Travel guide for planning a vacation or trip to Orange County California, including top tourist attractions.
Orange County is noted for its miles of white sandy beaches. Main Beach in Laguna has a wooden boardwalk, 1920s lifeguard tower and a view as far as the eye can see, not to mention shopping on four main streets of quaint shops and art galleries. This southern county beach, once known for its hippies and bohemian attitude, is now home to some of the most expensive real estate in the county. Huntington Beach is in the northern part of the county and is known for its surfing competitions. The city of Newport Beach includes the picture-perfect Corona del Mar State Beach (hosting seal rock) and the separate Newport Pier community. Balboa and Balboa Island are also part of Newport Beach, but are very different in the kinds of activities you can find. Try a bicycle tour bayside around the island. The series of islands, including Linda, Lido and Balboa, showcase posh homes of movie and rock stars. Play pinball with surf dudes and babes at the Balboa Fun Zone located on bay. The Ferris wheel at the Fun Zone offers the best view of the islands, the bay and the ocean! You must grab a Balboa Bar (a chocolate-dipped ice cream bar made to your personal specifications) to have a true beach dining experience. These can be found all along the Fun Zone boardwalk. Don't forget to take a Newport Harbor cruise to see the natural wonders and view stars' homes.
Amusement Parks
Everyone knows that Mickey's first home was in Orange County, but many don't know that the new California Adventure offers a tour of California history and culture through exciting rides and attractions. Be prepared to spend several days riding and munching your way through the two adjacent parks in Anaheim. Knott's Berry Farm began with a tiny berry stand selling baskets of fruit and the yummy pie handmade by Mrs. Walter Knott. Folks liked the pies so much that Mrs. Knott began selling boxes of fried chicken. The rest is history. This Buena Park attraction added amusement rides to a transplanted Western frontier town in the 1980s and the Wild West in Orange County was born. The Knott's downtown frontier town was put into place in the 1940s transported board-by-board from a real life ghost town. The western section of the park offers shopping and a frontier experience. Ride a real stagecoach, buy a cowboy hat and chaps, and sit down in the park's giant fried chicken restaurant for a unique dining experience! Come early, there will be lines for both lunch and dinner!
Antique Shopping
Two cities in Orange County offer the finest antique shopping experience anywhere in the United States. Old Towne Orange on the Circle, originally called the Downtown Plaza, offers nearly 100 shops around the circle and extending spokes radiating from the center fountain. If you can't find your antique specialty here, you can't find it anywhere. Vintage everything from hankies to gas pumps can be found in the quaint shops in Old Town. The area is on the National Register of Historic Places, so if you love architecture, be prepared for a real treat. You'll recognize the Circle from many movies, including Forest Gump.
Another antique experience can be found in Old Town Fullerton. The AMTRAK train delivers you a block from Downtown Fullerton. Relax and ride the train as it travels along the ocean in the morning and then spend time shopping for antiques. A dozen shops along a tree-lined street of historic commercial structures, offer antiques and lunch dining. Be prepared to spend the afternoon. Lunch in a British Pub or eat fine Mexican food after an afternoon of antiquing.
Shopping
Where else but in the OC would you see license plate frames saying, "The University of South Coast Plaza"? You will never forget an Orange County shopping experience, even if you are just window-shopping. South Coast Plaza was the largest mall in the United States in the 1970s. It no longer holds that title. Saks, Neiman Marcus, and major American and many European clothing and jewelry designers have their shops on the west end of the mall.
For an outdoor shopping experience with an ocean view, shop Fashion Island in Newport Beach. The Mediterranean-themed mall has outdoor concerts on the grass each summer. Take a walk in Roger's Gardens next to the shopping center. Roger's is a garden shop, but unlike any other in the world. It is a park and an educational experience. Winter holiday decorating at the Gardens makes an exciting visit in late November and during December.
If you are looking for a unique sensory experience, go to The Block to shop to the sound of thumping music and a sidewalk laser light show. Walk under colorful outdoor lighting and three-story tall photo advertisements. It is a shopping experience from the future. Where else can you eat, dance and shop in a surf shop the size of a city block? Surf's up!
Not to be outdone by The Block, The Spectrum in Irvine offers shopping, noshing and movies in another visual shopping experience. Big is always better in Orange County, and the Spectrum meets that requirement!
Museums
For a more cultured experience, visit the museums of Orange County. The Bower's Art Museum in downtown Santa Ana offers a view of Orange County when it was first settled, including rare artifacts, fine art, and traveling exhibits. The Newport Harbor Art Museum features art that is more modern. It also has traveling exhibits. Nearly every city has a local museum that displays artifacts illustrating the unique history of the area. If you are a maritime enthusiast, the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum is a must see. Sport fishing, yachting, and maritime exhibits are on display throughout the year on the floating riverboat museum in the Newport Harbor. The museum has periodic visits from the reconstructed tall ships that sail the world. Call ahead for the schedule.
Kids can visit the downtown Santa Ana Kid's Museum and the Science Museum, a few minutes drive from each other. The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum has special programs for children. Check their calendar for scheduling. Children, as well as adults, will enjoy a boat excursion to Catalina Island. Crafts leave several times a day in the winter (and additional times during the summer) from Newport Beach and San Clemente. Catalina Island has tours of the Wrigley (the chewing gum magnate) Estate and Island Casino.
Sports
Golf enthusiasts know the greens in Tustin and Irvine, bodysurfers know the Wedge in Newport, board riders know Huntington, San Clemente and Dana Point Beaches, but there are other sport venues in Orange County. Take a horseback ride along the coast in Irvine or roller skate long the beach boardwalk. You can skate or cycle nearly 25 miles along a concrete walk along the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Ana River bicycle trail offers a countywide tour from a unique vantage point. Pick up a copy of the route and head out any time of the day.
Professional sports include the Angels: California, Anaheim, Orange County, or even Gene Autry's Angels, whatever their name might be at the moment, they offer great play in an interesting stadium with a built-in fountain and miniature homerun fireworks display. The fierce Ducks are the Orange County hockey team and they play at The Pond in Anaheim. The champion California State University, Fullerton baseball team has their own stadium on campus. Watch Orange Coast College's crew practice in the bay for their competitions. The easiest sport to observe is surfing. Arrive early --the best waves are in the morning!
Nature Preserves
Nature lovers will enjoy the Fullerton Arboretum located at California State University, Fullerton. Walk the acres of pathways between native plants. You will think you have left the city. The Santa Ana Zoo and Orange County Canyon Bird Sanctuary offer fun times for children as well as adults. Orange County Parks offer an excellent place to picnic in the great outdoors. Irvine and Orange Parks have cooking facilities and picnic tables underneath acres of trees! Take the family for a relaxing afternoon.
If you enjoy plants and flowers, the Sherman Gardens and Library in Corona del Mar is the place to visit. You can even eat a relaxed lunch at the Gardens and take a docent tour of grounds. Library research visits require advanced reservations.
The Mountains
Orange County is one of the few places that you can go from the beach to the ocean in only a matter of a half-hour drive. If you enjoy hiking, try a walk in the Santa Ana Mountains. Nature walks include paths in Silverado, Black Star and Holy Jim Canyons. Obey rangers and park warnings, if posted.
Music
Enjoy live music all over Orange County. Major music artists can be seen in Irvine Theater, the Anaheim Convention Center, The Pond, and Anaheim Stadium. Check the local newspaper calendar section for show times. Be sure to look at dinner theaters and clubs for excellent live entertainment. The clubs along the beach have a wide variety of music styles that can be seen every night of the week.
Live Theater
Orange County has live theater in many venues. The South Coast Repertory Theater is world known for their premiers. The Orange County Performing Arts Center has the Orange County Symphony Orchestra and several chamber groups who play on a regular fall to spring schedule. Visiting artists are also featured at the uniquely designed Arts Center. Don't miss seeing a play at the small experimental theaters in Santa Ana around the Arts Center or at county university and college theaters. You just might see a new star on the rise in a short piece staged in an industrial warehouse setting.
Whatever your interests, Orange County offers year-round entertainment and enjoyment.
