Top Things to do in Orange County
Top Hotels in Orange County
- 1. The Westin Anaheim Resort
- 2. The Anaheim Hotel
- 3. Capri Laguna On The Beach
- 4. Hampton Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center
- 5. Cortona Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort
- 6. Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa
- 7. Best Western Los Alamitos Inn & Suites
- 8. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate
- 9. Kings Inn Anaheim
- 10. The Westin Anaheim Resort
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Orange County, Orange County
Beyond its epic theme parks and perfect weather, Orange County is celebrated for outdoor dining, entertainment and beach-bound adventure. Treat yourself at South Coast Plaza for the finest in luxury shopping and superlative restaurants. Spend an afternoon aboard a whale watching cruise in Newport Harbor, or cast a reel from the Huntington Beach Pier. Stop to smell the flowers at the Sherman Library and Gardens, or explore Laguna’s vast variety of boutique shops along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Restaurants in Orange County
1. Heisler Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,297 reviews
Reviewed By RalphR193 - Farmington, United States
Long walking path well above sea level with great ocean views, great landscaping, e. g. flowers, palm trees, etc. Public rest room building and plenty of close by parking. Charcoal grill and picnic area for public use. Not much seating along the way. Very enjoyable.
2. Radiator Springs Racers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 229 reviews
Reviewed By jeepncolo - Denver, United States
This ride is unlike any other ride in both Disney parks!! The physical experience is unlike any other ride. The ride immersion is like any other ride in both parks. The ride vehicles are unlike any other in the park! A great ride for a wide variety of ages. FastPass recommended.
3. Dana Strands Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Z4886QWannev - Monterey, United States
If you are looking for a beautiful beach for a walk, surfing, tide pools and to watch surfer Strands beach is the to go to. I moved away from Orange County four years ago and when I visit this is the first beach I want to visit.
4. Disneyland Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27,350 reviews
Welcome to the place where imagination is the destination. For young and old, big and small — it's the happiest place on earth! Come build memories with your family that last a lifetime as you discover the wonder of this magical, fantastical world. When you enter the lands that comprise Disneyland Park, stories come to life around you, immersing you in tales from some of your favorite Disney films.
Reviewed By silvia_martins - Katy, United States
We had a wonderful time there! It was not supposed to be crowded, according to crowd calendars, but I did think it was quite busy and some lines were long, which makes it difficult with two very young kids. It is natural to compare with Orlando and the possibility of getting Fastpass for almost everything (which does not happen at Disneyland!), so in that sense we could not go to all the rides we wanted to as it would be too tiring for the kids, but we definitely enjoyed it a lot and we were able to go to many. Since a lot of the rides do not have a minimum height limit, we really enjoyed a lot of options! We really enjoyed Buzz Lightyear (it is definitely one of our favorite ones - we got to go twice on the same day!) and the classicals like Small worls, Dumbo, Storybook Canal, Finding Nemo, Space Mountain (single rider line was really helpful as only my husband and I could go and we needed to go separately!) Highlight for the kids was Toontown!!! They loved every bit of it and had major fun to greeting the characters (including Goofy and Pluto that were just walking around!!!!)
5. Irvine Spectrum Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,185 reviews
Irvine Spectrum Center is one of Southern California's most popular shopping, dining and entertainment lifestyle destinations. The center features Nordstrom and Target, along with more than 130 stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, including Improv Comedy Club and Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 IMAX & RPX.
Reviewed By rdsw - Grand Rapids, United States
This place has it all! It is the most beautiful outdoor mall, with fountains, lights, greenery. Great shopping and plenty of restaurants are available. A large movie theater, outdoor screen, Ferris wheel, and other entertainment are located here. Our family especially loves coming here at night at Christmas time.
6. Bowers Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 396 reviews
Take a trip around the globe at the Bowers Museum! Opened in 1936, the Bowers prides itself on showcasing world-class arts and cultures in a warm, inviting space located in the heart of Orange County. Bowers has been voted "Best Museum in Orange County" by OC Register for 26 years and has organized more than 50 special exhibitions in just the past 15 years in partnership with some of the greatest museums in the world. Recent highlights include blockbusters such as Terra Cotta Warriors, Mummies: Treasures from the British Museum, Guo Pei: Couture Beyond, and Inside the Walt Disney Archives. Over 100,000 square feet and surrounded by lush gardens, the Bowers campus includes a 296 seat auditorium, 12,000 square feet of event space, a Patina-owned Tangata Restaurant, a robust Gallery Store, 8 permanent exhibitions, and spectacular featured exhibits on rotation, to ensure a full day of engaging fun with every visit. Bowers Museum, bringing the world to you.
Reviewed By TommyTucker321 - Beverly Hills, United States
Don’t rush through here like somebody trying escape from a burning building. This museum offers much to see and enjoy for all ages. Take your time and immerse yourself in the culture and history of a people and place long forgotten.
7. Mission San Juan Capistrano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,583 reviews
Famous for the Annual Return of the Swallows, Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic landmark and museum, welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year. Enhance your visit with our multi-language Audio Tour available in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian and now offered free with admission. Enjoy permanent exhibits featuring historic and religious artifacts, precious and rare paintings, and more. Experience the tradition of bell ringing daily honoring the legacy of Saint Junipero Serra, who founded the Mission in 1776. Visit the newly conserved Serra Chapel, California’s only chapel still standing where Saint Serra celebrated Mass and where the Eucharist has been celebrated daily.
Reviewed By HBSnowFlower - Huntington Beach, United States
Walking through the nearly 250-year-old mission is stepping into California’s Spanish Catholic history. I went to see the Christmas lights, illuminating the mission grounds two weeks ago, and it was like dropping into a time capsule. Beyond exploring the early padres’ simple rooms and the ruins of the old church, there are several exhibits essential to California’s mission and native history long before statehood. Be sure to see the small but stunning chapel – California’s only surviving chapel where Father Serra celebrated Mass. Recently canonized, Serra is renowned for starting the first nine of the 21 missions in California, starting with San Diego. Check the mission’s web site for special events like summer concerts and the annual battle of the mariachis.
8. South Coast Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 598 reviews
The West Coast's biggest mall is elegant and aesthetic, with a wing designed by architect Frank Gehry. Its 250 inviting shops include Saks, Stella McCartney, and Hermes
Reviewed By GeorgeDubiecki - Los Angeles, United States
South Coast Plaza is definitely the best shopping mall in California. I found it refreshing that the three shops that we shopped at had really nice employees. They were knowledgeable and friendly. They always made us feel that our needs were most important. “Mars Li” in Georgio Armani was wonderful. Georgio Armani is very lucky to have him working there. Austin Schroeter in Ralph Lauren was very helpful and courteous. Yes you expect that kind of service in high end shops. But you don’t always get that. He even offered to carry my purchase out to our car. Sabrina in Escada was also very nice, helpful and knowledgeable. They each represent South Coast Plaza perfectly. That is why we love to shop there. They have a few hundred shops to choose from. Great quality shops. Plus lots of really good restaurants.
9. Disney California Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,496 reviews
Experience the thrill of the an old wooden rollercoaster, but with modern twists, turns and technology, at "California Screamin." Or enjoy a live performance by your favorite characters at Disney's newest theme park, featuring a slew of exciting rides and family entertainment.
Reviewed By vicky255068 - Brisbane, Australia
So much to see and do , Cars Land is amazing and the cars ride is epic ???? world of color show is stunning , I did the dessert party , best seat in the house and scrummy food ???? plenty to do for young and old ????
10. Crystal Cove State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,230 reviews
Reviewed By 691ac - Los Angeles, United States
This is such a special place to visit! Starting with the short bus ride from the parking lot to the beach, this park is worth at least half a day to visit. You can walk around the cottages, and spend time on the beach. There are various hiking trails on the grounds and the Beachcomber restaurant of course. It is a lovely and serene place to visit.
