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- Day Trips - Los
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Although Orange County adjoins Los Angeles County it is a prime destination for a majority of tourists to Southern California. With its adjoining freeways and excellent road structure visitors have found Orange County to be an ideal central base to enjoy the attractions of both Counties. Orange County with its 40 miles of sandy beaches and pretty beach communities has become known as the "American Riviera". Apart from offering some of the most beautiful beaches on the West Coast, Orange County California can boast of some of the area's major attractions including Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. An ideal choice for a family holiday where children and adults alike will never be bored. Lying 30 miles southeast of Downtown LA, and within two hours driving time of San Diego and Palm Springs , Orange County is truly an excellent choice of holiday destination. The most popular tourist destination of Anaheim can be found in a separate article. Listed below are some of the many attractions and places of interest to be found in Orange County. More information on Orange County can be found on their official website:- www.go-orange.com
The Beaches.
"Seal
Beach" Quiet
beach by American standards with a quaint village atmosphere.
"Bolsa
Chica Ecological Reserve" Lays
just to the south of Seal Beach, whilst not a beach this salt marsh
harbors more than 300 types of birds which can be seen along a 2 mile trail.
"Huntington
Beach" 8 miles of white sandy beach, longest
concrete pier in California, surfing capital, shops and restaurants. Their
Visitor's center at 417 Main Street (Tel:-714-969-3492) is an excellent source
of information, as well as free literature. More information can be found on
Huntington's official website:- www.surfcityusa.com
"Newport
Beach" 6 miles of white sand beaches, water
sports, harbor cruises & Catalina Island trips.
Two wooden piers,
restaurants and shopping. Separating the marina from the ocean is the Balboa
Peninsula. A paved walkway which is used for strolling, cycling, skating &
jogging along the beach in front of the beach side homes. The landmark Ferris
wheel is part of the Balboa Fun zone that includes bumper cars, video arcades,
restaurants and souvenir shops. John Wayne lived and died in Newport, his
white ranch style house still stands at the tip of Bayshore Drive. If you take
one of the harbor cruises the guides will point out his house, as well as many
other homes owned by celebrities both past & present. You can visit John
Wayne's grave, he is buried in local Pacific View
Cemetery. After his death
the local airport was renamed after him. In the main terminal is a
lasting memorial to him, a large bronze statue decked out in his
familiar western costume. Newport is also home to the famous Fashion Island
Mall, an outdoors shopping experience of over 200 stores, restaurants and 7
screen cinema all over looking the Pacific. The Hard Rock cafe has one of its
largest branch's at Fashion Island, with lots of original rock-roll
memorabilia including a signed Elvis Presley coat.
Visitors center can be found at 3300 W. Coast Highway (Tel:- 800-942-6278).
More information on Newport Beach can be found on their official website:- www.newportbeach-cvb.com
.
"Laguna
Beach" is one of the south coast's most
attractive towns with its scenic white sandy beaches, picturesque boutiques,
restaurants and art galleries. Perched on the nearby hillsides and canyons are
the homes of the wealthy, the bustling town center is full of galleries and
boutiques. A number of arts festivals are held here in July & August.
Visitors center can be found at 252 Broadway (Tel:- 800-877-1115).
More information can be found on the official Laguna website:-
www.lagunabeachinfo.org
"Dana Point"
is a headland named after author
Richard Dana, whose book "Two Years Before the Mast" chronicled the
early days of this beautiful area. The harbor/marina contains various
watercraft, Catalina Island trips, boat rentals, shops, restaurants, Orange
County Marine Institute and the tall ship Pilgrim. Nearby Doheny State
Beach is where you can swim, surf, fish or cycle, or just catch the sun.
For more information on Dana Point visit the official website:-
www.danapoint-chamber.com
"Capistrano
Beach" is the nearest beach to one of Orange County's most
famous missions. The historic "Mission San Juan Capistrano"
the best known of the California missions, known for its yearly return
of the swallows in March. The beach itself is village type atmosphere
with the normal facilities available.
"San Clemente
Beach" Sandy beach, pier and
charming restaurants and shops.
Attractions & places of interest.
Bowers Museum of Cultural Art. 2002 North Main Street, Santa
Anna. Tel:-714-567-3600. Exhibits of artworks of World Cultures www.bowers.org
Mission
San Juan Capistrano San Juan Capistrano. Tel:-
949-494-8971. www.missionsjc.com
Built in 1776, one of Father Junipero Serra's historic missions known for the
return of the swallows every March.
Irvine Spectrum Center 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine. Tel:- 949-789-9180. Orange County's premier dining, shopping and entertainment destination. Stroll through its European-flavored boulevards. Enjoy concerts, dancing, movies, dining, comedy and nightclubs. Conveniently located at the "El Toro Y" intersection of Interstates 5 and 405, easily accessible, and just minutes from the airport, beaches, golf courses and hotels. www.irvinespectrumcenter.com
Enderle Center. 17th Street & Yorba Street, Tustin.
Tel:- 714-731-2911. Featuring 32 stores, 5 restaurants & 2 bakeries
the Endale Center has been voted the Best Neighborhood Shopping Center in
Orange County. www.enderlecenter.com.
Little Saigon and Asian Gardens. 9200 Bolsa Avenue, Westminster. Tel:- 714-891-2122. Large South East Asian Neighborhood surrounding a mall of 400 ethnic boutiques, shops & restaurants.
43 Factory Outlet stores selling direct to the public a whole host of goods.
Fun for Kids
Wild Rivers Waterpark 8770 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine. CA
Tel: 949-768-WILD.
Situated just off the 405 ( San Diego Freeway
) 20mins. South of Disney is Wild Rivers, where you can get wet & go
wild in this family water park. Contains over 40 water rides &
attractions with two huge wave pools, for kids & adults.
Visit the official website: www.wildrivers.com
Raging Waters. 111 Raging Waters Drive
San Dimas. CA
Tel: 909-802-2200.
Situated 30mins. East of Downtown LA and 20 mins. North of Anaheim Raging Waters is California's Largest Water
Park. With over 50 Acres of rides & attractions you sure to find a
ride here that suits you.
Visit the official website: www.ragingwaters.com
Adventure City 1238 S. Beach
Boulevard. Anaheim. Tel:- 714-236-9300.
Theme park for kids; rides, petting zoo, children's theater, puppet shows and
game room.
Discovery Science Center
Live science demonstrations and performances. Santa Ana. 714-480-1520.
www.discoverycube.org
Discovery Science Center/Launch Pad,
Live science demonstrations and performances. Santa Ana. 714-542-2823.
www.discoverycube.org
Edward's IMAX 3-D Theater/Entertainment
Center
71 Fortune Drive, Irvine. Tel:- 949-640-4600. 20-theater complex with futuristic IMAX 3-D theater, restaurants, shops and
arcades.
Gotcha Glacier
Indoor snowboarding, surfing, skydiving, rock climbing,
ice rink, health club & arcade. Anaheim. 949-240-0188.
Santa
Ana Zoo www.santaanazoo.org
Zoo attractions including a petting zoo, picnic area and playground. Santa
Ana. 714-835-7484.
Huntington Beach Pier and Amphitheater, family entertainment and special events. Huntington Beach. 714-969-3492.
Irvine Regional Park & Zoo
Featuring a petting zoo. Orange. 714-633-2022.
Art Festivals
Sawdust Art Festival
Artists and craftspeople display their work. Laguna Beach. 949-494-3030.
Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters
Original artworks during July & August. Laguna Beach. 949-494-1145.
Art-a-Fair
Original arts and crafts during July & August. Laguna Beach. 949-494-4514.
If you are based in Orange County there are some Great Day Trips within your reach including:-
Catalina Island. 26 miles across the sea. Various passenger vessels from Newport Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro and Long Beach. www.visitcatalina.org
Hollywood. Visit the Famed Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign, Sunset Strip and the fabulous mansions of the rich & famous in Beverly Hills. Within easy driving distance or there are plenty of organized coach tours available.
Legoland. Kid powered rides and attractions for 2 to 12 year olds. Located in Carlsbad, 30 miles north of San Diego.
Long Beach & Queen Mary. Beach side city that includes Queen Mary, the world class Aquarium of the Pacific, 8 miles of sandy beach and lots, lots more. www.golongbeach.org
Six Flags Magic Mountain 260 acre theme park with over a 100 rides, shows and attractions. White knuckle rides include the Giant Superman ride. Situated 20 minutes north of Hollywood at Valencia.
Universal Studios. Experience the movies and television as they come to life at this world famous theme park. Enjoy the rides and back lot studio tour, then visit City Walk- Universal's shopping street.
Palm Springs. "The Golf & Tennis capital of the World" has a lot to offer including an aerial tramway, shopping on the main strip and movie stars homes. Frank Sinatra's was buried here in the Desert Memorial Park.
San Diego Wild Animal Park. A 2000 acre animal park where animals roam free in 2000 acres similar to their native homelands. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido. Tel:- 760-747-8702 just north of San Diego.
San Diego Zoo. One of the worlds best
with over 3000 animals and plant species. 10946 Willow St, San Diego.
Tel:- 619-675-7900. www.sandiegozoo.org
Sea World Adventure Park. 150 acre
marine life adventure park filled with attractions, shows and aquariums.
500 Sea World Drive, San Diego. Tel:- 619-226-3901. www.seaworld.com
Tijuana, Mexico. Enjoy a trip to Mexico by hopping on the Tijuana Trolley Bus in San Diego which drops you at the border. Cheap, Cheap prices and an experience like no other. Tijuana's carnival atmosphere and 100's of shops (be prepared to barter and start at 50% of the price asked) can be enjoyed by taking the Big Red Bus (Mexican Buses) at the USA border. This 10 minute bus ride costs one dollar and drops you right in the center of Tijuana. Buses are every 15 minutes. You can also drive to the border and park before catching the Big Red Bus. Please note you cannot drive in Mexico under your Hire Car Insurance.
More information can be found on the official websites of the six major tourist area's of Orange County, which are listed below:-
|
Anaheim - home of the
Disneyland Resort. www.anaheimoc.org |
