Disneyland claims to be “The Happiest Place On Earth”, but Orange County in California has more than that. It’s possible to get lost in the beautiful 42-mile stretch of beaches and enjoy world-class cuisine from all over the globe. Our Orange Country travel guide will help you find the best places to stay and what to eat.
Here’s how to maximize your Disneyland vacation or simply enjoy Orange County’s sunny beaches.
Why go to Orange County?
Photo By Andrew Davey
Orange County is located between Los Angeles, San Diego and San Diego. It was once considered a cluster of suburban areas that ran along I-5, I-405, SR-55 and SR-91. Californians once detested the “behind-the Orange Curtain” cultural desert.
This conversation has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. While OC still offers oodles family-friendly fun at the Disneyland Resort, as well as other local attractions, OC is now home to exciting “adult playgrounds.” It has its casually opulent beaches, an increasingly active urban core and a plethora natural treasures that invite visitors to enjoy outdoor play. This is the complete list of highlights in Orange County’s magical wonderland.
Stay
If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area, you should know exactly where to look. OC is plagued by the same traffic problems as the rest of Southern California. You can stay in a hotel, Airbnb, or motel near the Anaheim Metrolink train station if you plan to visit the parks most of your time. You may want to spend more time on the beaches if you know this.
You can find many homes available in Orange County if you are interested in renting an Airbnb home or other vacation rental services. Below is a list of top-rated hotels in the region that offer full-service.
Best Disneyland-adjacent location: JW Marriott Anaheim
Image provided by Marriott
The JW Marriott is located just a mile from Disneyland. It’s also only steps from Anaheim GardenWalk, as well as the I-5 Freeway. You can drive to the ARTIC train station and I-5 Freeway. It feels modern and fresh inside as well, despite being a relatively new hotel. It is close to the iconic park but offers many adult amenities such as a rooftop bar and walkable gardens. There’s also a fitness center, yoga studio, and wellness room. It’s great for families, with its great pool and a quick walk to Magic Kingdom.
- Nearest airport: John Wayne, Orange County
- Time: 15-20 minutes driving
- Distance: 13 miles
The Best Value Doubletree Suites at Hilton Anaheim Resort
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The Doubletree Suites, located about one mile from Disneyland is a great choice for an affordable hotel in Anaheim Resort. You can walk to many restaurants and shops, as well as the Anaheim Resort Transit shuttles. Although the rooms are spacious and clean, there is a charge for parking.
- Nearest airport: John Wayne, Orange County
- Time: 15-20 minutes driving
- Distance: 13 miles
Style of the Year: Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa. A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Image provided by the Avenue of the Arts Hotel
The Avenue of the Arts is a hotel that fits in well with the sophisticated neighborhood. It’s located within easy walking distance of OC’s South Coast Plaza luxury megamall and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Although the exterior of the building might seem bland, the interior is filled with fun and rock-inspired décor. The hotel rooms are unique with their wallpaper and eco-friendly hardwood floors. They also have top-quality bedding. You can find bold colors in larger rooms and thoughtful details of chic design in the more expensive suites. You’ll find a cozy, yet elegant Silver Trumpet Restaurant inside the hotel. There are also plenty of delicious eateries nearby at South Coast Plaza.
- Nearest airport: John Wayne, Orange County
- Time: 15-20 minutes driving
- Distance: Four miles
Best Hidden Gem: Renaissance Newport Beach
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Renaissance Newport Beach is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable hotel near the airport and the freeways. Although the hotel is located in an office park, it doesn’t offer many tourist attractions. However, there are some restaurants within the vicinity. It’s also not far from the Fashion Island Mall and Corona del Mar’s stunning beaches. The hotel’s rooms are bright and colorful without being too kitschy. There is also a swimming pool and fitness room for those who want to relax after a day of sightseeing.
- Nearest airport: John Wayne, Orange County
- Time: 7-10 mins by car
- Distance: 2 miles
Best Luxury: Montage Laguna Beach
Photo by Montage Hotels & Resorts
You don’t have to settle for less when you have the opportunity to stay in the very best. The Montage Resort is the perfect place for you if money is not an issue. It boasts a stunning oceanfront setting, exquisite dining in its two restaurants, California Craftsman-style service, luxurious rooms, and suites that are so lavish, it may be difficult to believe that you will ever want to go anywhere else. You’ll be compelled to explore the New World Mediterranean paradise of Treasure Island or Goff Island Cove once you see the stunning beaches. You can also catch the Laguna Beach Trolley streetcar (PCH), which connects to Downtown Laguna Beach as well as dozens more art galleries.
- Nearest airport: John Wayne, Orange County
- Time Between 35 and 45 minutes in a car
- Distance: 17.2 miles
What to Eat
Orange County was once a culinary mecca, with its fast-food chains and hole in the wall strip malls. OC’s hidden gems are often found in these strip mall gaps. Although you still have plenty of fast food chains, OC has a growing number of restaurants that are specialized in using California’s rich agricultural resources.
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Mix Mix Kitchen Bar
Image provided by Mix Mix Kitchen Bar
Mix Mix is not in the touristy areas of Orange County. However, the Michelin Guide found it in Downtown Santa Ana and gave it a Bib Gourmand rating. Mix Mix offers a great mix of traditional Filipino dishes like spaghetti and clams as well as more exotic dishes like Baja kampachi and shrimp meatballs. You can also try the Terrace at South Coast Plaza if you are unable to make it to the DTSA restaurant. They offer hot-out-ofthe-oven pizzas as well.
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Antonello Ristorante
Photo by Antonello Ristorante
It’s difficult to find a better restaurant for romantic Italian meals than Antonello if you are looking to enjoy a delicious, authentic Italian meal. Antonello is an OC culinary icon for more than 40 years. It remains a South Coast Plaza staple thanks to Antonio Cagnolo, the owner, who works hard to source the finest ingredients and creates the most delicious recipes. He also provides the highest level of service. You will love the wine selection, but you’ll also enjoy the delicious pasta and surf-and-turf cuisine in Italian style.
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Vox Kitchen
Photo by The Vox Kitchen
Although the Vox Kitchen is one of Little Saigon’s newest restaurants, it quickly became a favorite of OC thanks to its innovative and modern Asian-Latin fusion cuisine. Although the menu is not extensive, it offers many delicious options, such as house garlic noodles and crab congee. This place is very popular so make sure to book your reservation early!
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The Best for Dinner and Lunch
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Handcrafted Burgers
Image provided by The Cut Handcrafted Burgers
The Cut calls its grub “intricately easy” because it uses only the best quality meats and great vegan options. Its excellent craftsmanship is what you will find. You don’t even have to eat a hamburger here. Try their Nashville hot chicken sandwich or their mac and cheese. You can even make your visit to The Cut into a memorable lunch- or dinner experience with the full cocktail menu.
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The Beachcomber
Photo by Andrew Davey
The perfect spot to enjoy a scenic dinner is The Beachcomber, which can be found in Crystal Cove State Park’s historic Village. You can visit the Beachcomber for lunch or dinner, as it is open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Order the breakfast beignets if you are coming for breakfast. You’ll be glad you did. You can also order cocktails and appetizers at Bootlegger Bar if your appetite isn’t up for sitting down. You’ll enjoy stunning views and great brews no matter where you end up at The Beachcomber.
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The Best for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Carmelita’s Kitchen de Mexico
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Carmelita’s Laguna Beach has been a favorite for the past ten years. Its embrace of organic and natural ingredients as well as its delicious menu that pays loving tribute to Guadalajara and Puebla Mexican cuisines have made it a popular choice. If you are more into mariscos, then enjoy their slow-braised pork carnitas and queso fundido. Carmelita’s signature margaritas are a must-try. We love the cadillac, pomegranate and other margaritas.
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The Best for Dinner and Lunch
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What to Do
Orange County has struggled for decades to break out of Los Angeles’ shadow. This all changed with Disneyland’s opening in 1955, and subsequent influx of tourists to Anaheim. Five decades later, things changed dramatically when MTV’s Laguna Beach – The Real Orange County as well as Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County became world-famous. Even though reality television cameras aren’t currently filming here, you can still find plenty of things to do. Orange County has something to offer everyone, no matter if they are a dedicated shopaholic or an avid ocean lover.
Disneyland Resort
Photo taken by CrispyCreme27 and licensed under Creative Commons. Made available by Wikimedia
Although it isn’t Disney’s biggest theme park, Disneyland Resort remains the oldest park in the company. It was also the first park to be designed by Walt Disney. The park’s design has changed a lot in the past years, so if you aren’t familiar with it yet, be sure to visit. Disneyland’s main park now features an expanded Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge area that offers a wildly immersive experience in sci-fi. Disney California Adventure takes you deeper into Marvel Cinematic Universe with its brand new Avengers Campus. You can make reservations at restaurants within the park to add to your Disney experience. There are also more choices in Downtown Disney.
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Anaheim Packing District
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The Anaheim Packing District, located less than 3 miles away from Disneyland, is a great place to shop if you are ready to leave campus. If you are looking for souvenirs other than Disney, it is a good place to go if your hungry or thirsty. The neighborhood’s heart is a 1919 vintage orange packaging plant that has been converted into OC’s hottest food hall. Here you can find everything, from sushi to tacos, to Japanese-style crepes and Moscow mules. You won’t be disappointed if you don’t find enough to enjoy the Packing House food hall. Modern Times Leisuretown and Pali Wine Company offer the best California craft beer experiences.
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Downtown Santa Ana
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Downtown Santa Ana is located eight miles southwest of Disneyland. It feels like another place. Instead of a carefully planned theme park experience, DTSA offers a unique mix of street art, art galleries, restaurants on Calle Cuatro and traditional Mexican food. This is a fun and exciting urban center experience that was unimaginable 25 years ago in Orange County. Santa Ana has Amtrak and Metrolink stations that make it easy to travel between Anaheim and Los Angeles and San Diego.
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South Coast Plaza, and the SoBeCa District
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Costa Mesa is the place to go if you want to shop until you drop. Beverly Hills has Rodeo Drive in LA for high-end status shopping. OC, however, has South Coast Plaza. South Coast Plaza is home to over 250 shops and restaurants that will keep you entertained. It’s difficult to find designer that’sn’t represented in this area, including Alexander McQueen and Zegna. You can find a variety of retail therapy in the SoBeCa District. There you will find everything you need, from shops within Mitsuwa Marketplace, to creative creativity at The Lab Anti-Mall, and comfortable restaurants at The Camp’s sister mall The Lab.
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Laguna Beach
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This is life at its best. This is a question you may ask yourself often when visiting Laguna Beach. Here, you have the opportunity to explore Crystal Cove and over 100 galleries, as well as visit Laguna Art Museum and Laguna Art Museum. You can also choose from more than 100 delicious restaurants and just stroll along Laguna’s 7 miles of beautiful beaches. It’s worthwhile to stop at Goff Island Cove, even if your stay is not at Montage Resort. You can swim and admire the tide pools and perhaps join local artists who use the beautiful land and seascape to create the ultimate masterpiece.
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San Clemente
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San Clemente is the only Orange County city with direct access via Metrolink (everyday) and Amtrak trains (weekends only), as well as being the only OC city the I-5 freeway passes through. This makes it an ideal choice if you are planning on heading down to South Orange County for the Mission San Juan Capistrano. The 2.3-mile San Clemente Beach Trail is ideal for walking, biking and just hopping from one beach to the next between Calafia Beach and Metrolink station. The San Clemente Pier is located in the center of the city. Here you can surf fish, stroll the pier, and enjoy the stunning views of Dana Point Headlands, to the north. Or just relax at the shore. You can go south to San Onofre State Beach if you are a keen surfer or a nature enthusiast who would like to see more of California’s coastline. Although it is technically in San Diego County but the beach is close to San Clemente. Locals love to take over this famous surfing spot. You’ll see why once you have seen the coast and your feet on the water.
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Save Money On Your Trip
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Experiences
You will need to pay a significant amount to enter Disneyland. However, there are ways to make your vacation more affordable. Kayak offers discounts on tickets to theme parks, tours and other attractions. State parks, such as Crystal Cove and Bolsa Chica, don’t cost more than $15 per day for parking. Many local parks offer free access. Metrolink has scenic train rides available at great rates, especially weekends when you can get an all-day pass for $10.
Hotels
We mentioned earlier that hotels in the tourist hot spots, such as Anaheim Resort District and Laguna Beach, can be quite expensive. You should check out the major business corridors in OC, like South Coast Metro or the Irvine Business Complex, near John Wayne Airport, if you are traveling during the weekend. The deals that you discover may surprise you. Kayak can help you find the perfect accommodation no matter where in the world.
Vehicle rentals
We can understand why you would choose to rent your car, as some areas of Orange County are far away from Metrolink and Amtrak stations. Kayak has a wide range of cars for rent at very affordable prices. Check them out if you are looking to drive down PCH or navigate the freeways.
Faqs
Conclusion
Disneyland claims to be “The Happiest Place On Earth,” but Orange County in California has more than that. It is possible to get lost in the beautiful 42-mile stretch of beaches and enjoy world-class cuisine from all over the globe. Our Orange County travel guide will help you find the best
