Things to do in Orange County

Anaheim · 2.8km from downtown

40 reviews

Disneyland Resort California is an entertainment resort in Anaheim, California, USA. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its experiences division, featuring two theme parks (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure), three hotels, and the Disney Downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Disneyland Park features Sleeping Beauty Castle as its landmark, with scenes from the fairy tale displayed inside. The Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge area recreates the streets of Batuu from the movies, where visitors can board the Millennium Falcon. Classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square have been operating for decades, with daytime parades often winding through the park. At Disney California Adventure Park, Cars Land is modeled after the desert town from the movie, with Radiator Springs Racers remaining a perennial favorite. The Avengers Campus offers thrilling experiences like Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout! and an interactive shooting adventure with Spider-Man. Over at Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster races along the bay. At night, Disneyland lights up the sky with castle fireworks, while Disney California Adventure dazzles with a grand water and light show on the lake. Given the resort's size and long queues for popular attractions, two full days are recommended to fully explore both parks—hit the top rides early, then explore at leisure. Keep an eye out for hidden Mickey easter eggs scattered throughout the parks, as spotting them adds to the fun. After the parks close, head to Downtown Disney for dining and shopping to cap off your day. Disneyland was the company's first theme park, and also a theme park built by Walt Disney, which opened on July 17, 1955. Disney California Adventure Park is a theme park based on Disney's interpretation of California, which opened on February 8, 2001.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Disneyland Park California

10

Anaheim · 2.6km from downtown

2.3k reviews

Starting May 16, 2025, Disneyland Resort will launch a year-long 70th anniversary celebration! Centered around the theme "Celebrate Happy," the resort will unveil exclusive global experiences to honor seven decades of magic and joy. The parks will be adorned with 70th anniversary-themed décor, while Mickey Mouse and friends debut special outfits. Interactive surprises await at select attractions. Limited-time ticket offers include 3-day and new 4-day tickets (upgradeable for park-hopper and Lightning Lane Multi Pass). The celebration runs through summer 2026—plan your visit now to experience Disney's "Rainbow of Happiness"! In 1955, Walt, the father of Disney, built California Disneyland in Los Angeles, which is the world's first original Disney theme park. The park is located within the California Disney Resort. There are two main parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. The two parks are adjacent to each other. Visitors can visit both parks at one time and experience the joyful magic of Disney World. Come and enter the land of fairy tales and meet classic characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Disney princesses, Avengers, and Star Wars heroes. △ Step into fairy-tale worlds filled with Character sightings, attractions and more! △ Enjoy a leisurely stroll through small-town America—you'll love the turn-of-the-century charm! △ Explore this out-of-this-world land, where you can live your adventure in a galaxy far, far away!

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Disney California Adventure Park

9.1

Anaheim · 3.3km from downtown

634 reviews

This is a Disney adventure park themed around California. Originally conceived as "experiencing all of California in one day," the park's entrance once featured a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge, vividly showcasing the state's captivating culture and rich history—the very essence the "paradise park" aimed to convey. Disney California Adventure Park opened on February 8, 2001. Originally the parking lot for Disneyland, it has since evolved into a vibrant theme park featuring rides, shopping, and dining. From Cars Land and Buena Vista Street to Pixar Pier, Avengers Campus, and San Fransokyo Square, the park has continuously expanded over the years, with even more exciting additions planned for the future.

2026 Americas 50 - Night Attractions

CA-1

6.7

Monterey County · 61.3km from downtown

499 reviews

CA-1 is a highly iconic coastal self-drive route on the West Coast of the United States, stretching over 1,000 km along the Pacific coastline and connecting coastal towns from the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, and Morro Bay all the way to Los Angeles. Its highlight is concentrated in the Big Sur section between Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and San Simeon: the road winds along steep cliffs, with the surging Pacific Ocean on one side and mountains and redwood forests on the other. There are many scenic parking areas along the way where you can pull over at any time to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the waves crash against the cliffs. There are several highly recognizable scenes along this section: the Bixby Bridge, which spans the canyon, is an elegantly designed concrete arch bridge, and there are almost always vehicles parked at the bridgehead for photos; McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park drops directly from the cliff top onto the beach in the cove, making it a rare beach waterfall in California; the sand at Pfeiffer Beach has a faint purple hue due to the weathering of manganese garnet in the cliffs; further south in the San Simeon area, groups of northern elephant seals can be seen sunbathing on the beach year-round, and you can also visit Hearst Castle on the mountain nearby. The Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey at the northern end and the town of Carmel-By-The-Sea also have their own unique charm.

Laguna Beach · 647m from downtown

Laguna Beaches

5.8

4.6/5

59 reviews

Laguna Beachesare located in the southern part of Orange County, California, United States, and are an artistic attraction nestled between hills and the sea. The coastal area features numerous scenic coves and beaches, among which Main Beach is a representative public space in the city. They boast gentle, expansive sandy beaches, and the wide coastline is perfect for walking, relaxing, and enjoying the ocean views. A boardwalk connects the beach areas, where visitors can stroll in the sea breeze, watch beach volleyball games, and soak up the relaxed holiday atmosphere unique to the California coast. On sunny days, sunbathers and visitors gather here, bringing the beach to life. With their sunny beaches, magnificent ocean views, deep-rooted artistic traditions, and rich ecological experiences, they showcase the unique charm of a Southern California coastal city.

No. 14 of Family-friendly Attractions in California

Knott's Berry Farm

5.6

4.4/5

68 reviews

Knott's Berry Farm is located in the northwest of Disneyland. The farm has theme parks such as Mexican Festival Village and Snoopy Camp. The founder Mrs. Knott's dinner is very famous. The restaurant attached to it still serves the chicken meal. Don't forget to try it when you go to the park. Knott's Berry Farm is a true representation of the Western Frontier Period and the Gold Rush, allowing visitors to travel back in time to an American village in the Western era. Snoopy, Charlie Brown and his friends, the souls of the park, show up more often to take pictures and shake hands with everyone. Outside the park gate is a shopping street, in addition to restaurants and various jams of Knott's brand, you can also buy Snoopy related products and souvenirs. People who like Snoopy should not miss this place. The division of the park is not very obvious, but it can be roughly divided into children's area, play area and ghost town. The children's area is on the right side of the gate, and all the amusement facilities are mainly for children. The amusement area is dominated by the thrilling roller coaster: "Supreme Scream" combines the characteristics of free fall and high-altitude bounce, allowing passengers to fall vertically from the top of the 30-story tower 77 meters to the ground to experience the feeling of soul and soul. The wood-structured Ghost Rider roller coaster is 1382 meters long. It takes passengers to dive down from the top of 36 meters at a speed of 3.14G. With the sound of wood shaking, you will be tense and dark. land. The "Perilous Plunge" is a yacht that swoops down from a 39-meter-high waterway at a nearly vertical 75-degree angle. At the moment of contact with the water, the water splashed up to more than 20 meters, which guaranteed to soak the whole body of the people on the boat and nearby, and no one was spared! Ghost Town is a re-enactment of the classic American West. You can experience the fun of sifting gold in streams, ride horse-drawn carriages and steam trains in the 1880s to speed through the backcountry Indian Railways, or ride back in time to 60 million years ago to experience the prehistoric universe, Dinosaur rampage. There are also overhead roller coasters and an expedition to the mines. When you are tired of playing, you can visit the ghost town and bring some souvenirs home. Knott's Berry Farm launches the "Knott's ScaryFarm" that scares people to death every year during Halloween, and it is the highlight of the Los Angeles Ghost Festival! At this time, the whole park was filled with a gloomy and miserable atmosphere. More than 500 ghosts and ghosts haunted in the dark night. They rushed out to greet you at any time and told you to "don't approach strangers"; You hugged from behind, only to hear screaming screams all over the garden, it was terrifying! Led by Avella After Darkness, every night at the "Happy Theater" in the park, a terrifying surprise night is performed, which is as terrifying as any horror movie.

Buena Park · 2.6km from downtown

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Yorba Linda

Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum

Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum

5.5

Yorba Linda · 584m from downtown

25 reviews

The Richard Nixon Library & Museum is located in Yorba Linda, California, combining historical exhibitions with commemorative functions. This venue not only showcases President Nixon's life and political career but also preserves his birthplace home for visitors to explore. The museum features interactive multimedia exhibits covering various aspects of his foreign policies and domestic affairs. The venue houses extensive archival materials for researchers. With its tranquil atmosphere, it's an ideal half-day destination for visitors interested in American history.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Irvine

Tanaka Farms

5.1

5.0/5

5 reviews

Tanaka Farmsis located in Irvine, California, United States, serving as a pastoral oasis hidden within a modern urban environment. It is not only a place for leisure but also carries the Tanaka family's nearly 100-year farming history. The farm's environment changes with the seasons, offering unique features throughout the year. In spring, the green fields are full of life, and visitors can ride a tractor-pulled wagon deep into the fields to pick strawberries. Walking through the fields in the sunshine to hand-pick ripe strawberries and taste the fresh fruit is a favorite experience for many families. In summer, the farm hosts melon tasting events and features spectacular sunflower fields. Vast stretches of golden flowers sway in the breeze, creating a vibrant summer view alongside the surrounding farmland. It preserves the family's farming culture and showcases the charm of agriculture through seasonal activities, allowing visitors to experience a simple, authentic, and vibrant rural environment near the bustling city.

Irvine · 3.2km from downtown

Newport Beach

4.7

Newport Beach · 1.7km from downtown

15 reviews

Newport Beach is located in California, USA, and is a renowned vacation destination famous for its stunning coastline and diverse water activities. As a versatile coastal attraction, it draws visitors from around the world, offering experiences ranging from relaxation to thrilling adventures. The beach's expansive sandy shores and warm sunshine make it an ideal spot for sunbathing and beach sports. Water activities are a major highlight here, where visitors can enjoy surfing, sailing boats, kayaking, and more, embracing the joy of the ocean. For nature enthusiasts, nearby Balboa Island and the Newport Bay Ecological Reserve provide opportunities for hiking and birdwatching. Additionally, the area boasts a wide variety of dining and shopping options, from seafood restaurants to boutique stores. Regularly held festivals and art exhibitions allow visitors to immerse themselves in local culture. Whether for a family vacation or a friends' getaway, Newport Beach offers an array of activities and unforgettable experiences for every visitor.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Garden Grove

Christ Cathedral

4.6

4.1/5

51 reviews

The Crystal Cathedral is known as an architectural wonder of the world. The huge and bright space created by tens of thousands of soft silver glass windows is beyond the reach of all churches. The sanctuary that can accommodate nearly 3,000 people is a veritable Garden of Eden on earth, even if you are a passer-by. , it will surely bring you an unforgettable shock.

Garden Grove · 4.2km from downtown

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

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Universal Studios Hollywood

10

Los Angeles · 67.1km from Orange County

8.3k reviews

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