Top Hotel & Airbnb Stays
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Tours & Experiences
My Orange County Reels
Laguna Beach, California
11 spots for a day in Laguna
Buena Park, California
15 spots to eat and play in Buena Park
Crystal Cove, Newport Beach
The beach cottages at Crystal Cove
Laguna Beach, California
11 spots for a Laguna itinerary
Anaheim, California
Six spots around Anaheim
Crystal Cove State Park
The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
Laguna Beach, California
Woods Cove, best at low tide
Laguna Beach, California
Seven miles of coves and beaches
About Orange County
Top Places To See or Explore
- Dana Point
- Laguna Beach
- Crystal Cove
- Balboa Island
- Newport Harbor
- Best time to go:
- September – November (warmest water, thinnest crowds)
- Getting there:
- John Wayne Airport is 15 minutes from the sand; about an hour south of LAX
Planning a Trip to Orange County
From Seal Beach down to San Clemente the coast turns into one long run of beach towns. Laguna hides a new cove behind every bend, Newport has a harbor full of boats, and the water is still warm long after the summer crowds have gone home.
What to Do in Orange County
Cove-hop through Laguna at low tide
Thousand Steps, Victoria, Crescent Bay. Check the tide chart.
Walk the bluff trail at Crystal Cove
Three miles of open coast. Park at Los Trancos.
Ride the Balboa Island ferry
Three cars at a time, then a frozen banana on the far side.
Watch for whales out of Dana Point
Dolphins year-round, gray whales from late fall.
Common Questions About Orange County
- When is the best time to visit Orange County?
- September – November (warmest water, thinnest crowds).
- How do you get to Orange County?
- John Wayne Airport is 15 minutes from the sand; about an hour south of LAX.
- Where should you stay in Orange County?
- Good bases are Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Dana Point and Huntington Beach. The places I'd book first are Montage Laguna Beach, Paséa Hotel & Spa, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach and Lido House, Autograph Collection.
🧰 My Suggested Travel Apps
- ✈️ Flights
Skyscanner
Search flights - ✈️ Flights
Kayak
Search flights - 🚗 Cars
DiscoverCars
Compare cars - 🏨 Rooms
Expedia
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Booking.com
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Hotels.com
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Vrbo
Find rooms - 🎟️ Tours
GetYourGuide
Browse tours - 🎟️ Tours
Viator
Browse tours - 🥾 Trails
AllTrails
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