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Orange County is a sprawling behemoth of a region, positively littered with epic vacation destinations. This town-by-town regional breakdown begins with the county's southernmost communities and cruises northward, stopping at cherished historic sites, heavenly beaches, family-friendly theme parks, and world-famous dining spots along the way.
San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano, of all the cherished historic sites in the state, is a crown jewel. A great deal of the structure remains intact, and even its ruins are a sight to behold. Museum-style exhibits and educational displays make every moment fulfilling, though a truly well-timed visit would coincide with the coming of the swallows. Continue your history-filled trip to San Juan with a meal at Ramos House, an owner-operated café located in an ancient building and specializing in sustainably farmed cuisine. After dinner, take in a show at The Coach House, a concert venue so reputable, music fans trek from the far reaches of Orange County just to rock out before its hallowed stage.
Dana Point
As beautiful as the Mission and its surroundings are, they're still a bit inland, and nobody comes to Orange County to hang out inland. Head due west until you hit Dana Point, home of Doheny State Beach and the Brig Pilgrim. The Pilgrim is a replica of the original square rigged ship by which Richard Henry Dana (the namesake of Dana Point)sailed into what was to become Dana Point Harbor. Dana kept a diary while aboard the Pilgrim and would later write "Two Years Before the Mast" about his experiences. Doheny is a legendary surf spot, fun for the whole family, and just slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of Laguna Beach just up the highway.
Laguna Beach
Though steeped in luxury today, what with its wineries (like Laguna Canyon) and sleek night spots (such as Club M), Laguna Beach was once a somewhat rustic arts community. That legacy lives on thanks to the oft-visited Laguna Art Museum and annual events like the Sawdust Art Festival. Browse its booths for a bevy of handmade arts and crafts. The Surf Gallery is dedicated not only to the town's artistic bent, but to its rich history as a surfing hot spot as well. Here you'll find works of art either produced by surfers, or featuring their likenesses or their beloved pastime. Long before the surfers or even the starving artists moved in, Laguna was the land of the Mission Indians, whose cultural heritage is celebrated at Museum of the First People. History aside, today Laguna is home to world-class entertainment at venues like the Irvine Bowl, and worldly cuisine at restaurants such as Brussels Bistro - and, of course, the timeless amenity that has drawn people here through the ages, the beaches. 1,000 Steps Beach is one of the community's most beloved.
Newport Beach
Newport Beach has its fair share of glorious beach-front property as well. Much of it can be found along the coast of Balboa Island, a party-ready isle within the city limits. Like Laguna, Newport Beach has more going for it than simply the beaches. The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum celebrates the region's seafaring heritage with an eye toward educating the public about a noble profession and ruggedly romantic way of life. The other side of that coin can be examined at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve & Preserve, a facility that is, in part, devoted to restoring certain natural wonders spoiled by certain maritime industries. Other aspects of Southern California's distinctive culture can be found here as well. If your timing is right, catch one of many screenings at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Newport is close enough to Hollywood for big-time players to make the trip out, but far enough away that festival-goers can get a little time away from the big city.
Huntington Beach
Huntington is one of the world's foremost surf Meccas. Hit any of its beaches, and you'll be blessed with wicked swells, tubular barrels and more than a few gnarly wipe outs. At low tide, you can get your fix at the International Surfing Museum, or take to the concrete waves at Huntington Beach Skatepark. If the thought of hanging ten proves too daunting, opt for a quiet picnic at Huntington Beach Central Park, or if you prefer the sport of kings over the sport of slackers, visit the park's on-site Equestrian Center. None of this is to say that Huntington is all sports and leisure. In fact, people flock here for a number of other reasons as well, whether it's for hot deals on search-and-rescue manuals (courtesy of the world-famous Firefighters Bookstore) or cold brewskies made fresh on the pier (at Huntington Beach Beer Co.).
Costa Mesa
Once again turning inland, Costa Mesa is the home of high culture and super shopping. Orange County Performing Arts Center and the adjacent Segerstrom Center for the Arts host year-round programs of theater, dance and more, all popular with theater nuts countywide. Tired of art for art's sake? Costa Mesa is also famous for its great number and wide variety of shopping malls. Two of note are The Camp, one of only a few green-minded commercial centers in the world, and The Lab, a youth-oriented mall specializing in rebellious looks and cutting-edge trends.
Irvine & Santa Ana
Even further inland are the communities of Irvine and Santa Ana, largely residential burgs indicative of the suburban explosion of the 1960s. That said, a few top-notch attractions do draw crowds. International touring rock bands play to swaying masses of concert goers at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, and an international panoply of beasts preen before animal lovers young and old at the Santa Ana Zoo.
Anaheim
Anaheim is suburbia incarnate as well, save for one hulking anomaly: Disney. In the early 1950s, when the community was nothing but orange groves, Walt Disney strolled into town and erected an artificial wonderland. Since its opening, Disneyland has hosted generations of revelers, and seeped into the cultural consciousness like no other amusement park before it. Over the years, its landscape has changed and its attractions have been updated (to include such modern fancy as Star Wars and Johnny Depp), and the throngs of visitors have grown accordingly. The neighboring Disney's California Adventure (a giant-size love letter to the Golden State) and an entertainment district home to dining, shopping and the House of Blues Anaheim just add to the frenzy.
Brea
If you manage to escape downtown Anaheim with any energy (or funds) left, keep on truckin' toward Brea, located on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Pleasant evenings await at the historic Curtis Theatre, home of Broadway shows, musical comedies and more. During the day, you can't go wrong with a hike, jog or picnic in Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
Yorba Linda
This trip began at Mission San Juan Capistrano, symbol of the Spanish conquest of the New World. It evokes notions of greedy monarchies pillaging lands and subjugating peoples in their blind lust for wealth and power. What better way, then, to end the tour than in Yorba Linda with a visit to the Nixon Library, a moving tribute to a man who is sometimes described as a greedy executive who pillaged lands and subjugated people in a violent and evil quest for wealth and power. If you prefer to let your memories of Nixon rest in peace, but you want to do something grand in Yorba, you might do well to take in a round of a decidedly presidential pastime at Black Gold Golf Club, a top-tier facility designed and staffed by true-blue experts.
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