There are more fun things to do in Orange County than first meets the eye. Growing up in OC my whole life, I quite literally spent my childhood and early adulthood doing all the things there are to do in Orange County. I’ve tried it all, from outdoor adventures and trips with my parents, to being a teen and trying to find all the fun places to go in OC to get out of the house! 😛
Some of the best things to do in OC depend on the season and the time of year, but others are there year-round waiting for you to discover them. I bet that you’ll find some fun activities on this list that you have thought of and done, but also some that you haven’t yet done.
And that’s why I wrote this post: to try and shed some new light on all the fun parts of OC that you might be missing! The list starts in the south and ends in the north so make sure to keep going to the end.
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Fun Things to Do in Orange County: South County + Beach Cities
South OC is full of beaches and cute cities that are generally quite close to the beach. It includes Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente inland to Irvine, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and more, all the way along Ortega Highway into the mountains. It’s all beautiful, and there are tons of fun things to do in South OC!
Personally, I grew up here in South County – mostly around Laguna Niguel and Dana Point. From school to traveling for soccer tournaments and track meets and weekends at different beaches or hiking in the mountains, I have truly done it all when it comes to these areas!
Laguna Beach Art Galleries
Laguna Beach is one of my favorite places in the whole world, not just because I grew up close by but because it’s a tiny city with a unique heart. This little beach city is famous for art, and is home to dozens of art galleries spread across all the beautiful little streets.
Exploring downtown Laguna is so much fun. You’ll stumble upon loads of delicious restaurants, cute shops, and dozens of art galleries from paintings to photography. It’s a great place to find some art to take home and put on your wall. Laguna is also home to some of the most unique places to stay in California.
Some of my favorite galleries to peruse are Kush Fine Art, Wyland Galleries (a must), Posh Galleria for different art stalls, and all of PCH between Legion Street and Forest Ave is all galleries so pop into a few!
Sawdust Festival
The Sawdust Festival is perhaps the BEST way to get amongst the best of Laguna Beach art. It happens every summer and is a showcase of dozens of different kinds of local artists (you actually have to be local to show there).
Located at the beginning of Laguna Canyon, this festival features booths of every type of art you can imagine and lots of creative minds. If you are in Orange County in the summer, buy tickets to the Sawdust Festival and peruse some unique art.
Pageant of the Masters
The Pageant of the Masters is one of the most unique shows in Orange County or even the state, and it runs for a few months every summer as part of the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. When I was growing up, a few friends of mine used to work here as part of the tableaus.
The Pageant of the Masters entails ‘living pictures,’ where actors pose to create intricately planned scenes and recreations of famous art pieces. It’s very unique and impressive seeing a ‘still image’ comprised of real people! It involves music, poetry, narration, and art all woven together.
Heisler Park Laguna Beach
Heisler Park is a lovely park on the cliffs above Laguna Main Beach, just outside Las Brisas. Heisler Park has beautiful trails along the bluffs with stunning ocean views from the main beach to the tiny little coves along the coast.
You may often come across high school kids taking prom or homecoming pictures here, because it really is that scenic. With gardens, succulents, and bright red flowers contrasting the crystal blue hue of the ocean, this place never gets old (even for me).
Dine at Las Brisas Laguna Beach
For a fancy + fun thing to do in Orange County, dine at the iconic Las Brisas Restaurant in Laguna Beach. Las Brisas is THE restaurant overlooking Main Beach in Laguna and has a menu of upscale Mexican food specialties. Head here for a really nice dinner and make sure to walk the path along the cliffs afterward.
Have a Drink at the Montage Laguna Beach
The Montage is one of the ritziest hotels in Orange County, and you don’t have to stay there to experience it. Their bar + restaurant is open to the public, and you can experience one of the best sunsets in OC with a cocktail in hand!
This is a stop my parents and I make each time I come home because the combo of bar bites + get cocktails + unbelievable sunset views is a winner, even for people who live here!
San Juan Capistrano Mission
The California missions are a historical trail commemorating the original path taken by Spanish Catholic missionaries in California in the late 1700’s and early 1800s. You can find missions along the entire coast of California, but perhaps one of the best looked after is the San Juan Capistrano Mission.
You can’t miss it in the center of San Juan Capistrano, with a huge dome top and beautiful gardens ((I know because my nana used to maintain one of the gardens there when I was growing up – it was her own little garden in the mission! I wish it was still there)! You’ll have to pay a small entry fee, but once inside, you can learn so much about the missions and California’s unique early history.
Visit San Juan Capistrano Old Town and Taste Wine
Other than the Mission, San Juan Capistrano has become a fantastic place to explore. In the last decade or so, SJC has gone from a tiny Mexican-influenced neighborhood to one of the cutest neighborhoods in Orange County.
Near the train station, you will find some of OC’s trendiest eateries and restaurants as well as an adorable green pathway from garden cafes to art markets. You can also find some lovely California souvenirs at the famous souvenir shop. Try Mayfield cafe and then some wine flights at the two wineries nearby!
Best of Orange County Beaches Tour
If you’re on a short visit, why not take the stress away and book a tour to see the best beaches of Orange County all at once? This OC Best Beaches Tour below will show you everything from the pristine Laguna Beaches to the vast sandy expanses of Huntington Beach – pretty much all the must-see’s if you are visiting the area, in one day.
Surf at Doheny State Beach
Doheny Beach is home to some of the easiest waves in Orange County for learners and is a fantastic place to rent a board and surf or take a surf lesson. This is where I learned to surf when I was about 9, and came back for surf camps every summer!
You ‘ll need to pay an entry fee into the state park, but once inside, you’ll have access to a lovely beach and acres of green grass parks, barbecues, snack bars, and more. Rent a 4-person bike to explore the whole area between surf sessions in the sun.
Watch the Sunset on the Salt Creek Hill
This might be one of the fun things to do in Orange County that is the most near and dear to my heart. The Salt Creek Hill is a huge green grassy hill above Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point that presents panoramic views of the Pacific.
It’s one of the best places to bring a blanket, chairs, and picnic to watch the California sunset over the sea. I did this all through high school with my friends, and whenever we are home for the holidays this is our go-to catchup activity – meeting on a blanket at the Salt Creek Hill. I know you’ll love it as much as I do!
Visit The Lab Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa
One of the edgiest things to do in Orange County is to get coffee and go shopping at the Lab Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa – just up the 55 freeway from Newport Beach. The Lab is an ‘anti-mall’ because it’s trying NOT to be a mall – it’s not a *regular* mall, it’s a COOL mall that fits the desires of the ‘urban youth’ (I swear it says that somewhere).
It has crazy decorations, fun exhibitions, different events going on, colorful and eclectic decorations, and has an all-around edgy and fun vibe.
The only vendors that are allowed to trade there are trendy ones like Urban Outfitters, small business coffee shops and cafes (no chains), a hair salon, a crystal shop, an upscale thrift shop, and the like.
Hike Above Laguna Beach + Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Laguna Beach surely has some of the best hiking trails in the state due to the huge rugged hills that rise straight up from the beaches. You can do easy hikes here, or you can go all the way up to full-day hikes in Crystal cove and downtown.
The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park contains many of these beautiful hiking trails on protected wildlands, such as the El Morro Loop Trail. Check my guide to Laguna Beach hikes for more info and the best trails for you!
Catch a Yoga Class at IHeartYoga in the Park in Lantern Bay
Every SINGLE day year-round at 10 am and also at 5 pm in summer, iHeartYoga offers yoga classes outdoors in Lantern Bay park overlooking Doheny Beach. It used to be donation-based, but during social distancing they required pre-registration and $10 per class. Which is still an amazing deal!
I’m not sure if they will go back to donations or not, but you can sign up online and even buy an unlimited membership. Either way, it’s one of my FAVORITE Orange County activities full of locals, and the view and vibe doing yoga overlooking Dana Point is elite.
Ride Bikes Around Balboa
Balboa Island is one of the most fun places to go in Orange County, and the best way to see the whole thing is by renting bikes! Balboa is a little upscale island between Newport Beach and the peninsula that is home to big houses, little eateries, and lovely views.
Ride bikes around the huge mansions you’ve only seen in movies, and some ocean/bay views fit for the best photoshoot. It’s a perfect formula for a day in the sun, before or after relaxing on the beach! Make sure to stop by the Balboa Fun Zone as well for some rides and arcade games.
Explore the Tide Pools in Laguna Beach
Under Heisler Park near Laguna Main Beach, there are some epic tidepools you can explore during low tide. You can look for fish, hermit crabs, and other sea creatures in one of the most beautiful settings.
Have a Night Out on the Newport Peninsula
After your bike ride or duffy boat adventure, hit the bars on the Newport Peninsula. A lot of Orange County tends to have an older age demographic, and the only place I think you can still find loads of young people partying is on the Newport Peninsula.
The Newport Bars are always a fun time on the weekend. Hit up Baja Sharkeez, Malarky’s Irish Pub, Stag Bar & Kitchen, Beach Ball, and more for a fun night of drinks and debauchery.
Rent a Duffy Boat in Newport Beach
To see the BEST views of Newport Beach from the water, a lot of people like to rent duffy boats, pack a cooler, and zoom out on the bay for the day. You can explore, drink, and have dips in the sea whenever you like. This is the perfect idea for fun activities in Orange County – get your friends and some drinks and get ready for a day in the sun.
OC Night Market
Located at the Orange County Fairgrounds, visit the OC Night Market during the three weekends it’s on. Experience local vendors, games, snacks, and fun after dark here. Check the dates for this year here.
Ride the Balloon on the OC Great Park
One of the big things to do in Orange County that hardly ANY locals have actually done is ride the hot air balloon in OC Great Park. If you have been driving around OC, chances are that you have seen this huge orange balloon perched up in the sky near the intersection of the 5 and 405 in Irvine.
The balloon is actually FREE as is has been sponsored by a community nearby. It takes only 10-15 minutes to soar up to 400 feet and get the most central and elevated view in all of Orange County -actually one of the biggest tethered helium balloons of its kind. It’s right next to Irvine Spectrum, so perhaps combine both activities for a fun OC day.
Shop at Irvine Spectrum
The Irvine Spectrum is one of Orange County’s best shopping malls, and it’s all outdoors, too! Here, you can find pretty much ALL the big brands you might be looking for, plus so many more. The Irvine Spectrum could be a full day’s activity alone, with TONS of interesting shops as well as activities and great restaurants too.
Ride the Ferris wheel or head to Dave & Busters for some gaming fun, shop till you drop, and then grab dinner somewhere like the Yard House or Cheesecake Factory. Then, check out a movie at the theater or even a comedy show! Make sure to go ice skating during Christmas time.
Shop at Fashion Island
Fashion Island is another epic OC outdoor mall located in Newport Beach. This is a bougie mall with the elite of Newport doing their daily shopping here. You’ll find lots of big fancy brands as well as plenty of eateries and other fun things going on. I always love to go at Christmas time because they have lots of fun decor and trees up.
Pretend City Children’s Museum
Located in Irvine, the Pretend City Children’s Museum is one of the most unique things to do in Orange County. Fun for the whole family or even fun adults, this little museum takes the form of an entire miniature interconnected city. You can even ‘play house’ here by visiting places, going grocery shopping, and more!
South Orange County Brewery Tour
That’s right, OC is actually home to quite a few craft breweries! You can visit 3-4 of them on a tailored OC craft brewery tour where you can try different brews and even some bites too in a half-day beer adventure.
Walk the San Clemente Pier
San Clemente is one of the most relaxed Orange County suburbs, full of chill surfers, retirees, and more recently a growing number of young people. It’s getting more gentrified lately, with some super cute areas popping up.
This little town also has lots of cute shops, eateries, beaches, and views – one of the best of which is walking the San Clemente beach bath to the pier. I do this with my mum each time I come home, too! You can see fisherman doing their thing with surfers catching some waves below.
Bask in the Sun at Crystal Cove
Crystal Cove is one of the most exclusive OC beaches that will make you feel like you arrived in the Caribbean for the day. Located in North Laguna, you’ll have to find your way through the neighborhoods to get to this beautiful coveted beach. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Try Your Luck in Balboa Fun Zone
One of the best parts of Balboa Island in Newport is the Fun Zone – a mini theme park right in the middle of Newport. Ride some small rides or try your hand at some fun arcade games in the huge arcade. It’s fun for the whole family – or for fun couples looking for something different, or groups of friends too.
Explore Dana Point Harbor
Dana Point Harbor is another cozy neighborhood of OC with lots of character. It’s currently undergoing a very long-planned renovation, so stay tuned for the new updates from the harbor itself, which I understand will be a lovely waterfront park with shops and restaurants.
My favorite cafe, Coffee Importers, moved to the other side of the hrbor near the Ocean Institute. Make sure to grab a California Bagel there – my personal favorite – or a classic OC brunch/dinner at Wind & Sea.
Wine Tasting
There are actually LOTS of places to go wine tasting in Orange County! They are usually at winery restaurants rather than actual wineries, but it’s great just the same. There are wine tasting venues in Mission Viejo, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano, and Newport Beach.
Fun Things to Do in Orange County: North County
Here are all the fun things to do in OC in the north part of the county – from the upper borders of Newport (around the 55 freeway) all the way up to Huntington Beach and Seal Beach, and inland all the way towrds the Los Angeles County borders to Anaheim, Orange, Fullerton, Tustin, and Yorba Linda.
Spend the day at Disneyland AND California Adventure
If this isn’t the number ONE of the fun things to do in Orange County, I don’t know what is! One of the main reasons people come to OC and the most fun places in OC is DISNEYLAND!
If you aren’t planning a trip to Disneyland while in Orange County, you should consider it as it’s honestly one of the bucketlist things to do in the USA. Disneyland Anaheim is a fun time for all ages, not just kids.
You can enter all the different worlds of Disneyland – Fantasyland, Frontierland, Carsland, Toontown, Tomorrowland, and MORE and ride some fun rides reminiscent of the movies you have definitely watched – don’t lie! Don’t forget these tips for visiting Disneyland too.
For a bit more of a thrill, check out Disney’s California Adventure. I had an annual pass here growing up, and it really doesn’t get old! Try the California Screamin’ rollercoaster, Soarin’ Over California ride (which gives you an amazing tour of California), and more.
Make sure to spend some time in the area visiting Downtown Disney. There are lots of fun things to do in Downtown Disney for the whole family, from shopping to breweries and restaurants.
Watch Surfers at Huntington Beach: Surf City USA
Huntington Beach is known as Surf City USA for a reason! This beach is home to some of the most iconic waves in California, and you can find surfers shredding the gnar (don’t judge me for saying that haha) at any time of year.
Huntington Beach is also an amazing beach to relax on and catch some sun. It’s safe to swing, bodysurf, and bodyboard, too; you just might want to watch out for the surfing area. If you are there in the summer do NOT miss the US Open of Surfing.
I used to go every summer as a kid, and we didn’t miss a single one – apart from surfing, they have music acts, dozens of brand stands giving out free stuff, and tons of events going on in Downtown Huntington.
Spend the Day at the Discovery Cube Science Center
Orange County’s Discovery Cube Science Center is one of the most unique museums/centers I have seen! This big unmissable cube on the side of the 5 freeway takes all kinds of science, from basic children’s science to fascinating theories and ideas, and tests them out in really fun ways.
From laying on a bed of nails to seeing how the solar system works, to understanding the makeup of an atom to learning what makes up nutrition, you can learn so much here that is fun for the whole family.
Ride Rollercoasters at Knott’s Berry Farm
Knotts Berry Farm is one of the best Orange County theme parks. This one takes Disneyland up a notch by having mainly extreme and fun rollercoasters to ride. From the Silver Bullett to Montezuma’s Revenge (which was my first upside-down rollercoaster by the way), Knott’s is always a good time. They have plenty of rides for kids too!
If you are in OC in October, you can’t miss Knott’s Scary Farm. Around Halloween, they turn the whole park into a haunted house, with tons of different scary walkthroughs and themed Halloween rides.
Soak City Water Park
Soak City is a fun water park that is part of Knott’s Berry Farm. It’s a perfect choice for those hot California summer days! They have tons of waterslides and fun water activities that will cool you down and provide you with a super fun time.
Wine Trolley in Old Town Orange
For one of the MOST fun things to do in Orange County, check out the wine trolley in Orange. This is a really unique tour of the historic old town of Orange where you can also taste wine from different participating wineries and try food from different restaurants.
This epic idea started a few years ago and now runs each Friday evening. There’s no better way to experience a little of everything that Orange has to offer! It’s also one of the more affordable places to live in OC with plenty to do in the area.
North OC Brewery Tour
There are LOTS of breweries in North County that you may not have even known about! The North OC Brewery Tour will take you to three of the new budding craft breweries from Newport to Seal Beach and provide you with snacks, plenty of info, and beer included.
Watch an Angels Game
The ‘Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles’ are actually based out of Anaheim – the whole ‘Los Angeles’ thing was just for show. The Angels are Orange County’s beloved baseball team, and you’ll fund thousands of dedicated fans showing up to each and every game during the season.
Even if you aren’t particularly into baseball, attending a baseball game is one of the most fun things to do in Orange County just to experience the atmosphere. Grab some beers and a hot dog and sing ‘take me out to the ball game!’
Hiking in Black Star Canyon
Orange County is also home to some incredible mountains, canyons, and nature. One of the most fun things to do in OC is to get out into the wild! Black Star Canyon may have some eerie stories attached to it, but it’s really just a lovely place to do a full-day hike or even bring a picnic in the summer breeze. Or, if you’re into it, you can do a Black Star Canyon Ghost Tour at night!
Explore Anaheim Downtown
Anaheim is great not only for Disneyland! In the last decade or so, downtown Anaheim has sprung up with tons of trendy hotels and eateries. It’s a very happening spot from day until night, where you can catch lots of events and find some of the best restaurants in Orange County. It’s a busy place to walk around at night and experience the unique hustle and bustle outside of Disneyland.
Take a Helicopter Flying Lesson
One of the MOST fun things to do in Orange County that I have ever done is take a helicopter flying lesson. You can take them from Helistream right at the John Wayne airport, and fly ALL over OC!
It’s SO much fun to learn how to work a helicopter and also be able to see some incredible views from the mountains to the beaches. For something unique and different, this is worth the price tag of about $150-$300 depending on length.
Old Courthouse Museum Santa Ana
The Old Courthouse Museum is one of the coolest historical sites in Orange County. Constructed in 1901, it’s OC’s oldest court building that is now a museum designed to look just like it did all those years ago. It’s one of the best places to learn fascinating history of the area.
Visit the Bowers Museum
The Bowers Museum is one of the top art museums in Orange County. Located in Santa Ana, they have rotating exhibitions on topics from the Walt Disney archives to different painters to photography. They also have regular events and a great restaurant on site.
Fullerton Arboretum
For a fun place in OC to learn about all things plants and wildlife, visit the Fullerton Arboretum. This vast expanse of gardens + rare plant life centered around a beautiful old Victorian House. The gardens here contain rare plants from all over the place as well as some fun wildlife to look at and enjoy.
Whale Watching Tour from Anaheim
If you’re spending time in Anaheim or at Disneyland but still want to understand the other half of what OC has to offer – sun and sea – you’re in luck. This whale watching tour from Anaheim will take you all along the beautiful coasts of OC and even stop for an explore of Huntington Beach.
You’ll do a 2-3 hour boat tour, but it has a whole day of activities. You’ll also explore the coastal towns of South OC and stop for photos. Oh, and transport is done in a classic California woody car for extra effect.
Visit the Orange County Zoo
The Orange County Zoo is a small, 8 acre Zoo where animals roam inside the beautiful Irvine Regional Park at the foothills of the mountains. It contains mostly animals that are native to the area that you can see in a safe environment.
Shipley Nature Center
For a fun daytime outdoor activity in north Orange County, check out the Shipley Nature Center. This deceivingly huge park in Huntington Central Park encompasses 18 acres of native plants, animals, and gardens. Take a picnic and walk the trails for something a bit different to do in OC.
There are plenty of places you can go for free in Orange County. Visit any of the beautiful beaches from Laguna to Huntington, ride the Great Balloon in OC Great Park (yes, it’s free), go hiking in Laguna Beach, walk the pier in San Clemente, watch the sunset on Salt Creek Hill, explore downtown Orange or Anaheim, and peruse art galleries in Laguna Beach.
After dark in OC you can visit the OC night market, do a Black Star Canyon Ghost Tour (creeeepy!), the Anaheim Night Market, go on a bar crawl on the Newport Beach Peninsua, go shopping and ferris wheel-riding at the Irvine Spectrum, get a delicious dinner in downtown Laguna Beach or Huntington Beach, catch a luxurious movie at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, and more!
More on California:
- Southern California Beach Hikes
- San Francisco Sunset Spots
- Fun Facts about San Francisco
- Best Sunsets in Los Angeles
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.