Hayden & Ali's Guide to OC
Food scene
Taqueria Tapatia
202 South Bristol StreetSolid, cheap burritos, but make sure you bring cash!
A must-visit if you've never been! It's a California classic. Great burgers and fresh ingredients guaranteed.
59 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
2895 Park AveA must-visit if you've never been! It's a California classic. Great burgers and fresh ingredients guaranteed.
Located nearby at South Coast Plaza, this is a great, slightly upscale spot for authentic Chinese food. Don't miss the bao or the spicy wontons!
85 locals recommend
Din Tai Fung
3333 PlazaLocated nearby at South Coast Plaza, this is a great, slightly upscale spot for authentic Chinese food. Don't miss the bao or the spicy wontons!
This brunch spot specializes in tasty breakfast foods that are locally and sustainably sourced. Snooze has 2 nearby locations--Orange and Tustin. We recommend going to the one in Orange so you can wander around Old Town after.
21 locals recommend
Snooze an AM Eatery
3032 El Camino RealThis brunch spot specializes in tasty breakfast foods that are locally and sustainably sourced. Snooze has 2 nearby locations--Orange and Tustin. We recommend going to the one in Orange so you can wander around Old Town after.
Delicious Latin-inspired specialty coffee. Ali loves the rice & beans (espresso and horchata).
Tierra Mia Coffee
1708 South Main StreetDelicious Latin-inspired specialty coffee. Ali loves the rice & beans (espresso and horchata).
A huge, trendy food court with local eateries. There's a cool speakeasy with delicious cocktails too--just look for the sake barrels.
284 locals recommend
Anaheim Packing District
440 S Anaheim BlvdA huge, trendy food court with local eateries. There's a cool speakeasy with delicious cocktails too--just look for the sake barrels.
Our favorite local brewery with a dog-friendly outdoor space.
7 locals recommend
Green Cheek Beer Company
2294 N Batavia StOur favorite local brewery with a dog-friendly outdoor space.
Neighborhoods
If you're in town around the holidays, come take a walk in Santa Ana's oldest neighborhood and check out the lights on some beautiful historic houses.
10 locals recommend
Floral Park
If you're in town around the holidays, come take a walk in Santa Ana's oldest neighborhood and check out the lights on some beautiful historic houses.
Santa Ana has an up-and-coming downtown area with art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Come on the first Saturday of the month to enjoy the DTSA Art Walk!
Downtown
Santa Ana has an up-and-coming downtown area with art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Come on the first Saturday of the month to enjoy the DTSA Art Walk!
An adorable historic neighborhood that gets more hip every year! Take a walk through tree-lined streets with gorgeous old houses, hit up some boutiques and thrift shops, and grab lunch at any of the great restaurants nearby.
63 locals recommend
Old Towne
An adorable historic neighborhood that gets more hip every year! Take a walk through tree-lined streets with gorgeous old houses, hit up some boutiques and thrift shops, and grab lunch at any of the great restaurants nearby.
Take the ferry to Balboa Island and get yourself a frozen banana! If you're visiting around the holidays, don't miss the annual Newport Boat Parade, where locals deck out their boats in lights and decorations and sail around the harbor.
580 locals recommend
Newport Beach
100 Civic Center DrTake the ferry to Balboa Island and get yourself a frozen banana! If you're visiting around the holidays, don't miss the annual Newport Boat Parade, where locals deck out their boats in lights and decorations and sail around the harbor.
Laguna has some of the best beaches around, plus tons of shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
Laguna has some of the best beaches around, plus tons of shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
Activities
Great local museum with exhibits for the whole family. Ali grew up visiting this museum often.
154 locals recommend
Bowers Museum
2002 N Main StGreat local museum with exhibits for the whole family. Ali grew up visiting this museum often.
A fun, interactive science museum where you can lay on a bed of nails! Great for kids 12 and under.
159 locals recommend
Discovery Cube Orange County
2500 N Main StA fun, interactive science museum where you can lay on a bed of nails! Great for kids 12 and under.
Come here for a game of pick-up soccer or a free hot air balloon ride!
41 locals recommend
Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park BlvdCome here for a game of pick-up soccer or a free hot air balloon ride!
An awesome climbing gym in Santa Ana with day passes, yoga facilities, belay classes, and "Sender City"--a playspace for thrill-seeking little ones! Check Groupon before you go for deals.
7 locals recommend
Sender One Climbing, Yoga, Fitness and Sender City
1441 Village WayAn awesome climbing gym in Santa Ana with day passes, yoga facilities, belay classes, and "Sender City"--a playspace for thrill-seeking little ones! Check Groupon before you go for deals.
Traveling with your pups? Take them to the Huntington Dog Beach for a game of fetch or to play in the waves. A wet dog is a happy dog!
26 locals recommend
Dog Beach
Huntington Beach Bike TrailTraveling with your pups? Take them to the Huntington Dog Beach for a game of fetch or to play in the waves. A wet dog is a happy dog!
Want to learn how to surf? This is the best spot in the OC for beginners. It's a bit of a drive, but the waves are small and the locals are really friendly to beginners.
94 locals recommend
Doheny State Beach
Want to learn how to surf? This is the best spot in the OC for beginners. It's a bit of a drive, but the waves are small and the locals are really friendly to beginners.
City advice
Travelling with kids
Disneyland Tips
-Download the MouseWait app to avoid spending your entire day in line.
-If you're celebrating anything special (like a birthday or anniversary, or even your first Disney visit), get yourself a free button at Guest Services. It's a cute keepsake and cast members will help you celebrate throughout the day.
-Hit Adventureland and Frontierland first as they are usually the least crowded areas of the park in the morning.
-If it's chilly outside, bring some cheap ponchos so the weather doesn't stop you from enjoying the wet rides like Splash Mountain or Grizzly Rapids.
-Specific questions? Ask us!