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A Local’s 36 Favorite Things to Do in Orange County
👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do | Beaches | Hiking & Outdoors | Sites & Attractions | Museums & Culture | Food & Drink | Sports & Entertainment
I was born and raised in Southern California, and I’m here to tell you about my favorite things to do in Orange County. This list includes recommendations for restaurants, museums, parks, and beaches – all devised from my 20+ years of living here.
Orange County has some of the best surfing in the world and is home to the original Disneyland. There are also tons of cute little towns to explore, many of which are excellent places to stay in Orange County.
Ready to explore Orange County like a local? Let’s get started!
36 Best Things to Do in Orange County
Balboa Island
Take the ferry from Newport Beach to Balboa Island for a quiet day at the beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Take the ferry from Newport Beach to the small (but charming) Balboa Peninsula for a quiet day at the beach. This island is truly a hidden gem.
Balboa Island has some of the best shopping and restaurants in Orange County.
Stop for a tasty treat of frozen bananas on the main street or grab lunch at the famous Wilma’s Patio Restaurant.
Balboa Island also has an assortment of carnival games and rides, including a Ferris wheel.
Disneyland and California Adventure Park
Enjoy thrill-seeking rides at the world-famous amusement park.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Disneyland tips | Tickets: (varies online vs. in-person) start at $104, Children under 2 are free
No trip to Orange County is complete without visiting Disneyland. Disneyland and the adjacent California Adventure Park are very popular and receive millions of visitors every year.
There are Disneyland rides for small children to enjoy and bigger rides at California Adventure for adults. Disneyland also recently opened the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land, which is one of my favorite parts of the park. You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to be in awe of the set magic and high-tech rides in the area.
Disneyland is always crowded, so get there early to enjoy some rides without hour-long wait times. To bypass long lines, I suggest going to Disneyland in the middle of the week, preferably on a rainy day. It’s the best time to visit Disneyland in my opinion!
🛏️ Looking for a Disneyland hotel? A multi-day adventure is the best way to experience everything the park has to offer. The Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn is very close to the park, making it one of the top places to stay near Disneyland.
San Clemente
Visit California’s “Spanish Village by the Sea” and admire the red stucco roofs and adobe-style buildings.
Downtown San Clemente establishments are decorated with red stucco roofs and adobe-style buildings.
Visit the San Clemente pier to enjoy beautiful coastal views or bike along the city’s beach trail. Another popular attraction is whale watching – most tours will pick you up right from the San Clemente pier.
After a day of exploring or lounging on the beach, unwind with a nice cold beer from Left Coast Brewing Company. Don’t feel like a beer? Fisherman’s Restaurant is a great place to grab a fresh seafood meal with your family.
The LAB Anti-Mall
Shop for unique items at this anti-mall popular with hipsters and boutique lovers.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 12 am Mon-Thurs; 7 am – 2 am Fri; 7:30 am – 2 am Sat; 7:30 am – 12 am Sun
The LAB Anti-Mall, aka “The Lab” is an urban “anti-mall” that attracts hipsters and boutique lovers from all over Southern California.
The streets are lined with art and are very photogenic, but this unique retail and hang-out spot also has non-mainstream stores, cafes, and restaurants.
A popular boutique is Buffalo Exchange – a bargain vintage store with affordable prices and unique clothes. For caffeine, stop by Nook Coffee (it’s the perfect place to relax with a book). For beer, Bootleggers Brewery is the place to be.
Thousand Steps Beach
Sunbathe on one of Laguna’s most beautiful beaches without the crowds you’ll find everywhere else.
Don’t let the name deter you — there are only 218 steps at Thousand Steps Beach. Still, the name is enough to discourage many tourists, leaving this beach less crowded than other Orange County beaches.
The sand area at Thousand Steps Beach is much larger than the small downtown Laguna beaches, and it’s surrounded by gorgeous sandstone cliffs that meet the edge of the water.
One of the main attractions is a full walk-through cave a few hundred feet down the shoreline. There are also tide pools along the shore, but watch for high tides and heavy shore breaks while exploring the area.
Crystal Cove State Park
Lounge on the beach, explore the tide pools, and go hiking at this popular state park.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: $15 per day
Crystal Cove is located on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach and boasts some of the best beaches in SoCal. The state park is open between 6 am and sunset every day of the year.
Take a stroll through the historic district, which has 45 coastal cottages from the 1930s, or trek some of the 18 miles of hiking trails. The most popular hike is the dog-friendly Moro Canyon hike, an easy 3-mile hike along the coast.
Another good trail is the Park Perimeter Loop, a long 9-mile trek around the whole state park. The views are incredible, though, so don’t let the distance deter you. Parking for the historic district is at the Crystal Cove State Park Los Trancos entrance.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Ride intense roller coasters and eat the best chicken dinner at this popular theme park.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 220-5200 | Entrance: (varies online vs. in-person) starts at $59.99 adults, $54.99 juniors
Knott’s Berry Farm is one of the best amusement parks in California.
Knott’s has intense roller coasters like adrenaline-inducing upside-down and backward rides for thrill-seekers. But there are also rides and activities for younger visitors, such as the kid-friendly rides at Camp Snoopy.
Be sure to check out the annual special events at Knott’s Berry Farm as well. Ghost Town Alive! is a summer cowboy show complete with a hoedown and staged robberies, and Knott’s Scary Farm around Halloween is also a fun time.
Beaches
Huntington Dog Beach
Play with exuberant pups as they explore the Pacific Ocean.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: $2.50 per hour
Just outside of downtown Huntington, Huntington Dog Beach is the perfect place for animal lovers to relax. This beach is calmer than the crowded Huntington Beach near the pier.
The great thing about the dog beach is you don’t need to bring a dog to play with or watch the happy pups.
There are public restrooms at the beach, paid parking lots, free doggie waste bags, and grassy areas with picnic tables.
Huntington Beach Pier
Stroll along Huntington’s pier to watch the surfers below.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Check out the Huntington Beach pier after you’ve explored Huntington Dog Beach.
The pier hosts a lot of events like airshows, car shows, and farmers’ markets. Be sure to check out their calendar for a full schedule.
Huntington Beach attracts millions of tourists a year, especially in the summer months during the U.S. Open of Surfing, an annual surf competition held in Huntington. Get planning with our guide to what to do in Huntington Beach.
Seal Beach
Escape the crowds of Long Beach with this quiet beach gem.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Just outside of Long Beach, Seal Beach is a hidden gem in Orange County. This beach is a favorite among locals for great surf spots and fewer crowds than the surrounding beaches.
Other popular activities here include windsurfing, kitesurfing, and building sandcastles. The Seal Beach pier is clean and the locals are friendly. Bring your fishing rod and fish right off of the pier to catch a fresh dinner.
There are outstanding restaurants, boutiques, and souvenir shops by the beach. You can also find free 1 or 2-hour parking on the main street and free all-day parking in residential areas by the beach.
Doheny State Beach
Relax, play volleyball, or have a picnic.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (949) 496-6171 | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: $15 per vehicle parking | 🛎️Best nearby hotel: Dana Point Marina Inn
Part of the California State Parks system, Doheny State Beach has both incredible surf spots and a 5-acre lawn with picnic tables and beach volleyball courts.
This Dana Point beach also offers campsites, a paved walking trail, and public restrooms to make your visit as perfect as possible.
Hiking & Outdoors
Santiago Peak
Take a 15-mile hike up Orange County’s highest mountain.
Known as Saddleback Mountain by locals, Santiago Peak is the highest peak in Orange County at 5,689 feet. This 15-mile hike is a good workout, with over 4,000 feet of elevation gain.
The Santiago Peak hike often takes 8 hours to complete, so I recommend looking through this hiking packing list before you go. The trek is worth it, however, because there are scenic views of Catalina Island, Orange County, and Riverside County from the summit.
Pets are allowed on the trail, but be aware of mountain lions. You won’t want to have a small dog near one of these predators.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Photograph over 200 bird species at the biggest wildlife preserve in Orange County.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 846-1114 | Hours: 6 am – 8 pm daily
Bolsa Chica is notorious for both its amazing surf and its incredible ecological reserve. The Bolsa Chica ecological reserve encompasses 1,300 acres of protected wetlands and is the biggest wildlife preserve in Orange County.
The animal habitats include open water, salt marshes, mudflats, coastal dunes, riparian areas, seabird nesting islands, and freshwater marshes.
This is a popular area to photograph the 200 wild bird species of the reserve. If photography is one of your passions, then you will enjoy this magical place.
Heisler Park
Have a picnic or barbecue by the beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Heisler Park is a perfect picnic spot among the bluffs of Laguna Beach, and it’s a great place to get away from the crowds. The park is right on the oceanfront and has magnificent views of the ocean, walking trails, and park gardens.
Many locals go to Heisler Park to take advantage of the picnic tables and barbecues. There are also public restrooms available and trash cans to maintain the park’s clean reputation.
Peters Canyon Hike
Hike in the beautiful rolling hills of Orange County.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: 714-973-6611 | Hours: 6 am to 7 pm daily | Entrance: $3 parking fee
Peters Canyon Regional Park offers hiking trails suitable for all ages. This 5.9-mile Peters Canyon hike takes an average of 2.5 hours to complete and is rated as a moderate hike.
This is one of the most popular hikes in Orange County because it has panoramic views and wildlife spotting opportunities.
There are two trailheads, but I advise parking in the smaller one because it is closer to the start of the actual hike and has public restrooms. Parking is $3, payable by cash or card.
Sites & Attractions
The Ecology Center
Immerse yourself in Orange County’s ecological community with a visit to this hands-on 28-acre farm with fun annual events.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (949) 443-4223 | Hours 9 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Free
The Ecology Center is a trendy farm encompassing 28 acres of regenerative organic farming, an education center and a farm-to-table organic grocery store.
It also hosts workshops and shows focused on community outreach.
Popular programs include Eco Tots, which teaches children to plant and sow, Junior Farm Raised, and Community Table organic dinners. Grow-Make-Eat Summer Camp is another beloved program.
I recommend visiting The Ecology Center during one of its fun annual events. I attended a “Day of the Dead” festival that showcased Grateful Dead cover bands and art vendors. Other events have included Fermentation Fest and Tie Dye pop-ups. The full event calendar is found on their website.
Orange County Zoo
Visit animals native to Southern California and beyond.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 973-6840 | Hours: 10 am – 3:30 pm Mon-Fri; 10 am – 4:30 pm Sat & Sun | Entrance: $2 for children and adults, free under 2 | Parking: $3 (weekdays), $5 (weekends)
The Orange County Zoo is in the Irvine Regional Park in the city of Orange and sits on 477 acres of wilderness land. The zoo houses plants and animals that are native to California, including black bears, mountain lions, owls, and coyotes.
Good news: the Orange County Zoo houses only injured and recovering animals, which means that your trip to the zoo is supporting the cause of wildlife conservation.
Irvine Spectrum Center
Shop ‘til you drop in Irvine’s biggest shopping center complete with a movie theater and Ferris wheel.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (949) 790-4871 | Hours: 10 am – 9 pm Sun-Thurs; 10 am – 10 pm Fri-Sat
Orange County’s Irvine Spectrum is a mecca of shopping, dining, and entertainment. This outdoor mall even has a movie theater and a Ferris wheel to meet all your date night needs.
The shopping center is open year-round, but the most popular time to visit is in the summer. There are over 160 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues for all-day entertainment.
There are also beautiful fountains and courtyards surrounding The Spectrum to lounge in and give your feet a rest from shopping all day.
Fullerton Arboretum
Take a stroll through peaceful botanical gardens with plants from all over the world.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (657) 278-3407 | Hours: 9 am-4 pm daily | Entrance: Free ($5 donation is suggested) | Parking: Adhere to hourly parking signage
This 26-acre botanical garden at Cal State Fullerton sees thousands of visitors a year. The Arboretum has plants from around the world and also hosts special events and weddings.
Wander through four different plant collections at the Fullerton Arboretum: Cultivated, Woodlands, Mediterranean, and Desert collections. You can push a stroller through the gardens, but pets are not allowed.
South Coast Plaza
Shop from over 250 boutiques at this global shopping destination.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 435-2000 | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Thu; 10 am – 9 pm Fri-Sat; 11 am – 7 pm Sun
The South Coast Plaza is a global shopping destination in Costa Mesa that boasts over 250 boutiques and restaurants. The plaza has thrived as a center for shopping, performance arts, and culinary experiences for 55 years.
If your feet need a rest from shopping, then stop for a bite at the Corner Bakery or have a fancy meal at either Antonello Ristorante or Seasons 52. Most of the restaurants here source their produce from local south coast farms.
You can enjoy live theater and other performing arts shows at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, also located in the plaza.
Famous Homes Boat Tour, Newport Beach
Cruise down steady waters to view some of Newport’s most expensive houses.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (949) 673-0240 | Hours: 10 am – 7 pm everyday | Entrance: $20 adults, $5 children
Operated through the Fun Zone Boat Company in Newport, this premier harbor and sunset boat cruise is the highlight of any trip to Newport Beach.
You’ll visit famous Newport mansions and yachts, learn about movie star history, and view seals on this 45-minute harbor tour.
Tours leave approximately every hour from 11 am until sunset.
Orange County Great Park
Entertain yourself with sports, movies, or rides on the 1,300 acres of athletic fields, playgrounds, and attractions at this park.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (949) 724-6247 | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Wed; 10 am – 9 pm Thurs-Sun
Irvine’s Great Park comprises 1,300 acres of athletic fields, playgrounds, and attractions. The Great Park is popular year-round, but it’s one of the best things to do in the summer months when they showcase outdoor movies on the lawn.
This recreation area includes:
- Balloon and carousel rides
- Basketball courts
- A food court
- Walking trails
- A weekly farmers market
- An art gallery
Museums & Culture
Bowers Museum
Travel abroad through 150 international art exhibits from all over the world.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 567-3600 | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tues-Sun; closed Mondays | Entrance: $18 adults, $15 seniors, free for members and children under 12
Bowers Museum was voted the best of Orange County in 2021 and is a convenient 4 miles south of Disneyland. Bowers celebrates world history and different international cultures through art.
Established in 1936, Bowers Museum has housed over 150 different exhibits from all over the world. These include the Jade & Gold Masterworks from Taiwan exhibit and the Frida Kahlo “Her Photos” exhibit.
This international Spanish-style museum also has a botanical courtyard and a top-notch restaurant.
Pretend City Children’s Museum
Watch your kids play like grown-ups at this hands-on museum set in a fictional town.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (949) 428- 3900 | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tues-Sun; closed Mon | Entrance: $22 adults & children, $20 seniors, infants under 12 months free
The Pretend City Children’s Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum and one of the best things to do in the area with kids. It’s designed like a fictional town where kids can play “grown-ups” with real props and sets.
The museum is set up so children can go to work, shop for groceries, take out money from an ATM, and go to the doctor. Give your child a glimpse into the future of the exciting (and not-so-exciting) tasks and chores they have to look forward to!
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Explore a historical Californian landmark built by the Spanish in 1776.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily; closed Mondays | Entrance: $18 adults, $15 seniors, $10 youth/student.
Built by the Spanish in 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic California landmark. It has a chapel, a historic museum, and botanical gardens.
It is the 7th of 21 California missions, with Native, Spanish, Mexican, and European roots.
The mission receives over 300,000 visitors a year. For the best mission experience, I suggest going early on a weekday morning to enjoy the serenity of the botanical gardens and the solitude of the prayer chapel.
Discovery Cube Orange County
Check out the scientific phenomenon at this educational museum.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 542-2823 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $25 adults, $22 seniors (ages 62+), $22 kids (ages 14 and under)
The Discovery Cube is a museum and science center, and it’s one of the best things to do with children.
This hands-on science center teaches kids about the inner workings of the body, how electricity works, and secrets about space. Past exhibits at the Discovery Center Orange County have included a bed of nails and an aerodynamics chamber.
Old Orange County Courthouse
Visit Southern California’s oldest courthouse and explore the historic exhibits and activities.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 973-6605 | Hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm Mon-Fri
Located in downtown Santa Ana and built in 1901, the Old Orange County Courthouse is the oldest in Southern California.
Inside the building, you’ll find the Orange County History Center, which has the old courthouse museum, Orange County archives, and an archaeological library. There are always historical exhibits and interactive activities for visitors year-round.
Food & Drink
House of Blues Anaheim
Watch your favorite artists perform and dance the night away.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Right around the corner from Disneyland, the House of Blues in Anaheim is a popular restaurant, bar, and concert venue. It features live music from famous performers and has special events such as themed dance nights.
Some big-name performers in the past have been B.B. King, The Go-Go’s, Willie Nelson, Etta James, and Britney Spears.
I suggest trying their delicious Cajun-inspired menu, which has Jambalaya, various shrimp dishes, and other soul food classics.
Nick’s Laguna Beach
Enjoy beachfront dining at a high-end restaurant.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 376-8595 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Mon-Wed; 11 am – 11 pm Thurs-Fri; 8:30 am – 11 pm Sat; 8:30 am – 10 pm Sun
Nick’s Laguna Beach has high standards and perfectly crafted dishes. Located near the Thousand Steps Beach, Nick’s is just what you need after a day of sunbathing and body surfing.
The popular menu items include the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, house-made veggie burger, and shrimp taquitos. Their bar is also well-equipped. You can choose from a large selection of cocktails, wines, and local beers.
👉 Pro Tip: Change out of your beach clothes and take off your baseball hat before dining at Nick’s. Business casual attire is preferred, but not required.
OC Brewery Tours
Taste some of the best local beers in Orange County, including award-winning lagers, IPAs, and blonde ales.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Orange County, brewery tours should be on your radar. Orange County boasts several of my favorite breweries in California.
These are some top Orange County breweries:
- Unsung Brewing Company, Anaheim
- Helmsman Ale House, Newport Beach
- Laguna Beer Company, Laguna Beach
- Green Cheek Beer Company, Orange
- Gunwhale Ales, Costa Mesa
Anaheim Packing House
Taste the finest food and drinks at this hip spot located in an old Sunkist factory.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 533-7225 | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Sun-Thurs; 11 am – 11 pm Fri & Sat
Established in 2014, the Anaheim Packing House has some of the greatest restaurants in Orange County. The Packing House is hip and modern.
The Packing House’s historic building is an old Sunkist factory that dates back to 1910. There is a diverse array of dishes available, served in an Instagram-worthy aesthetic.
Mariner’s Church Farmers Market, Irvine
Purchase the freshest fruits and vegetables in Orange County at this farmers market.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 8 am – 12 pm Saturdays
The Mariner’s Church Farmers Market is the biggest market in Irvine. Local produce, dairy, and meat vendors are sourced from all over Orange County, and there are ready-made food booths selling kettle corn, coffee, and tamales. Look nowhere else for the freshest summer strawberries and the most delicious mushrooms.
There is plenty of free parking available, so you don’t have to get there early to find a space.
Sports & Entertainment
The Observatory Concert Venue, Santa Ana
Dance your booty off to your favorite performers at one of Orange County’s best music clubs.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 957-0600
The Observatory is an Orange County concert staple, located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana.
It is easily one of Orange County’s best music clubs with two stages and a 1,000-person capacity. The concerts are pretty affordable, and many offer general admission tickets.
Forgot to eat beforehand? No worries. The Observatory Santa Ana has a food bar inside, complete with beer, wine, and liquor.
Although you must pay for parking at the venue itself, you can often find free parking on the nearby streets.
Los Angeles Angels Game
Catch a fly ball and take it home as an Orange County souvenir.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 940-2000
Formerly known as the Anaheim Angels, the Los Angeles Angels are one of two baseball teams in LA.
The baseball season runs from April – October. Mid-summer games are my favorite because there are often fireworks shows after winning games, and the camaraderie among fans is unbeatable.
I recommend attending an Angels vs Dodgers game to witness some of the best competitive baseball around! The city of Los Angeles is torn between supporting the two teams, so the fans and games are usually intense.
Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Beach
Shop for the best arts and crafts from more than 1000 vendors or take pottery and sculpture classes at this unique festival.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (949) 494-3030 | Dates: open daily June – August
Walk the streets of Laguna Beach and shop for some of the best-handcrafted art in the area at the Sawdust Art Festival. Here, more than a thousand artists display their art, jewelry, and photography during the summer festival. You can also listen to live music and take art classes.
Honda Center
Watch amazing concerts or thrilling sports games.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (714) 704-2400 | Hours: varies by event
Home of the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, the Honda Center also hosts concerts and other entertainment events year-round.
The stadium has hosted some of the biggest performers in the world like Paul McCartney, Madonna, and The Who. When there are no concerts or hockey games scheduled, you can also attend a rodeo, the supercross, or a live WWE performance.
General parking is an additional $20-30 depending on the event, so budget accordingly.
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Thanks for reading my picks for the best things to do in Orange County! Next, venture north and check out this guide to the best things to do in Los Angeles!
