Orange County and Catalina Island
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Orange County and Catalina Island - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Aquarium of the Pacific
Zoo/AquariumSea lions, zebra sharks, and penguins—this aquarium focuses on creatures of the Pacific Ocean and is home to more than 12,000 animals. The main...
Sea lions, zebra sharks, and penguins—this aquarium focuses on creatures of the Pacific Ocean and is home to more than 12,000 animals. The main exhibits include large tanks of sharks, stingrays, and ethereal sea dragons, which the aquarium has successfully bred in captivity. The museum's first major expansion in years, Pacific Visions, features a 29,000-square-foot multisensory experience in which attendees can immerse themselves in humankind's relationship with the natural world through video projections, soundscapes, tactile exhibits, a touchscreen wall, interactive game tables, rumbling theater seats, and more. For a nonaquatic experience, head to Lorikeet Forest, a walk-in aviary full of the friendliest parrots from Australia. Buy a cup of nectar and smile as you become a human bird perch. If you're a true animal lover, book an up-close-and-personal Animal Encounters Tour (extra fee) to learn about and assist in the care and feeding of sharks, penguins, and other aquarium residents; or find out how the aquarium functions with the extensive Behind the Scenes Tour (extra fee). Certified divers can book a supervised dive in the aquarium's Tropical Reef Habitat (extra fee) and kids go wild for frequent overnight camp experiences in the aquarium. Twice-daily whale-watching trips on Harbor Breeze Cruises depart from the dock adjacent to the aquarium; summer sightings of blue whales are an unforgettable thrill.
View Tours and Activities100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, California, 90802, USA562-590–3100Sight Details
Rate Includes: $30 -
2. Balboa Island
Neighborhood/StreetThis sliver of terra firma in Newport Harbor boasts quaint streets tightly packed with impossibly charming multimillion-dollar cottages. The...
This sliver of terra firma in Newport Harbor boasts quaint streets tightly packed with impossibly charming multimillion-dollar cottages. The island's main drag, Marine Avenue, is lined with equally picturesque cafés, frozen chocolate banana shops, and apparel stores. Rent a bike and pedal around on the car-free bike path and boardwalk encircling much of the island for an easy and scenic ramble. Be sure to visit the free Balboa Island Museum, too. To get here, you can either park your car on the mainland side of the PCH in Newport Beach and walk or bike over the bridge onto Marine Avenue, or take the Balboa Island Ferry, the country's longest-running auto ferry. The one-way fare is $1.25 for an adult pedestrian; $1.50 for an adult with a bike; and $2.25 to take your car on board.
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3. Casino
Notable BuildingBuilt in 1929, this circular white structure is one of the finest examples of art-deco architecture anywhere. Its Spanish-inspired floors and...
Built in 1929, this circular white structure is one of the finest examples of art-deco architecture anywhere. Its Spanish-inspired floors and murals gleam with brilliant marine blue and sea foam green Catalina tiles. In this case, casino, the Italian word for "gathering place," has nothing to do with gambling. The circular ballroom once famously hosted 1940s big bands and is still used for gala events. The Santa Catalina Island Company leads two narrated walking tours of the Casino.
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4. Crystal Cove State Park
Park (National/State/Provincial)Midway between Corona del Mar and Laguna, Crystal Cove State Park is a favorite of local beachgoers and wilderness trekkers. It encompasses...
Midway between Corona del Mar and Laguna, Crystal Cove State Park is a favorite of local beachgoers and wilderness trekkers. It encompasses a 3.2-mile stretch of unspoiled beach and has some of the best tide-pooling in Southern California. Here you can see starfish, crabs, and sea anemones near the rocks. The park's 2,400 acres of backcountry are ideal for hiking and mountain biking, but stay on the trails to preserve the beauty. The Moro Campground offers campsites with picnic tables, including spots designated for RVs and trailers. The Crystal Cove Historic District holds a collection of historic cottages (24 of which are available for overnight rental), decorated and furnished to reflect the 1935 to 1955 beach culture that flourished here. On the sand above the high tide line and on a bluff above the beach, the cottages offer a funky look at beach life in times past.
View Tours and Activities8471 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, California, 92651, USA949-494–3539Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15 parking -
5. Disney California Adventure
Amusement Park/Water ParkThe sprawling Disney California Adventure, adjacent to Disneyland (their entrances face each other), pays tribute to the Golden State with multiple...
The sprawling Disney California Adventure, adjacent to Disneyland (their entrances face each other), pays tribute to the Golden State with multiple theme areas that re-create vintage architectural styles and embrace several hit Pixar films via engaging attractions. Visitors enter through the art deco–style Buena Vista Street, past shops and a helpful information booth that advises wait times on attractions. The 12-acre Cars Land features Radiator Springs Racers, a speedy trip in six-passenger speedsters through scenes featured in the blockbuster hit. (FastPass tickets for the ride run out early most days, but there is a single rider line to experience the thrills quicker). Other popular attractions include the World of Color, a nighttime water-effects show and Toy Story Midway Mania!, an interactive adventure ride hosted by Woody and Buzz Lightyear. At night the park takes on neon hues as glowing signs light up Route 66 in Cars Land and Pixar Pal-A-Round, a giant Ferris wheel on the Pixar Pier. Cocktails, beer, and wine are available; craft beers and premium wines from California are poured. Live nightly entertainment also features a 1930s jazz troupe that arrives in a vintage jalopy. Some rides have a minimum height limit of 40 inches. Opened in 2021, the Avengers Campus is a land for a new generation of superheroes, focusing on the characters of the Marvel Cinemetic Universe. On Web-Slingers: A Spider-man Adventure, guests of all ages can help wrangle Spider-bots while wearing 3-D glasses; the free-falling Guardians of the Galaxy–-Mission: BREAKOUT! is more for teens and adults.
View Tours and Activities1313 S. Disneyland Dr., between Ball Rd. and Katella Ave., Anaheim, California, 92802, USA714-781–4636Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $97; parking $20 -
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6. Disneyland
Amusement Park/Water ParkAn imaginative original, Disneyland was an unproven concept when it opened in 1955, but Walt Disney himself could never have predicted the park...
An imaginative original, Disneyland was an unproven concept when it opened in 1955, but Walt Disney himself could never have predicted the park's success and its beloved place in the hearts of Southern Californians. It is the only one of the parks to have been overseen by Walt himself, has a genuine historic feel, and occupies a unique place in the Disney legend. Expertly run, with perfectly maintained grounds and a helpful staff ("cast members" in the Disney lexicon), the park offers plenty of fun experiences that you won't find anywhere else: you can visit a galaxy far, far away in the Star Wars land; cruise to a world of pirates in search of Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean series; and take a ride to Storybook Land, with its miniature replicas of animated Disney scenes from classics such as Frozen and Alice in Wonderland. Beloved Disney characters appear for autographs and photos throughout the day; times and places are posted at the entrances and on the Disneyland mobile app. Live shows, parades, strolling musicians, fireworks (on weekends and during the summer and holidays), and endless creative snack choices add to the carnival atmosphere. You can also meet some of the animated icons at one of the character meals served at the three Disney hotels (open to the public, but reservations are needed). Belongings can be stored in lockers just off Main Street while stroller rentals, wheelchairs, and Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECV) are at the entrance gate as convenient options for families with mobility challenges. The park's popularity means there are always crowds, especially during the holidays and summer months, so take advantage of the Disney FastPass Service to spend less time waiting in lines. Also be sure to make dining reservations at least three weeks before your visit to guarantee a table without a wait.
Disneyland Park, 1313 S. Disneyland Dr., between Ball Rd. and Katella Ave., Anaheim, California, 92802, USA714-781–4636-guest informationSight Details
Rate Includes: From $97; parking $20 -
7. Fashion Island
Store/MallShake the sand out of your shoes to head inland to the ritzy Fashion Island outdoor mall, a cluster of archways and courtyards complete with...
Shake the sand out of your shoes to head inland to the ritzy Fashion Island outdoor mall, a cluster of archways and courtyards complete with koi pond, fountains, and a mix of high-end shopping and chain dining. It has the luxe department stores Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's, plus expensive boutiques like Trina Turk, Kate Spade, and Michael Stars.
401 Newport Center Dr., between Jamboree and MacArthur Blvds., off PCH, Newport Beach, California, 92660, USA949-721–2000 -
8. Los Rios Historic District
Neighborhood/StreetTake a walk back in time on the oldest residential street in Southern California, where houses date back to 1790. The Silvas Adobe is a typical...
Take a walk back in time on the oldest residential street in Southern California, where houses date back to 1790. The Silvas Adobe is a typical example of the dozen or more one-room adobes in the area. Mission San Juan Capistrano was the first Californian mission to allow workers to live outside the mission grounds. On the street you'll also find the Historical Society Museum and the ZOOMARS petting zoo for families. Shopping and dining options abound.
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9. Main Beach Park
BeachCentrally located in the main town of Laguna Beach near multiple dining venues, art galleries, and shops, Main Beach Park has a fitting name...
Centrally located in the main town of Laguna Beach near multiple dining venues, art galleries, and shops, Main Beach Park has a fitting name. Walk along this soft-sand beach to Bird Rock and explore nearby tide pools or sit on one of the benches and watch people bodysurfing, playing beach volleyball, or scrambling around two half-basketball courts. The beach also has a children's play area with climbing equipment. Most of Laguna's hotels are within a short (but hilly) walk. Amenities: lifeguards; toilets; showers. Best for: sunrise, sunset; swimming.
Broadway at S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, California, 92651, USA -
10. Mission San Juan Capistrano
Religious Building/Site/ShrineFounded in 1776 by Father Junípero Serra (consecrated as St. Serra), Mission San Juan Capistrano was one of two Roman Catholic outposts between...
Founded in 1776 by Father Junípero Serra (consecrated as St. Serra), Mission San Juan Capistrano was one of two Roman Catholic outposts between Los Angeles and San Diego. The Great Stone Church, begun in 1797, is the largest structure created by the Spanish in California. After extensive retrofitting, the golden-hued interiors are open to visitors who may feel they are touring among ruins in Italy rather than the O.C. Many of the mission's adobe buildings have been restored to illustrate mission life, with exhibits of an olive millstone, tallow ovens, tanning vats, metalworking furnaces, and the padres' living quarters. The beautiful gardens, with their fountains and koi pond, are a lovely spot in which to wander. The bougainvillea-covered Serra Chapel is believed to be the oldest church still standing in California and is the only building remaining in which St. Serra actually led Mass. Enter via a small gift shop in the gatehouse.
26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, California, 92675, USA949-234–1300Sight Details
Rate Includes: $14 -
11. Newport Harbor
Nautical Site/LighthouseSheltering nearly 16,000 small boats, Newport Harbor may seduce even those who don't own a yacht. Spend an afternoon exploring the charming...
Sheltering nearly 16,000 small boats, Newport Harbor may seduce even those who don't own a yacht. Spend an afternoon exploring the charming avenues and surrounding alleys or take California's longest-running auto ferry across to Balboa Island, popular with pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles. Several grassy areas on the primarily residential Lido Isle have views of the water. To truly experience the harbor, rent a kayak or an electric Duffy boat for a pleasant picnic cruise or try stand-up paddleboarding to explore the sheltered waters.
Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, 92660, USA -
12. Queen Mary
Nautical Site/LighthouseThough berthed, the Queen Mary is an impressive example of 20th-century cruise ship opulence and sadly the last of its kind. The beautifully...
Though berthed, the Queen Mary is an impressive example of 20th-century cruise ship opulence and sadly the last of its kind. The beautifully preserved art deco–style ocean liner was launched in 1936 and made 1,001 transatlantic crossings before finally berthing in Long Beach in 1967. Take one of several daily themed tours such as the informative Glory Days historical walk, a traipse into the boiler rooms on the Steam and Steel Tour, or the downright spooky Haunted Encounters tour. (Spirits have reportedly been spotted in the pool and engine room.) You can add ongoing theatrical performances by illusionist Aiden Sinclair, a Winston Churchill exhibit, a 4-D documentary experience, a wine tasting room, and a daily British-style high tea. Holidays and special events are celebrated onboard as well, from a haunted Halloween experience to an annual Scottish festival. Stay for dinner at one of the ship's restaurants, listen to live jazz or order a cocktail in the Observation Bar (the sumptuous original first-class lounge), or even spend the night in one of the 347 wood-paneled cabins. The ship's neighbor, a geodesic dome originally built to house Howard Hughes's Spruce Goose aircraft, now serves as a terminal for Carnival Cruise Lines, making the Queen Mary the perfect pit stop before or after a cruise. Anchored next to the Queen is the Scorpion, a Russian submarine you can tour for a look at Cold War history.
1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, California, 90802, USA877-342–0738Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tours from $16 -
13. 1,000 Steps Beach
BeachOff South Coast Highway at 9th Street, 1,000 Steps Beach isn't too hard to find and actually only has 207 steps. It's one of the many coves...
Off South Coast Highway at 9th Street, 1,000 Steps Beach isn't too hard to find and actually only has 207 steps. It's one of the many coves in Laguna Beach offering a long stretch of soft sand, waves, and dramatic rock formations. Sea caves and tide pools enhance the already beautiful natural spot. Walking back up to your car, you will feel like you got a good workout. Amenities: showers. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; swimming.
S. Coast Hwy., at 9th St., Laguna Beach, California, 92651, USA -
14. Anaheim GardenWalk
PromenadeThis popular dining, shopping, and entertainment outdoor complex offers 10 eateries, a bowling lounge, an escape room, and an Art on the Walk...
This popular dining, shopping, and entertainment outdoor complex offers 10 eateries, a bowling lounge, an escape room, and an Art on the Walk showcasing local artists and nonprofit organizations. Monthly and seasonal pop-up events are displayed on the website.
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15. Balboa Peninsula
BeachNewport's best beaches are on Balboa Peninsula, where many jetties pave the way to ideal swimming areas. The most intense spot for bodysurfing...
Newport's best beaches are on Balboa Peninsula, where many jetties pave the way to ideal swimming areas. The most intense spot for bodysurfing in Orange County, and arguably on the West Coast, known as the Wedge, is at the south end of the peninsula. It was created by accident in the 1930s when the Federal Works Progress Administration built a jetty to protect Newport Harbor. Rip currents and punishing waves mean it's strictly for the pros—but it sure is fun to watch an experienced local ride it.
2172 E. Ocean Front, , USA -
16. Battleship USS Iowa Museum
Historic District/SiteFor those seeking a more rough-hewn alternative or counterpoint to the genteel Queen Mary , the battleship USS Iowa in nearby San Pedro lets...
For those seeking a more rough-hewn alternative or counterpoint to the genteel Queen Mary, the battleship USS Iowa in nearby San Pedro lets visitors of all ages clamber through hatches, peer through portholes, and climb into the seat of an antiaircraft gun, envisioning the past. The Iowa, the only such tourable battleship on the West Coast, was commissioned in 1943 as the lead of its class and served in World War II, Korea, and the Cold War. Volunteer "crew members," many of whom once served on the ship, happily offer their personal stories to kids and adults alike. You're bound to be hungry after such an intrepid expedition. While most people would return to Long Beach or L.A., the nearby pedestrian-friendly, old-timey Downtown San Pedro strip, which centers on 6th and 7th streets, boasts some outstanding dining options, from a British pub to killer Mediterranean and Italian options.
250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, California, 90731, USA877-446–9261Sight Details
Rate Includes: $20 -
17. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeWildlife lovers and bird-watchers flock to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, which has a 1,445-acre salt marsh where 302 bird species—including...
Wildlife lovers and bird-watchers flock to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, which has a 1,445-acre salt marsh where 302 bird species—including great blue herons, snowy and great egrets, and brown pelicans—have been spotted. Throughout the reserve are trails for bird-watching, including a comfortable 1½-mile loop. Free guided tours depart from the walking bridge on the second Saturday of each month at 10 am. At noon most Saturdays the public can help feed the center's marine and small animals. There are two entrances off the Pacific Coast Highway: one close to the Interpretive Center and a second one 1 mile south on Warner Avenue, opposite Bolsa Chica State Beach.
Bolsa Chica Wetlands Interpretive Center, 3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, California, 92649, USA714-846–1114Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
18. Bolsa Chica State Beach
BeachIn the northern section of the city, Bolsa Chica State Beach is usually less crowded than its southern neighbors. The sand is somewhat gritty...
In the northern section of the city, Bolsa Chica State Beach is usually less crowded than its southern neighbors. The sand is somewhat gritty and not the cleanest, but swells make it a hot surfing spot. Picnic sites can be reserved in advance. Fire pits attract beachgoers most nights. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking; RV camping.
Pacific Coast Hwy., between Seapoint St. and Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, California, 92648, USA714-846–3460Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15 parking -
19. Casino Point Dive Park
BeachIn front of the Casino are the crystal clear waters of the Casino Point Dive Park, a protected marine preserve where moray eels, bat rays, spiny...
In front of the Casino are the crystal clear waters of the Casino Point Dive Park, a protected marine preserve where moray eels, bat rays, spiny lobsters, harbor seals, and the bright orange Garibaldi (California's state marine fish) cruise around kelp forests and along the sandy bottom. No need to don a wet suit: the brilliantly orange Garibaldi, can sometimes be viewed from the seawall. It's a terrific site for scuba diving, with some shallow areas suitable for snorkeling. Equipment can be rented on and near the pier. The shallow waters of Lover's Cove, east of the boat landing, are also good for snorkeling.
1 Casino Way, Avalon, California, 90704, USA -
20. Catalina Island Museum
Museum/GalleryThe exterior of the Catalina Island Museum is a nod to Catalina Island's developer William Wrigley Jr.—it's modeled after Wrigley Field in Chicago...
The exterior of the Catalina Island Museum is a nod to Catalina Island's developer William Wrigley Jr.—it's modeled after Wrigley Field in Chicago. Inside the interactive museum visitors can learn about the island's history from the native Chumash people to its role in Hollywood history and beyond. Two galleries host traveling exhibitions. The view from the outside terrace takes in lovely Avalon and its picturesque harbor. A small gift shop offers Catalina-themed souvenirs and reproductions of the island's signature colorful Catalina pottery tiles.
217 Metropole Ave., Avalon, California, 90704, USA310-510–2414Sight Details
Rate Includes: $17, Closed Mon. and Tues.
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