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

Fashion Island, Newport Beach

We rounded out our time in Newport with a trip to Fashion Island. This place is SO pretty and so relaxing. There's a good mix of shops and several nice restaurants. I could easily spend at least half a day here. I think I need to go Christmas shopping at Fashion Island! I'd love to see what it looks like all decked out in holiday decor.

* The pics I've posted don't even do it proper justice. The place is beautiful!!