With long sandy beaches, major theme parks and a huge National Forest, Orange County seems to have more than its fair share of visitor attractions. This busy, vibrant area of Southern California may not have one large city, but with so many towns, it can keep you entertained for days. Whether you’re here on business or for a holiday, expect to find an area that offers the authentic Californian experience - fun, sun and entertainment.
Vising Mickey Mouse and the gang
If you’re travelling with children, or just a massive Disney fan yourself, it will be hard to ignore the region’s biggest attraction. Disneyland, one of the world’s classic theme parks which has been open for more than 60 years.
The recipe is still the same though: family fun featuring characters and scenes from Disney movies. You’ll find an elevated railway carries you round the 85 acres of rides and amusements which range from white-knuckle rides to period sweet shops.
Children will love the costumed characters wandering the park and the sight of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, while teenagers will enjoy the thrills of more grown-up rides like the California Screaming roller coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror vertical drop.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Not far behind Disneyland in the popularity stakes is the theme park to the south of Orange County, Knott’s Berry Farm. Originally a small diversification on a family-run berry farm, this theme park has grown to become a bigger site than Disneyland. It now offers 40 different rides, including state-of-the-art roller coasters and major thrill rides. You’ll also find plenty of family fun, like bumper cars, water rides and live comedy shows.
The famed O.C Beaches
This prime stretch of west coast shoreline includes over 40 miles of largely idyllic surf and sand - the whole length is beautiful but each section has its own character.
Laguna Beach has secluded coves and waterfront parks for a glamorous up-market atmosphere, while Seal Beach has a smaller, quieter vibe. Newport Beach has a busy harbour and yacht marina alongside its sands, and Huntington Beach has a nine-mile beach known locally as ‘Surf City’.
And don’t forget this is a great area for spotting whales. You can often see them from the shore but the chances are increased if you take a whale-watching cruise from Newport or Dana Point.
