There is nothing like the Orange County lifestyle; bonfires by the beach, high-end boutique shopping, art festivals and sunny weather. Every time I visit the O.C. the harder it is to come home! There is so much to discover while you’re there. On my most recent trip, I stayed at Disneyland Resort and took day trips to Laguna Beach and L.A. Here are a few tips from my holiday to help plan your next trip to California.
Where to Stay:
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (1600 S. Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802)
With three pools, four dining locations, a world-class spa and a special entrance into the parks, staying at this hotel is a no-brainer. Take advantage of the character-dining experience and meet some of your favourite Disney friends at the Storytellers Café© (see my photos below), plus you can have Mickey-shaped waffles every morning!
The spa offers skin treatments, like the much recommended Visible Brilliance Facial, massage therapies and other spa services like manis, pedis, and body wraps.
Storytellers Cafe – via @SaraKoonar on Instagram
What to Do:
Disneyland & Disney California Adventure Park
It’s easy to spend two or more fun-filled days at the Disneyland Resort with two fantastic theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. I recommend staying at the park a couple days because you’ll want to fully discover everything the resort has to offer. TIP: Purchase a Southern California CityPASS, which includes a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket, offering unlimited back-and-forth access to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, and one-day passes to Universal Studios Hollywood and SeaWorld San Diego. You’ll save over $100 on entry fees and skip main-entrance ticket lines. Admission cards are valid for 14 consecutive days, starting with your first day of use. You can purchase them prior to your vacation online! Visit www.citypass.com/southern-california, for more details.
For a full guide on how to best experience Disney, read our Disneyland Travel Diary.
Whale Watching
Make a stop at Dana Point for day you will never forget. Dana Wharf offers Whale Watching Cruises, where you’ll likely come across Jack the Blue Whale. You will also spot dolphins, sea lions and, from time to time, there may even be a killer whale sighting! To book your visit and find out what all the sightings are, visit, www.danawharf.com.
Dana Wharf Boat Cruise – via @SaraKoonar on Instagram
Where to Shop:
Fashion Island (401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660)
Fashion Island is an outdoor mall that offers a blend of shops, including Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Kate Spade, Kitson, LOFT, Forever 21 and many of our favourite boutiques. The mall neighbours the ocean and there are several chic restaurants where you can grab a bite. The mall also offers valet service and personal shopping.
Where to Eat:
Bon Fire on the Beach
I know what you are thinking. This isn’t a restaurant recommendation, but it wouldn’t be a trip to Orange County if you didn’t partake in this local tradition. The beach parks allow groups to use their BBQs and picnic tables. There is nothing like spending the evening feeling the ocean breeze, watching the surfers, all while dining on hamburgers and s’mores.
Laguna Beach – via @SaraKoonar on Instagram
[Pictured above in header: Laguna Beach, Crescent Cove]
