Things To Do in Orange County, California

 

Things To Do in Orange County, CA

 

Welcome to Orange County, CA! Unbeknownst to some, there is more to do in Orange County beside shopping, drinking lattes or driving down PCH with the top down. Between the beaches, amusement parks, sports arenas, music venues, art, food, history, and housewives, there are plenty of things to do.

Disneyland Park

Enter a magical kingdom where you can explore exotic jungles, meet fairytale princesses, dive under the ocean and rocket through the stars! Disneyland Park is a Southern California destination where generations of families have made their Disney dreams come true. Walt Disney’s original Disneyland theme park is now divided into eight themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Critter Country, New Orleans Square and Adventureland.

 

Disney California Adventure Park

Welcome to a world where the stories of Disney, Pixar and beyond come to life—to a place where beloved Characters from Cars, Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles & Toy Story, and Super Heroes like Spider-Man & Captain America call home. At Disney California Adventure Park, you’re invited to explore eight exciting themed lands including the new Pixar Pier, timeless entertainment showcases like World of Color, seasonal celebrations and transformations throughout the year.

 

Universal Studios Hollywood

Get Ready for the Ultimate Hollywood Experience! Find a full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place: Universal Studios Hollywood. With thrilling theme park rides like the new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, an all-new multi-sensory attraction at DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda, a real working movie studio and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk, Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family.

 

Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm is a world-renowned theme park built from the humblest of beginnings. What started as a small berry farm soon began to grow into a family theme park destination thanks to famous fried chicken dinners, boysenberries and an Old West Ghost Town. Knott’s Berry Farm now bursts with attractions and entertainment for all ages, including first-class roller coasters, stage shows, delicious food and family-friendly fun featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang.

 

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Famous for the Annual Return of the Swallows, Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic landmark and museum, welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year. Enjoy permanent exhibits featuring historic and religious artifacts, precious and rare paintings, and more. Experience the tradition of bell ringing daily honoring the legacy of Saint Junipero Serra, who founded the Mission in 1776. Visit the newly conserved Serra Chapel, California’s only chapel still standing where Saint Serra celebrated Mass.

 

Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park, also known as the “Home of the 50 Monkeys,” has been a unique educational and recreational resource for Orange County residents since 1952. This charming Zoo features over 80 species of animals, including the smallest monkeys in the world, the Pygmy Marmosets. When visiting the Zoo, share time together learning about animals, plants and the environment. The Zoo is a place to play, a place to learn and a place to spend time with your family.

 

Bowers Museum

The Bowers Museum is one of California’s finest and Orange County’s largest museums. The Bowers has been voted “The Best Museum in Orange County” by the readers of The Orange County Register for 16 consecutive years. In the past 15 years the museum has produced more than 50 special exhibitions, many of which traveled nationally or internationally; published more than 24 exhibition catalogues; and increased its facility size from 7,000 square feet to its current size of 93,000+ square feet.

 

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, formerly the Orange County Performing Arts Center, is Orange County’s performing arts and theater complex and home to the world’s leading dance companies, Broadway shows, award-winning classical, jazz and cabaret artists, family entertainment, special events and year-round educational programs. It is also the artistic venue for three resident Orange County musical companies: Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Pacific Chorale.

 

Aquarium of the Pacific

Take a journey of discovery through the world’s largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Meet more than 11,000 animals in over 50 exhibits. Touch over 150 sharks in Shark Lagoon. Feed colorful birds in Lorikeet Forest. Touch sea jellies. Explore the world of frogs from lush rainforests to arid deserts. Take a voyage on a daily Whale Watch or Harbor Cruise. You can even get up-close and feed a sea lion, sea otter or shark by reservation during weekend Animal Encounters.

 

Discovery Cube OC

Imaginations twist and fly through more than 100 hands-on exhibits at Discovery Cube OC (previously Discovery Science Center). Take the Eco Challenge and become a green superhero, feel the power of a real rocket engine “launch” and explore the inner workings of a two-story tall dinosaur! Traveling exhibits and annual events such as Spooky Science and Science of Gingerbread throughout the year ensure that there is always something new to discover.