Gina’s SoCal guidebook
Local Parks / Running Spots
AS ALWAYS CHECK ON THE CURRENT COVID-19 REGULATIONS.
This section will highlight our local parks that are part of the OC Parks System. SoCal has so many parks! But these locations are super close by and are great for families to visit. If you are a runner, like me, you will also enjoy the views for both long and short distances, path and trail running.
One of the nearby parks. Great low cost activity for families. Great for runners too. Playgrounds, BBQs, places for picnics, fishing, running / walking paths and more. Summer concerts and / or movies with food trucks usually occur in July and August. Click on the link to get more information and a map of the park.
https://www.ocparks.com/parks-trails/yorba-regional-park
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Regional Yorba
7600 E La Palma AveOne of the nearby parks. Great low cost activity for families. Great for runners too. Playgrounds, BBQs, places for picnics, fishing, running / walking paths and more. Summer concerts and / or movies with food trucks usually occur in July and August. Click on the link to get more information and a map of the park.
https://www.ocparks.com/parks-trails/yorba-regional-park
One of the nearby parks. Great low cost activity for families. Great for runners too. OC Zoo, Irvine Park Railroad, Pony Rides, Paddle Boats, Bike Rentals, Playgrounds, BBQs, places for picnics, fishing, running / walking paths and more. There is so much to do here! Summer concerts and / or movies with food trucks usually occur in July and August. Click on the link to get more information and a map of the park:
https://www.ocparks.com/parks-trails/irvine-regional-park
74 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Regional de Irvine
1 Irvine Park RdOne of the nearby parks. Great low cost activity for families. Great for runners too. OC Zoo, Irvine Park Railroad, Pony Rides, Paddle Boats, Bike Rentals, Playgrounds, BBQs, places for picnics, fishing, running / walking paths and more. There is so much to do here! Summer concerts and / or movies with food trucks usually occur in July and August. Click on the link to get more information and a map of the park:
https://www.ocparks.com/parks-trails/irvine-regional-park
One of the nearby parks. Running / walking / hiking paths. Equestrian Trails. Picnic areas. Views: Scenic Overlooks. Click on the link to get more information and a map of the park.
https://ocparks.com/parks-trails/peters-canyon-regional-park
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Regional Peters Canyon
8548 Canyon View AveOne of the nearby parks. Running / walking / hiking paths. Equestrian Trails. Picnic areas. Views: Scenic Overlooks. Click on the link to get more information and a map of the park.
https://ocparks.com/parks-trails/peters-canyon-regional-park
City & Town information
If you are traveling to Orange County, you may already know about the beach cities, like Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach. This section highlights some other day trip cities you may not otherwise know.
Take a day trip to Catalina Island! Get island information and ferry schedules: https://www.catalinaexpress.com/explore-catalina/about-avalon.html
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Avalon
Take a day trip to Catalina Island! Get island information and ferry schedules: https://www.catalinaexpress.com/explore-catalina/about-avalon.html
Is wine tasting your thing? Visit Temecula Valley! Learn more about SoCal Wine Country here: https://www.temeculawines.org
You can take a wine tour! If you want to eliminate the drive, there are a few tours that will take you from Orange County out to Temecula.
Here is one option:
https://ocwineandbrewtours.com/oc-brewery-tour-2
207 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Temecula
Is wine tasting your thing? Visit Temecula Valley! Learn more about SoCal Wine Country here: https://www.temeculawines.org
You can take a wine tour! If you want to eliminate the drive, there are a few tours that will take you from Orange County out to Temecula.
Here is one option:
https://ocwineandbrewtours.com/oc-brewery-tour-2
Food scene
We love food! All kinds. And would love to share our favorites.
A Cali Classic. You cannot leave town without getting an In-N-Out burger! You'll notice there is only 3 items on the menu. But thats where the Secret Menu comes into play. https://www.in-n-out.com
While In-N-Out's website claims there is no secret menu, there are option galore for your ordering. Check out some ideas here: https://secretmenus.com/in-n-out-burger/secret-menu/
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
In-N-Out Burger
5646 E La Palma AveA Cali Classic. You cannot leave town without getting an In-N-Out burger! You'll notice there is only 3 items on the menu. But thats where the Secret Menu comes into play. https://www.in-n-out.com
While In-N-Out's website claims there is no secret menu, there are option galore for your ordering. Check out some ideas here: https://secretmenus.com/in-n-out-burger/secret-menu/
If you love sushi, hands down this is the best sushi around. Quality seafood. Fresh. Large portion sizes. Decent pricing. There is usually a wait but you can add your party to the Yelp waitlist for a table.
If your party is smaller, sit at the bar for custom orders. You can only add your name for the bar at the restaurant. We recommend going the moment it opens or eat late, around 830pm to shorten the wait time.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Taiko Japanese Restaurant
14775 Jeffrey RdIf you love sushi, hands down this is the best sushi around. Quality seafood. Fresh. Large portion sizes. Decent pricing. There is usually a wait but you can add your party to the Yelp waitlist for a table.
If your party is smaller, sit at the bar for custom orders. You can only add your name for the bar at the restaurant. We recommend going the moment it opens or eat late, around 830pm to shorten the wait time.
A fun sushi experience - especially for the kids! Items rotate around a conveyor belt and you grab what you want. Or order from the touch screen menu and your food flies over to your table on an additional conveyor belt. A special slot counts your plates to create your bill. Also, there is a treat for every 15 plates.
https://kurasushi.com/locations/garden-grove-ca/
Tidbit - We like the Garden Grove location because there is always less of a wait or you can download the app and sign up ahead of time. Also, it can be cold inside so bring a light jacket with you when you dine.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
13826 Brookhurst StreetA fun sushi experience - especially for the kids! Items rotate around a conveyor belt and you grab what you want. Or order from the touch screen menu and your food flies over to your table on an additional conveyor belt. A special slot counts your plates to create your bill. Also, there is a treat for every 15 plates.
https://kurasushi.com/locations/garden-grove-ca/
Tidbit - We like the Garden Grove location because there is always less of a wait or you can download the app and sign up ahead of time. Also, it can be cold inside so bring a light jacket with you when you dine.
Delicious Italian food! Located in Tustin, the next town over.
https://www.romaditalia.com
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Roma D' Italia
611 El Camino RealDelicious Italian food! Located in Tustin, the next town over.
https://www.romaditalia.com
Absolutely amazing pastries (and other foods). Their strawberry croissant often sells out by midday so call ahead. But they are great breads, sandwiches and desserts too! Use the Tustin location.
Website: https://creampan.com
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cream Pan
602 El Camino RealAbsolutely amazing pastries (and other foods). Their strawberry croissant often sells out by midday so call ahead. But they are great breads, sandwiches and desserts too! Use the Tustin location.
Website: https://creampan.com
Neighborhoods
Known to us as the Orange Circle. Use this map here: https://cityoforange.org/DocumentCenter/View/3914/Old-Towne-Orange-Map?bidId=
Cute historic downtown to walk around. Antique stores, boutique shops and restaurants galore. Its is routinely used in film and movies. Our top food picks are: Haven Craft Kitchen, Smoqued California BBQ, Thai Towne Eatery, Tokyo Cafe and, for the kids: Watson's Soda Fountain and Cafe (formerly Watson's Drug Store has a long history since 1899!).
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old Towne
Known to us as the Orange Circle. Use this map here: https://cityoforange.org/DocumentCenter/View/3914/Old-Towne-Orange-Map?bidId=
Cute historic downtown to walk around. Antique stores, boutique shops and restaurants galore. Its is routinely used in film and movies. Our top food picks are: Haven Craft Kitchen, Smoqued California BBQ, Thai Towne Eatery, Tokyo Cafe and, for the kids: Watson's Soda Fountain and Cafe (formerly Watson's Drug Store has a long history since 1899!).
Local Food Markets
City of Orange. Our local neighborhood market. It has a great deli and fresh produce section. Check out the website for the current specials: https://pacificranchmarket.com
Pacific Ranch Market
7540 E Chapman AveCity of Orange. Our local neighborhood market. It has a great deli and fresh produce section. Check out the website for the current specials: https://pacificranchmarket.com
City of Tustin. Our local Italian market. Amazing deli sandwiches, pastas and desserts. Closed on Wednesdays.
https://www.claros.com/contact-3.html
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Claro's Italian Markets
19 1/2 E Huntington DrCity of Tustin. Our local Italian market. Amazing deli sandwiches, pastas and desserts. Closed on Wednesdays.
https://www.claros.com/contact-3.html
Consejos para la ciudad
Qué debes empacar
Don't forget your jacket!
In the City of Orange, we are in a desert. Even in the summer months, our evenings can cool down. It is not uncommon to have a 20 degree temperature swing from an overcast morning to a sunny, hot mid-day to a breezy evening.
Qué debes empacar
Don't forget a pool / beach / shopping tote!
Wherever you are off to, you'll want to bring some essentials or have room for your souvenirs.
Costumbres y cultura
Reusable Bags
Grocery stores and general merchandise stores, like Target and Walmart, do not supply plastic bags anymore. Instead, they make your purchase them. There are a few reusable bags in the house for you to use in case you do not have any to pack. They can be found on top of the refrigerator.
Costumbres y cultura
Traffic and Parking
The So-Cal stereotype is VERY true – traffic can sometimes be notoriously bad, for no rhyme or reason. Plan ahead and give yourself time for traffic.
Parking can also be a huge headache, especially in touristy areas, like Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. Parking also tends to be expensive as well.
A way to get around this is to park the car somewhere near your final destination that is free and then take an Uber or Lyft to where you want to go.