What To Do in Orange County, CA
Ever since we’ve gotten married, Jason and I take an annual trip out to California to visit his family - and to go on vacation. There is so much to do, explore, and experience in Southern California! Being able to go out there often is a dream come true (literally my 8th grade self would be dying). Here’s a list of what to do in Orange County, CA!
When To Go
Honestly, there’s not really a bad time to visit California - you can count on it being sunny year round with little to no humidity. The winter months average 50-60 degrees. You can expect natives to be dressed in winter coats, but if you’re used to 4 seasons, a light jacket is more than sufficient.
Spring time is great because the flowers are in full bloom - especially if there was a lot of rain. It’s warm, but not sweltering.
Summer is perfect if you’re looking for the classic California beach experience. There’s really not a ton of swimming going on ever (Californians find the ocean to be too cold), but if you love the ocean, summer is the best time.
I have never been out there in the fall, but I heard it gets super hot with the Santa Ana winds.
Where To Go
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is my favorite town in Orange County. It’s charming, has cute shops and restaurants, and the beach is stunningly gorgeous. There’s a lot of little gems to explore here, and good ones to go back to!
Heisler Park
Heisler Park is a beach trail located in Laguna Beach. It’s very walkable with a concrete pathway and railings. The views from this trail are stellar, palm trees framing an ocean view. Basically, it’s Orange County’s version of Hawaii.
Dana Point
Dana Point is another cute beach town in Orange County. It has some fun trails and restaurants on the water, and of course, great views of the ocean.
Crystal Cove State Beach
Going to Crystal Cove State Beach feels like you’re stepping back into the 60s. Vintage signage and cute little shops line the way to the beach. It’s so quaint and has a nostalgic feeling to it. It opens up into a beach and has some restaurants, so it would be a great way to spend a day at the beach!
Weir Canyon
I’ve been wanting to explore more of Orange County’s nature other than just beaches. Last time we were there, there was a poppy bloom across Southern California (I’ve been dying to witness one!). We went to Weir Canyon to see the poppies, and we ended up enjoying the hike a lot!
What To Eat
In-n-Out
This is an obvious food choice, BUT I can’t leave it out! Jason and I bookend our trip with In-n-Out every single time. It’s delicious, fresh tasting, and doesn't leave your stomach feeling heavy. If you’re not aware, In-n-Out is the most popular fast food burger chain in Southern California, and for good reason. All of their ingredients are fresh and they’re woman owned… it just makes sense.
Nep Cafe
The first time I tried egg coffee was at Nep Cafe. The waiter recommended this unique (to me) coffee drink, so I took a gamble and tried it. And oh my gosh, wouldn’t you know it was one of the best coffee drinks I have had to this day. This Vietnamese restaurant also had great breakfast and side options. I highly recommend it!
Chaak Kitchen
Another great restaurant we tried recently was Chaak Kitchen. My husband’s siblings and we all went out and had a great time. It’s an upscale, Mexican restaurant that serves food tapas style. We shared a lot of appetizers and tried a few drinks, too! The vibe inside was great too - all around this was an amazing experience!
Anaheim Packing District
Anaheim Packing District is a great option if you want to sample different restaurants, or if your family all wants to eat different things. Orange factory turned food hall, this place has all kinds of cuisines and drinks. Beware - it gets extremely busy on the weekend, so plan accordingly.
The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
On the beach of Crystal Cove, we ate a very tropical lunch at the Beachcomber Cafe. It was a true beach-diner. The food was good and the views were even better.
Shake Shack
Just off the highway above Crystal Cove State Beach sits a little ice cream business called Shake Shack. It is an iconic Southern California staple, and for good reason! The shakes were delicious, and there were so many flavor options. Brace yourself for a long line!
Nova Kitchen & Bar
On our first trip to Orange County, Jason and I chose to celebrate our first wedding anniversary at Nova Kitchen & Bar. We had such a great time - the service was phenomenal, the food was indelible, and the cocktails were delicious. It has a sleek and modern vibe, which is fun for a special dinner.
True Food
During one of our shopping outings, us girls had lunch at True Food. They do have locations all over the country, but this Orange County one was particularly good. Their mission is to locally source and serve natural, healthy food. They also have fun cocktails!
Coffee & Donuts
602 Coffee House
We stopped at 602 Coffee House on the way to my surfing lessons in Huntington Beach. We got a tasty breakfast sandwich and some good coffee to go.
Reborn
Reborn is our favorite coffee spot in all of Orange County. They have multiple locations, and one within bike riding distance of my in-laws, so not only is it amazing, it’s really convenient. I don’t usually like mochas because they’re too bitter, but California does them right, especially here at Reborn.
Blue Tree
Blue Tree was such a fun stop for Jason and me! Not only do they have really unique latte flavors, but they also serve breakfast bowls that are so tasty - I never knew oatmeal could taste so good.
Sidecar Doughnuts
Who doesn’t love doughnuts, particularly specialty ones? We went to the location in Newport Beach and got some great doughnuts, and also tried their Vietnamese coffee, which was super delicious!
What To Do
Irvine Spectrum
Irvine spectrum is a fun place to shop! It’s an outdoor mall with great store options, including my favorite jewelry brand, Gorjana.
South Coast Plaza
South Coast Plaza is huge. Not only is it huge, but they have a lot of designer stores, so it’s very upscale and posh.
Stitch and Feather
Stitch & Feather is my favorite boutique - I discovered it during my first trip to Orange County in 2019 and go back every time I visit! Thankfully, they have many locations and an online store.
Surf at Huntington Beach
I love trying new things, and surfing seemed so fun so I gave it a try! I did my surfing lesson with Banzai Surf Club at Huntington Beach, AKA Surf City USA (it only seemed right). I had a great lesson and was able to get up on the board a few times! I did contract an ear infection and burst eardrum, so be prepared to incur some sort of injury.
Day Trips
Los Angeles, 1 hour drive
Los Angeles is just a short drive away - or a train ride away. Jason and I took a train downtown and went to Little Tokyo, The Last Bookstore, and Grand Central Market to name a few. Next time, I would stay away from downtown and go to different neighborhoods and the Getty Museum.
Joshua Tree, 2 hour drive
Joshua Tree is a desert with cool trees and some hiking.
La Jolla, 1.25 hour drive
La Jolla is a community in San Diego with gorgeous ocean views, tropical wildlife, and great food.
San Diego, 1.5 hour drive
San Diego! On my next trip here, I’m planning on doing some hiking along the coastline and visiting Balboa Park.
Temecula , 1 hour drive
Wine tasting in Temecula is on my bucket list. This quaint little town also has olive oil tasting, which sounds interesting!
Santa Barbara, 2.5 hour drive
My husband and I visited Santa Barbara on our last visit and wondered what took us so long?! Known as the American Riviera, this town is incredibly relaxing and charming - the perfect escape!
Ojai, 2.25 hour drive
Ojai is a creative community in the mountains near Santa Barbara. Visit here if you want a mountain getaway!
Palm Springs, 2 hour drive
Palm Springs is a desert oasis, great for lounging by the pool and hiking in their palm tree canyons.
Catalina Island, 30 minute drive + a ferry ride
Catalina Island is only accessible by ferry. This would be a great day trip, or overnight trip. You can explore the cute little shops, or get more adventurous with some water activities like snorkeling or going for a submarine ride.
Solvang, 3 hour drive
Solvang is a Danish community with traditional architecture and food. Come here if you want to step into another world!
San Juan Capistrano, 30 minute drive
Southern California is littered with old missions, one of the most famous ones being in San Juan Capistrano. Here you’ll find a quaint town with a lot of history.
Idyllwild, 2 hour drive
Idyllwild is idyllic for the outdoorsy type. Nestled in the mountains, you can get cozy and go for hikes, rock climb, and do other outdoorsy activities.
Channel Islands National Park, 2 hour drive + a ferry ride
The Channel Islands is categorized as a national park for it’s rugged landscape and oceanic wildlife. You can even camp here overnight!
I hope this list is helpful for your next trip, or inspires you to take a trip to Orange County! Trust me, no matter what you do you’ll have a great time!
