Orange, the suburban city in California, is a great vacation destination. Fun fact: the Old Town District in Orange has houses which were made before 1920 – if you’re an architecture enthusiast or a history buff, then you’re going to love this area. Other than that, there is so much to do in this relaxing suburban city. You can head to the Orange Circle for a meal, spend your afternoon at the Irvine Park Railroad, take a walk around the Orange Plaza Square Park or just spend your day touring the Orange County Zoo. There is so much to do here for every age group! So, to make your life easier, here are some fun and interesting things to do in Orange, California.
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1. Spend your day at Irvine Regional Park
Irvine Regional Park is a 160-acre (64.7 hectares) park located in Orange. This park is pretty famous among the locals and tourists – you will see people walking their dogs, children riding their bikes, some avid fishermen fishing by the river and beautiful green parrots and peacocks flying around! You basically have to pay to park and then you’ll get a park map which will help you decide which attractions excite you the most. There are many hiking trails, miniature train rides, paddle boats and many other fun family attractions.
Irvine Regional Park
Address: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, USA
Website: Irvine Regional Park
Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
2. Have a meal at the Orange Circle
The Orange Circle is basically one of the oldest plazas in the country! Think of it as the centre of the city; it is surrounded by shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and some really beautiful streets. Try going here for a meal, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. This area is always buzzing with locals running their daily errands and tourists taking in the beautiful sights. There are some really chic cafes which you can eat at or you could head to one of the ethnic and authentic restaurants. It all depends on your taste buds!
The Orange Circle
Address: 75 Plaza Square, Orange, CA 92866, USA
Website: The Orange Circle
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Starting at 3 USD
3. Spend a day with your kids at Orange County Zoo
The Orange County Zoo is located in Irvine Regional Park, so it is best to plan your itinerary in such a way that you can visit both these attractions together. There are many animal exhibits which your kids will surely enjoy. These animals include mountain lions, black bears, bald eagles, island foxes, coyotes, vultures and so much more. There is also a barnyard with goats, sheep, pigs and other such farm animals which will probably make your kids squeal with excitement!
Orange County Zoo
Address: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, USA
Website: Orange County Zoo
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 4:30pm; Mon - Fri: 10am - 3:30pm
Price: 2 USD
4. Visit the Hilbert Museum of California Art
"The Magic and Flair of Mary Blair" at the Hilbert Museum of California Art now through Oct. 19, 2019.
Posted by Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University on Friday, 25 January 2019
Established in 2016, the Hilbert Museum of California Art typically focuses on art that was famous in California around the 1920s till the 1970s. Here, you’ll see oil paintings, watercolour paintings, sketches as well as lithographs and landscapes of everyday life in that period. Think of it as a representation of California in the 1900s by really talented artists. If you’re a history buff or have an eye for art, this is one of the things to do in Orange, California.
Hilbert Museum of California Art
Address: 167 N Atchison St, Orange, CA 92866, USA
Website: Hilbert Museum of California Art
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 5pm; (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free entry
5. Enjoy some family time at the Irvine Park Railroad
Again, this attraction is located in the Irvine Regional Park, so maybe you should plan to spend a whole day here to really make the most of the park, the zoo and the railroad! Irvine Park Railroad is basically an outdoor park which is ideal for family vacation fun. You can go on miniature train rides, rent a boat to enjoy an afternoon of paddle boating or you could go for a ride on a pony. This is the perfect place to take your kids, especially if you want them to have a really fun day.
Irvine Park Railroad
Address: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, USA
Website: Irvine Park Railroad
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm; Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pm
Price: Free entry
6. Stroll around Old Towne Orange
Old Towne Orange is basically a really quaint area in the older districts of Orange. Think of this district as a really cute and fun shopping area – you’ll find various antique shops, some really chic and quirky coffee shops and shops that are selling retro and vintage clothes. Basically, this is THE place to go to for fabulous antique shopping. This is a walking area, so make sure to have your walking shoes on before you head here. While you’re here, walk along the street to see the famous Orange Circle too.
Old Towne Orange
Address: Old Towne, Orange, CA 92866, USA
7. Enjoy a scenic hike through Peters Canyon Regional Park
Peters Canyon Regional Park is a very popular hiking park as well as a jogging area. The hike is beautiful, so this should definitely be at the top of your list of things to do in Orange, California. You can go for a stroll with your kids, take your dog for a walk or actually workout with a strenuous quick-paced hike. There is a reservoir in this park which provides a beautiful scenic landscape while you hike or jog. Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes and carry a bottle of water.
Peters Canyon Regional Park
Address: 8548 Canyon View Ave, Orange, CA 92869, USA
Website: Peters Canyon Regional Park
Opening hours: 7am - sunset (daily)
Price: Free entry
8. Go biking at Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Santiago Oaks Regional Park is a whopping 1269 acres (513 hectares), so think of this as your exclusive and secluded park to go on a hike, ride a bike, go horseback riding or just enjoy the view. The best thing to do here is to hire a bike and go on a biking tour along the hiking trails, that way, you’ll be able to cover a longer distance in a shorter period of time! After all, there is clearly so much to see here, you might as well make the most of it. The park also has a Sunday morning hike followed by brunch, which is a great way to spend a Sunday!
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Address: 2145 Windes Dr, Orange, CA 92869, USA
Website: Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
9. Spend some time outdoors at Steve Ambriz Memorial Park
Steve Ambriz Memorial Park is a 10.5-acre (4.2-hectare) park which features basketball courts, tennis courts and softball courts. Other than this, the park’s space also has barbeque stations, play areas for children, walking paths and short trails. All in all, Steve Ambriz Memorial Park is a great place to spend the day with your kids; maybe shoot a few hoops, have a small barbeque with the family and enjoy a quaint little picnic. This park has a little something for everyone to enjoy.
Steve Ambriz Memorial Park
Address: 611 Riverbend Pkwy, Orange, CA 92865, USA
Website: Steve Ambriz Memorial Park
Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
10. Go to Orange Plaza Square Park for a midnight stroll
Orange Plaza Square Park is in the historical centre of Orange. With the Orange Circle in the centre of Orange Plaza Square, this is one of the most touristy spots in the city. The plaza is surrounded by eateries, restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges and various shops. So, whether you want to visit the antique shops or maybe you want to grab a bite after a long afternoon of shopping, or maybe you’re going for a midnight stroll or you’re just craving some dessert after dinner, Orange Plaza Square Park is the place to head to. If you’re in Orange during the holidays, the plaza will be very beautifully decorated – it’s definitely worth the visit.
Orange Plaza Square Park
Address: Orange, CA 92866, USA
Website: Orange Plaza Square Park
Opening hours: 5am - 2am (daily)
Price: Free entry
11. Feast at Bruxie Original Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Bruxie Original Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich, as the name suggests, is THE place to enjoy an original chicken and waffle sandwich. This place uses all-natural chickens which are hormone-free! The waffle is freshly made as per your order, and the waffle sandwich can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Head to this restaurant to grab a bite or just get this comfort food delivered to wherever you are. With chains all over the world, the fried chicken waffle sandwich here is worth eating!
Bruxie Original Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich
Address: 292 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866, USA
Website: Bruxie Original Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 8am - 9pm; Thur: 8am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 8am - 11pm
Price:11 - 30 USD
12. Learn how to make honey at Pitcher Park
Pitcher Park is not a regular park with basketball courts and play areas for the kids. Think of Pitcher Park as a historical park in Orange, with an antique fire engine and a honey house where you can learn how to make honey! There is also a heritage museum here. This is an ideal location for pictures and photo shoots because this park is so picturesque. You should go here for a picnic in the afternoon and stay on to watch the sunset. Not too many people know about this little park, but it is one of the fun things to do in Orange, California.
Pitcher Park
Address: 204 N Cambridge St, Orange, CA 92866, USA
Website: Pitcher Park
Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
13. Attend a concert at Hart Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Hart Park is a famous and very popular park in Orange, which has facilities like baseball fields, football fields, soccer fields, a swimming pool, a picnic pavilion, picnic tables and many walking paths and trails. This park also has volleyball courts and tennis courts; think of Hart Park as the park where you can go play almost every sport. There is also a little amphitheatre with a stage, where concerts are held many times. To know which concerts are going to be playing during your visit, be sure to check the calendar of the website.
Hart Park
Address: Hart Park, California 93308, USA
Website: Hart Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free entry
14. Visit the Saint Matthew Ecumenical Catholic Church
Saint Matthew Ecumenical Catholic Church is an ecumenical church which is in the heart of Orange. This is basically an inclusive church, with their motto being ‘all are welcome’. There are various seminars, series and meetings that take place at this Church, some of which are very interesting like adult education series, meditation group meetings and even auctions. To know more about the various events taking place at this church, make sure to check out the website. There is always something new and interesting happening here, events that will interest everyone.
Saint Matthew Ecumenical Catholic Church
Address: 1111 West Town and Country Rd, Orange, CA 92868, USA
Website: Saint Matthew Ecumenical Catholic Church
Opening hours: Sunday Mass: 8:30am - 10:30am
Price: Free entry
15. Drive past the Lewis Ainsworth House
What makes the Lewis Ainsworth House famous is that this is a restored American Craftsman style house in Orange city. This house was originally built in 1910 by the owner Lewis Ainsworth and was then sold in 1976 and later restored. If you are into architecture or you enjoy heritage buildings and styles, then you should drive past this unique house. This is a true American-style house, so it is worth seeing. Plus, this house is within the main city, so you can easily spot it on your way to or back from any other attraction.
Lewis Ainsworth House
Address: 414 E. Chapman Ave, Orange, California
16. Go for a family picnic at Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a sweet and quaint park in Orange, California. If you enjoy family bonding time in the form of picnics and strolls in the park, then you’re going to really like this place. There are a few picnic tables, a few grills and a few swings for the kids to play! You can easily enjoy a nice relaxing afternoon brunch here without thinking twice. If you’re travelling with a group of friends, you could maybe have a fun Sunday brunch/drunch at this park! However, there is no public restroom here, so keep that in mind, Other than that, this is a great park to go for a picnic or maybe to just walk the dog while your kids play.
Belmont Park
Address: Belmont Park, Vía Escola, Orange, CA 92867, USA
Website: Belmont Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free entry
17. Have a drink at Danny K's Billiards & Sports Bar
Danny K’s Billiards & Sports Bar is a really chilled out bar with a fun and sporty vibe. This is where all the locals go to watch sports matches and cheer for their favourite teams. With a wide variety of beers and brews, on tap too, this sports bar is definitely one of the places that you have to visit while you’re in Orange. With delicious brews, amazing comfort food and a really happy vibe, you’ll definitely enjoy this bar.
Danny K's Billiards & Sports Bar
Address: 1096 N Main St, Orange, CA 92867, USA
Website: Danny K’s Billiards & Sports Bar
Opening hours: Sun: 11am - 12am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2am; Mon - Thur: 11am - 1am
Price: 11 - 30 USD
Lots to do in Orange, California
So, what did you think of this detailed itinerary? There is so much to do in Orange, especially if you’re on a family vacation. Make sure to make the most of all the picnic spots, visit as many antique shops as you can and put your running shoes on to check out some hiking trails. After all, there are so many things to do in Orange, California, and so little time.
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