21 Best Sights in Orange County and Catalina Island, California

This municipal pier stretches 1,856 feet out to sea, and is a prime vantage point to watch the dozens of surfers in the water below. At the end of the pier you'll find a popular seafood restaurant, Broad Street Oyster Company, serving fresh oysters, fried seafood, lobster rolls, shrimp tacos, and ice-cold beers. Along the pier one can purchase fishing rods, tackle, and bait to fish off the pier.

Newport's best beaches are on a 3-mile stretch called Balboa Peninsula. The picturesque Newport Harbor is on one side, and sandy, broad beaches on the other. It's one of the most intense surfing and bodysurfing spots in Orange County, at the Wedge, at the south end of the peninsula.  Rip currents and punishing waves mean it's strictly for the pros—but it sure is fun to watch an experienced local ride it.

In the middle of Newport Harbor is a charming community filled with quaint streets and multimillion-dollar cottages and homes with personal docks in their backyard. The island doesn't have a hotel, just vacation rentals available on VRBO and Airbnb. Stroll along Marine Avenue lined with picturesque cafés and apparel, decor, and souvenir stores. There are bicycle and walking paths encircling much of the island for an easy and scenic visit. 

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 exciting Downtown Disney District is a walking promenade filled with international dining, shopping, and entertainment that connects the resort's hotels and theme parks. More than a dozen establishments include the popular Asian restaurant Din Tai Fung, specializing in Taiwanese soup dumplings, and Parkside Market with four new food and drink venues including Seoul Sister, Sip & Sonder, and GG's Chicken Shop. Go upstairs to Vista Parkside Market for cocktails and elevated bites overlooking Downtown Disney's entertainment stage. Michelin star chef Carlos Gaytán opened three Mexican-inspired eateries: the open-air Centrico patio dining and bar; the upscale multisensory Paseo; and Mexican street food Tiendita. Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill. Be sure to try their signature seasonal beignets that can be dipped, drizzled, and sprinkled. Enjoy a cold beer at Ballast Point Brewery and a gourmet burger at Black Tap Craft Burgers. Save room for sweet treats at Salt and Straw for gourmet ice cream flavors such as honey lavender and oat milk and cookies, and Sprinkles for decadent frosted cupcakes.

Disney merchandise, souvenirs, and artwork are showcased at the brightly lit World of Disney store and new D Lander shop. Avengers Reserve is for Marvel fans, and The Wonderful World of Sweets is a kaleidoscope of colors, smells and tasty treats. At the LEGO Store there are bigger-than-life LEGO creations, hands-on demonstrations, and space to play with the latest LEGO creations.

Entering is complimentary, however all visitors must pass through a security checkpoint and metal detectors before entering.

The Pacific Surfliner trains stop at the 1894 depot at the entrance of the oldest residential street in Southern California. Some of the houses date back to the 1790s. Train fans can stay overnight in the historic Los Rios Cottages. Located near Mission San Juan Capistrano, this was the first Californian mission to allow workers to live outside the mission grounds. On the street you'll find quaint shops, the Ramos House Cafe, and a beautiful Tea House in a flower garden.

Located near multiple dining venues, art galleries, and shops, Main Beach Park is the epicenter of Laguna Beach. Walk along this soft-sand beach to Bird Rock and explore nearby tide pools or just sit on one of the benches and watch people bodysurfing, playing beach volleyball, or shooting hoops 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; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise, sunset; swimming.

On the west end in Dana Cove Park overlooking Dana Point Harbor, Baby Beach is very popular with families. It's close to a large parking lot, it has picnic shelters, and the water is quite shallow with no wave action. Water quality can be an issue, however. This is a popular SUP area and it's near the Ocean Institute. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

One of the largest salt water marshes in the state, wildlife lovers and bird-watchers flock to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. More than 1,300 acres, it's home to 200 different bird species—including great blue herons, snowy and great egrets, and brown pelicans. Throughout the reserve are easy-to-walk trails for bird-watching along a 1½-mile loop. There are two entrances off the Pacific Coast Highway: one close to the Interpretive Center and a second a mile south on Warner Avenue. Each parking lot connects to 4 miles of walking and hiking trails with scenic overlooks. Parking is free, but limited.

This is the best spot to board a whale watching or fishing boat for a tour of the harbor and beyond. Catalina Express leaves from this harbor on boat ferry rides to Catalina Island. The marina docks private boats and yachts, and has a variety of shops, restaurants, water sports, and bike rentals. Annual family friendly events include the Tall Ships Festival, Holiday Boat Parade, and the Festival of Whales.

The city has a 1-mile stretch of beach dedicated to dogs. It's free and dogs can run, fetch a ball, and play with other dogs off leash. Twice a year the city hosts Corgi Beach Day, one of the largest corgi celebrations, in which up to 1,000 dogs of all different breeds and owners join in the fun.

Head to the Green Pleasure Pier for a good vantage point of Avalon Harbor. On the pier you can find a visitor information office, fish-and-chip snack stands, a bait shop, a dive shop, and a tour boat ticket stand. This is also a gathering spot where tourists rent small motorboats and paddleboards.

Located on a walking path along the cliff all the way to Laguna's Main Beach, Heisler Park is one of the most picturesque parks in Laguna Beach. Visitors come early in the summer to secure a picnic table overlooking palm trees and panoramic ocean views. Take the stairs down to Diver's Cove for snorkeling, scuba diving, and tide-pool exploring. This is also a popular area for plein air artists to set up an easel and chair and paint for hours.

Stretching for 3½ miles from Bolsa Chica State Beach to Huntington State Beach, Huntington City Beach is most crowded around the pier where amateur and professional surfers brave the waves daily. There are 100 fire rings, numerous concession stands, bike paths, and well-raked white sand. Surfboard rental shops make this a popular beach year-round. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

This peaceful state beach offers 121 sandy acres and 200 firepits, so it's popular during the day and evening. There are changing rooms, and two new concession stands---the Huntington Beach House and Sahara Sandbar. There are year-round surf lessons, lifeguards, Wi-Fi access, and ample parking. An 8½-mile bike path connects Huntington to Bolsa Chica State Beach. Picnic areas can be reserved in advance for a fee depending on location; otherwise it's first come, first served. On hot days, expect crowds at this broad, soft-sand beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Just up Main Street from Huntington Pier, in an iconic art deco building, the International Surfing Museum pays tribute to the sport's greats with an impressive collection of surfboards and related memorabilia. Exhibits are designed to encourage families to learn about the history of surfing. Highlights include Duke Kahanamoku's surfboard and the "World's Largest Surfboard" measuring 42 feet long, 11 feet wide, 16 inches thick, and weighing 1,300 pounds.

Hikers enjoy over 40 miles of trails spread over 7,000 acres of canyon to coastal territory. Trails open daily at 7 am and stay open until sunset, weather permitting. No dogs are allowed in the park.

Jutting out into the ocean near 21st Street, Newport Pier is a popular fishing spot. Below is 5 miles of sandy beach for sunbathing, surfing, and walking. Street parking is difficult, so grab the first space you find and be prepared to walk. On weekends the area is alive with kids on in-line skates, skateboards, and bikes dodging pedestrians and whizzing past fast-food joints and classic dive bars.

Founded by 13 visionary women in 1962 and one of the earliest contemporary art museums in California, the OCMA opened in 2022 in its new home at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Designed by award-winning architect Thom Mayne, OCMA's striking 53,000-square-foot building has 25,000 square feet of free-flowing gallery space to house its extensive collection of more than 4,500 works produced in the 20th and 21st centuries by artists with ties to California. Outside, a grand staircase provides amphitheater seating and serves as a community gathering point, inspired by the steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. There is a bar, café, and sculpture terrace on Level 2. 

One of the largest retail gardens in Southern California, Roger's showcases some of the best garden ideas and holiday decorations during Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. The on-site Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens restaurant is popular with visitors and locals during lunchtime and dinner. The chefs prepare locally sourced menu items to enjoy while overlooking the bucolic gardens.

This outdoor "museum without walls" is a favorite walking spot for locals and visitors. Located in the Newport Beach Civic Center, there is a car-free walking path displaying meaningful and whimsical public art sculptures. Take a self-guided walking tour by downloading the MyNB app in advance of your visit.

Off South Coast Highway, Wood's Cove is especially quiet during the week. Big rock formations hide lurking crabs. This is a prime scuba-diving spot, and at high tide much of the beach is underwater. Climbing the steps to leave, you can see a Tudor-style mansion that was once home to Bette Davis. Street parking is free yet limited. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; sunset.