15 Thrilling Issues to do in Orange County with Youngsters…
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Orange County, or The O.C because it grew to become extra generally identified after the favored TV present within the early 2000’s, has rapidly develop into one among our favourite areas in California.
Earlier than the teenager cleaning soap collection, it was merely Orange County, simply because the locals prefer it. It was well-known for its seashores, its surfer vibes, and its theme parks.
In comparison with different areas in Los Angeles, the OC is extra humble, extra family-friendly, and no much less thrilling. It seems, there are many issues to do in Orange County California with children, as we found on our street journey throughout Southern California.
Right here’s what we acquired as much as!
Issues To Do In Orange County, CA With Youngsters
1. Chill out on Huntington Seashore (HB)
Huntington Seashore, affectionately often known as Surf Metropolis USA, is the place the laid again surfie tradition meets a little bit little bit of seaside sophistication.
If you happen to’re a Seashore Boys fan (waves hand madly), HB is the seaside way of life they offered you on so effectively of their groovy seaside tunes.
Huntington Seashore’s transformation through the years has been fairly dramatic. 40+ years in the past, it was recognized by the rows of oil derricks alongside the shore line.
Now it’s boutique shops, basic cafes, fine-dining choices and luxurious resorts create a vibrantly enjoyable environment. Huntington Seashore is the place to be seen.
Simply take a look at whose good-looking smiling face may be seen luring you in from the PCH (Pacific Coast Freeway).
Huntington Seashore is not only a cool metropolis, it additionally has among the best seashores in Orange County.
It’s on the sting of discovery and can quickly develop into a vacation spot that sizzles just like the Californian solar in 3 ways solely – scorching, hotter, and hottest.
Huntington Seashore’s location makes it a perfect place to remain when exploring Orange County, because it’s proper within the heart of the area, placing you inside simple distance of different areas.
It’s 35 minutes to Anaheim, an hour to Hollywood, and 90 minutes to San Diego.
Huntington Seashore and Pier
There’s nothing like sitting at a pub with a Californian native speaking about life within the previous California days over a pint of native brew.
Huntington Seashore Pier is the place the native surfers used to leap off to catch a wave. I’m undecided if immediately’s society would allow them to be so daring, however the waves positive haven’t gone away in protest.
On Fridays, between 11:00am- 7:00pm there’s a native arts and craft truthful on the backside of the pier.
Huntington Seashore is famous for its constant waves that brings surfers from throughout the globe. Many come right here to artfully weave between the pier pylons. Solely for individuals who know what they’re doing!
Each August, the US Browsing Open is held right here. This large skilled browsing occasion has contributed to the seaside city’s speedy progress and the storefront home windows being plastered with pictures of Mick Fanning. Hey, no complaints right here. Preserve that Aussie gold coming.
It’s not simply the water that entices sport lovers, however the leisure actions. Alongside the beachfront, you’ll discover rows of seaside volleyball nets, that are utilized by professionals and Olympic gold medalists, and naturally – you!
Nets are free, and you may hire volleyballs from concessionaires down by the seaside.
It’s also possible to hire get up paddle boards and surfboards, bikes and surreys. Wish to learn to surf? HB is without doubt one of the greatest seashores in Orange County for browsing and studying to surf right here could be an iconic factor to do!
Huntington Seashore takes seaside reminiscence making a step additional.
You should buy firewood and smores to grill in over 500 concrete fireplace rings out there free of charge on the seaside. It’s the Huntington Seashore method and one thing I’ve by no means heard of another seaside on the planet doing.
Have you ever?
And the Huntington seaside sunsets are fairly superior – among the best free issues to do in >Orange County California!
There’s 10-mile paved boardwalk runs the total size of the shoreline parallel to the Pacific Coast Freeway, or PCH because the cool children name it.
Huntington has loads of Eco tourism and native experiences with the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Shipley Nature Middle and Huntington Seashore Wetlands.
2. Discover Downtown Huntington Seashore
Important Avenue Huntington Seashore is the place you’ll discover your cafes, eating places, bars, and surf put on.
Plus, there’s a browsing stroll of fame, and the Worldwide Browsing museum, the place we popped in for a brief go to.
It’s sufficiently small to not take up an excessive amount of of your time, however there’s sufficient to maintain you with its assortment of previous and new skate and surf boards.
I significantly appreciated seeing the Guinness Guide of World Data this browsing city holds, together with most quantity of individuals driving a surfboard for 12 seconds – let’s make that depend at 66!
You possibly can even see this gigantic sized surfboard – the world’s largest – hanging from the constructing within the car parking zone.
If you happen to love all issues browsing, it is a must-visit. Each my ladies love to buy (hazard forward) so that they beloved strolling up and down Important Avenue trying out the gross sales within the surf retailers and making their very own Havaianas within the Havaiana retailer.
On Tuesday evenings, Surf Metropolis Nights turns Important Avenue right into a pedestrian farmer’s markets with dwell music, meals samples and actions for youths.
three. Store in Pacific Metropolis
Pacific Metropolis is a contemporary retail, leisure, and eating house overlooking Huntington Seashore.
Pacific Metropolis was the unique identify of the early oceanfront village that we now know as Huntington Seashore.
This mall was named in honor of that village to as soon as once more deliver to life a vibrantly wealthy place that celebrated the distinctive and pure magnificence surrounding it.
It’s a phenomenal house and undoubtedly has a vibrant and celebratory type whereas protecting in tune with the pure fantastic thing about Huntington.
You get outside lounges, fireplace pits, and Huntington Seashore views from each plaza, patio and deck.
It’s an actual gathering place of holiday makers and locals and I can see why.
Lot 579 is a contemporary meals corridor that includes burgers, and beer, espresso and our favourite the Pie Not, An Aussie bakery full of meat pies, sausage rolls and lamingtons.
four. Keep at Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Seashore Resort
The Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Seashore Resort on the nook of fifth and PCH was so nice, we’re including it to our checklist of issues to do. There’s an excessive amount of to say about it – it was incredible!
Not only for its seaside entrance location, the views from our room, and its fashionable funky design.
And nor was it for the free wine social hour, free s’mores by the fireplace pits, ping pong tables, corn gap, or a completely superb restaurant…
However we beloved it for the social environment. It was like staying in a hostel, however with the beautiful luxurious comforts of a four-star resort.
The vibe was relaxed and family-friendly. We spent our evenings sitting across the fireplace pits chatting with strangers swapping journey tales and ideas.
You’d greet one another the subsequent day within the foyer or courtyard and make amends for the day’s actions.
If you happen to journey together with your pets; it’s additionally pet pleasant.
The Kimpton Shorebreak Resort is an absolute winner and undoubtedly is in our prime 5 favourite resorts within the USA – which is saying loads, as we’ve visited over 20 states now…
5. Eat at Pacific Hideaway, Kimpton Shorebreak
If you happen to’re curiosity in foodie issues to do in Huntington Seashore eat on the Kimpton’s restaurant, Pacific Hideaway.
Breakfast or dinner take your choose, the meals was distinctive.
Select whether or not you wish to sit on the deck with views of PCH and the palm bushes leaning over to worship Huntington Seashore, (don’t fear they’ve Mexican blankets in case of night chills).
Or inside on one of many swing bench chairs. They don’t really swing, however they’re darn cute.
You might have Southeast Asian or Latin American influences within the Pacific Hideaway.
And the breakfast bowl was delicious. You’d by no means realize it’s so wholesome for you.
And the lady’s pancakes and French Toast have been dished up with colour and sweetness to match the beautiful bouquet of flowers on Frida’s Kahlo’s head.
How stunning is that this mural on the wall of the restaurant?
6. Study on the Ocean Institute Dana Level
Richard Henry Dana, the seaman who Dana Level is called after, described this place as solemn and romantic.
It’s a really fairly location with the harbor sitting underneath the cliff tops that you just see a lot of in Southern Orange County.
Dana Level is a departure level for crusing adventures and whale and dolphin watching excursions, however, it’s additionally the house of the Ocean Institute.
The Dana Level Ocean Institute makes use of the ocean as their classroom to encourage youngsters to study.
As we wandered by the assorted components of the amenities that included contact tanks, and life-sized shows of grey whales, and the rising life cycle of the jellyfish, teams of kids moved experimenting, taking part in video games and interacting with the ocean on varied summer time camps.
What a cool technique to study, and fall in love, with the ocean.
The women actually beloved the behind-the-scenes tour. It was method higher than me instructing them these items from a textbook.
The Institute additionally teaches about maritime life and historical past. Exterior within the harbor sits the tall ship, The Pilgrim, a full-sized reproduction of the brig on which Dana as soon as sailed.
The women have been in a position to stroll aboard the ship picturing what life was like as a sailor spending six months on board crusing across the Americas from Boston to California to commerce for cow hides.
We put them to work elevating the mast too! I don’t suppose they’ll complain about cleansing their room once more.
The Ocean Institute is now open to the general public seven days every week the place you’ll be able to tour the ability, take part in lab actions, go on a Whale Watching Cruise or head to sea aboard a historic tall ship.
Visiting the Institute is without doubt one of the greatest instructional issues to do in Orange County with children!
7. Admire Mission San Juan Capistrano
Orange County is not only about theme parks and delightful seashores, however cultural enrichment. There’s additionally historic allure only some miles away from the Dana Level shoreline.
A worthy cease is Mission San Juan Capistrano, the birthplace of Orange County.
It was based by the Spanish in 1776, on the identical time the Founding Fathers have been signing these essential paperwork over within the East.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is gorgeous, particularly after we visited in June with the flowers setting the stoned partitions of the mission alight.
The 10-acre web site is full of bougainvillea lined walkways, lush gardens, fountains and reveals.
It’s so colourful and fairly inside with loads of house to wander and calm down.
A function of the mission are the ruins of the Nice Stone Church. It took six years to construct and one minute to destroy within the 1812 earthquake that killed 40 folks inside attending Mass.
It’s now a becoming memorial to the energy and resilience of the local people.
The Serra Chapel contained in the mission is the oldest church in California. Mass remains to be held right here.
Its notable function is the gold plated Baroque altarpiece that’s adorned with 52 angel faces – one for each Sunday of the 12 months.
Don’t miss the Sacred Backyard and the Bell Wall beside the Nice Stone Church. As you’ll be able to see it’s actually stunning.
The Mission can also be an area for the group.
Occasions are held right here year-round, together with the historic bell ringing for particular events, an annual battle of the mariachis pageant and a celebration for the Return of the Swallows.
The mission is well-known for the swallows that return right here every March to nest.
I’d like to return and expertise a summer time live performance collection underneath the celebs within the stunning grounds of this mission, or the Native American storytelling that occurs on the primary Sundays and 2nd Saturdays of the month.
There’s a unhappy Native American historical past connected to the mission. As the Missions have been constructed by the Spanish with a purpose to convert the indigenous within the space to their way of life.
So, amongst this magnificence there’s a heavy historical past.
I like how the Mission now celebrates the Native American traditions through completely different interactive reveals inside and honoring their spirit by experiences like this.
This Mission is one other one of the vital fascinating and academic issues to do in Orange County with children!
Multi language audio excursions are free with the admission ticket or you’ll be able to take workers guided excursions.
To maintain the children engaged with the historical past of Mission San Juan Capistrano, they obtain a Mission Passport, which is an exercise e book full of historic details and video games.
eight. Stroll across the Los Rios Historic District
Throughout the prepare tracks from Mission San Juan Capistrano is the Los Rios historic district, an ideal place to walk, eat, get pleasure from tea, and boutique store.
There are 31 properties alongside Los Rios Avenue, the earliest courting to 1794, they usually look as they did two centuries in the past.
Lots of the properties are nonetheless owned by the unique households.
Browse the objects that match the rooms they’re displayed in. Tea Towels and oven dishes sit within the kitchen, garments grasp up within the wardrobe and outdoors are all of your backyard items.
It was cute!
Pop into Ellie’s Desk which is situated within the 1883 Decide Egan Home. It’s a scrumptious bakery and café good for a lunch break. And so they even have gluten free goodies.
I used to be too full from my pumpkin soup and quiche to suit one among them in. The meals right here is home made and distinctive. It’s fairly priced and has a beautiful native story.
The streets across the Mission show a wide range of architectural kinds.
Adobe, Victorian, Spanish and Revival, all of which home galleries, bookstores, boutique shops (Wildfire Mercantile is enjoyable), eating places and taverns.
9. Take a Tanaka Farms Strawberry Tour in Irvine
Do you know that California produces 80% of North America’s strawberries?
We beloved studying this and extra on a strawberry farm tour at Tanaka Farms, Irvine, which is about 30 minutes from Huntington Seashore.
Tanaka have been working excursions of their farm right here for 20 years.
The one-hour wagon journey tour goes across the 30-acre farm the place you’ll study in regards to the farm’s historical past and farming strategies and also you’ll see what’s rising.
Every part is natural so be at liberty to style away.
Have you ever ever tasted corn straight from the bottom?
I didn’t even know you might eat it uncooked and it was probably the most scrumptious factor I tasted on the farm. It was candy and creamy and so contemporary.
We additionally tasted carrots, onions (go), bok choy, and coriander.
We then jumped off on the finish to run by the strawberry fields and choose a container filled with them. After all, we ate a couple of as we went.
Strawberry choosing was one of many lady’s favourite issues to do in Orange County.
Moreover farm excursions, Tanaka Farms additionally promote their produce in a small market out entrance.
10. Discover the OC Evening Market in Costa Mesa
The Orange County Evening Market, additionally known as the 626 Evening Market, is the biggest occasion of its type within the US! They’re held each Friday night time within the fairgrounds and attended by 1000’s of individuals.
The fairgrounds are lined with meals vans, merchandise, arts and leisure, together with males attempting to hold off the monkey bars for two minutes with a purpose to win $100.
Have to be arduous as a result of the strongest trying man within the crowd solely lasted 46 seconds.
You’ll see lengthy queues for dishes like scorching Cheetos-encrusted corn canine or nachos, or fried peanut-butter meatballs from Chick n Charlie’s.
The multicultural environment on the OC Evening Markets is enjoyable and vibrant.
If you happen to love quirky drinks and tapioca balls, then you should definitely seize an enormous child bottle of boba milk tea. If that isn’t your type, they’ve drinks in big gentle bulbs as effectively.
There’s a $5 entry payment for the OC Markets, and parking is $12.
The entry payment left us a little bit bewildered as to why folks would pay an entrance payment to eat from meals vans, however a whole lot flip up every week, and as one native stated,
“Oh, the OC night time markets are so enjoyable. I used to go each week after I was at school.”
Meals could be very costly, so that you may simply wish to go for the vibes moderately than to every.
11. Stroll round Newport Seashore California
Newport is claimed to be California’s Riviera.
On one aspect of the Balboa Peninsula, you’ve got waterfront mansions, yacht stuffed harbor and 6 resident islands of varied sizes, one among which, Collin’s Island, James Cagney is claimed to have one in a poker recreation. One other Balboa island, Bay Island, is totally automobile free.
On the opposite aspect of the Balboa peninsula you’ve got eight miles of browsing seashores. We solely had one morning in Newport Seashore CA however we beloved strolling round and admiring the constrasts.
11. Take a Duffy Boat Tour
What an exquisite technique to begin a day! Stress-free on a Duffy boat tour of Newport Bay is an effective way to discover this a part of the OC.
When you arrive in Orange County, you’ll rapidly study the time period Duffy boat.
It’s an electrical boat, just like a golf cart, which is good for the waters of Newport Bay.
To maintain a peaceful waterway for the residents of cities, you can not go sooner than 5 knots, which meant Kalyra may play skipper for a bit.
Our information, Carolyn, was filled with vitality and fervour for Newport and Orange County and shared with us many tales about life in Newport.
Carolyn identified websites like Shirley Temple’s childhood house, and the seaside the place a few of Gilligan’s Island was filmed.
She additionally identified the lot the place John Wayne used to have his house.
There’s a brand new house on it now – which was one among my favorites on there – however they’ve saved the large signal out the entrance that stated, Dukes Level.
I took a photograph of it to ship to my dad. He’s the world’s greatest John Wayne fan.
Balboa is probably the most well-known of the islands and there’s cute automobile and passenger ferry which transports folks backwards and forwards from the peninsula.
Apparently, the ice cream on the lovable major procuring avenue there makes it a worthy go to.
We completed our Duffy boat tour of Newport Bay with a favourite native’s exercise: Dock and Dine.
We docked in entrance of the Lighthouse Café for a spot of lunch. Fish Tacos, beignets and extraordinary views topped off a unprecedented morning.
You possibly can hire a Duffy boat in your personal self-guided tour or be a part of a guided one like Carolyn gives.
12. Play at Balboa Enjoyable Zone
The Enjoyable Zone on the harbor grabbed us for a trampoline bounce and a Ferris wheel journey earlier than leaving Newport.
This Ferris wheel could also be smaller than most, however it’s the longest Ferris wheel journey I’ve ever had.
The women completely beloved it and we had beautiful views out over Newport from the highest.
The place else do you go after rotating by the air, however for ice cream?
Ready for you’re the refreshing flavors of a California summer time at Cowafornia ice cream. All ice lotions are made with actual California milk.
Cowafornia Child.
Pineapple Coconut was my good match for a day ice cream in Newport Seashore. Cowafornia even have sugar free chocolate, which Craig stated was scrumptious. No ice cream guilt wanted!
We ran out of time to discover extra of Newport, however if in case you have time you should definitely try Corona Del Mar Seashore, Again Bay for mountaineering and biking trails, and The Wedge, which is understood for giant wave browsing.
The week earlier than we arrived they’d 12-foot waves.
However, they’ve been identified to achieve 20 toes! Wowzer!
13. Sit back in Laguna Seashore
Laguna Seashore is a well-liked trip vacation spot within the OC and is a bit more upmarket than Huntington Seashore.
There’s loads of issues to do right here and it’s standard for ’ breaks, households and artwork lovers.
Round Laguna you’ll discover seven miles of coves and canyons, providing you loads of outside actions and Laguna Seashore seashores to get pleasure from.
Laguna Seashore has completely different seashores to the remainder of Southern California, they’re smaller and extra sheltered moderately than the extensive sweeping seashores you discover alongside a lot of the shoreline.
A few of the greatest seashores in Laguna seaside are additionally discovered on the backside of steep cliffs, just like the aptly named 1,000 Steps Seashore beneficial to us by locals, Megan and Scot from Bobo and Chichi.
I don’t suppose it has 1,000 steps however it actually feels prefer it. It’s price heading on down.
Additionally they beneficial Desk Rock Seashore for sundown and Treasure Island Seashore.
Victoria Seashore, and its pure pirate tower additionally comes beneficial after which there’s the primary Laguna Seashore, which can in all probability be extra crowded than the opposite seashores.
Simply throughout the street from major seaside are winding streets full of eating places, boutiques and galleries.
14. Dance at Fete de LA Musique
If you’re in Laguna Seashore in June, the Fete de LA Musique is without doubt one of the prime occasions in Laguna in the summertime and brings a energetic environment to this Orange county seaside city.
This music pageant was really conceived by American musician Joel Cohen in 1976 whereas he was working at a radio station in France.
He proposed an all-night music celebration in the course of the summer time solstice. It started as a acknowledged cultural occasion in 1982.
Laguna Seashore is a creative group, so it is sensible that it’s held right here every year to rejoice the approaching of summer time.
Stroll across the streets of Laguna Seashore downtown and the primary beachfront to take heed to all kinds of music from native musicians.
My favourite was the band on the seaside singing Purple Rain.
As Laguna is an arts group, you might also wish to try the Laguna Artwork Museum, which collects, and reveals artistic endeavors created by California artists or that characterize California historical past and tradition.
15. Eat at Las Brisas
When it got here to Laguna Seashore eating places, Las Brisas was talked about to us by virtually everybody we spoke to about when visiting Laguna Seashore.
It’s a restaurant on the cliff prime at Laguna Seashore and has unbelievable shoreline views.
It additionally has unbelievable Mexican meals as effectively. Craig’s rapture over his beef brisket tacos had me lamenting not ordering them.
Though my salmon alternative, was simply as scrumptious!
The cloudy skies cancelled our date with a Laguna seaside sundown.
We went again to the Kimpton for smores and pink wine across the fireplace pits as an alternative.
16. Go to Disneyland Park Anaheim
You’re in all probability questioning after I was going to say Disneyland Park in Anaheim on this information? Actually, it’s not the BEST factor to do in OC, however it’s one factor that brings lots of people to this area – and we had a blast there so why not point out it?
Disneyland Park is rather like another Disneyland Resort, it has themed zones resembling Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, and a mix of thrill rides and delicate rides. It has a number of the named classics, like Thunder Mountain and Area Mountain, in addition to an opportunity to fulfill your favourite Disney characters, watch parades, and light-weight exhibits.
We spent 10 days there (yeah, and we nonetheless didn’t see all of it), and beloved exploring every zone at our personal tempo.
You possibly can examine our go to to Disneyland Park Anaheim right here.
17. Get your thrills at Knott’s Berry Farm
One other theme park in Orange County to not miss is Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park in California.
This theme park has a captivating historical past. It began off as a small roadside amusement park, as a technique to promote Knott’s Berry Farm produce, and expanded to this large theme park with thrill rides and curler coasters.
It’s a theme park of firsts – it had the Calico Mine Trip, the primary interactive darkish journey, and the Corkscrew, the primary fashionable looping curler coaster.
In the present day it has over 40 rides and points of interest, together with curler coasters, water rides, and family-friendly points of interest. It’s smaller than Disneyland so you might simply spend a day right here and see all of it.
18. Go mountaineering in Crystal Cove State Park
If you happen to love the outside, don’t miss an opportunity to hike in Crystal Cove State Park, which has 18 miles of mountaineering trails by coastal shrub and wilderness.
There are trails for all ability ranges, some more difficult ones take you to stunning vistas the California mountains and the Pacific Ocean within the distance, whereas the gentler trails take you thru woodlands and alongside the Moro Creek.
You possibly can learn extra in regards to the trails in Crystal Cove State Park right here.
19. Meet the animals at Santa Ana Zoo
The Santa Ana Zoo is a should for any wildlife lover or households with little animal fans!
The animal reveals listed below are designed to teach and encourage.
This zoo is small, largely exhibiting primates and birdlife (they’ve a Bald Eagle, the nationwide fowl of the US), however additionally they have some distinctive mammals from world wide that you just don’t discover in unusual zoos.
I discover it superb how they’ve an Exmoor pony, all the best way from the UK, in addition to ocelots, armadillos and guanacos.
If you happen to get pleasure from zoos, the Orange County Zoo in Irvine Regional Park can also be a preferred one and has petting zoo the place you’ll be able to feed a number of the animals.
20. Let your creativeness go wild at Fake Metropolis Kids’s Museum
One of many causes we beloved our go to to Orange County was for all of the incredible alternatives for studying there for our daughters.
The Fake Metropolis Kids’s Museum is a singular museum that simulates a child-sized interconnected metropolis, and permits youngsters to roleplay and study jobs in a hands-on method.
They will faux to be building employees, academics, and docs, and study problem-solving abilities, essential pondering and creativity.
There are 17 interactive reveals in complete, and plenty of skilled workers readily available to assist children with their studying.
Our daughters are a bit previous for this now, however if in case you have toddlers who’re into imaginative play, they may love this museum!
Last Ideas
There’s no denying these stunning location photographs from the O.C. TV present put this a part of Southern California on the map, however we hope this information has proven you there’s far more to supply right here.
Everyone knows actuality is much better than fiction.
Rumor has it if a neighborhood hears you calling it the O.C. drinks are on you!
The O.C., I imply Orange County, positive gave us numerous nice recollections on our adventures. What about you? What are you most excited to do? Tell us within the feedback.
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