Orange County
"The Happiest Place on Earth," incredible beaches and iconic surfing
Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, this region is known for flawless beaches and “The Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland Resort. Anaheim, the theme park's home, offers a hip vibe in a refurbished downtown. Newport Beach has dazzling yachts, Huntington Beach has iconic surfing, and Costa Mesa beckons with top shopping.
Major Takeaways
- Anaheim Packing House, a former Sunkist citrus-packing facility built in 1919, is now part of the Anaheim Packing District, a multistory food hall featuring local eateries, tasting rooms and entertainment spaces.
- Crystal Cove State Park, located in Laguna beach, is home to rugged coastline and beautiful sunsets.
- The Wedge at the east end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach is known for large wedge-shaped waves that make it the premier bodysurfing spot in the country.
- Great Wolf Lodge, Orange County's newest family fun addition, has The Howlin' Tornado water slide, which is as tall as a six-story building.
Orange County tourism industry research
Get data and insights on tourism's impact on the region's economy.
Counties, Major Cities and Attractions
Counties
There is one county in the Orange County region of California:
- Orange County
Major Cities
Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, this region is known for its flawless beaches. Anaheim, home to the Disneyland Resort, is the largest city in Orange County.
- Anaheim
- Buena Park
- Costa Mesa
- Dana Point
- Huntington Beach
- Irvine
- Laguna Beach
- Newport Beach
Resort at Pelican Hill
Newport Beach
Anaheim Packing House
Disneyland Resort
Capri Laguna Hotel
Laguna Beach
Major Attractions
Whether it’s manicured beach towns or celebrated theme parks, all framed by oceanfront towns and luxury yachts, “The OC” stands out as one of the state’s most iconic destinations.
- Disneyland Resort: With a history dating back to 1955, this iconic theme park in Anaheim is a beloved family tradition both in California and around the world, helping families create magical memories
- Irvine Spectrum Center: Featuring stunning architecture and fountain-lined walkways, this outdoor mall is home to incredible shops, a Giant Wheel and the nation’s only Hello Kitty Cafe
- Knott’s Berry Farm: Enjoy dozens of rides, shows and attractions in Buena Park including the family friendly Camp Snoopy and Silver Bullet, California’s largest inverted roller coaster
- Mission San Juan Capistrano: This historic Orange County landmark is not one of California’s 21 missions but is also the state’s first winery
- Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum: Learn about the history and social strife of the 1960s at this fascinating Orange County museum, which houses dozens of exhibits and hundreds of artifacts from the Nixon Administration
- South Coast Plaza: California’s largest luxury shopping complex features iconic brands like Hermes, Chanel and Prada while offering visitors unique dining and entertainment
Destination Marketing Organizations
Weather
The Orange County region features a subtropical Mediterranean climate with high summer temperatures and cool winter months.
Dec-Feb
71°F/22°C
High
48°F/9°C
Low
Mar-May
76°F/24°C
High
54°F/12°C
Low
Jun-Aug
86°F/30°C
High
64°F/18°C
Low
Sept-Nov
82°F/28°C
High
58°F/14°C
Low
California Welcome Centers
The Orange County region has one California Welcome Center: