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Orange County, California

INTRODUCTION

Orange County is located between Los Angeles and San Diego counties. With over three million residents, it trails only Los Angeles County in population. Orange County is famous for its spectacular coastline, theme parks, and reputation for affluence.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Power: 120 V, 60 Hz

Languages: English

Climate: Orange County enjoys a typical Southern California climate – moderate, and averaging 80 degrees in the summer and 55 degrees in the winter.

Currency: US Dollar

Time Zone: PST (UTC-8) - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)

If you are flying domestically into Orange County, save yourself the time and trouble of going through an international airport and fly into John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Conveniently located in the middle of Orange County, the airport is small, no-hassle, and services most major airlines. You can also fly into nearby Long Beach Airport, another small, no-hassle airport 25 minutes away from Orange County that services budget carriers such as JetBlue. Fares are often cheaper to and from John Wayne Airport than from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

ATTRACTIONS

Disneyland Resort

Knott's Berry Farm and Soak City

Medieval Times Dinner Theater

Angel Stadium of Anaheim: Home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, “The Big A” can be seen from the 5 and 57 freeways. With seats starting at $15, tickets to baseball games are reasonably priced, and rooting for the home team is a great way to spend a summer evening.

Honda Center: Formerly known as The Pond, The Honda Center is where the Anaheim Ducks of Mighty Ducks movie fame play their home games. The hockey team was founded after the success of the Mighty Ducks movies in 1993.

Anaheim Convention Center: Located across the street from Disneyland, the Anaheim Convention Center hosts several conventions throughout the year as well as the Big West college basketball tournament in March.

Discovery Science Center: Expand your mind at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, where kids of all ages can learn about dinosaurs, the science of hockey, and the human body. Participate in fun experiments and learn what it feels like to be in a major earthquake, lie on a bed of nails, or travel into space.

Santa Ana Zoo: In the middle of the Orange County urban jungle, the Santa Ana Zoo houses fifty exotic and endangered species, including monkeys, elephants, and anteaters. The nearby UC Irvine campus’s mascot is the giant anteater, and fundraising efforts by UC Irvine alumni have recently brought two anteaters to the Santa Ana Zoo.

Crystal Cathedral: The Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove is constructed entirely out of 10,000 panes of glass and can hold 2,900 people. Though the church is Protestant, visitors of any religious affiliation are welcome to tour the Crystal Cathedral Monday-Saturday.

Wild Rivers Waterpark: One of two water parks in Orange County, Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine offers safe and fun water rides, a lazy river, and two wave pools for children and adults.

"'Verizon Wireless Amphitheater:'" Next door to the Wild Rivers Waterpark, this amphitheater puts on several large concerts by artists such as Dave Matthews Band and Britney Spears throughout the year.

There is plenty more to explore and do in Orange County.

Beaches | Shopping | Bars and Pubs | Fairs and Festivals | Arts and Culture

RESTAURANTS

One of the best things about Orange County is its high concentration of award-winning restaurants. Visit www.orangecountyrestaurants.net for a comprehensive guide to Orange County dining.

Wilma’s Patio: This family-owned restaurant on Balboa Island offers excellent breakfast entrees, as well as lunch and dinner classics like soup, sandwiches, fish, and Mexican food.

Mama D’s: Mama D’s Italian Kitchen in Newport Beach is a tiny place that boasts unparalleled service, great food, and reasonable prices. They are famous for their hot garlic bread and pink pasta sauce.

Villa Nova: This Newport Beach restaurant’s quality Italian food and wine are well worth the high price. It’s a great place for an anniversary celebration or date night, as the atmosphere is semi-formal.

Bluewater Grill: On the waterfront in Newport Beach, Bluewater Grill specializes in charbroiled seafood and has an oyster and clam bar. Their fish is fresh, and they also offer steaks and chicken.

Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant: Located next to Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, the chicken restaurant still serves the same chicken dinners, biscuits, and fresh boysenberry pie as it did when it opened in 1934.

Las Brisas: On the beach in Laguna Beach, Las Brisas offers Mexican food and excellent desserts.

LODGING

Orange County accommodations consist mainly of chain hotels such as Embassy Suites or Holiday Inn. The only hostel is the Colonial Inn Youth Hostel in Huntington Beach, which is clean and close to the beach. Visitors can also camp at Doheny State Beach and Crystal Cove State Park.