Try a Turkish Latte Instead of Your Usual Brew at Kean Coffee

Enjoy a globally influenced menu of coffee and loose-leaf tea at Kean Coffee, a spacious Tustin cafe located in a bustling strip mall not too far from Coventry Court Apartments. Inside, Kean Coffee is cozy and polished, with an impressively large chandelier light fixture accenting the center of the room, soft, neutral decor, and handsome wooden tables throughout the seating area.

There are glass pastry cases filled to the brim with baked goods, as well as a spacious espresso bar where skilled baristas create each custom-made drink. Brewed coffees and traditional espresso drinks are served in ceramic mugs or takeaway cups, while seasonal lattes, Turkish lattes, and brewed black teas make unique and flavorful alternatives for those who want to mix up their usual coffee routine.

The Kean Coffee location in Tustin opens at 6 a.m. daily.

Kean Coffee
13681 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 838-5326
www.keancoffee.com

Align Your Body and Mind at Yoga Squared

For avid yogis, first-timers and anyone in between, Yoga Squared is a great yoga studio in the Tustin area. The studio stands out from similar options in the area because of its childcare facility, which is located right on-site and gives busy parents the opportunity to attend a yoga class without finding someone to watch the little ones. The studio itself is located right above the popular El Camino Café in Old Town Tustin, so it is very near many of the area’s other shops, residences and offices.

Inside, Yoga Squared is bright and inviting, with a colorful reception area offering yoga merchandise for sale or rent. The studio features floor-to-ceiling windows that let in ample light and hardwood floors that keep things feeling clean, while the childcare room contains plush toys, mats and books that will ensure that both you and your kids leave relaxed and happy.

Yoga Squared
195 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 625-7230
www.yogasquaredstudio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-squared-tustin

The Reptile Zoo: 10,000 Square Feet of Snakes, Lizards and Tortoises

Located in Fountain Valley, The Reptile Zoo offers curious animal lovers an up-close-and-personal look at some of the world’s creepiest (and even most dangerous) reptiles. Hailing from all over the globe, more than 100 species of reptiles, arachnids, and amphibians have a home here, housed in glass displays throughout The Reptile Zoo's 10,000-square-foot facility.

Visitors can get hands-on with snakes, lizards, and turtles with the help of one of the Reptile Zoo’s knowledgeable employees. There is a small gift shop inside for those who want to take home a piece of reptile memorabilia, and you can even host a private birthday party or other celebration in one of the zoo’s catered party rooms.

Admission to The Reptile Zoo costs just $5 for children and $10 for adults.

The Reptile Zoo
18822 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 500-0591
www.TheReptileZoo.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-reptile-zoo-fountain-valley

Freshen Up Your Mid-Day Snack at Acai Republic

If you’ve always wanted to try those acai bowls that you keep hearing about, you’ll find a deliciously refreshing selection at Tustin’s Acai Republic. This colorful juice bar is sleek and modern inside, and it is located in a popular shopping plaza with ample parking outside for your convenience on a busy day. Acai Republic serves authentic bowls blended with acai, bananas, and your choice of toppings, which include healthy and filling items like granola or fresh fruit.

Bowls can be blended with fruit juice for added flavor, and you can even add honey or agave for a kick of sweetness without the artificial sugar. There are also different types of pre-made bowls to choose from with names like the Real Brazilian Bowl and the Tahiti Bowl. In addition to acai bowls, Acai Republic also offers fresh-pressed juices and real fruit smoothies. With free Wi-Fi and a coffee shop atmosphere, this is a great spot to check your emails with a healthy snack.

Acai Republic
632 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 617-4962
www.acairepublic.com
www.yelp.com/biz/acai-republic-tustin

Explore the Natural World at the Discovery Cube Orange County

Science lovers in Santa Ana love Discovery Cube Orange County for its wide variety of hands-on exhibits that make learning lots of fun. While this bright, modern museum is great for children and families, it’s so interesting that there is something for people of all ages.

Start your visit with a trip to the Rocket Lab, where you’ll experience blast-off from a Boeing RS-68 rocket ship and even launch your own rockets in the Fuel Station. Next, head over to the Planetary Research Station, which enables you to view the Earth’s weather patterns on a suspended, animated globe model. The Dino Quest exhibit will make you feel like a real paleontologist as you dig for dinosaur bones, while the helicopter tour offers a view from the above of the nearby Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. After you’ve toured all of the exciting exhibits, unwind with a short feature movie at Discovery Cube’s 4D movie theater.

Discovery Cube Orange County
2500 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 542-2823
www.discoverycube.org/oc

Yost Theater: Plan a Night of Old-Fashioned Glamour

The Yost Theater is a historic music venue in the Santa Ana area that hosts a wide variety of performances spanning many different genres. Whether you’re in the mood to see live music, dance to music from a DJ, or even watch a burlesque show, you’ll find it at this local hotspot. The Yost is considered the oldest theater in Orange County, and it still contains the same glamorous, retro charm that it’s had since its opening in 1912. Today, there are many nationally touring bands and tribute performances held on the theater’s main stage, while on the weekends, club nights with popular area DJs turn the entire venue into a pulsating dance floor.

Aside from its musical performances, the Yost also hosts fashion shows, dance performances, and burlesque shows that promise a night of wild entertainment. There is even a gourmet restaurant inside of the theater that serves up delicious meals and beverages to go along with the show.

Yost Theater
307 N Spurgeon St
Santa Ana CA 92701
(888) 862-9573
www.yosttheater.com

River View Golf Course: Set a Tee Time With Your Golf Buddies

If you’re a golf fan in the Santa Ana area, River View Golf Course is one of the best places in town set a tee time. This scenic course is well equipped with all of the essential golf facilities, including an 18-hole, 6,190-yard course that is well maintained. The matching 18-hole putting course is the largest in the area, and there is even a driving range if you want to practice your swing before playing.

If you’re looking for a place to stock up on golf supplies, the well-stocked pro shop contains equipment, appare,l and gifts for golf lovers from all of the top brands. Once you finish a day out on the course, stop in to the on-site Niblick Bar and Grill from a filling breakfast, a casual, affordable lunch, or an icy-cold beer out on the sunny patio.

River View Golf Course
1800 W Santa Clara Ave
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 543-1115
www.riverviewgolf.com

Take Your Morning Jog Through the Lemon Orchard at Citrus Ranch Park

Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to jog through a grove of lemon trees every morning, but as a resident of Tustin, you are. Citrus Ranch Park is named for its lemon tree orchard, which emanates a sweet, mood-boosting scent as you stroll or run right through. Some people fill their homes with citrusy aromas in order to foster a happy atmosphere, but Citrus Ranch Park has the natural air freshener built right into the landscape.

If you have kids, however, the playground might entice them more than the lemon grove. It's spread out atop a cushy, colorful play surface that's soft enough for your kids to go barefoot (as many do). Keep a close eye while they swing toward the sky, zip down a bright orange slide, or simply scamper up and down the ramps and stairs woven throughout the jungle gym.

Citrus Ranch Park
2910 Portoia Parkway
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 573-3326
www.tustinca.org/departments/parksrec/parks/citrusranch.html
www.yelp.com/biz/citrus-ranch-park-tustin

Head to Tustin Library for Book Browsing and Studying

The spacious Tustin Library has many loyal followers, and for good reason. The library, while offering free WiFi, computer access, and of course many books, is also clean, well-organized, and cozy, according to locals. It can get crowded on weekdays and evenings, but you’ll usually be able to find a plush chair at a table or near an outlet to either read or study.

This branch of the Orange County library system does get new books in fairly quickly, but be sure to keep an eye out for them on the library’s website, as new books can get snagged fairly fast. If Tustin does not have the book you’re looking for, the staff can have it delivered from one of the other OC branches. The library also has audiobooks, kindle books for download, CDs, and DVDs.

Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 544-7725
ocpl.org/libloc/tustin
www.yelp.com/biz/tustin-library-tustin

Cedar Grove Park: Work Out with the Whole Family

You've probably never seen a gym quite like the one at Cedar Grove Park. For one thing, there are no walls. The collection of weight and cardio machines resides entirely outdoors, arranged atop a large section of sandy ground. Just because the outdoor gym doesn't have electricity to work with doesn't mean it's lacking in equipment. Here, you can pedal on an entirely muscle-powered elliptical, tone your biceps on two-person weight machine, or strengthen other problem areas with the other eclectic equipment.

If you have kids along with you, however, they'll probably be more interested in getting their exercise in at Cedar Grove Park's playground. True to its name, the park is rife with flourishing trees, so the playground boasts plenty of shady protection from the sun (augmented by canopies over most of the equipment). Keep a close eye while your youngsters crawl through tunnels, race down slides, and scale the rock-climbing wall.

Cedar Grove Park
11385 Pioneer Road
Tustin, CA 92782
www.tustinca.org/departments/parksrec/parks/cedargrove.html
www.yelp.com/biz/cedar-grove-park-tustin

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