Orange County is the least populous county in California. It is situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, and it is bounded on three sides by the Santa Ana Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Orange County does not have a clearly defined core; rather, it is more like a collection of tiny villages.
Inevitably, the most famous landmarks in this county are the Disney theme parks, which are also the most popular tourist destinations. However, this county is also known for its stunning beaches, which are traversed by the scenic Highway 1. Along this highway, you can view some of the most breathtaking sunsets on the West Coast.
The cities and beaches of Orange County, California, are a backdrop that is often used in American television shows, particularly those in which the main characters are adolescents. In any event, if you happen to find yourself in this bright location for whatever reason, it is most likely because of one of the following scenarios:
You have just returned from a trip to Disneyland.
You are traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego (or vice versa), maybe via the Pacific Coast Highway, which is known for its breathtaking vistas.
In any case, you may find it helpful to have some background knowledge of the neighborhood in which you will be traveling in order to better organize the activities that you will be participating in throughout your day trip or longer excursion. Consequently, the following is a list of the top activities and tourist destinations in Orange County:
- Old Towne Orange
- Knott’s Berry Farm
- Richard Nixon Library
- San Juan Capistrano
- Santa Ana Museums
- Laguna Beach
- Surfing Beaches
- Disneyland
Old Towne Orange
Old Towne, which is Orange’s historic area, can be found around seven miles southeast of Disneyland. It spans approximately one square mile and is centered on Plaza Square Park, which was the city’s first square. There are numerous old buildings to be found in this area, which contribute to the “vintage” vibe that permeates the whole region. In addition to being a lively business center, this area is home to a variety of stores and restaurants, including cafés, antique shops, and vintage boutiques. The primary activity at this location is just going for a walk around the neighborhood, and you could discover that it’s really entertaining.
READ: 10 Best hikes in the orange country with waterfalls
Knott’s Berry Farm
If your need for uncontrolled pleasure hasn’t been satiated after a visit to Disneyland, you should be aware that another location with a highly intriguing history can be found only a few miles away from Disneyland. In the early 1930s, Walter Knott and his wife Cordelia had tremendous success in their commercial endeavors. Boysenberries are a hybrid fruit that may be formed by crossing blackberries and raspberries.
Mr. Knott’s stand sold a lot of boysenberries, and his wife’s fried chicken was always in high demand. They came up with the bright idea of constructing a phony western-themed ghost town and renting rides and attractions from nearby village fairs in order to attract even more people. The western-themed ghost town would have a western motif.
Knott’s Berry Farm first opened its doors in 1932 in Buena Park, which is located close to Anaheim. Knott’s Berry Farm continues to employ the setting of the Old West as its overarching theme, but it also has exhilarating roller coasters that will be a lot of fun for individuals who like experiencing intense emotions and being on the edge of their seats.
There are also attractions for children and families, such as Camp Snoopy, which is a fantasy world inhabited by characters from the Peanuts comic strip. Fans of water parks may have a good time at Soak City Orange County, which has a large number of pools and speed slides.
Richard Nixon Library
It doesn’t matter whether you’re interested in history or politics; if you simply want to spend a few hours at a fantastic museum, the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is an excellent option. The exhibitions within the building are extremely well-curated, and with the help of videos and audio material, they present the facts about Richard Nixon, one of the most controversial presidents in the history of the United States, who resigned during his second term as a result of the Watergate scandal. In addition, the exhibitions present these facts in a very incredible way.
The exhibits not only detail the chain of events that resulted at the end of Richard Nixon’s presidency, but they also discuss other significant moments in Nixon’s political career, such as his trip to China and the signing of a ceasefire agreement with Vietnam. In total, the exhibits cover a wide range of Nixon’s political career. In addition, there is a portion that is devoted to the first lady, and one of the rooms has an exhibit of the first lady’s original clothing.
In the museum’s gardens, you’ll also find Nixon’s birthplace, his tomb next to that of his wife, and the presidential helicopter. However, the most impressive part of the museum is without a doubt the full-scale restoration of the Oval Office of the White House, in which visitors are free to walk around and even sit in the chair that the President would have used.
San Juan Capistrano
The Spanish mission that shares San Juan Capistrano’s name is without a doubt the city’s most popular tourist destination, despite the fact that San Juan Capistrano is a relatively tiny city with a lovely historic area. The Mission San Juan Capistrano is located there. This Spanish mission, which was established in 1776 and is situated on the historic path of El Camino Real, was the eighth mission to be established in the California colony.
Unhappily, it was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake on December 8, 1812; however, the Serra Chapel, which is considered to be the oldest building in the state, and the load-bearing walls of the Great Stone Church are both still standing, and they are able to give an idea of the beauty of the church as it was originally constructed.
I highly recommend discovering the more recent section of the mission in addition to the two historic buildings that are considered to be the most significant. In particular, I suggest going to the garden, which is known for its stunning colonnades, courtyards, and fountains; the home of Father Junipero Serra, who was the founder of this and other Californian missions; the cemetery; and the soldiers’ barracks. A comprehensive tour of this intriguing historical building might take up to an hour, but every second of your time will be well spent exploring it.
Santa Ana Museums
The Spanish mission that shares San Juan Capistrano’s name is without a doubt the city’s most popular tourist destination, despite the fact that San Juan Capistrano is a relatively tiny city with a lovely historic area. The Mission San Juan Capistrano is located there. This Spanish mission, which was established in 1776 and is situated on the historic path of El Camino Real, was the eighth mission to be established in the California colony.
Unhappily, it was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake on December 8, 1812; however, the Serra Chapel, which is considered to be the oldest building in the state, and the load-bearing walls of the Great Stone Church are both still standing, and they are able to give an idea of the beauty of the church as it was originally constructed.
I highly recommend discovering the more recent section of the mission in addition to the two historic buildings that are considered to be the most significant. In particular, I suggest going to the garden, which is known for its stunning colonnades, courtyards, and fountains; the home of Father Junipero Serra, who was the founder of this and other Californian missions; the cemetery; and the soldiers’ barracks. A comprehensive tour of this intriguing historical building might take up to an hour, but every second of your time will be well spent exploring it.
Laguna Beach
I stated in the beginning that Orange County is a country of gorgeous beaches and secluded coves where nature is still undisturbed and sunsets are wonderful. This is a location where you can find all of these things. If you want to verify for yourself whether or not these statements are accurate, there is no location more ideal than Laguna Beach.
You should make a stop at Crystal Cove State Park, which features a beach that is three miles long and is topped by a rocky cliff. Here, you can experience the utmost peace and tranquillity, and you’ll also find a small town center that features more than 40 cottages that date back to the 1930s and 1940s.
You could also go to the sunny 1,000 Steps Beach, which features an impressive cave that is accessible only during times of low tide, or you could try to find a way to enter Three Arch Bay Beach, which will reward you with a view of splendid triple arched stacks if you put in the effort to get there.
Both of these beaches are in the same general area. You might also travel to Victoria Beach, which is considered to be one of the most entrancing locations, and there you will discover the enigmatic Victoria Tower, which has been the subject of a number of tales and legends about pirates.
Surfing Beaches
The beaches with long piers to the north of Laguna Beach are ideal for surfing. These beaches include Huntington Beach, also known as “Surf City,” Newport Beach, which has many clubs located near the beach, and The Wedge, which is a hidden gem located to the south of the Balboa Peninsula and is revered by surfers in search of the perfect wave. Trestles Beach is another beach that surfers like visiting, and it can be found to the south of Laguna Beach, past Dana Point, and close to the county line with San Diego County.
Disneyland
It goes without saying that your first stop should be Disneyland in Anaheim. Walt Disney himself conceived of and developed this park, making it the very first of its kind, and it is certainly deserving of a spot among the state’s top 10 attractions and activities.
To begin, let me make it clear that it is not one park but rather two parks (if you find that to be an excessive number, then you should avoid going to Orlando, which is home to Disneyworld, which comprises six separate parks).
Disneyland Park, often known as the “one with the Cinderella Castle,” was the very first theme park in the Disneyland complex and it debuted in 1955. The second theme park is called Disney California Adventure, and its design is based on the history and culture of the state of California. It was constructed more recently (in 2001), and it fills the site that was once the parking lot for Disneyland Park.