VENUE

The 7th IEEE International Conference on Smart Computing (SMARTCOMP 2021) will take place in Irvine, Orange County, California, USA. 
Pic credit: Shantanu Sharma, UC Irvine.
About Orange County, California
Although Orange County adjoins Los Angeles County it is a prime destination for a majority of tourists to Southern California. With its adjoining freeways and excellent road structure visitors have found Orange County to be an ideal central base to enjoy the attractions of both Counties.  Orange County with its 40 miles of sandy beaches and pretty beach communities has become known as the American Riviera.  Apart from offering some of the most beautiful beaches on the West Coast, Orange County California can boast of some of the area’s major attractions including Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. An ideal choice for a family holiday where children and adults alike will never be bored. Lying 30 miles southeast of Downtown LA, and within two hours driving time of San Diego and Palm Springs, Orange County is truly an excellent choice of a holiday destination. 
Listed below are some of the many attractions and places of interest to be found in Orange County.

Beaches
  • Seal Beach: Quiet beach by American standards with a quaint village atmosphere.
  • Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve: Lays just to the south of Seal Beach, whilst not a beach this salt marsh harbors more than 300 types of birds which can be seen along a 2 mile trail.
  • Huntington Beach: 8 miles of white sandy beach, longest concrete pier in California, surfing capital, shops and restaurants. Their Visitor's center at 417 Main Street (Tel:-714-969-3492) is an excellent source of information, as well as free literature. More information can be found on Huntington's official website:- www.surfcityusa.com
  • Newport Beach: 6 miles of white sand beaches, water sports, harbor cruises & Catalina Island trips.  Two wooden piers, restaurants and shopping. Separating the marina from the ocean is the Balboa Peninsula. A paved walkway which is used for strolling, cycling, skating & jogging along the beach in front of the beach side homes. The landmark Ferris wheel is part of the Balboa Fun zone that includes bumper cars, video arcades, restaurants and souvenir shops. Newport is also home to the famous Fashion Island Mall, an outdoors shopping experience of over 200 stores, restaurants and 7 screen cinema all over looking the Pacific. The Hard Rock cafe has one of its largest branch's at Fashion Island, with lots of original rock-roll memorabilia including a signed Elvis Presley coat. Visitors center can be found at 3300 W. Coast Highway (Tel:- 800-942-6278). More information on Newport Beach can be found on their official website:- www.newportbeach-cvb.com .
  • Laguna Beach: is one of the south coast's most attractive towns with its scenic white sandy beaches, picturesque boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. Perched on the nearby hillsides and canyons are the homes of the wealthy, the bustling town center is full of galleries and boutiques. A number of arts festivals are held here in July & August. Visitors center can be found at 252 Broadway (Tel:- 800-877-1115). More information can be found on the official Laguna website:- www.lagunabeachinfo.org 
  • Dana Point: is a headland named after author Richard Dana, whose book "Two Years Before the Mast" chronicled the early days of this beautiful area. The harbor/marina contains various watercraft, Catalina Island trips, boat rentals, shops, restaurants, Orange County Marine Institute and the tall ship Pilgrim.  Nearby Doheny State Beach is where you can swim, surf, fish or cycle, or just catch the sun. For more information on Dana Point visit the official website:- www.danapoint-chamber.com 
  • Capistrano Beach: is the nearest beach to one of Orange County's most famous missions.  The historic "Mission San Juan Capistrano" the best known of  the California missions, known for its yearly return of the swallows in March. The beach itself is village type atmosphere with the normal facilities available.
  • San Clemente Beach: Sandy beach, pier and charming restaurants and shops.

Attractions & Places of Interest
  • Bowers Museum of Cultural Art:   2002 North Main Street, Santa Anna. Tel:-714-567-3600. Exhibits of artworks of World Cultures   www.bowers.org
  • Mission San Juan Capistrano:    San Juan Capistrano. Tel:- 949-494-8971.  www.missionsjc.com  Built in 1776, one of Father Junipero Serra's historic missions known for the return of the swallows every March.
  • Irvine Spectrum Center: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine. Tel:- 949-789-9180. Orange County's premier dining, shopping and entertainment destination. Stroll through its European-flavored boulevards. Enjoy concerts, dancing, movies, dining, comedy and nightclubs. Conveniently located at the "El Toro Y" intersection of Interstates 5 and 405, easily accessible, and just minutes from the airport, beaches, golf courses and hotels. www.irvinespectrumcenter.com 
  • Little Saigon and Asian Gardens: 9200 Bolsa Avenue, Westminster. Tel:- 714-891-2122. Large South East Asian Neighborhood surrounding a mall of 400 ethnic boutiques, shops & restaurants.

Fun for Kids
  • Wild Rivers Waterpark: 8770 Irvine Center Drive Irvine. CA Tel: 949-768-WILD. Situated just off the 405 ( San Diego Freeway ) 20mins. South of Disney is Wild Rivers, where you can get wet & go wild in this family water park. Contains over 40 water rides & attractions with two huge wave pools, for kids & adults. Visit the official website: www.wildrivers.com 
  • Raging Waters: 111 Raging Waters Drive San Dimas. CA Tel: 909-802-2200. Situated 30mins. East of Downtown LA and 20 mins. North of Anaheim  Raging Waters is California's Largest Water Park. With over 50 Acres of rides & attractions you sure to find a ride here that suits you. Visit the official website: www.ragingwaters.com 
  • Adventure City:  1238 S. Beach Boulevard. Anaheim. Tel:- 714-236-9300. Theme park for kids; rides, petting zoo, children's theater, puppet shows and game room.  
  • Gotcha Glacier: Indoor snowboarding, surfing, skydiving, rock climbing, ice rink, health club & arcade. Anaheim. 949-240-0188.  
  • Huntington Beach Pier: Amphitheater, family entertainment and special events. Huntington Beach. 714-969-3492.

Day Trips
  • Catalina Island:  26 miles across the sea. Various passenger vessels from Newport Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro and Long Beach. www.visitcatalina.org
  • Hollywood: Visit the Famed Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign, Sunset Strip and the fabulous mansions of the rich & famous in Beverly Hills.  Within easy driving distance or there are plenty of organized coach tours available.
  • Legoland:  Kid powered rides and attractions for 2 to 12 year olds.  Located in Carlsbad, 30 miles north of San Diego.
  • Long Beach & Queen Mary:  Beach side city that includes Queen Mary, the world class Aquarium of the Pacific, 8 miles of sandy beach and lots, lots more. www.golongbeach.org 
  • Six Flags Magic Mountain: 260 acre theme park with over a 100 rides, shows and attractions.  White knuckle rides include the Giant Superman ride.  Situated 20 minutes north of Hollywood at Valencia.
  • Universal Studios: Experience the movies and television  as they come to life at this world famous theme park. Enjoy the rides and back lot studio tour, then visit City Walk- Universal's shopping street.
  • Palm Springs:  "The Golf & Tennis capital of the World" has a lot to offer including an aerial tramway, shopping on the main strip and movie stars homes.  Frank Sinatra's was buried here in the Desert Memorial Park.  
  • San Diego Wild Animal Park:  A 2000 acre animal park where animals roam free in 2000 acres similar to their native homelands.   15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido. Tel:- 760-747-8702  just north of San Diego.
  • San Diego Zoo: One of the worlds best with over 3000 animals and plant species. 10946 Willow St, San Diego. Tel:- 619-675-7900. www.sandiegozoo.org 
  • Sea World Adventure Park: 150 acre marine life adventure park filled with attractions, shows and aquariums. 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego. Tel:- 619-226-3901.  www.seaworld.com 
  • Tijuana, Mexico. Enjoy a trip to Mexico by hopping on the Tijuana Trolley Bus in San Diego which drops you at the border.  Cheap, Cheap prices and an experience like no other. Tijuana's carnival atmosphere and 100's of shops (be prepared to barter and start at 50% of the price asked) can be enjoyed by taking the Big Red Bus (Mexican Buses) at the USA border. This 10 minute bus ride costs one dollar and drops you right in the center of Tijuana. Buses are every 15 minutes. You can also drive to the border and park before catching the Big Red Bus. Please note you cannot drive in Mexico under your Hire Car Insurance.