Orange County California Hotels Near Things to Do

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Orange County

Orange County may be home to some of California’s best kept secrets, but that doesn’t mean they’re meant to remain that way. After all, the area is a collection of cities that line the crooked coast and extend inland. With so much to see and do, it’s an adventurer’s dream, allowing you to go hiking or surfing in the morning, antique shopping in the afternoon, and dine near the ocean in the evening. From out-of-the-way restaurants, trendy boutiques and plenty of outdoor activities, Orange County’s time has arrived. And Hyatt has your wake-up call.

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ARTS/CULTURE

Bowers Museum

2002 North Main Street

Santa Ana,CA

+1 714 567 3600

Dedicated to understanding human beings through art, the Bowers Museum exhibits works from around the world, like the Terra Cotta Warriors, as well as art inspired by California.

Laguna Art Museum

307 Cliff Drive

Laguna Beach,CA

+1 949 494 8971

Whether you agree that art and artists have helped shape the world for the better, the role of both is explored at this museum through American and Californian art.

Irvine Barclay Center

4242 Campus Drive

Irvine,CA

+1 949 854 4646

With 750 seats, the top-notch performances at this theater are intimate affairs, enhanced by acoustics that are the envy of theater directors throughout the country.

Orange County Museum of Art

850 San Clemente

Newport Beach,CA

+1 949 759 1122

California is a haven of artistic inspiration, and this museum is dedicated to 20^th century art from the state where everyone goes to be discovered.

Pacific Symphony

3631 South Harbor Boulevard, Suite 100

Santa Ana,CA

+1 714 755 5788

Internationally known and one of the nation’s largest symphonies, the focus is on innovation while the music is contemporary compositions.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

600 Town Center Drive

Costa Mesa,CA

+1 714 556 2787

The performances range from blues to Bach, from Hair to ballet, but the experience extends to the outdoor sculptures, the architecture and the plush, inviting interior.

PLACES

Balboa Island

835 West Washington Boulevard

Balboa Island,CA

After a visit here, it’ll be hard to decide which is sweeter: the frozen chocolate banana or the California sunset from this Newport Beach paradise.

Disneyland

1313 South Disneyland Drive

Anaheim,CA

+1 714 781 4565

The pull of this attraction isn’t the park’s ubiquity, as much as it’s our need to feel like a kid again.

Downtown Fullerton

Fullerton,CA

Even though it’s 117 years old, Fullerton is one of the hippest towns in California. Shop during the day or go club hopping at night.

International Surfing Museum

411 Olive Avenue

Huntington Beach, CA

+1 714 960 3483

Just because it’s based in “Surf City, USA” doesn’t mean the International Surf Museum is all about surfboards and wacky-named surfers. You can also peep the surfing-inspired art on display.

Nix Nature Center

18751 Laguna Canyon Road

Laguna Beach,CA

+1 949 923 2253

Pretend to be an adventurer discovering a new world, as you walk through coastal wilderness via linked trails that cover 20,000 acres.

Old Town Orange Historic District

Orange,CA

In a one square-mile area, you can get a taste of Orange, CA from 1888 to 1940, with more than 50 different architectural styles and the county’s best antique shopping.

OC Wildlife and Beach Tour

Laguna Hills,CA

+1 949 500 6981

The nature tours provide a glimpse of sea lions and seals, and the art tours come with wine tasting. But you can’t drink wine with the sea lions.

San Juan Capistrano Mission

26801 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano,CA

+1 949 234 1300

An integral part of California’s history, not so much because it’s a remnant of Spain’s colonies more than 230 years ago, but because California’s first wine grape was planted here.

Places to eat, drink and play in Orange County.

EAT/DRINK/PLAY

3Thirty3

333 Bayside Drive

Newport Beach,CA

+1 949 673 8464

Come here to wind down from the evening with a casual but elegant waterfront setting and the tasty 3Thirty3 cocktail.

Break of Dawn

23451 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite N-6

Laguna Hills,CA

+1 949 587 9418

Seemingly a simple breakfast and lunch place, its owner, Dee Nguyen, is a renowned California chef. You’ll know why when you taste the French toast, made from cinnamon-raisin brioche.

Marche Moderne

3333 Bristol Street, Suite 3001,

Costa Mesa,CA

+1 714 434 7900

This is one of the few times you can confidently recommend an upscale French bistro located in a mall. The service is impeccable and the Duck confit is divine.

Main Street Wine Company

301 Main Street, Suite 105,

Huntington Beach,CA

+1 714 969 7400

Whether you’re a budding sommelier, a connoisseur, an oenophile or simply someone who enjoys drinking wine with friends in a chill atmosphere, this is where you go.

Park Avenue

11200 Beach Boulevard

Stanton,CA

+1 714 901 4400

The décor is early ‘60s vintage, but the cuisine is modern, from a garden out back that provides the salads and sides, to the five-spiced baked salmon.

Regina’s Restaurant

11025 Westminster Avenue

Garden Grove,CA

+1 714 638 9595

Sometimes you want the steak, not the sizzle. The setting of this restaurant is Argentine casual, but the bife a la portuguesa is a treat for refined tastes.

Rustica

1133 Newport Center Drive

Newport Beach,CA

+1 714 638 9595

With hand-crafted dishes from local farms, you’re guaranteed a delectable treat at this gorgeous Newport locale.

SideDoor

3801 East Coast Highway

Corona Del Mar,CA

+1 949 717 4322

The interior is like a countryside English tavern and the food features charcuterie as well as a modern take on the classic fish n’ chips.

Surfin’ Chicken

71 Via Pico Plaza

San Clemente,CA

+1 949 498 6603

It’s not a surf shop for the faint-hearted, but a restaurant serving chicken that’ll leave your taste buds surfing a flavor wave.

Taco Loco

640 South Coast Highway

Laguna Beach,CA

+1 949 497 1635

If you love the blackened tofu mushroom burger with guacamole, it doesn’t mean you’re a vegetarian. It means you love delicious food.

SHOPPING

Ear Abstracts Etc.

18206 Imperial Highway, #201

Yorba Linda,CA

+1 714 996 3505

What started out as an earring specialty shop has grown into a boutique that keeps you feeling feminine, from wine glasses and lotions to sparkling jewelry and sleek purses.

Friends of the Newport Beach Library Bookstore

1000 Avocado Avenue

Newport Beach,CA

+1 949 759 9667

Among the new and used books, you’re never really sure what you’ll find, from epic tomes to thrilling page-turners. Prepare to spend guilt-free because all proceeds go to the local library.

G. Marie Boutique

31639 Coast Highway

Laguna Beach,CA

+1 949 715 9770

With fashion forward pieces, hipster couture and vintage finds filling the racks, your style will forever be influenced by casual California cool.

Fashion Island

401 Newport Center Drive

Newport Beach,CA

+1 949 721 2000

It’s not the name of the latest reality TV show and it’s not located on an island. But it is outdoors with ocean views and it has a plethora of shops and restaurants.

The Frog House

6908 West Coast Highway

Newport Beach,CA

+1 949 642 5690

A dedicated surf shop that’s not just dedicated to surfers, it has everything you need to look like you’re about to hang 10, even if you’re just going to lie on the beach.

Rainbow Sandals

900 Negocio Road

San Clemente,CA

+1 949 492 4930

If you’re the victim of a no shoes, no shirt, no service policy, this San Clemente original shop can help. They sell comfortable sandals and t-shirts and provide excellent service.

Repeat Boutique

370 East 17th Street

Costa Mesa,CA

+1 949 448 9927

What’s better than an outfit by Armani, Michael Kors or Prada? Getting it on the cheap at this upscale resale boutique.

San Clemente Antiques

214 Avenida Del Mar

San Celemente,CA

+1 949 498 2992

With a random assortment of old record players, jewelry and other odds and ends, all you need to do to be delighted is walk through the door.

South Coast Plaza

13333 Bristol Street

Costa Mesa,CA

+1 714 435 2000

A collection of 280 high-end boutiques, from Fendi to Valentino, as well as 30 restaurants and four performing arts venues makes shopping here the total package.