25 Best Things to Do in Orange County, CA — Top Activities & Places to Go!
Orange County is one of the few places in California where you can find something fun to do on every street.
Everywhere you go, there are great restaurants and other beautiful attractions to see that you can’t possibly go through at once.
So, that’s why we have collated a list of the best things to do in Orange County, CA, below.
Check it out!
1. Disney California Adventure Park
1313 Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92803-3232
(714) 284-6391
The Disney California Adventure Park was opened in 2001 on what used to be the parking lot of Disney Resort.
Before it was built, the park was intended to be a West Coast version of Disney’s famous Epcot.
Why You Should Go
The park has something for both children and adults.
It features attractions from great Disney movies like Cars and Broadway-quality versions of classic Disney shows like Aladdin.
The Animation Academy at Hollywood Land also allows you and your group to participate in fun drawing sessions of Disney characters like Olaf.
What To Do
Visit the Pixar Pier to see characters from Pixar movies or ride the tower of terror to get your adrenaline pumping.
When you’re done trying out as many rides as possible, join the Pixar parade.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sheraton Garden Grove-Anaheim South
2. Newport Beach
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 644-3309
Newport Beach in Orange County has a pier that was reconstructed after a hurricane destroyed it in 1939.
Why You Should Go
Visiting the beach is one of the best things to do in Orange County for couples.
There are places at the beach where visitors can bask in the sun, swim, or surf.
What To Do
Ride on the M/V Sealife Discovery boat to view the sea creatures in their natural habitat.
When that’s over, join watching trips to see the numerous species of whale around the area.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
3. Heisler Park
375 Cliff Drive
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1623
(949) 497-3311
In the 1930s, the park was used as a holding ground for septic tanks before they were moved and reconstructed as an attraction for visitors.
Why You Should Go
For amazing things to see in Orange County, the park is the best option.
It is home to the famous Laguna Beach, and there are plenty of spaces to have a picnic or play around in the sun.
If you’re feeling hungry at the beach, there are many restaurants around the location where you can easily find something to eat.
What To Do
Take a walk around the park and visit Las Brisas to eat amazing food with an exquisite view of the ocean.
Feeling like trying a physical activity?
Go surfing in the ocean or sign up for the lawn bowling club.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Montage Laguna Beach
4. Balboa Island
208 Marine Ave
Balboa Island, CA 92662
(949) 607-8122
Originally a mudflat in the ocean, which was dredged to keep the water out, Balboa Island was once a luxurious area for beach houses before the City of Newport Beach acquired it in 1916.
Why You Should Go
Balboa island is home to one of the best amusement parks in the area.
Riding the famous Balboa Island Ferry, which has been in existence around the area for more than 100 years, will also give you a chance to see the exquisite sights from the island to the peninsula.
What To Do
Visit the Balboa Fun Zone amusement park, try the ferris wheel, or go on a ferry trip from the Island to the peninsula.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Balboa Bay Resort
5. Dana Point Harbor
34571 Golden Lantern St
Dana Point, CA 92629-2908
(949) 388-3663
Dedicated in 1971, the Dana Point Harbor is divided into two parts, namely the East and West basin.
Each basin has 2,500 slips for ships, boats, canoes, yachts, and other sea vessels to be held.
Why You Should Go
Going to the harbor is one of the most interesting things to do in Orange County.
You can learn more about sea creatures at the Orange County Marine Institute.
Additionally, going to the harbor will allow you to try many exquisite foods from the restaurants along the harbor.
What To Do
Visit the Orange County Marine Institute at the West side of the Harbor and ride in the Sea Explorer to study sea creatures at the Marine Life Refuge.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Monarch Beach Resort
6. Irvine Spectrum Center
670 Spectrum Center Dr
Irvine, CA 92618-4956
(949) 753-5180
The Irvine Spectrum is a subsidiary of the Irvine Company.
It is an outdoor shopping Center, and all parts of it were built between 1995 to 2006.
Why You Should Go
The Irvine Spectrum Center is not just a typical mall.
It is a place to unwind, have fun, and enjoy the aesthetic views of the area.
Visiting the Center is one of the best things to do in Orange County tonight.
The place is always buzzing at night and the Grand wheel can be seen from a great distance.
What To Do
Visit the movie theater inside the shopping mall to see a live show.
When you are done, take a look at the macarons, custard tarts, and other sweet delicacies at the Hello Kitty Café.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Candlewood Suites Orange County/Irvine Spectrum
7. Huntington Beach Pier
315 Pacific Coast Hwy Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648-5161
When the Huntington Beach Pier was first built in 1902, it was 1,000 ft. deep into the ocean.
Today, the pier is 1,856-foot-deep into the ocean.
It is also a part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Why You Should Go
Visiting the pier will give you a chance to view the coastline from a vantage point.
Not to mention the fact that the pier is an extension of Main Street and is surrounded by numerous shops and oceanfront resorts.
What To Do
Take a walk on the pier or along Huntington beach.
After this, explore the harbor while riding in a gondola or boat.
If you get hungry along the way, visit any of the restaurants along the pier to fill your stomach.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Paséa Hotel & Spa
8. San Clemente Pier
Del Mar Street
San Clemente, CA 92672-5301
(949) 361-8219
After it was first built in 1928, the San Clemente Pier has been reconstructed two times.
The first time was in 1939, and the second was in 1983.
The two times the pier was destroyed, it was by a large storm.
Why You Should Go
San Clemente Pier is located in San Clemente’s downtown area, and it features things that you can do both indoors and outdoors.
The pier is a beautiful place to take a walk, and at the end, there is a food place where you can get fantastic burgers and rent fishing poles.
The pier is also near San Clemente beach, which has a designated area where you can swim or surf.
What To Do
Take a walk down the pier at sunset to see the sun sink into the ocean or take a walk along the beach while listening to the waves.
If you’re feeling up to it, you should check out the beach’s swimming and surfing area.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: San Clemente Inn
9. Knott’s Berry Park
8039 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90620-3225
(714) 220-5200
The Park started out in the 1920s as a roadside Chicken Dinner Restaurant.
Now, it features a west themed park and is one of the most magnificent attractions in Orange County.
Why You Should Go
The Knott’s Berry is a West-themed park that features a booming town in the 1880s with banks, gunfights, cowboys, and can-can dancers.
It also has exciting rides like the Silver Bullet, which suspends riders beneath the track, and the GhostRider, which is the tallest wooden roller coaster in California.
What To Do
Visit the Old West Ghost Town to participate in gunfights and see live shows involving cowboys.
If you’re with kids, take them to Camp Snoopy to play with kite flyers or Fiesta Village to learn about Mexican culture, architecture, and cuisine.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel
10. South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1873
(800) 782-8888
The Plaza was opened in 1967 by the Segerstrom family, and since then, it has become the largest shopping Center on the west coast with a high concentration of fashion retail.
Why You Should Go
The plaza has 280 stores, and many of them are used by fashion luxury companies such as Tiffany & Co, Monique Lhuillier, and Ganni.
The remaining 30 stores are dedicated to restaurants that offer fine dining, casual dining, and quick bites.
Another part of the plaza that we love is the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, which hosts exciting stage plays such as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dicken.
What To Do
Check out the Segerstrom Center for the Arts for ongoing shows or visit the Capital Grill on level 2 for some exquisite fine dining.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport Newport Beach
11. Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main St. at 20th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 567-3600
The Bowers Museum was originally known as the Charles W. Bowers Memorial Museum until 1992, when a huge restructuring made it bigger.
Why You Should Go
The museum is one of the best places to visit in Orange County if you’re looking for something fun and educational.
The museum has a large collection of exhibits, many of which are dedicated to the history of Orange County.
These exhibits include arts from Native America and the Pacific.
What To Do
Check out the large permanent collection of art around the world at the museum.
After a more educational pursuit?
Go for the talks, book reading, and seminars, or art organized by the museum.
12. Crystal Cove State Park
8471 Pacific Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 9265
(949) 494-3539
The Crystal Cove State Park was established in 1979 on 3.2 miles of land on the Pacific coastline as a marine conservation center for sea creatures in the area.
Why You Should Go
The park has a beach where you can relax while watching the ocean and a historic district to learn more about architecture and life in the 1930s.
Additionally, you don’t need to spend a dime to visit the park, and that is what makes it one of the most interesting free things to do in Orange County.
What To Do
Take a walk at the beach or visit the Marine Conservation Center to see the numerous sea creatures available for viewing.
To learn about the history of Crystal Cove, visit the Historic District to see many of the preserved structures.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas
13. Lyon Air Museum
19300 Ike Jones Road
Santa Ana, CA 92707-5229
(714) 210-4585
Established in 2009 by Major General William Lyon, the museum is dedicated to aircrafts, vehicles, and related memorabilia of the 20th Century with an emphasis on World War II.
Why You Should Go
The Lyon Air Museum collects notable aircrafts and vehicles around the world that are related to World War II.
The exhibits are beautiful and thought-provoking.
The museum also gives an insight into how the aircrafts and military vehicles used to work and what they were used for in the 20th Century.
What To Do
See the Lyon Air Museum exhibits and watch educating movie clips about World War II at the Cinema.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
14. Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 721-2000
Fashion Island is another subsidiary of the Irvine Company.
It was opened in 1967 with four distinct buildings designed by the famous architects Welton Beckett and William Pereira.
Why You Should Go
Fashion Island is a unique shopping center with an outdoor mall where children can ride carousels.
It features stores for fashion shopping from luxury brands like Tamara Mellon.
Additionally, the Center houses several stores that provide fine dining, casual dining, and quick bites, as well as places to cool your feet while touring the mall.
What To Do
Explore the outdoor mall and visit the Cinema at the shopping center to watch one or two interesting movies.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
15. Catalina Express
320 Golden Shr
Long Beach, CA 90802-4243
(800) 481-3470
Click Here To See Ticket Price
Founded in 1981 by Grey Bombard, Doug Bombard, and Tom Rutter, as a way to travel to and from the Island, the Catalina Express has become the major means of travel in the area.
Why You Should Go
The Catalina Express is the major means of transportation to and from the Island.
It is a high-speed vessel that is capable of making you experience the view of the bustling seaside and the Island in fast motion.
Since the express can shuttle between locations, it can also take you to New York beach.
What To Do
Visit Avalon to bask in the cool and calm environment.
If you’re feeling up to it, go to the Two Harbors and spend time with the birds.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hyatt Regency Long Beach
16. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
415 Avenida Granada
San Clemente, CA 92672-5233
(949) 498-2139
Casa Romantica is a non-profit organization established by a charter of the city of San Clemente, which caters to the preservation of history at the home of the founder of the city.
Why You Should Go
The Casa Romantica is a place where cultural history relating to Ole Hanson, the founder of San Clemente, and a one time Mayor of Seattle lived.
It is now an official part of the historical places in Orange County, and it has been since 1991.
What To Do
Learn about how Hanson helped to develop San Clemente and view exhibits at the Center.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Plus Casablanca Inn
17. Fullerton Arboretum
1900 Associated Rd
Fullerton, CA 92831-1659
(657) 278-4681
Officially opened in 1976 by a combined effort of the lecturers and students of the California State University, Fullerton, the Arboretum is dedicated to saving species of plants that are already facing extinction.
Why You Should Go
With over 4000 plants, many of which are rare, the Arboretum is one of the most effective places to learn about the history of agriculture.
Visiting the Arboretum is also cheap and is one of the best places to be if you’re looking for nature-related stuff to do.
These activities include cycling and biking.
What To Do
Take a walk through the arboretum while admiring the nature around the area or visit the Nikkei Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the history of agriculture in Orange County.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Hotel Fullerton Anaheim
18. Mission San Juan Capistrano
26801 Ortega Hwy
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2601
(949) 234-1300
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The Mission was founded in 1776 as a chapel.
Now, it is a museum dedicated to the history, heritage, and culture of the diverse groups in Orange County.
Why You Should Go
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Orange County, California, the museum is a great place to explore.
It catalogs the history of Orange County as well as religion in the area.
The paintings and artifacts in the Serra Chapel are more than 400 years old, and you can learn about the history of religion in the area.
What To Do
Explore the remains of the original bells used in the Mission when it was still functioning as a religious place and take a look at the numerous artifacts dedicated to religion and history.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
19. Doheny State Beach
25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 496-6171
Donated to the government of California by Oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny in 1963 in honor of his son, the beach is one of the first to be owned by the government in the region.
Why You Should Go
The State beach specializes in the protection of sea creatures and educating people about avian and marine life.
While the beach has numerous outdoor activities for you to explore, the aquarium provides an avenue for you to keep learning and having fun when it’s raining or cold.
What To Do
Visit the aquarium on the beach and go camping or hiking in the picnic areas on the beach.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel
20. Shipley Nature Center
17829 Goldenwest St
Huntington Beach, CA 92647-6259
(714) 842-4772
Named for the former Mayor of California in 1974, the Shipley Nature Center is an 18 acres of natural area to protect animals and plants in the area.
Why You Should Go
The Shipley Nature Center is the best place to learn about nature while enjoying the amazing sights the proper care of it can create.
The Center has unique attractions such as wildlife in their natural habitats.
Visit the Center this weekend to learn more about animals and plants when seeing new ones.
What To Do
Attend the Interactive Interpretive to learn more about wildlife animals and plants.
Feeling peckish? Go inside any one of the restaurants into the care if you hunger?
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort
21. Discovery Cube OC
2500 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92705-6600
(714) 542-2823
Formerly referred to as the Taco Bell Discovery Center Science Center, the Discovery Cube Orange County is a science museum that improves learning in kids.
Why You Should Go
The Discovery Cube OC is one of the best places to travel to in Orange County.
It promotes interactive classes in STEM.
It is one of the top things to do in Orange County with kids, and it guarantees that as parents or guardians, you’re going to have a lot of fun too.
What To Do
Take your kids to the Dino Quest to learn more about the prehistoric creatures and how they lived before they went into extinction.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sheraton Garden Grove-Anaheim South
22. Orange County Zoo
1 Irvine Park Rd
Orange, CA 92869-1000
(714) 973-6847
Originally established as the Irvine Park Zoo in 1985, the Orange County Zoo is home to animals that are native to the Southwestern region.
Why You Should Go
The Orange County Zoo is a shelter for wild animals such as bobcats, coyotes, cougars, and black bears that are native to the South Western region.
It is also a place to see well kept domestic animals like sheep, goats, and pheasants.
What To Do
See the exhibited animals.
Feed them if it is allowed and learn about their names and history.
Additionally, learn what each animal eats every day.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa Orange County
23. Laguna Gallery of Contemporary Art
611 South Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 677-8273
The Laguna Gallery of Contemporary Art showcases regional art from contemporary and upcoming artists with philanthropic purposes.
Why You Should Go
The gallery is home to contemporary arts by artists using diverse techniques to present their masterpieces.
Many of the artworks at the gallery are rendered in paintings and sculptures.
What To Do
Check out the diverse sculptures, paintings, and photographs in the gallery.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa
24. Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618-4209
(949) 428-3900
The Pretend City Children’s Museum is a nonprofit organization established in 2009 by Alexandra Airth and Sandra Pfeffer.
Why You Should Go
The museum has interactive exhibits that are modeled after important places in the city.
It features a small City with hospitals, construction sites, a beach, Orange Plaza, and a police station.
It will also help your children learn about maths, creativity, and teamwork.
What To Do
Check out the gallery and help your little ones sign up for educational field trips they can go on.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hilton Garden Inn Irvine Spectrum Lake Forest
25. Salt Creek Beach Park
33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 923-2280
The Beach Park was first purchased by the Laguna Niguel Corporation and then AVCO Community Developers before the government acquired it in the 1960s.
Why You Should Go
Visiting the beach park is one of the best things to do in Orange County, CA.
The park has fun amenities such as a basketball court, volleyball court, and designated areas for surfing, swimming, and fishing.
Great lodgings for families on vacation also surround it.
What To Do
Play basketball and volleyball on the beach courts.
When you’re done, take a walk on the beach or go swimming.
Remember to take a lot of pictures.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Ranch at Laguna Beach