Manassero, and Tanaka families serve as modern land stewards, bridging the gap between Irvine’s pastoral history and our modern community. Through their farmstands and educational tours, they offer a transparent look at the journey from seed to table, inviting the public to reconnect with the food grown right in our own backyard.
The Irvine Ranch is now as much about the future as it is the past. To ensure this heritage endures, over 57,000 acres—more than 60% of the original ranch—are permanently protected as the Irvine Ranch Open Space Preserve. This National and California Natural Landmark stands as a testament to our commitment to the land that continues to feed our spirits and our plates.
SMITH FARMS
At the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Jeffrey Road in Irvine lies a cornerstone of Orange County’s agricultural movement. As one of the region’s first certified organic farmers, third-generation farmer McCay Smith is a local pioneer, perfecting the art of the harvest.
Smith Farms is celebrated for its legendary organic strawberries. These plump, crimson berries are so coveted that they’ve earned consistent acclaim from local media, becoming a “must-buy” at local farmers markets across the region.
While the farmstand selection is curated and highly seasonal, it remains a destination for those in search of seasonal essentials. As the seasons shift, the wooden crates at the farmstand overflow with a zesty citrus collection, including Meyer lemons, key limes, and deep-hued blood oranges. Summer brings a masterclass in tomatoes, ranging from meaty beefsteaks and classic Romas to sweet cherry varieties and colorful heirlooms. To round out the harvest, visitors can find peak-season melons like honeydew, cantaloupe, and refreshing seedless watermelons.
For the true local foodie, a visit here is a lesson in what happens when heritage meets a steadfast commitment to the earth.
Location: 5481 Bryan Ave., Irvine, CA 92620
Go For: Organic strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, and seasonal citrus
Learn More: SmithFarmsOC.com
MANASSERO FARMS
For more than 100 years, the Manassero family has tended the soil in Orange County. Dan Manassero learned the trade from his grandfather James, who began farming in nearby Yorba Linda in 1922. This wealth of knowledge was passed down through Dan’s father and uncle, ensuring the Manassero farming legacy remains a vital part of the region today.
Over the decades, the operation has expanded into four Orange County locations. The 35-acre farm on Jeffrey Road produces a diverse bounty of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. This location is also home to the Manassero Farms Irvine Market, a unique blend of a fresh farm market, gift store, and event space.
Inside the market, guests discover a “living pantry” of amazing produce that has been walked, not trucked, into the shop. Wooden shelves are lined with private-labeled jams, jellies, honeys, and gourmet foods, alongside handmade soaps and candles. Visitors can even explore a pick-your-own herb garden.
The farm has evolved into a modern lifestyle destination through the influence of Dan’s wife, Anne. By blending Dan’s agricultural expertise with Anne’s background in design and marketing, they created “The Barn.” This artfully decorated venue features architectural salvage, rustic tables, and antique furnishings. It serves as a one-of-a-kind setting for gourmet farm-inspired chef dinners, private anniversary celebrations, and baby showers, offering a level of elegant comfort and charm that is unmatched in Orange County.
Location: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92618
Go For: Walked-in produce, private-label jams, and farm-inspired events
Learn More: ManasseroFarms.com
TANAKA FARMS
The experience at Tanaka Farms begins with the nostalgic sight of green tractors hitched to wooden wagons. Families bounce along through towering sugar cane stalks and verdant fields of lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage, taking in the sights of a farm that grows more than 60 different types of produce.
While Tanaka Farms celebrated its 25th anniversary on University Drive in 2023, the family’s California farming roots stretch back to the early 1900s. Following WWII in 1945, the family established their presence in Orange County. Today, they continue to innovate through their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, providing locals with seasonal boxes filled with red leaf lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
The farm is best known for its interactive U-Pick tours, where visitors walk the fields to harvest their own carrots or kale. During the spring, the fields come alive with strawberry tours and baskets of plump blackberries.
Education is at the heart of the Tanaka mission. Through a partnership with the nonprofit Legacy Barn, the Barnyard Educational Exhibit allows families to meet rescued sheep, baby goats, pigs, and heritage chickens. These animals have found a permanent home in Irvine, where they help children build an awareness of farm life. The barnyard serves as a community hub, hosting educational experiences such as storytime every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Location: 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Go For: U-Pick strawberry tours, seasonal CSA boxes, and the Barnyard Educational Exhibit
Learn More: TanakaFarms.com
ROOTED IN FLAVOR: THIS SEASON’S INSPIRED PLATES
This deep-rooted commitment to the land doesn’t end at the farmstand gate. Today, that same agricultural legacy serves as the primary inspiration for the chefs across The Irvine Ranch. By sourcing directly from local growers and celebrating the peak of the season, our restaurants transform these fresh harvests into elevated culinary art. From the coastal breeze of Crystal Cove to the vibrant heart of Irvine Spectrum Center, here is how our chefs are plating the best of the spring harvest.
A Crystal Cove
At A Crystal Cove, Chef Elvis Morales and his River Jetty Restaurant Group team prepare seasonal dishes like delicate Squash Blossoms. The spring flavored bundles are stuffed with grilled petit squash, a roasted red bell pepper sauce, and sprinkled with cotija cheese.
Another must-try: Heirloom Beets dressed with fresh mint, dill, and a shallot vinaigrette. The versatile root vegetable is garnished with naval oranges and candied hazelnuts. The dish’s layers of flavor continue with burrata cream and drizzles of jalapeno oil.
A CRYSTAL COVE
Crystal Cove Shopping Center
7864 East Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92657
Chef Cesar Sarmiento at CUCINA enoteca, Irvine Spectrum Center takes pride in the restaurants’ farm fresh ingredients. Urban Kitchen Group is committed to sustainable and local farming. “What makes great Italian food is the produce. The tomatoes must be fresh. You can taste it immediately. It’s just good burrata, great tomatoes, basil, salt, and olive oil. People will ask me, ‘How do you get your apples and pears to taste so good in the salads?’ We get deliveries several times a week. We wait until the produce is ripe and serve it at the right time. That’s the way you should eat.”
CUCINA ENOTECA
Irvine Spectrum Center
532 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
CUCINA ENOTECA
Fashion Island
951 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Italian Chopped Salad (photo courtesy of CUCINA enoteca)
Tender Greens Spring Menu (photo courtesy of Tender Greens)
Founded by two chefs and a foodie, the Tender Greens restaurant group believes that “sustainability is at the core of all the choices we make, from our food to our planet to the future of farming.” The spring menu features plant-forward dishes. The Happier Vegan bowl combines heirloom cherry tomatoes and pickled cucumbers with baby lettuces. It’s served with falafel and nutrient-dense farro, which is considered an ancient grain. The dish is finished with green garbanzo hummus and extra virgin olive oil.
The Harvest salad is garnished with Laura Chenel goat cheese, strawberries, seasonal citrus, almonds, roasted onions, baby lettuces, and a golden balsamic vinaigrette. Fun fact: Laura Chenel, the Sonoma-based cheesemaker, became famous after Alice’s Waters’ Chez Panisse started serving it.
TENDER GREENS
Irvine Spectrum Center
530 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618
TENDER GREENS
University Center
4237 Campus Dr. Suite B165, Irvine, CA 92612
