Day Trips from Orange County

Newport Beach offers ten distinct neighborhoods and the west coast’s largest recreational harbor. The quintessential California city is known for its sunny weather, beaches, active and healthy community, fine dining and high end shopping.

Visit the Fun Zone on Balboa pier for classic arcade games and a historic Ferris Wheel, learn to surf, rent a kayak, enjoy a Gondola Adventure, take a paddleboard yoga class, or board a yacht for whale watching.

Duffy boat tours are a classic way to explore the Newport Harbor, or take in the view from more than a dozen dockside dining establishments. Visit Fashion Island for a luxury retail experience, or browse the independently owned shops in Laguna Beach, Balboa Island or Corona del Mar.

Torrance is a charming seaside town just south of Los Angeles offering 1.5 miles of pristine coastline, surfing and beach going, shopping, dining and more. Beaches in Torrance are laid back and uncrowded. Dip your toes in the water or enjoy the view from the Palos Verde Peninsula. Must-do’s include a trip to the locally famous King’s Hawaiian Bakery.

Best known for their hot-dog buns and dinner rolls, the bakery has a full-service restaurant on site that makes California’s best French toast. Torrance is home to America’s fifth largest mall with over 200 luxury retailers, the Del Amo Shopping Center. Finish the day with a visit the Red Car Brewery and Restaurant, a local favorite since 2000.

Newport’s Balboa Peninsula is 3-miles long and offers sandy beaches to one side, views of the harbor to the other. In between the to shorelines, you’ll find restaurants, bars, retail shops and entertainment. Visit the original Ruby’s, a classic 1950’s diner, and the historic Balboa Pavilion, once a dance hall hosting famous big bands in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The Ferris wheel at the Balboa Fun zone has operated for over 80 years. Hop aboard the Balboa Island ferry for a short trip from the peninsula to the island itself.

Newport Beach, CA 92661

Over 8,000 years ago the Bolsa Chica Wetlands was a productive estuary and home to species of antelope, mule deer and grizzly bears. Early humans in the area left evidence of that dates back between 6000 and 3500 BC. Through the years, the land has been transformed for ranching, oil drilling, military exercises. Since 2004, a lowlands restoration project has been in effect, designed to return the land to its 1800’s glory. Visit the interpretative center for 1,400 square feet of exhibits, including aquariums with live species, interactive panels about wetlands ecology, live reptiles, and taxidermied birds. Experience an animal feeding day, or join one of the many educational programs for all ages.

3842 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, Phone: 714-846-1114

Bommer Canyon is a community park in the city of Irvine that offers trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Some trails are open to the public only when accompanied by a trained docent as a guide, due to sensitive habitat areas. The Canyon is a valuable source of habitat for several species of endangered wildlife, both plants and animals. Within the park is the old Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp. Once a ranch, the Cattle Camp is now a 15-acre reservable area for private parties. The Cattle Camp includes picnic tables, shaded spaces, multi-use buildings and cabins for camping.

11 Bommer Canyon Rd, Irvine, CA 92603, Phone: 949-724-6835

Chula Vista is a suburb of San Diego and home of a Team USA Olympic training center. With good weather year-round, miles of hiking, jogging and cycling trails, a protected marina perfect for rowing or paddling, and plenty of open coastline surrounded by mountains, it’s the ultimate outdoor recreation site. Visit the Living Coast Discovery Center to learn more about the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, or enjoy an outdoor show at the Mattress Firm Amphitheater. Dine at the bayfront Galley for views of the Marina, and visit the Otay Ranch Farmer’s Market each Tuesday afternoon.

Chula Vista, CA 91910

Corona del Mar is a chic enclave of Newport Beach, offering fine dining, shopping, cafes and bars. The small Cliffside hamlet overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers several gorgeous white sand beaches. Enjoy the ocean view from two lookout points, named Inspiration Point and Lookout Point Park. The two most easily accessible beaches are Big Corona, which features a jetty, beach volleyball courts and waves perfect for surfing. Little Corona is a quieter beach offering a tide pool full of opportunities for a close-up look at sea life and a relaxing, more tranquil environment.

Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

Orange County’s Crystal Cove State Park protects 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness and over 3 miles of seashore. Within the park is a National Historic District of 46 small cottages, built in the 1930’s and 1940’s near Los Trancos Creek. Backcountry trails wind through Moro Canyon to Moro Ridge, where panoramic views await. Area wildlife includes coyotes, rattlesnakes, bobcats, and several species of birds. A total 15 miles of trails includes a paved 2.5 mile coastal trail for walking, jogging or cycling. Guided programs within the park include ranger-led hikes, geology talks and tidepool talks. Camping is available at the Moro campground.

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California 92651, Phone: 949-494-3539

The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton was founded in the 1970’s and is a joint project of the city of Fullerton and the trustees of the California State University. The arboretum features a museum, potting shed and nature center. Gardens and plantings include a woodlands collection, desert collection and Mediterranean collection. There is also a community garden where local volunteers grow vegetables, and a children’s garden. The 1894 Heritage House is located at the arboretum’s center, and was moved there in the 1970’s to save it from destruction. The Eastlake-style cottage was once the home of one of Cal State Fullerton’s doctors, and has been restored to reflect the Victorian era style that was popular in 19th century Orange County.

1900 Associated Rd, Fullerton, CA 92831, Phone: 657-278-3407

Laguna Beach is a unique artist’s colony nestled into a 7-mile stretch of Orange County coastline. The area is home to 20,000 acres of protected wilderness, the most beachfront cottages in all of Orange County, hundreds of miles of hiking and cycling, ocean adjacent bluffs, tide pools and sandy beaches. Visit in July or August for the world famous Pageant of the Masters, an arts festival in which classic paintings from around the world are live acted. Enjoy a first Thursday art walk, or browse the many downtown galleries or Laguna Art Museum. Visit any of the city’s public parks, or head to the beach to swim or beach comb. With over 100 independently owned boutiques, see why Laguna has been named among the best cities to shop and dine local.

Laguna Beach, CA 92651