The only impression most people have about Orange County, or "The OC" as it is so fondly referred to, is from what they have seen on TV. The entertainment industry has capitalized on this area's affluent beach communities and turned it into aspirational living gold. Laguna Beach on MTV debuted circa 2004, as well as the now infamous teen drama The OC, which brought Misha Barton and the word "Chrissmauakah" into our lives! And then, of course, there is Bravo's flagship reality show, The Real Housewives of Orange County (don’t get me started). These shows have depicted this area as glamorous, money-driven, and materialistic with exceptionally beautiful people in exotic cars everywhere you look. I’m not going to say that this depiction is false, but the Orange County I want to share with all of you is the incredible place I called home for over 6 years.
A cultural hotspot The OC is not, but if you’re looking for a weekend escape with warm weather, great eats, incredible seascape views, and some of the best shopping around, you'll definitely want to put Orange County on your travel list for 2019. Over the years, the area has grown and matured, becoming a thriving destination for unique, fun, and picturesque locations. No longer the south coast's hub of chains, it now has some great one-of-a-kind establishments that one can only find behind the orange curtain. OC has its own airport, named after The Duke himself - John Wayne, that makes heading south of LA a no brainer. If you have a few days to check things out, I've compiled a list of my favorite haunts. Check them out for yourself and let us know what you think!
STAY
OC has its fair share of high-end hotels, most with absolutely stunning views. The Ritz Carlton Laguna Beach, the St. Regis, and the Montage top the list of luxury. But I prefer staying in the less well known locations that exemplify the true character of The OC. There are several in Laguna such as Surf and Sand, the Pacific Edge Hotel, and If you book well in advance you can rent an amazing cottage at the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. These cottages are where your Cape Cod dreams come true with a truly west coast spin. They are located directly on Crystal Cove Beach where you can sleep with the sounds of the waves crashing is better than any sound machine money can buy. But if a hotel is more your style the new Lido Hotel in Lido Village is a gorgeous property. The Lido is affiliated with Marriott, but the charm, character, and design of this hotel is truly one of a one of a kind.
SIP AND SAVOR
Mexican food in Orange County is a solid choice. You simply can’t have a bad meal when you choose to partake in these truly locals-only flavors that have evolved over time to be a unique OC cuisine. Your top choices are Ola’s, Javier’s (where the crab enchiladas are a must), and Avila’s El Ranchito, where the fresh salsa recipe is absolutely addictive.
There is no shortage of fine dining in The OC either. Fig and Olive recently took up residence with the beautiful people, as have Mastro’s Ocean Club, Nobu, and The Playground in Santa Ana. Great spots for brunch or lunch include Zinc Cafe, The Deck on Laguna Beach and Habana. But my all-time favorite is Plums, because I have so many great memories there with my friends on many a weekend.
If cocktails are more your thing Rooftop Lounge at Laguna Beach is a perfect destination. The views are unparalleled and people-watching scene is second to none. Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge in Huntington Beach can’t be beat and neither can The Bungalow if you are looking for a true OC experience. Go for the views and the vibe, but believe me the drinks are prime. My favorite place by far is Bandera in Corona del Mar. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu and the wine selection is always spot on. It’s got the crowd, the ambiance, and the food is amazing.
SHOP
The OC offers the South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island where all of the glamorous people shop literally hundreds of stores all in one sunny and high-end locations. There is also The Spectrum in Irvine, and Pacific City which is on the beach. The great thing about The OC is that if you choose one of these shopping Meccas, you can find every retail outlet you’ve ever heard of, including some fantastic flagship stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus (which is Pearl's mothership). But if you’re looking for more boutique shopping venture over to the Anti Mall or The Lab with stores that are a little left of center. My personal favorite are the shops alongside Laguna Beach, which has countless boutiques to choose from high end to low end. However, the new Lido Village is really on the rise with it’s highly curated shops and fantastic access to the Newport Bay.
TO DO While there may not be museums or site of historical reference, the beaches and hikes in this area are unparalleled and offer some of the greatest backdrops for your Insta. I lived in Corona Del Mar for a few years and it is still, hands down, the most stunning and serene beach I’ve ever been to in the US.
My other favorite activity is taking the ferry to Balboa Island, which is like Coney Island and Catalina Island crashed into each other giving us a magically unique place with cottages that are something out of a storybook with people riding their cruisers down the avenue eating frozen bananas and playing at the arcade. You’ll feel like a kid again but with a great tan! Don’t forgot to rent a beach cruiser and do some bar crawling while you’re there!
Orange County, California has something for everyone and you can easily fill a weekend with great food, amazing views, terrific shopping, and so much more to make lasting Southern California memories. If you've never been, make 2019 the year that you do! And if you pop in to any of the places mentioned here, be sure to tell them that The Pearl & Pepper sent you! The OC will always hold a very special place in my heart and I look forward to returning very soon!