Yeah, it’s a tourist trap, but there’s a reason Long Beach’s Shoreline Village has had such staying power even among locals: It’s one of SoCal’s best spots for fishing, watercraft riding, biking along the beach, shopping, dining, drinking—you name it, they’ve got it—and with the warm California sunshine in spades to boot. The shops are cute boutiques; the restaurants have hot happy hours. Check out Tequila Jack’s for food and drinks, or the Funnel House for funnel cakes (of course!), and do not miss Rocky Mountain Chocolate. A quick word of warning: Finding parking can be a bit difficult, but the views—especially the view of the Pacific at night, and the Queen Mary cruise ship out on the ocean—and the plethora of cutesy shops more than make up for any parking-related hassles. 

Shoreline Village
429-P Shoreline Village Drive
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 435-2668
shorelinevillage.com

Gorgeous views of lush Orange County and Catalina Island greet you at this fine dining restaurant that offers some of the best dinners in Orange County. Decorated with soothing koi ponds and ornamental waterfalls, Orange Hill manages to match the atmosphere with quality food. A robust wine list, presented by a truly expert sommelier, greets you at the table, and the staff is exceptionally courteous and friendly. The steaks are uniformly perfectly cooked, and the filet mignon is excellent. Some regulars caution that the seafood is not the best, but others swear by it. On Saturdays and Sundays, Orange Hill hosts an extremely popular buffet brunch, with a massive variety of food available including Eggs Benedict, made-to-order omelets and a gigantic carving station with hams and roast beef. Prices, naturally, are a little high, but the ambience (and especially the view) is definitely worth the cost.

Orange Hill Restaurant
6410 East Chapman Avenue
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-2910
www.theorangehillrestaurant.com

Arboretums don’t get as much respect as they should, but in this increasingly citified world they can provide a real oasis from modern life. The Fullerton Arboretum, located on the corner of the Cal State Fullerton campus, has become a popular destination for Orange County residents to visit and relax. Taking up 26 acres of property with a wide variety of plant types, the Arboretum features four major collections to explore—a desert biome, a Mediterranean sampling, a recreation of the natural woodland areas, and a cultivated garden. Walk through the orange groves and feel free to pick fruit off of the ground and eat it—it’s a local snacking tradition. The park also encompasses the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum, where you can explore the farming history of the area with special attention to the contributions of Japanese immigrants, as well as the Heritage House, a transplanted 1890s residence that is open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 – 4 p.m.

Fullerton Arboretum
1900 Associated Road
Fullerton, CA 92831
(657) 278-3407
www.fullertonarboretum.org