What to do and see in Orange County, Orange County: The Best Day Trips from

January 23, 2022 Layne Dawes

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. 8 seater Private Tour

Grand Express Tour
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Pick up time varies from 8:30 – 8:45 a.m., again this depends on Pick up location. Overall tour duration is 6 hours, adding additional time for an additional fee. 

Inclusions: Accommodation as per itinerary

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Food and drinks, unless specified, Lunch

Reviewed By SuzanneT1052

Wonderful tour. Got picked up at our accommodation in the morning by Johnny our driver, who was fantastic. Got to see so many sights around LA. From the Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame and many other places, was brilliant. Then dropped off back at our hotel afterwards. Would highly recommend.

2. Small-Group Best Beaches in Orange County Day Tour

Anaheim Tour Company
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4.9 based on 15 reviews

A relaxing, narrated small-group tour along the beautiful Pacific Ocean! California embraces the beach lifestyle and this tour will take you to three of the state’s best - Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. At each stop, you will have ample time to explore the area, browse the shops and at some of the stops you can grab a bite to eat. Each stop is unique in its own way with different things to do at each. Hotel pick-up and drop off is included.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Air-conditioned vehicle, Live commentary on board, Professional Guide, Car seats/booster seats for children

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By GlobeTrotting313011

This tour was amazing. Friend here from NC. First time in CA. I hate to drive and I get car sick. Sucked it up, bought this tour and it was worth every cent. Rick was knowledgeable and friendly. I'm big on good customer service and this is it. Thank you so much for an awesome day. We looved it.

3. Whale-Watching and Orange County Beaches Tour from Anaheim

Anaheim Tour Company
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4.8 based on 24 reviews

Depart Anaheim in the morning and head south to explore the beautiful Orange County beaches. Enjoy a stop in Laguna Beach for a photo on the cliffs! We then stop in Newport Beach for a 2.5-hour whale-watching expedition (whale siting not guaranteed) Then we're off to explore Huntington Beach / Surf City USA. Round-trip transportation from hotels in the Anaheim Resort Area, Fullerton, Buena Park (and many hotels in Orange) included.

Inclusions: Whale-watching excursion, Fully narrated bus tour, Photo stop in Laguna Beach, Extended stops in Newport and Huntington Beaches, Round-trip transportation

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By GlobeTrotting313011

This tour was amazing. Friend here from NC. First time in CA. I hate to drive and I get car sick. Sucked it up, bought this tour and it was worth every cent. Rick was knowledgeable and friendly. I'm big on good customer service and this is it. Thank you so much for an awesome day. We looved it.

4. Small-Group Day Tour of Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beaches from Anaheim

Anaheim Tour Company
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4.7 based on 80 reviews

NEVER MORE THAN 12 GUESTS! Our Grand Tour of Los Angeles, Hollywood & LA Beaches is a Small Group tour that leaves directly from your Anaheim Area Hotel straight to some of the most iconic spots in & around Los Angeles Love Architecture? Photo-op stops in Downtown Los Angeles include the Staples Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall and many other incredible buildings. How about the Movies? Our stops include movie filming locations! We take you to the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theater where you'll spend 45 minutes on your own seeing the Dolby Theater, Hollywood Sign, Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, El Capitan Theater, Walt Disney Studio Store & Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood. We'll head to Farmers Market & The Grove for our 1 hour lunch stop. Great food & amazing shopping! You'll also visit Rodeo Drive for about 25 minutes to explore the shops & walk this famous Street. Beaches? How about Santa Monica Pier & the Venice Beach boardwalk! 2 iconic places you won't forget! An Amazing Tour!

Inclusions: Professional Guide, Comfortable Climate Controlled Vehicle, Car Seats or Booster Seats provided - please include the ages of children, No Wasted time at a depot

Exclusions: Lunch (available for purchase), Driver Gratuity - at your discretion, Snacks or drinks

Reviewed By Aprile3353

Tom our tour guide was such an amazing part of our tour! He did everything possible to make the trip as memorable as possible. The whale watching experience was so much fun. We located a Brutus whale that was rare according to our boat guide. The dolphins swim along side the boat in bunches alongside the bay. We were able to capture both the dolphins and the whale on video. The trip to Laguna beach and Huntington Beach was gorgeous. I didn’t even want to leave. The pick and drop off was great so no driving necessary. Thanks again Anaheim Tour we are definitely coming back for more!!!

5. Citadel Outlets Transfer from Anaheim with VIP Lounge, storage & LAX Drop-Off

EZ Alliance dba Karmel Shuttle's EXTREME Tours
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4.0 based on 7 reviews

Skip the hassle of driving and instead enjoy this convenient transfer service from Anaheim to Los Angeles' Citadel Outlets, where you'll spend a full day shopping for your favorite brand names at huge discounts. Have a late-night departure out of LAX and need to leave your hotel. Want to squeeze in some shopping? This is the perfect way to do it. Even if you don't have a flight and just want hassle-free round-trip transport from your Anaheim hotel to the outlets, you'll love this transfer service and discount package, which includes a gift bag, shopping bag and luggage storage, a VIP savings card and Citadel Outlets gift card, depending on the option you select. Need a place to relax? Include access to the VIP Lounge!

Inclusions: Hotel pickup, Transport by air-conditioned van, Luggage storage, VIP savings card, Citadel Outlet gift bag, Citadel Outlet gift card (if option selected), Shopping bag storage (if option selected), Access to VIP Lounge (if option selected)

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drink (unless otherwise specified), Flights

Reviewed By cheverros

My least favorite part was not being prepared to take advantage of all the activities. I enjoyed Catalina, it was a foggy day but it's best to go in the warmer months.

6. Private Beach Cities 7 Hours Day Trip.

RAPIDSHUTTLE

Make your Private Beach Cities Day Trip, easy, and pleasant by making an affordable RapidShuttle Private, Direct, Non-Stop reservation that will fit your travel needs and budget. Because you are Not sharing the ride with other travelers, your schedule is based on your or your party travel arrangements. Avoid the cruises liners ship over-price, crowds and overstuffed bus tours on your Outlet Mall Shopping Trip. Take a private shore excursion into the city instead, one that caters specifically to what you and your small group want to see. Rather than tying yourself down to a rigid itinerary, customize your shore time to suit your tastes

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Private 7 Hours Day Trip., Free Waiting Time Up to 30 Minutes* From the Airports/Cruise Ports., * Based on the Scheduled Pickup Time.

Exclusions: Gratuities, Parking Fees (if applicable), Luggage Restrictions Applies., Additional Waiting Time (upon request): $15.00 per every 15 minutes waiting time., Admissions to Parks or Attractions.

Reviewed By CamHand58

I did not actually take their shuttle. This is a review of their website and support. I booked a pick up at LAX for late night Monday, 15 July 2019. During the payment process that all showed correctly. After paying, the pick up showed as scheduled for midnight on 10 January 1970. I immediately called their support line as shown on the webpage. Their support line DID answer. That would be a point in their favor except the guy on the phone was so bad. I (admittedly was upset but not at all abusive) explained the issue. He told me it was MY fault that I had entered it wrong because the screen just takes whatever I entered. WTF?!?! Even if I did it wrong, why accuse the victim instead of addressing the issue?!?!? I called him a liar because that historical date was not even an option! He said he would cancel the reservation so I read him the code. I asked how I would receive cancellation confirmation and he just hung up. He did NOT cancel it. LIAR! Later I cancelled it from the webpage.

7. Private Tour: The Beaches of Orange County

Sea Pass Travel

California is known for its amazing beaches, so why not explore them on this private day tour of SoCal? You'll have plenty of time to explore three beaches, with free time at each - Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and finally Huntington Beach. Snacks, water bottles and USD5 Starbucks Gift Card is included.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private sight seeing tour, Gratuities ( Optional, Local taxes, Bottled water, Snacks bottle of water cold drinks and $5.00 Starbucks Gift Card included

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Madiya M

Whenever we travel, we always use trip advisor or yelp to make sure we have a memorable experience. We had a family of 6 visiting from overseas around the holidays and they were looking for a reliable tour service to give them the touristy experience of LA. Since it was a last minute plan, I was struggling to find a tour that could not only accommodate them, but at least had some decent reviews. I was nervous about booking Sea Pass since they had no reviews but they not only met my expectations, but they far exceeded them. The driver was on time, professional, knowledgeable, and according to my family, a very safe driver. With all the companies being more money driven rather than service, it was refreshing to experience something different. Would definitely recommend to family and friends!

8. Orange County Private 5 Hrs Day Trip Shore Excursion .

RAPIDSHUTTLE

Make your 5-Hours Greater Orange County Private Shore Excursion, easy, and pleasant by making an affordable RapidShuttle reservation. Because you are Not sharing the ride with other travelers, your schedule is based on your or your party travel arrangments and desired sightseeing.

Inclusions: 5-hour Private day trip, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Private transportation, Free Waiting Time Up to 30 Minutes* From Airports/Cruise Ports., * Based on the Scheduled Pickup Times.

Exclusions: Gratuities (recommended: 15%-18%), Parking Fees Not Included (If Applicable), Admissions Not Included (If Applicable)., Luggage Restrictions. Please Ask for Details., Additional Waiting Time: $15.00 per every 15 minutes of waiting time.

Reviewed By CamHand58

I did not actually take their shuttle. This is a review of their website and support. I booked a pick up at LAX for late night Monday, 15 July 2019. During the payment process that all showed correctly. After paying, the pick up showed as scheduled for midnight on 10 January 1970. I immediately called their support line as shown on the webpage. Their support line DID answer. That would be a point in their favor except the guy on the phone was so bad. I (admittedly was upset but not at all abusive) explained the issue. He told me it was MY fault that I had entered it wrong because the screen just takes whatever I entered. WTF?!?! Even if I did it wrong, why accuse the victim instead of addressing the issue?!?!? I called him a liar because that historical date was not even an option! He said he would cancel the reservation so I read him the code. I asked how I would receive cancellation confirmation and he just hung up. He did NOT cancel it. LIAR! Later I cancelled it from the webpage.

9. Orange County Shopping Private 7 Hrs Day Trip.

Orange County, California.

Avoid the cruises liners ship over-price, crowds, and overstuffed bus tours. Take a Private Orange County Shopping Shore Excursion into the city instead, one that caters specifically to what you and your small or large group want to see. Rather than tying yourself down to a rigid itinerary, customize your shore time to suit your tastes. Make your Private Orange County Shopping Day Trip, easy, and pleasant by making an affordable RapidShuttle Private, Direct, Non-Stop reservation that will fit your travel needs and budget. Because you are Not sharing the ride with other travelers, your schedule is based on your or your party travel arrangements. Starting Times: Anytime between the hours of 05:00 AM and 02:00 PM.

Inclusions: * Based on the Scheduled Pickup Time., 7 Hours Private Day Trip., All taxes, fees and handling charges, Free Waiting Time Up to 30 Minutes* From Airports/Cruise Ports., Trips Starting Times: Any time between 5AM and 2PM.

Exclusions: Additional Waiting Time: $15.00 per every 15 minutes of waiting time., Gratuities

10. Orange County Shopping 7 Hrs Shore Excursion.

RAPIDSHUTTLE

Avoid the cruises liners ship over-price, crowds, and overstuffed bus tours. Take a Private Orange County Shopping Shore Excursion into the city instead, one that caters specifically to what you and your small or large group want to see. Rather than tying yourself down to a rigid itinerary, customize your shore time to suit your tastes. Make your Private Orange County Shopping Day Trip, easy, and pleasant by making an affordable RapidShuttle Private, Direct, Non-Stop reservation that will fit your travel needs and budget. Because you are Not sharing the ride with other travelers, your schedule is based on your or your party travel arrangements.

Inclusions: 7 Hours Private Day Trip., All taxes, fees and handling charges, Free Waiting Time Up to 30 Minutes* From Airports/Cruise Ports., * Based on the Scheduled Pickup Time., Trips Starting Time: Any time between 5AM and 2PM.

Exclusions: Gratuities, Additional Waiting Time: $15.00 per every 15 minutes of waiting time.

Reviewed By CamHand58

I did not actually take their shuttle. This is a review of their website and support. I booked a pick up at LAX for late night Monday, 15 July 2019. During the payment process that all showed correctly. After paying, the pick up showed as scheduled for midnight on 10 January 1970. I immediately called their support line as shown on the webpage. Their support line DID answer. That would be a point in their favor except the guy on the phone was so bad. I (admittedly was upset but not at all abusive) explained the issue. He told me it was MY fault that I had entered it wrong because the screen just takes whatever I entered. WTF?!?! Even if I did it wrong, why accuse the victim instead of addressing the issue?!?!? I called him a liar because that historical date was not even an option! He said he would cancel the reservation so I read him the code. I asked how I would receive cancellation confirmation and he just hung up. He did NOT cancel it. LIAR! Later I cancelled it from the webpage.

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