12 Awesome Things to do in Orange County, California

Tap to Read ➤ Deepa Kartha

Once home to thousands of orange trees, Orange County today is a sprawling suburbia with plenty of upscale communities and very few orange trees. This interesting Californian city has some of the best beaches, restaurants, museums and shopping malls, making it one of the most popular places to visit in the USA.

Disneyland

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. A magical land complete with fairy tales and its characters, Orange County's Disneyland is the perfect place for a family holiday. Disneyland offers luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, thrilling roller coasters, fun parades of cartoon characters and interactive play areas.

Crystal Cove State Park

. Spread around 2500 acres area, along with 3 miles of beach, Crystal Cove State Park is one of the few remaining natural seashores of the county. Offering several trails, it is a great place for bike riding, trekking and equestrian sports. The beaches of the park are perfect for relaxing.

Bowers Museum

Known to the largest museum in Orange County, Bowers Museum tells you the history of the county through more than 30,000 artifacts. You also get to see a collection of 2000 paintings from the 18th and 19th century. The museum also has 'Kidseum', which would educate and entertain your kids.

Knott's Berry Farm

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Once a small family farm, the Knott's Berry Farm is home to an amazing theme park, a wild west ghost town and a hotel. Apart from spending your time on the thrilling roller coasters, you would find endless entertaining and unique activities at Knott's Berry Farm for every family member.

Dohney State Beach

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Dohney State Beach is a state park that is dedicated to educate kids and adults about native avian and marine creatures. An interpretive center and several interpretive programs are available here. Moreover, the state park is popular for hiking, swimming, camping and picnics as well.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Comprising salt marsh, mudflats, riparian habitat, open water, coastal dunes, seabird nesting islands and freshwater marsh, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is home to 200 bird species. Join a hiking tour to get to know more about this reserve.

Orange County Great Park

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Located in the City of Irvine, the Orange County Great Park is a recreational park that is equipped with a sports and fitness complex, a farmers' market, a viewing pier, a carousel and an aviation exhibition. You can also check out the aerial view of the 1300-acre park while floating on a hot air balloon.

Orange County Zoo

Orange County Zoo is dedicated to animals and birds native to South West of USA. Get ready to not only meet the inhabitants (black bears, ocelots, mountain lions, bald eagles, porcupines, etc.) but also to know about them in detail through the tour conducted by an experienced guide.

Crescent Bay Beach

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. A beautiful beach, Crescent Bay Beach is blessed with clear blue waters and soft, white sand. Apart from swimming in its warm waters, you can also indulge in scuba diving and snorkeling to explore the underwater world here.

The Lab

While there is no dearth of luxurious shopping malls in Orange County, The Lab is an outdoor marketplace, home to several independent shops and few casual restaurants. Known as an Anti-Mall, The Lab (Little American Business) has a unique air, provided by its light-strung garden courtyards, street art-embellished walls and vintage air streams.

Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace

Get to learn about the life of Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the USA at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace. Not only would you be able to see the farmhouse where he was born but also get to know about his personal and political life through 70 interesting exhibits.

Heisler Park

Part of Laguna Beach Park, Heisler Park is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the ocean. The beaches of the park are perfect for wading and tide-pooling and offer gorgeous sunsets to the visitors. The best part about the place is that the beach and marine area are preserved as an ecological reserve.