Beach Huntington Beach
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Three miles of uncrowded north OC coastline across PCH from Southern California's largest restored coastal wetland — a two-environment day in one stop.
Explore Orange County
Hand-picked guides to OC's best beaches, trails, markets, and off-the-beaten-path spots — written by locals, updated regularly.
An independent local guide, built by an Orange County resident.
OC Beaches
All beaches → 
Beach Corona del Mar
Corona del Mar State Beach
A clear-water cove at Newport Harbor's east jetty — good snorkeling, world-class tide pools at Little Corona, and blufftop views on Ocean Blvd.
Beach Newport Coast
Crystal Cove State Park
Three miles of undeveloped shoreline, a mid-century Historic District, and the best tide pools in Orange County — between Newport Beach and Laguna.
Hiking Trails
All trails →
Trail Silverado
Black Star Canyon Trail
A rugged 10-mile canyon hike in the Santa Ana Mountains with a seasonal waterfall, homestead ruins, and rare solitude — one of OC's most atmospheric trails.
hard 10 mi
Trail Irvine
Bommer Canyon
A wide, fire-road canyon cut through the Irvine Ranch Open Space — miles of shaded trail, seasonal creek, and surprising wildness within the city limits.
moderate
Trail Newport Coast
Crystal Cove — El Moro Canyon
Crystal Cove's inland canyon — a cool, creek-fed gorge with a ridge loop option that earns sweeping views of the Pacific from the chaparral above.
moderate
Hidden Gems
Places worth knowing that most visitors miss.
Hidden Gem Costa Mesa
Isamu Noguchi Sculpture Garden
A serene Japanese-American sculpture garden inside a Costa Mesa industrial park — free, almost never crowded, and genuinely world-class.
Hidden Gem Laguna Beach
Pirate Tower, Victoria Beach
A 1926 stone tower rising from the sand at Victoria Beach — built as a private staircase, now one of OC's most photographed secrets. Best at low tide.
Hidden Gem Laguna Beach
Top of the World, Laguna Beach
The highest point in Laguna Beach offers a 360-degree panorama from Catalina Island to the San Gabriel Mountains — and almost no one goes there.
Things to Do in OC
Museums, landmarks, and family activities beyond the beach.
family Newport Beach
Balboa Island
A charming pedestrian island in Newport Harbor — rent a bike, grab a frozen banana, and walk the waterfront. Classic OC local experience.
museum Santa Ana
Discovery Cube OC
OC's flagship hands-on science museum — exhibits on physics, weather, earth science, and engineering inside a building recognizable from the 5 Freeway.
family Irvine
Great Park Balloon & Carousel
The iconic tethered balloon at the former El Toro base rises 400 feet for a distinctive view across OC — paired with a hand-painted historic carousel.
museum Laguna Beach
Laguna Art Museum
The oldest museum in Southern California holds the definitive California plein air collection — steps from the beach in downtown Laguna.
Plan Your Trip
Curated day plans for every kind of OC visit.
This Weekend in OC
All events →Updated daily at 6 AM Pacific
The Frights
Thu, Sep 10
6:30 PM
The Observatory · Santa Ana
Source: Ticketmaster
View eventRyan Hamilton
Thu, Sep 10
7:30 PM
Irvine Improv · Irvine
Source: Ticketmaster
View eventAtlanta Rhythm Section
Thu, Sep 10
8:00 PM
Ivan'z House at Mozambique · Laguna Beach
Source: Ticketmaster
View eventFinesse Mitchell
Thu, Sep 10
8:00 PM
Brea Improv · Brea
Source: Ticketmaster
View event