Orange County

Fellow blogger, Life as a California Wife, has asked for opinions about whether to plan a beach vacation in Orange County or near Los Angeles. Of course, I am suggesting the OC, baby! :)

And as I promised, here is list of some of my favorite places in OC (of course, this is just few of the many fun things to see and do):

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS:

Doryman's Inn Bed & Breakfast

Newport Beach

Newport Beachwalk Hotel

Newport Beach

The Anabella Hotel

Anaheim

The Fairmont Hotel

Newport Beach

SHOPPING:

South Coast Plaza

Costa Mesa

Irvine Spectrum

Irvine

Yardhouse Restaurant @ Irvine Spectrum

Irvine

Fashion Island

Newport Beach

DINING:

Corner Bakery Cafe

Irvine

* I love their iced mochas!

Chronic Tacos

Newport Beach

* These are all over OC, but the original started in Newport Beach.

Mama D's Italian Kitchen

Newport Beach

* They also have locations in Manhattan and Hermosa Beach.

NIGHTLIFE:

Memphis

Costa Mesa

* Other locations include Manhattan Beach and Santa Ana.

Fred's Mexican Cafe & Cantina

Huntington Beach

Hurricanes Bar & Grill

Huntington Beach

FUN THINGS TO DO:

Disneyland

Anaheim

California Adventure Park

Anaheim

Medieval Times

Buena Park

Boardwalk Balboa Peninsula

Balboa

* This is a great place to take a stroll, ride a beach cruiser bike, people or whale watch, or visit the Balboa Pier.

And for the dog friendly tourists....

Dog Beach

Huntington Beach