2 0 1 5 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 127
City & Town
Orange County encompasses 34 cities and
several master-planned communities but
lacks a distinctive downtown. Disneyland
makes Anaheim the most famous, but
other cities offer interesting experiences.
History buffs enjoy San Juan Capistrano's
mission, Yorba Linda's Nixon Presidential
Library and restored Victorian homes in
Santa Ana and Orange. Shoppers head to
glam malls in Costa Mesa and Newport
Beach, while Huntington Beach has a
vibrant downtown beside the sea.
The Great Outdoors
Orange County is packed with natural
wonders. Its 42 miles of prime SoCal coast-
line contain famed surf spots (Huntington
Beach, the Wedge at Newport Beach, Tres-
tles south of San Clemente), yacht harbors
(Newport Beach, Dana Point), Crystal Cove
State Park's protected underwater reserve
and wilderness, and several wetland
reserves filled with birds. Inland, wild
canyons and parks are filled with endless
hiking and biking trails. In active OC, exer-
cise options are always close at hand.
Family Fun
Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm
make Orange County an ideal family
vacation destination, and there are
far more places to explore. Kids and
parents get a thrill out of Sky Zone
Anaheim's indoor trampolines and
more than 100 hands-on exhibits
and 4D theater at Santa Ana's Dis-
covery Science Center.
