3 Days in Anaheim/OC
Disney Daze
--Start your Orange County adventure at the Disneyland Resort®, home of Disney's original theme park, Disneyland®, it is filled with thrilling attractions, colorful nighttime entertainment, energetic and seasonal parades and imanative themed lands.
Depending on the season you come is best to plan you trip not to miss special entertainment. Summer is of couse the busiest season, so it is always a great idea to have a plan of action and hit the most popular attractions first. And remember to use your ticket to get a 'fast pass' on the most popular attractions to save time. The Sleeping Beauty Castle is the signature Disney icon and is located in the middle of it all. Classic attractions include Matterhorn Bobsleds, Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Tamer adventures for the littler ones include It's a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Alice in Wonderland. New and not to be missed include the new Star Tours adventure and Finding Nemo.
Just across the promenade is the Resort's second theme park, Disney California Adventure,™ celebrating the fun and adventure in a uniquely Disney style. Soarin' Over California is one of the most popular attractions and takes visitors on a virtual flight to that includes the breathtaking sights of some of the most spectacular California landscapes and locations. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ and California Screamin' are not for the faint of heart and experiences you won't forget. New and not to be missed is the Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure takes you under the sea to catch up with some of your favorite characters from this classic tale.
Complete your Disney day with shopping and dining fun in Downtown Disney® District, a vibrant esplanade featuring shopping, entertainment and themed dining for the whole family.
Beach fun in the sun
The minute you arrive in OC, the coastal breeze will have you yearning for a day enjoying the beach. With 42 miles of gorgeous coastline, we have plenty of beach activities and sights to choose from in OC. The Pacific Coast Highway (known to locals as 'PCH') charts your route along the coast through Orange County's distinctive beach towns..
Begin your morning at Dana Point Harbor, where you can walk along the dramatic, rocky beach, explore wildlife aboard a whale-watching cruise (seasonal event) or head out on the open seas for some great fishing.
Continue north to Laguna Beach, and be sure to see the view from Heisler Park, located on a bluff that looks out over the beach and the cliffside town. Have a margarita at the classic Las Brisas restaurant or stroll through the many art galleries and boutiques that make up this quaint seaside artists colony.
Next on your trek, stop at Little Corona del Mar beach - a great spot to discover starfish, sea cucumbers and anemones in the beach's tide pools. Also, don't miss the historic Crystal Cove Shake Shack. Located on the coastal side of PCH, this famous shack is known for its delicious Date Shakes. Not to be missed, they just expanded and added a patio that has some of the most incredible views you'll find in our area.
As you head further up the coast, you'll reach Newport Beach, the city depicted in FOX's hit television show, The OC. Walk out on the piers (two one mile apart: Newport and Balboa). Rend a bike and take off along the boardwalk and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere on this beach town. Across from Balboa Pier is the Fun Zone, a nostalgic arcade area complete with carousel and Ferris wheel that hugs the Newport Harbor. Be sure to take the auto ferry across to Balboa Island, a cozy, village-like community with quaint streets and shopping. Try an ice cream treat the Balboa Bar or frozen banana there too.
Further up the coast is Huntington Beach, dubbed Surf City USA™ it is the area's surf Mecca and filled with surf culture. Catch sight of world-class wave riders along the Surfing Walk of Fame, check out the International Surfing museum, walk along the pier or jus cruise. Main Street's restaurants, bars and surf wear shops.
End your day with a spectacular sunset at the slightly more secluded and charming town of Seal Beach at the northern end of your coastal route. If you're not ready for your beach day to end there are fire pits for the quintessential California beach cookout in Huntington, Corona del Mar and Balboa…bring the wood, hotdogs, buns an smores..yum.
Discover the Perfect Fit in Orange County
Now that you've had a chance to get your feet wet in the local culture and soak up some of the laid-back Southern California energy, you might be tempted to have a day of indulgence in the OC.
Start with some fresh fruit and baked goods from one of the county's celebrated farmers' markets, found year-round throughout the area. Then head out for some retail therapy at one of the area's premier shopping centers, from open-air promenades to the Ultimate Shopping Resort™. A few suggestions include South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, one of the areas largest shopping districts with everything from Sears to Saks 5th Ave if is true shopping destination. Fashion Island in Newport Beach is an outdoor shopping district with boutiques, department stores, dining and all set in an beautiful, relaxed and sunny environment. And if you want to see shoppers and designer dogs this is the place to come.
If a day out on the links sounds more like your version of fun, you'll be pleased to discover that Orange County is known as the California's Golf Coast. Stunning, lush golf courses are around every corner. There are 40 public golf courses that dot OC.
Next, it’s time to reward yourself with a spa treatment unique to the area, like a California Dreamin' Facial or an Orange Frappe Body Wrap. Orange County's spas have perfected the art of pampering and offer hot stone therapies, massages and more. Day spas like Burke Williams at the Block at Orange is easy to access or for more indulgence you might want to try out one of the many coastal resort spas for that ahhh with a view.
