Story and photos by Julie Diebolt Price (unless otherwise indicated)
Play, Stay, and Eat in Orange County
Close your eyes and imagine the pungent smell of orange blossoms. The heady fragrance is so palpable that you can almost taste it. Picture yourself standing in the middle of an orange grove surrounded by citrus trees in full bloom. You might find yourself transported back to the 1920s when the county’s premier crop was oranges. Or, you might find yourself in a small condo in 1984 in Irvine amidst the orange groves, as I did. Most of the orange groves are gone now, but the orange blossom scent is a truly treasured memory of my life in Orange County, California.
A Little History
The first people living in Orange County were hunters and fishermen who also gathered plants and seeds. They were the predecessors of the Juaneño and Gabrielino Indian tribes.
Spain claimed the territory for more than 200 years. Colonization began in 1769 by Catholic missionaries and Spanish soldiers building missions and forts. Later, land grants were given to retired soldiers by Spain and Mexico, and ranchos were created. Cattle, horse, and sheep ranching was the foundation of the local economy until the 1830s. After the Mexican War, California became a state in 1850. Floods, droughts, and disease brought the ranchos to ruin, and the properties were sold to Americans, some with the names of Bixby and Irvine.
Anaheim was the first American town founded in Orange County in 1857, based on winemaking when grape vineyard farming became the backbone of the economy.
Irrigation, Oil, and Real Estate in Orange County
In the 1870s, new irrigation allowed for more tree crops such as walnuts, apricots, and oranges. With commercial shipping in Newport Beach, and the railroad coming to Anaheim from Los Angeles, a real estate boom ensued. Oil discovered in the 1890s resulted in significant growth in the 1920s, and some oil wells are still pumping today.
The county took the name of Orange to encourage immigration to this semi-tropical paradise, not because of citrus growing. In 1889 Orange County was formed with Santa Ana as its county seat. World War II brought military bases here, and after the war, many veterans settled in Southern California.
By 1930s, Orange County, California, was producing a 6th of the nation’s Valencia orange crop. In the mid-1950s, tract homes replaced farms, and in 1963 the population topped one million. Today, there are approximately 3.2 million residents of Orange County. Most of this population lives in either of two shallow coastal valleys – the Santa Ana Valley or the Saddleback Valley.
Tourism, manufacturing, services, and aerospace fueled the economy through the 1990s. Tourism, light industry, services, and technology power the local economy today.
Orange County on the Map
Orange County, Southern California’s treasure, is located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. Several major freeways and toll roads connect the 37 cities in this region.
Orange County is a tourist center and is typically divided by North, Central, and South County. Bounded by Los Angeles County on the north, San Bernardino County on the northeast, Riverside County and the Cleveland National Forest on the east, and San Diego County on the southeast, the Pacific Ocean borders Orange County on the southwest. Forty miles of coastline provide majestic and unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean.
The four largest cities in Orange County are Anaheim and Santa Ana (which were the first part of the county to be developed) along with Irvine, a master-planned community, and Huntington Beach, best known for its beach culture. Populations exceed 200,000 in each of these destinations. Coastal cities include Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente.
Many regional and wilderness parks in Orange County offer countless opportunities for hiking and communing with nature. Inland parks, regional trails, and small lakes extend chances to perfect your outdoor skills. Camping prospects expand your appreciation of local beaches and the easily-accessible mountains.
Weather in Orange County
With an average of 300 sunny days every year in Orange County and temperatures ranging from 45°F at night to 85°F during the day, it’s hard to beat the Mediterranean climate for year-round fun and relaxation. On rare occasions, snow dusts the local mountains down to about 3,000 feet and lasts only a few hours.
We do experience the seasons, although they are subtle, in Southern California. The proximity of beaches, deserts, and mountains within only a few hours’ drive (that is a fact because I did it!) mean that you can experience many climates in a single day. It’s one for the record books but makes for a very long day.
How to get to and around Orange County – Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
John Wayne Airport is centrally located and offers international flights serving more than 10 million passengers each year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Amtrak (National Passenger Railroad) and Metrolink (commuter trains in Southern California) serve many stops in Orange County. These choices offer alternative options to automobile travel.
The freeway system is extensive in Southern California and is the preferred method of travel. Rush-hour traffic is not a myth. With approximately two million or more vehicles on the road, you will want to consider travel time in your itinerary. Rather than the number of miles to a destination, we in Southern California talk about how long a trip might take. It is an integral part of your planning.
PLAY in Orange County
The most notable attraction in Orange County is the international tourist destination, Disneyland Resort, which opened in 1955. Just up the road in Buena Park is Knott’s Berry Farm. While you could spend an entire vacation at these amusement parks, there is so much more to see and do in the county.
Rich with outdoor activities, sports, art, technology, history, and trendy dining, here are a few top fun things to do.
15 Top Things to Do in Orange County
- Stroll down Main Street at Disneyland
- See the Angels play baseball at Angel Stadium in Anaheim
- Visit the family-friendly Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center in Anaheim
- Visit the Nixon Birthplace and Library in Yorba Linda
- Camp on Doheny Beach in Dana Point
- Visit the Ocean Institute and learn about sharks in Dana Point
- Celebrate the return of the swallows in San Juan Capistrano
- Visit the only Spanish mission in Orange County in San Juan Capistrano
- Hike to the Grand Canyon of Orange County – The Sinks in Irvine
- Take a hot air balloon ride at The Great Park in Irvine
- Visit a hidden beach in Laguna Beach
- Go shopping at upscale Fashion Island in Newport Beach
- Watch a professional hockey game at the Honda Center in Anaheim
- Eat at some of the best restaurants in Tustin
- Hop on the Ferris Wheel on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach
Photo Gallery – Play in Orange County
Professional Sports
Several professional sports associations are located in Orange County. The Honda Center is home to the Anaheim Ducks. A professional ice hockey team, they are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League and have played all their home games at the Honda Center.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have called Angel Stadium home since 1966. An American professional baseball team based in Anaheim, they compete in Major League Baseball in the American League West division.
Lively and vibrant Huntington Beach hosts the U.S. Open of Surfing every year for a week in the summer. It is the world’s largest surfing competition. You can visit the Surfing Walk of Fame and the Surfers’ Hall of Fame across from the Huntington Beach pier.
Newport Beach hosts beach volleyball with the Association of Volleyball Professionals. It is the longest-running and biggest professional beach volleyball tour in the U.S.
More Fun Outdoor Activities in Orange County
Golf
With more than 50 public and private golf courses in Orange County, some with an ocean view, you would be hard-pressed to leave town without playing a round or two of golf. You can rent clubs, too, if you don’t want to transport your own. The Newport Beach Country Club hosts the official annual PGA TOUR Champions in Newport Beach.
Water Sports
In addition to world-class surfing, stand up paddling (SUP) and kayaking are popular individual water sports in the harbors and waterfronts. Ocean fishing, whale watching, boating (both sail and power), and trips across the sea to Santa Catalina Island out of Dana Point will round out your visit on the water.
Hiking
For hiking enthusiasts, there are 176 miles of trails in Orange County. From easy walks along the beaches to the most strenuous climb up Santiago Peak of the 5,689 foot Saddleback Mountain, where scrub oaks and semi-arid terrain are the setting.
Wilderness parks, complete with deer, coyote, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and other small animals, offer a multitude of outdoor exploring opportunities. Limestone Canyon contains the Grand Canyon of Orange County. Wildflowers and waterfalls emerge in the spring to paint the landscape with brilliant yellow, scarlet, and sapphire.
Shopping and Festivals in Orange County
Upscale shopping centers include Fashion Island in Newport Beach and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
During the year, many festivals take place across the county. We might also call them events for all sorts of purposes. Take the Ocean Institute Jazz Festival that benefits Kids in Need – their biggest fundraiser of the year that occurs in March this year; or, the Ocean Institute’s Tall Ships Festival in the fall.
Summer is THE season for the U.S. Surfing Championships in Huntington Beach, the O.C. Fair in Costa Mesa, and the three art festivals in Laguna Beach, to name a few. And, it wouldn’t be Christmas without the Newport Beach Boat Parade.
STAY in Orange County
There are many options for lodging. From very economical beach camping to the ultimate in posh coastal resorts, the only limits are your budget and style.
For example, a kitschy vintage camp community located at San Clemente State Beach Campground, rents vintage camping trailers on the beach. You can enjoy the nostalgia of the 1950s and 60s right on a coastal bluff with ocean views.
On the other end of the spectrum, you can rest and relax in the luxury of The Montage in Laguna Beach or the The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. With spa treatments, outstanding service, and superior dining, this just might be a little slice of heaven.
You may opt for a boutique hotel in Anaheim close to all the amusement parks and North County hot spots, or a chain hotel in Tustin for easy freeway access in Central Orange County to reach all destinations in the county quickly.
EAT in Orange County
Orange County is a microcosm of global diversity. Mexico, Philippines, and China’s foreign-born residents make a considerable influence on the local food styles. A substantial Vietnamese population and other Asian influences bring unique flavors to fusion cuisine. From New England to Louisiana to Texas, and many countries the world over, the Southland embraces a multitude of cooking styles.
Conclusion
With an abundance of activities in which to participate, lodgings suitable for your lifestyle, delectable and exciting food to eat, and an ideal climate in Orange County, you are only limited by time, energy, and budget. The opportunities are boundless and with these ideas, you can create many memorable experiences.
To make the most of your time in the O.C., watch for future, “Let’s Make a Day of It” posts. These mini itineraries will cover places to Play, Stay, and Eat in one geographical location to efficiently settle into the pace of life in Southern California.
