Hiking is one of the best workouts around. Unlike a regular walking routine that you can do on a treadmill or in the city streets, specific hiking trails provide a challenge to every exercise program. Treks are normally longer and feature more difficult natural paths. Mile-long distances or even more as well as rocks, tree roots and natural vegetation necessitate that hikers be in top physical condition. However, the scenic vistas and the wide variety of flora and fauna that can be encountered during each hiking trip is well-worth the challenge provided by the physical workout.

Residents of Quail Hill are privileged where hiking spaces are concerned. The Quail Hill Preserve which is part of the The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks is right at the backyard of every home in this exclusive Irvine Village. The Quail Hill Trailhead that spans 2.8 acres is the start of every hiking tour. This is your gateway to the extensive trail network of the southern part of Irvine. Located at the Sand Canyon Road, this trailhead actually signals the start of the Quail Hill Loop Trail. Open to residents and the rest of the general public from early morning to late afternoon, this two-mile natural surface trail is an easy walk featuring five locations with its extraordinary plant and animal life.

If you want your trek to be educational and instructive at the same time, you can take a docent-lead tour from the Trailhead. Alternatively, you can also go on your own– with a little help from technology to guide you along the way. You can listen to an audio tour on your cellphone when you dial 949-743-5943. Listen to the voice prompts and when you enter the number of any of the five locations you are interested in, resource speakers and experts will explain the various characteristics and important details of the place you are in. The park does not charge you for using the phone audio tour service but the cellphone charges incurred will, of course, be charged to your bill. Another way to be informed as you take your tour is to download the audio tour to your Ipod or MP3 player and listen to it as you go along. You can get the files you need from this link: http://apps.guidebycell.com/gbc/http/Podcast.jsp?phone=9497435943.

Dog lovers will certainly welcome the fact that they can bring their beloved canine friends along on their trek. Pooches will have to be kept on a leash during the entire time. But this is a privilege that can only be experienced at the Quail Hill Loop since the other trails in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks do not allow dogs, even on a leash.

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More often than not, the idea of development is always associated with the destruction of nature. This is especially true where natural features of the land, such as hills, mountains and forests have to be leveled to the ground to build communities, business establishments or homes. As such real estate companies, governments and environmental advocacy groups always have to thread the thin line of commercialization and sustainable development.

The Irvine Company is one of the few real estate developers who have not only succeeded in making luxurious masterplanned communities like that of Quail Hill, which features its own parks, shopping, dining and leisure areas, they have also thoughtfully incorporated the protection of natural resources into each village that they build. In fact, it has designated 50,000-acres of open space as protected areas. These areas, which are part of The Irvine Ranch, are home to many different flora and fauna that include coastal sagescrub and various species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

After a thorough scientific screening process, these preserved lands have been designated by the federal government as National Natural Landmarks in October 2006. These same lands received the same designation again in April 2008 under the California Natural Landmarks Program. These are extraordinary honors when you consider the fact that there are fewer than 600 sites all over the country assigned as National Natural Landmarks.

Natural Landmarks are chosen because of the wealth of biological, geological and paleontological features they hold. The rarity and diversity of these characteristics as well as the presence of habitats and of rare, threatened or endangered species are also used as criteria by which these designations are given. How valuable a particular landmark is scientifically and instructively is also another standard by which Natural Landmarks are chosen.

Irvine’s Natural Landmarks feature rock formations and fossils that are around 80 million years old. Aside from the coastal sagescrub indigenous to Southern California and Northern Baja, they also have endangered animals, some of which are endemic only to this part of the world. And all these beauty and wonder are within easy access to the residents of Quail Hill. The many hiking and biking trails that The Irvine Ranch offers make these Natural Landmarks the backyard of every Irvine home.

More than simply being perfect spots to unwind, get inspired or clear your head from the hustle and bustle of city life, these Natural Landmarks assure residents that their Quail Hill home remain for generations to come. And because the masterfully-planned Villages of Irvine lie within the protected folds of nature, they’ll certainly be.

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Parks and playgrounds are the epitome of the fun times of childhood. Who could forget the wonderful memories of picnic blankets laid out by mom and dad with tons of food and drinks as you and your siblings run around the vast green expanse? Indeed, parks and playgrounds offer rest and relaxation and having one near where you live gives added comfort and convenience.

At Quail Hill, families just don’t get one or two parks, they get five! And they don’t just get your regular park, they get those packed with amenities that make every family bonding time especially wonderful.

The Commons is the premier recreational facility of Quail Hill residents. Aside from the playground, grassy knoll and restrooms, The Commons has a spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center. It has an Olympic-size pool and a children’s wader for those who would like to add some water fun to their leisure itinerary. It also features a gazebo, a fireplace and barbecue spaces for gatherings with friends and family.

Knollcrest Park is another green space with stellar amenities. Like The Commons, it also has an Olympic-size pool, a children’s wader, a playground, grassy knoll and restrooms. Residents can also use the fireplace, barbecue and picnic areas for their get-togethers or family outings. Tennis enthusiasts can also play a game at the two tennis courts here.

Cascades Park and Valley View Park are simpler green areas that feature playgrounds and grassy areas. In addition to these, Valley View has a Junior Olympic-size swimming pool, a children’s wader, barbecue areas and restrooms. It also has a basketball court for those who love the sport.

Quail Hill residents have their very own Quail Hill Community Park. Aside from being a great spot to bond with family and friends with its barbecue spaces and picnic areas, this is also the hub of the sports-minded. It has two baseball fields, two basketball courts and a soccer field for those who would like to sweat it out. The various sports and community activities held here also make it an ideal place to train the minds and bodies of the young and the young-at-heart. Values of sportsmanship and camaraderie are also developed in these activities.

And for dog lovers, it might warm your heart to know that just a short distance away from your doorstep at Oak Canyon Road is Central Bark, the park for every pooch. It has almost 3 acres of open field where dogs large and small play off-leash. It has a watering facility, is lighted and has a separate fenced area for canines who are small or frail. It has covered seating and is handicap accessible, too.

The parks of Quail Hill make family moments more enriching and rewarding. The City of Irvine also understand the needs of the ever-loyal canines for fun and play with Central Bark. If parks are the sole measure of the best place to live then you’ve found your home.

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There are so many reasons why people buy a home. For starters, it beats renting where value and privacy are concerned. As you keep on making payments for your mortgage, you are also building equity which you can later use to get a loan for purchases or emergencies requiring large amounts of cash. Another advantage of buying a home is that of the tax deductions you can get. Moreover, there’s nothing much you can do in terms of architectural design or kitchen or bedroom renovation when you’re just renting. Owning your very home gives you the freedom to do with as you like for your own space, letting it speak distinctly of your personality. Finally, the sense of permanence and stability of living in your own home is priceless.

While you can buy just any piece of real estate, buying a Quail Hill home puts you in a class above the rest. First of all, owning a home here is a mark of pride. As masterfully-planned communities, it is not surprising for Irvine real properties like those of Quail Hill to cost $700,000 at the cheapest. Its 14 distinctive neighborhoods are only for the privileged few who value seclusion but want to stay close to centers of employment, recreation and education.

The 14 neighborhoods of Quail Hill are set amidst panoramic views and vast open spaces that give amazing vistas of hills and mountains, sunsets and city lights. Right within the neighborhood is the Quail Hill Village Center where residents can conveniently go shopping for groceries, medicines, clothes and other necessities. A Wells Fargo Bank, salon and spa as well as other shops and services are also conveniently housed here.

The Commons, a classic city-style park, is a short walk or bicycle ride away for all Quail Hill residents. It features a swimming pool for those who want to do a few laps to shape up or just to drown worries away, a spa for those who want to relax, a children’s playground for the little ones and picnic areas with barbecues for simple family gatherings and neighborhood get-togethers. Its wide expanse of green gives friends and families the chance to play Frisbee, tag or various ball games. And if The Commons is not enough, there are always a variety of hiking and biking trails that form part of the 50,000-acre permanently protected open space of The Irvine Ranch. Featuring ocean vistas and canyons, among its other natural attractions, the outdoor experiences provided by owning a home here is certainly unparalleled.

The choices of homes in the exclusive gated or gate-guarded neighborhoods of this premier community are also many and varied. Whether you want grand estate homes, sophisticated single family residences or well-planned condominiums, town houses or apartment homes, there are properties in Quail Hill that will suit your discriminating taste and high-end budget.

More importantly, buying a home in Quail Hill makes you a part of a tight-knit community. It gives you the chance to meet and ultimately cultivate meaningful relationships with neighbors through the plethora of activities sponsored or initiated by the different home associations.

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With a population of about 200,000, the City of Irvine in Orange County, California doesn’t seem as crowded. This is due in large measure to its villages and close-knit communities. As a masterplanned community started by The Irvine Company in the 1960s, the different villages that make up Irvine have their own unique styles, themes and lifestyles that characterize its residents.

Considered as the fourth best place to live by CNNMoney in 2008, it’s the mix of masterplanned neighborhoods, great schools and proximity to employment, leisure and business centers that make the
Villages of Irvine an ideal choice to live and start a family in. And in the village of Quail Hill, the residents get to experience all these while still maintaining the exclusivity of their homes.

Quail Hill is one of the seven communities that form part of the University Area of Irvine and village living here features all the perks that a luxury neighborhood has to offer. It has five parks that have first-rate facilities, whether you want to bring your kids to play, get a good workout or entertain friends. Close to premier shopping centers like The Irvine Spectrum Center and The Market Place, village living at Quail Hill means being at the heart of latest fashion trends, premier dining experiences and what most girls like to call, retail therapy. The open spaces and trails, such as the 2.8 acre Quaill Hill Trailhead which leads to the Quail Hill Loop Trail and the Back Bay and Shady Canyon Loop gives all residents a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. These hiking and cycling trails are not only avenues to get that adrenaline going, they also offer spectacular views and tranquil spaces that inspire and rejuvenate.

Served by the Irvine Unified School District which consistently ranks among the top performing schools in the country today, educational facilities ensure that your children get the best education to prepare them for life. Alderwood Basics Plus Elementary School is right within the neighborhood while Rancho San Joaquin Middle School and the University High School are just three to five miles away. Living in this exclusive community means giving your child learning that’s practical, animating and useful. It is in keeping with what the City of Irvine is known for: Having a high percentage of individuals with doctoral degrees and exemplary educational attainments.

Only a select few have the chance to live in a community so thoughtfully-crafted that business, education and leisure opportunities are so close to home. Quail Hill has certainly brought village living to a whole new level. Far from its association with rudimentary existence, village living in this masterplanned Irvine community now means comfort, learning and luxury within your very reach. Put simply: It’s the best place to live in.

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