1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. California Travel

Things to Do in Orange County

Adventure City

A Southern California theme park just for kids 2 to 12.

Air Combat USA

Be a fighter pilot for a day in a real military fighter with licensed fighter pilot in the cockpit, in Fullerton.

Astor Museum

Visit classic automobile and antique Radio and Telephone, Museum in Anaheim.

Bowers Museum

They call it a museum of cultural art. Past exhibits have included mummies, China's terracotta soldiers and a display of gems and stones.

Christmas in Orange County

Every once in a while, a California location surprises us. For all of its image of beaches, surfers and sun, Orange County turns out to be one of the best places in the state to get your fill of Christmas festivities.

Discovery Science Center

Located in Santa Ana, this science museum is home to a 10-story solar cube and 120 hands-on exhibits.

Flightdeck Air Combat Center

Enjoy flying fighter jet in actual flight simulators, in Anaheim.

Fullterton Arboretum

Arboretum means it has trees. Lots of 'em.

Glory of Christmas - Crystal Cathedral

A highly polished version of a traditional Christmas pageant, with live animals and flying angels.

Huntington Beach Gondola

Take a romantic sunset Gondola ride, in Huntington Beach.

Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights

One of our favorite things to do in the OC at Christmas, this cruise takes you past some over-the-top light displays.

Knotts Berry Farm

This Orange County park is not just for kids anymore.

Marconi Automotive Museum

Discover founder Dick Marconi's 30 million dollar historical, exotic, and classic cars in Fullerton.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Jousting and other medieval activities, along with dinner. In Buena Park.

Movie Land Wax Museum

Lifelike representations of movie stars and celebrities, made of wax. In Buena Park.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

If you've got a bunch of boats, why not decorate them for the holidays and have a parade?

OC Museum of Art

Orange County's premier visual arts museum, in Newport Beach.

Orange County Performing Arts Center

Catch a performance at one of the 4 stages of the OC Performing Arts Center, in Costa Mesa.

Pageant of the Masters

It sounds simple - just dress some people up and recreate a famous work of art - but the result is more fascinating than you can imagine.

Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace

This facility in Yorba Linda memorializes the presidency of Richard M. Nixon. His birthplace is on the grounds.

San Juan Capistrano Mission

The famous mission where the swallows come home to nest every year.

San Juan Capistrano's Los Rios Area

Don't stop with just visiting the mission. Take a walk across the tracks and into another century with guest author Rob Rutkowski.

Santa Ana Zoo

Orange County's zoo features animals and plants of Central and South America. Its most unusual feature are the monkeys: founder Joseph Prentice, who donated the land to the city stipulated that the zoo must have 50 monkeys at all times. Not surprisingly, the primate section is its largest.

Sawdust Art Festival

Attend an art auction, mingle with the artist or take an art class at the famous Sawdust Art Festival, in Laguna Beach.

Wild Rivers

Wide range of water activities, in Irvine.
Explore California Travel
About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Hot Winter Travel Deals

Check out these tips on finding the best airfare, hotel rates and cruise deals. More >

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. California Travel
  4. - Los Angeles
  5. MORE PLACES in Los Angeles
  6. Orange County
  7. Things to Do

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.