The 14 best things to do in Orange County

It’s still the happiest—though starting to feel like the most expensive—place on earth. Say what you will about the House of Mouse; Disney's wondrous, immersive lands still provide a joyous escape for everyone from budding princesses to nostalgia buffs. Venture into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye with Indiana Jones, soar over London’s twinkling lights en route to Neverland and speed through the galaxy aboard Space Mountain’s interstellar coaster. Just don't miss Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for a thrilling battle against the First Order.

Time Out tip: There is so much ground to cover between Disneyland Park, Disneyland California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. Even if you're a SoCal resident, it's a good idea to get a hotel room here (for naps, snacks, parking, and more). Stay at one of Disney's Good Neighbor Hotels which are nearby partner hotels offering special amenities. We love the Viv Hotel (a Marriott property) that's about a mile from Disneyland and is known for its rooftop restaurant, Top of the V. The new hotel has an adults-only pool on the 12th floor rooftop, plus a family pool, jacuzzi, and splash pad on the ground floor. The Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) shuttle comes directly to the hotel for easy access to the park, and if you request a park view room you'll have an incredible view of Disney's nightly fireworks from the comfort of your bed. There's also laundry facilities and free beach cruiser rentals. 

Known as the birthplace of Orange County, Mission San Juan Capistrano is the seventh of 21 missions across California, founded more than 200 years ago. Today the historic landmark, chapel, museum and garden welcomes visitors and tour groups year-round. The daily bell ringing at 9am is a long-standing tradition, and the Return of the Swallows celebration in March and Capistrano Lights holiday festivities in December are their biggest annual events. 

Time Out tip: Next door, the Inn at Mission San Juan Capistrano is definitely worth a visit. Stay in a stylish hacienda-style guest room, admire the mission's Great Stone Church ruins from the hotel patio, and sip wine from within the Inn’s serene olive grove. The grove has a decidedly romantic vibe with twinkling lanterns, firepits, and picture-perfect sunsets. No visit to the mission or Inn is complete without a meal at Ysidora restaurant (named for the mission’s matriarch, Ysidora Forster) to enjoy upscale Spanish cuisine like patatas bravas, paella, and juicy steaks. Don’t skip the olive oil tasting or wine pairings! 

Located in the heart of downtown Huntington Beach, this iconic pier is one of the longest and most photographed on the west coast. From this “Surf City, USA” landmark, there are nearby shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as walkable attractions like the beachfront mall Pacific City, Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, and cozy fire pits situated directly on the beach.

Time Out tip: Grab lunch at the pier and take in some killer ocean views. Broad Street Oyster Co. sits at the end of the pier, serving up their famous lobster rolls (definitely worth the hype), as well as seafood from their raw bar and caviar if you're feeling fancy. There's also Duke's Huntington Beach at the base of the pier that has incredible views of the sand and surf, plus island-inspired plates like banana leaf steamed fish and poke tacos—don't skip the hula pie for dessert. 

This ridiculously scenic oceanfront park in Laguna Beach should be the first stop for anyone who questions why people pay so much to live in Southern California. Take the tropical paradise of Hawaii, remove the lava, and you have Heisler Park. Stroll a paved path that meanders alongside mesmerizing beach coves and through lush seaside gardens brimming with towering palms and enough succulents to crash Pinterest. 

Time Out tip: Pack up your picnic and grilling supplies and plan to make a whole day of it here. There are barbecue grills for public use and plenty of picnic tables to claim. You can catch a lawn bowling game and let the kids splash around in the tide pools. Just be aware this is a popular wedding venue so you may end up witnessing some nuptials. 

Load up the cooler with rosé and set sail around the islands and mansions of Newport Harbor aboard your own private touring boat. Posh Newport Harbor is chock-full of mega yachts and Thurston Howell III types. For the rest of us, there’s Duffies, the sporty pleasure boats with canopy tops, ice chests and cushy bench seating for friends. Enjoy a leisurely cruise around Balboa and Lido Islands, docking at numerous watering holes such as Billy’s on the Beach for Mai Tais and raucous fun. The boats fit up to 12 people and come with free ice for your cooler. 

Time Out tip: Stock up ahead of time and come onboard with plenty of party supplies—food, beverages and a Bluetooth-enabled device to stream music through the boat's speakers, at a minimum. Small dogs are also permitted. They'll provide a map of the harbor, noting popular routes and what to avoid. Duffies are known for being easy to drive and don't go above 5 mph.

Sat within a repurposed 1919 Sunkist packing facility, this stylish Anaheim food hall bustles with eateries, bars, and Millenials. Centered around a light-filled atrium packed with greenery and bench swings, the two-level former warehouse packs in 25 vendors whose culinary offerings span the globe. Get a taste of Japanese-style ramen and sushi at Zabon Ramen, snap pics of Mini Monster’s fantastical boba tea topped with Fruity Pebbles-sprinkled cotton candy, and seek out the hidden entrance for the Blind Rabbit’s sexy cocktail den.

Time Out tip: Parking is limited here and can be difficult to find. If you don't want to pay for valet, head to the parking garage at City Hall (just north of the District) or the public parking garage across from Downtown Anaheim Community Center a couple blocks away. Once you arrive, head straight to Pali Wine Co. for a curated tasting flight of five types of their central coast vino. 

Fans of the Bluth family will take pleasure in the sprinkle-adorned treats at Balboa Island’s “Original Frozen Banana Stand.” The kitschy inspiration for the beachside stand on Arrested Development, Sugar ‘N Spice has been dunking frozen bananas in chocolate and rainbow sprinkles since 1945. They also lay claim to the Balboa Bar, a block of chocolate-dipped ice cream whose invention is challenged by Dad’s Donuts & Bakery, the rival frozen banana stand a few doors away.

Time Out tip: Those who aren't banana fans can opt for frozen cheesecake on a stick, frozen tiramisu on a stick or even just ice cream with fun toppings like Fruity Pebbles or peanuts mixed with chocolate sprinkles. Whatever you choose, expect to wait in line at this popular hot spot that's especially busy during summer.

It’s tough to go wrong with any patch of sand in Laguna Beach, but this crescent-shaped stunner is one of the best. With shockingly clear, azure waters backed by palm tree-lined bluffs, this wide, sandy beach cove feels more far-flung than its SoCal setting. Pleasantly warm waters teem with frolicking kids, snorkelers, and scuba divers. Parking by Crescent Bay Beach is limited to nearby residential streets, but the extra walk is worth it to spend an afternoon here.

Time Out tip: This is a particularly popular spot for bodysurfing, drawing a younger crowd that’s comfortable on skim boards and launching themselves into the shore with only fins to help guide them. Dogs are welcome on leash, but during summer there are specific hours they are allowed on the beach. Come during low tide to see the tide pools brimming with creatures.

Get your taco and margarita fix at Puesto, a family-owned Mexican restaurant and bar serving Mexico City-style tacos in handmade corn tortillas. With outposts in Anaheim (across from Disneyland) and two in Irvine, Puesto continues to grow in popularity across California thanks to its creative, upscale tacos in varieties like filet mignon, lobster, tamarindo shrimp and short rib quesabirria. Puesto's margaritas and other tequila-based cocktails are some of the best in town—same goes for their guacamole. You can expect a lively, upscale dining atmosphere with tequila bottles as decor. 

Time Out tip: When in doubt, opt for the Puesto Perfect margarita and Puesto Perfect guacamole—there's a good reason why they're associated with perfection. There's also enchiladas, bowls, salads and apps here, but tacos are the star of the show. We suggest you order three tacos per person in different varieties and share a jalapeno caesar salad and guacamole sampler. Don't miss Puesto's Taco Tuesday specials when you can score half-priced tacos. 

While Real Housewife types preen for South Coast Plaza’s lavish boutiques, the cool-kid set hangs down the street at this hip cluster of Costa Mesa shops and eateries. Billing itself as the anti-mall since it opened in the grunge-drenched ’90s, the Lab’s atmospheric, open-air grounds delight the current generation with vintage airstreams, street art-embellished walls and light-strung garden courtyards—the preferred spot for sipping mojitos from fresh coconuts while shopping for edgy streetwear. For the perfect Instagram prop, head to Stella Jean's ice cream shop to sample creative flavors like mango sticky rice and ube & pandesal toffee.

Time Out tip: Tack on a trip across the street to the Camp, whose Frontierland-like property features similar offerings with an outdoorsy theme. This eco-friendly shopping space skews health-conscious with a fitness studio, vegan food and secondhand clothes. Check the calendar for live music and other free community events like maker's markets and outdoor yoga.

Visitors love that this revitalized, walkable hub is packed with hip food and drink options—and isn’t a mall. You’ll find OC’s buzziest bars and restaurants in "SanTana," which makes for a fun, food-fueled bar crawl. Pair pints with a game of pool at Mission Bar, nosh on tacos and small plates at Perla Mexican Cuisine, and sit down for a killer, multi-course sushi meal at Omakase by Gino. 

Time Out tip: Get a taste of the food scene at 4th Street Market innovation food hall, where up-and-coming new vendors bring their creations to the public. The commercial kitchen space at "4SM" is designed for personal chefs and caterers, virtual kitchens and small-scale food productions that are testing out their concepts—bringing cool new options to downtown Santa Ana. There's kombucha and boba, a bakery and creperie, Thai food and smashburgers. 

Newport Beach’s chic waterfront collection of shops and restaurants redefines shopping malls for the Instagram set. Awash in sleek white shiplap and nautical flair—including photo-ready graphics that proclaim “Let Your Dreams Set Sail”—the Lido Marina’s al fresco shopping center exudes the breezy vibes of a luxury cruise liner. Check the events calendar for live music and extended summer hours to keep the fun going.

Time Out tip: A couple miles down the peninsula, you'll find Balboa Fun Zone where you can feel like a kid again at this mini amusement park on the waterfront. This historic 80-year-old landmark has a Ferris wheel; rides like the coconut climb, ocean motion, and happy swing; an arcade with games; and fun pop-up events. Don't miss the carnival-style treats!

This time-warp, subterranean eatery in Fullerton was designed in 1969 by the same team that created Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride and has the atmosphere to match. Sure, the old-school Continental-style dishes are fine, but you’re at the Cellar for the dramatic, windowless interiors—made to resemble an Old World wine cellar—and surprisingly up-to-date craft cocktails. Slide into a plush booth in the rock wall-enveloped lounge, order a pitch-perfect martini and savor the retro-kitsch surroundings.

Time Out tip: Since the restaurant is located in the basement of historic building Villa del Sol, many first-timers have trouble finding the entrance. Look for stairs in the northwest corner of the building. Once your eyes have adjusted to the dimly lit dining room, order the Cellar's lobster bisque which is their most popular menu item, containing chopped lobster claw, creme fraiche and chives. Settle in here for a truly unique dining experience.

This 1970s SoCal Mexican fast-food brand was resurrected by a devoted blogger who fought a big chain to bring back the food he missed. Acquired and subsequently jettisoned by fast-food chain Del Taco, the Naugles brand was won in court and rebirthed by local hero Christian Ziebarth. At their Fountain Valley and Stanton locations, savor the nostalgia with cult menu items such as cheesy beef burritos, taco salad cups and bun tacos, all packaged in the brand’s hyper-70s orange, yellow and brown colors.

Time Out tip: It's even easier to eat Naugles now that they've introduced a new mobile food truck that pops up in various locations throughout Orange County. Not sure whether to order a taco or burger? Get the bun taco that's a cross between the two—and their most popular item. For the die-hard fans, there's merch available for purchase including branded shirts, hats and towels.