Orange County Travel Guide – What to Do & Where to Eat!

An Orange County Travel Guide with everything you need to know! Read on for where to eat, what to do and all the hidden gems you just can’t miss!

Orange County has something for everyone. You’ll find access to nature, adventure sports, and world-class dining and arts, balanced with laid back California vibes. Located just south of Los Angeles, and with its own streamlined airport, it’s the perfect destination for a long weekend. Read on for the perfect mix of iconic spots and undiscovered hidden gems.

Orange County Travel Guide

I’m a huge researcher when I’m planning a trip. I love to pour over the internet and social media to make sure I hit up the tastiest and most photogenic spots!

If you are traveling to Orange County, I recommend starting at https://www.visittheoc.com/. The site has lots of articles and recommendations, and even sample itineraries. There’s also ample inspiration on their Instagram account. I also scroll through location tags and hashtags on Instagram, like #VisitTheOC, #OrangeCounty, #TheOC. 

What to Do in Newport Beach, California

Newport Beach is more than just a beach town! This colorful city has miles and miles of protected coastline. It also has so many dining and shopping options. Not-to-miss is Balboa pier and Balboa island. More on that below. Find more Newport Beach travel information at https://www.visitnewportbeach.com/ or follow them on Instagram.

Duffy Boat Rental & Tour of the Harbor in Newport Beach

The harbor between Balboa Island and Balboa Pier is lined with the mansions of the mega rich. It’s a favorite of the Hollywood crowd, as you can dock your mega yacht right in front of your house. Also a crucial consideration for me when I’m looking at real estate. Maybe I should move to Newport Beach!

The best way to explore the harbor is via Duffy Boat. Duffy Boats can best be described as the “golf carts of the sea”. Invented by Marshall “Duffy” Duffield in the 60’s, they are fully electric and so quiet. They also have no exhaust, making them ideal for a relaxing afternoon.

I also recommend picking up lunch to go at a restaurant in Lido Marina Village to eat as you cruise.

Balboa Duffy Boat Rentals, Newport Beach

510 East Edgewater Avenue
Balboa, CA 92661
http://boats4rent.com/newport/

More photos from our Duffy Boat Rental and Tour:

JuiceMi Smoothie Bowls, Newport Beach

I discovered JuiceMi during my Instagram scouting before the trip. The menu is packed with highly Instagrammable drinks and smoothie bowls and the decor is millennial pink heaven.

What to Order: The Lotus Pink Latte, Mango Turmeric Smoothie Bowl Santorini Smoothie Bowl

JuiceMi Newport Beach

609 East Balboa Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA 92648
http://www.juicemi.com

More photos from JuiceMi Newport Beach:

Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach

Crystal Cove is one of the largest beaches in Orange County. It boasts 3.2 miles of beach and 2,400 acres of protected wilderness. In addition to the marine blue waters, you’ll be charmed by the  vintage coastal cottages on the beach. A few are open to explore, and others are available to rent for a unique getaway!

The easiest way to visit Crystal Cove is to park at the Los Trancos Parking lot and take the Beachcomber Cafe shuttle to the beach. It’s just $1.50 and if you spend $15 at Beachcomber, they will validate your parking. It’s the perfect excuse to stop for one of their famous bloody mary’s.

Crystal Cove State Park

8471 North Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92657
http://www.crystalcovestatepark.org/

Marine Avenue in Newport Beach is lined with a handful of banana shops. Even though I suspect they all taste about the same, they all claim to be the “original” frozen banana. We settled on Dad’s, mainly because of the funny name. There’s nothing like a frozen banana dipped in chocolate on a warm Orange County afternoon!

Dad’s Original Frozen Bananas Balboa Island

318 Marine Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92662
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dads-Original-Frozen-Banana/

What to do in Laguna Beach, California

Laguna Beach has rightfully earned their reputation as a luxury hotel and art mecca. They also have beautiful beaches and amazing dining options! The best spot for information about Laguna Beach is at https://www.visitlagunabeach.com/ or on their Instagram account.

Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach

Pirate Tower is one of the most recognizable images of Orange County. This Instagram favorite is located at Victoria Beach in Laguna Beach.

Getting to the Pirate Tower is a little tricky. You have to park up on the highway and walk down, then scramble across some rocks to get to there. Wear practical shoes for this as the rocks will cut your feet! The best time to visit is about an hour before sunset. You’ll have to compete with wedding photographers, models and Instagrammers, but it’s totally worth it for the photo-op. If you’re staying for sunset, make sure you bring a light so you can get back to the beach safely.

Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach

2713 Victoria Drive
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
https://www.visitlagunabeach.com/blog/lagunas-hidden-history-the-victoria-beach-pirate-tower/

Ruby’s Diner Laguna Beach

Ruby’s Diner is an Orange County fixture, with multiple locations including this one in Laguna Beach. We didn’t have time to stay for food, but it was worth a stop to pose with the classic cars. You’ll feel like you’re transported back in time.

Ruby’s Diner Laguna Beach

30622 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
https://www.rubys.com/locations/laguna-beach/

Ocean at Main Restaurant, Laguna Beach

Ocean at Main in Laguna Beach features California cuisine by Chef Craig Strong. It’s located just a few minutes from the beach. They have great salads, fresh pastas and my favorite – pizza! I recommend grabbing a table at their outdoor patio. The food is beautifully plated and very unique.  This panna cotta that finished our meal was one of my favorite dishes of the trip.

What to Order: Oxtail Risotto, House Made Turkey Bolognese Sausage Pizza, Panna Cotta

Ocean at Main Restaurant Laguna Beach

222 Ocean Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
https://www.oceanatmain.com/

More photos from Ocean at Main:

What to Do in Costa Mesa, California

To be honest, Costa Mesa wasn’t even on my radar before visiting it on this trip. Little did I know Costa Mesa is home to award-winning restaurants, world-class shopping, and public art installations. It truly earns its nickname, The City of the Arts. Its central location makes it easy to get to the other destinations in Orange County like Newport Beach and Disneyland. For more Costa Mesa information check out https://www.travelcostamesa.com/ or browse their Instagram account.

Taco María Restaurant, Costa Mesa

The menu at Taco María features a four course prix fixe tasting menu with two options for each course. That’s a great reason to bring a plus one for dinner – so you can try everything! They also offer an optional wine pairing with the menu.

Each course was perfectly seasoned and beautifully prepared. It’s clear why they won Restaurant of the Year by the Los Angeles Times last year. Executive Chef Carlos Salgado is a three-time James Beard nominated chef.

I wish I had more photos of our meal and the beautiful open kitchen layout, but we were really totally engrossed in enjoying every crumb!

Taco María Restaurant Costa Mesa

3313 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
http://www.tacomaria.com/

More photos from Taco Maria Costa Mesa:

The Lab Anti Mall, Costa Mesa

The Lab Anti-Mall is an outdoor neighborhood full of unique boutiques, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants. It’s also full of public art installations and fun photo-ops. It’s a great place to hang out and spend a lazy weekend day.

The Lab Anti-Mall Costa Mesa

2930 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
http://www.thelab.com/

Gypsy Den Cafe, Costa Mesa

Gypsy Den is a cafe and coffee shop located at the Lab Anti-Mall. They have traditional breakfast fare, but what really drew me in was their quirky decor.

Gypsy Den Costa Mesa

The Lab Anti-Mall
2930 Bristol Street, B102
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
https://www.gypsyden.com/

Anqi Restaurant by House of An, Costa Mesa

Asian fusion restaurant Anqi is by culinary dynasty House of An. The food is a little Vietnamese, a little Chinese and a little everything else. 

Thankfully, the “Secret Kitchen” menu includes An’s Famous Garlic Noodles. I’m not sure you can even eat there without ordering them. They are legendary.

Save room for dessert. Ice cream is made right at your table using liquid nitrogen and served with a giant sparkler. You will be the envy of everyone around you with this show-stopping display.

What to Order: An’s Famous Garlic Noodles, Kimchi Fried Rice, Sriracha Popcorn Chicken, Table Side Ice Cream

Anqi Restaurant Costa Mesa

3333 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
http://www.houseofan.com/anqi/

More photos from Anqi Restaurant:

South Coast Plaza Shopping Center

Anqi is located in the South Coast Plaza shopping center. If you are in the mood to shop ’til you drop in Orange County, you’ll be in heaven! They have an enormous collection of luxury and fast fashion stores and a bevy of dining options. This isn’t your grandma’s food court!

South Coast Plaza Costa Mesa

3333 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA, 92626
http://www.southcoastplaza.com/

What to Do in Huntington Beach, California

Huntington Beach is nicknamed “Surf City” for its big waves and laid back vibes. For nature lovers, they have a wetland reserve that is a bird sanctuary and a sprawling city park. Foodies will love the top-notch dining options! Find more things to do in Huntington Beach at https://www.surfcityusa.com/ or follow them on Instagram.

LSXO Restaurant Huntington Beach

A colorful highlight of our Orange County adventure was LSXO Huntington Beach. This restaurant inside a restaurant has just a handful of seats and total speakeasy vibes. The Vietnamese comfort food was perfectly seasoned and so fresh.

LSXO has one of the coolest restaurant designs, with colorful butterflies paired with masculine accents and vintage treasures. 

What to Order: Vietnamese Crepe (Bahn Xeo) with prawns and pork belly; Black & Red Rice with mussels, octopus, shrimp, scallop, sausage, confit pork and lime lead aioli; Chilled Jelly Fish with green mango

LSXO Restaurant at Pacific City

21022-21148 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
https://www.gopacificcity.com/lsxo/

More photos from LSXO Huntington Beach:

The Moo Gelato & Dessert Bar, Huntington Beach

Moo Gelato might have the most Instagrammable desserts in Orange County. That’s saying a lot too, as The OC is totally crushing the photogenic food game. It’s basically mermaid and unicorn fantasy land, but in dessert form. 

Pro Tip: I love scrolling through a restaurant’s location tag on Instagram and finding a picture I like. That’s what we did here and the girl who helped us was SO nice about making what I wanted!

What to order: Egg waffle, unicorn shake, mermaid gelato cone

The Moo Gelato & Dessert Bar, Huntington Beach

7170 Edinger Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
https://facebook.com/themoogelato/

Treehouse Lounge at Tanner’s Restaurant

On top of Tanner’s Restaurant in Huntington Beach is one of the coolest rooftop lounges. Located overlooking the beach it’s amazing place to catch sunset and sip on a cocktail. We loved the beachy seaside vibes and the basket tree shading the bar.

Treehouse Lounge at Tanner’s Restaurant

21080 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
http://tannershb.com/

More photos from the Treehouse Lounge at Tanner’s:

Things to Do in San Juan Capistrano, California

San Juan Capistrano is a historic town that is a sharp contrast to the beachy towns in Orange County. It’s super charming and life is centered around the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. It also has cafes and cute bed & breakfasts that make it a great low-key getaway.

Tour of Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 by Saint Junipero Sierra. I highly recommend taking a guided tour to learn more about the history of the mission. We learned what working life was like for early mission residents. There are missions all over California, but San Juan Capistrano is considered the “Jewel of the Missions” due to its lush gardens, collection of artifacts and well-preserved buildings.

On your tour, you’ll see the ruins of the Great Stone Church that was destroyed in 1812 by an earthquake. The mission fell into ruin until 1894, when a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of California missions started restoration. The effort still continues thanks to the help of volunteers and donations.

Don’t forget to stop for a moment in the Serra Chapel with its stunning Baroque Golden Altar.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

26801 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
https://www.missionsjc.com/

More photos from Mission San Juan Capistrano:

Ellie’s Table at Egan House, San Juan Capistrano

We grabbed breakfast before our mission tour at Ellie’s Table. This beautiful cafe is set in a historic home. It has all of my favorites – flaky croissants, pretty tile and outdoor seating with french bistro chairs. Their savory croissant was as big as my face!

What to Order: Savory Croissant, Lemon Tart

Ellie’s Table Egan House

31892 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
https://www.elliestable.com/

Dana Point

Raya Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Chef Richard Sandoval prepares organic meat and sustainable seafood in the luxurious setting of The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. You’ll appreciate the Latin flavors of the food and the amazing ocean views as you dine. They also have the attentive and impeccable service you would expect at The Ritz.

What to order: Ahi tune ceviche, fresh oysters, achiote salmon

Raya Restaurant at Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel

One Ritz Carlton Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/laguna-niguel/dining/raya

More photos from Raya restaurant at The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel:

Buena Park

Porto’s Bakery in Orange County

I’d never heard of Porto’s Bakery before our trip to Orange County, but it’s safe to say this chain has a cult following. It’s totally madness with lines longer than a trendy club, and for good reason! They have cases and cases of delicious baked goods all made in-house, and for just a few dollars each. Seriously how can they be so cheap?! I watched people walk away with boxes and boxes of them. Luckily the lines move at lightning speed, so don’t be intimidated.

Porto’s Bakery Buena Park

7640 Beach Boulevard
Buena Park, CA 90620
http://www.portosbakery.com/

More photos from Porto’s Bakery:

Disneyland Anaheim, California

It’s hard to consider a trip to Orange County complete without a visit to Disneyland California. This was actually my first visit to Disneyland. It was just as magical as I hoped. It’s easy to understand why so many adults get just as excited about Disney as kids do!

I was a little skeptical about standing in line for almost an hour for rides that last just a few minutes, but turns out it’s well worth it. I think next time I will spring for a FastPass so we can skip the lines and pack even more fun into our day. Our favorite rides were Space Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure. I’m not a huge fan of roller coasters, so I appreciated that these were exciting and entertaining without making me want to barf. 🙂 

Disneyland also has an amazing food scene with mainly indulgent items like Mickey-themed desserts and carnival-type food done with a Disney twist.  

Disneyland California

1313 Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
https://disneyland.com/

Thanks so much for reading! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts and musings from me.