Travel & Stay
We at ITE at UCI welcome you to the city of Irvine, California for the weekend of the Student Leadership Summit! Visit and travel around beautiful Orange County and enjoy the sunny Southern California weather. For tips regarding travel or stay, consult this page. For any further questions, feel free to contact us.
Lodging
ITE at UCI has worked hard on negotiating a deal with the Sonesta Irvine John Wayne Airport, adjacent to John Wayne Airport and just a couple miles away from UCI's campus. Click the button below to book with a discounted rate as well as the following perks:
- Discounted self-parking at $20 (from $39)
- Complimentary shuttle to John Wayne Airport
- Waived destination fee (value of $20/night)
Our special rate is applicable to nights between 1/20/26 and 1/28/26, giving a three-day buffer before and after the event duration.
Hotelshare
For those looking to save money on accommodations, ITE at UCI is offering a hotelshare service to connect with fellow attendees interested in sharing rooms. We will do our best to create compatible groups based on information provided in the form.
Please note that the purpose of this form is to match students together -- coordination of cost division, check-in/check-out dates, and accommodations are up to the group members. Assignments will be sent out via email when decided. For more information or questions, please email us at sls2026@iteuci.org.
Getting in
Via car
While our event has been planned to accomodate non-drivers as much as possible, the nature of Irvine's built environment lends itself to driving. Due to the infrequent transit service available in the city during the weekend, we recommend driving to those who are able to.
If on Interstate 405, exit at Culver Dr (exit 5) or Jamboree Dr (exit 7).
If on State Route 73, exit at Bison Ave (exit 14). Note that while SR-73 is a toll road, the tolled portion of the freeway starts after Bison Ave (southbound).
Parking
Once you arrive on campus, please park in the Student Center Parking Structure. Refer to this map for assistance with parking.
Via plane
If possible, fly into John Wayne Airport (SNA), situated just a few miles from UCI campus and in close proximity to our recommended lodging options. Rideshare options (like Uber or Lyft) to campus are fairly inexpensive and quick. OCTA bus routes 59 and 178 can also shuttle you from near the airport to campus.
Alternatively, Long Beach Airport (LGB), Los Angeles Int'l (LAX), or Ontario Int'l (ONT) are other viable options if you plan to drive.
Via transit
Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner line and Metrolink's Orange County & Inland Empire-Orange County lines stop at Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center.
From there, take OCTA Route 59 from Santa Ana & Santiago to Campus & University Center (a 48 minute ride for a fare of $2). Prepare for 40-minute headways. Note that the 59 does not serve UC Irvine on weekends, so taking the bus is only viable when arriving on Friday.