The maximization of the 4/20 experience for the Irvine cannabis enthusiast tends to involve a bit of a road trip be it the day of or in prior preparation for the holiday, but we’ve got a list of some of the best cannabis in California that’s locally available and sure to be worth your travels.

Some might fall back on delivery services, and there is nothing wrong with that. The lack of municipal access in Irvine makes it a necessity for some to access cannabis in the most convenient way possible be it their age, ailments or a busy lifestyle. But others see the holiday more like Thanksgiving, and nobody would never consider getting their turkey delivered unless it’s a giant block of tofu shaped like a turkey.

Regardless, the cannabis available to you this holiday season will be quite exceptional. You can always presume folks will sit on some great nugs for customers for the holiday. But even then, they go super fast. This list includes champions from every major cannabis competition on the west coast: High Times, The Emerald Cup, and a whole bunch of other events where this group of cultivators has cleaned out the trophy case. These kind of accolades aren’t just handed out to the highest bidder, despite those who will never have a chance to walk across their stages during awards ceremonies claiming otherwise.

So in reality, while these strains will likely have a batch available on the actual holiday, it’s not going to last long … any of them. Your best bet is to try and pick some up early. If they try and tell you, “We can’t sell that until tomorrow,” just think about when Bambi’s mom got taken out, get the waterworks going, maybe a light sniffle or two. If that doesn’t get you access to the goods, they’re heartless.

Here is our list of this year’s essential 4/20 strains near Irvine:

Sunset Fig – Fig Farms

MedMen
2141 S Wright Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705

The newest offering from the amazing farmers at Fig Farms has hit shelves just in time for the holiday. Known for their unique genetics going back to the medical market, this time they’ve paired their prize Purple Fig with the San Francisco classic Sunset Sherbert. With the past results of their in-house breeding effort ending up in awards ceremonies up and down the state, it’s a safe bet the Sunset Fig will follow that path too. But which phenotype will reign supreme in the end? Fig Farms debuted two versions of the Sunset Fig for the holiday, one pheno tastes like gassy grapes and lavender, the other is more of golden raisins with a vanilla taste.

Photo by Danny Carroll

Ridgeline Farms – Green Lantern

Haven 
1625 E St Gertrude Pl.
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Southern Humboldt County has had it pretty rough in the age of legal cannabis with many small farmers having trouble meeting the permitting demands of the times. But through it all, the region is still the heart of the ancestral homeland of top-shelf marijuana, and they got the world title back this fall when Ridgeline Farms won The Emerald Cup, which is essentially the sungrown pot world championship. They had actually been growing the Green Lantern for years, and were still sitting on some, trying to move it, when it won the cup! Needless to say, demand quickly increased for the strain that pairs a fuel and fruit flavor.

Photo courtesy of Alien Labs

Area 41 – Alien Labs

Connected Cannabis
2400 Pullman St. B
Santa Ana, CA 92705

While there are a lot of options that would be a solid pick on the Connected menu, I constantly find myself looking back to the Area 41 as my favorite of the Gelato crosses that dropped last summer. It features Gelato #41, arguably the nicest version of the strain ever not from original breeders Jigga and Mr. Sherbinski. Add in Alien Labs longtime hype machine Lemon Fuel OG, and you’ve obviously got something very special.

Strawberry Valley by Happy Day Farms – Regenerative Farm Award recipient 

Haven 
1625 E St Gertrude Pl.
Santa Ana, CA 92705

For the fans of responsible outdoor cannabis cultivation, look no further than The Emerald Cup’s regenerative farming award winners at Happy Day Farms. One of three farms to take home the award in 2018, it is given to cannabis farmers who grow their cannabis as part of a wider symbiotic relationship with the land they look to nurture and protect from more destructive farming practices. Their Strawberry Valley is a blend of their Strawberry OG and a fantastic Chem x SFV Pheno. According to Happy Day Farms, it has sweet overtones backed by deep gas underskunk. It’s strong, but a great time.

From The Earth – Golden Strawberries 710

Connected Cannabis
2400 Pullman St. B
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Originally bred by the team at DNA genetics, the primo cultivators over at 710 Labs propagated over 30 seeds on the hunt for their winner, and you can see the effort in the results. Much of the time when you hear 710 Labs’ name, you’re probably thinking there are some great concentrates on deck. Nevertheless, their flower game is also on point and has become more prevalent since the legal market opened with this cross of Strawberry Banana and Kosher Kush. You’ll get a lot of the flavor that earned Strawberry Banana ton of awards, with a bit of extra kick provided by the Kosher Kush.

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