126 2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A
B Y C H R I S T I N E D E L S O L
B
eneath the suburban facade, Orange County is a diverse collection
of cities with distinct personalities. Even Anaheim has established
an identity apart from Disneyland, with its massive convention
center, revival of the historic Center Street Promenade commerce district,
and the bustling Packing House food hall and market.
Forty-two miles of idyllic sands fringe the robust, ever-developing "OC,"
which counts renowned surf breaks, historic missions, art colonies and
scenic marinas among its attractions. Its beach cities still embody the
casual, creative California of popular imagination, from surf-centric Hunt-
ington Beach to tony Newport Beach to artsy Laguna Beach to serene San
Clemente. Inland cities that grew among the bygone orange groves have
been joined by master-planned communities. Chief among these is Irvine,
encompassing a University of California campus, the still nascent Orange
County Great Park and several "villages."
About 30 percent of OC residents hail from another country, and English
is a second language for 45 percent; its Little Saigon is the largest Viet-
namese community outside of Vietnam. A true melting pot, the county
hosts a dizzying array of ethnic food, festivals, markets and cultural events.
Performance venues such as the Orange County Performing Arts Center
and the South Coast Repertory are sprinkled throughout the county. Desti-
nation shopping malls such as Irvine Spectrum, Costa Mesa's South Coast
Plaza and Fashion Island in Newport Beach vie with dozens of local shop-
ping districts.
ORANGE
COUNTY
TOP CITIES
Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton,
Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine,
Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Orange,
San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, San Clemente
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA),
located at the juncture of Costa Mesa,
Santa Ana and Newport Beach near I-405
TOURISM WEBSITES
visittheoc.com
visitanaheim.org
visitbuenapark.com
travelcostamesa.com
surfcityusa.com
destinationirvine.com
visitlagunabeach.com
visitnewportbeach.com
sanjuancapistrano.org
POPULATION
3,169,776
ORANGE COUNTY
Diverse cities forge distinct identities apart from beaches and theme parks
