In the mid-1950s, the roads leading to the county’s theme parks still passed through extensive orange groves. At that time, Disneyland was attracting its first enthusiastic crowds, and a local boy called Richard Nixon had become Vice President of the US. Today, orange groves have given way to urban development and fruit crate labels have become collectors’ items. More than two million people live here, enjoying perennial sunshine and a high standard of living.

The coastline of Orange County is lined with wide, sandy beaches and a succession of legendary surfing haunts, marinas, and artists’ enclaves. In the affluent coastal towns, few visitors can resist the temptation to find out a clifftop bar and watch the sun set. Inland lies a variety of cultural sights. The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana houses superb examples of the art of indigenous peoples from all around the world. At Yorba Linda, the impressive. Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace commemorates the life of Orange County’s most famous son.

Orange County is the entertainment capital of California. For visitors looking for family fun and roller-coaster thrills, there are the homey Knott’s Berry Farm, theme park of America’s oldest, and the fantasy kingdom of Disneyland, which is, as the saying goes, “the most famous people-trap ever built by a mouse.”

One of those important choices is which amusement park you are going to visit, and how much money you plan to spend at each. With Disneyland, California Adventure, LegoLand, Magic Mountain, Knottsberry Farm and several other smaller parks within driving distance, trying to hit them all will cost you a lot of time and energy. It’s best to choose one or two. That way you can really enjoy each park and not stretch your budget too far. Some parks even offer 2-for-1 deals, such as Disneyland and California Adventure, which allow you to visit two parks for one price.

Check for discount tickets for tours and attractions before you go. You may be surprised at the discounts available for savvy travelers who check around for prices online ahead of time. You may also consider purchasing an Entertainment coupon book for the zip code you plan to visit. That will save you on dining, and it may save you on lodging and attractions as well.

There are a wide variety of hotels and motels surrounding the major Orange County attractions. You can stay at a smaller motel with fewer frills and be within the same traveling distance as you would if you stayed at a high priced hotel. If you plan early and travel in the off-season, staying at the Disneyland Hotel is very reasonable. You’ll also save money on travel because there are free tram services to and from the park.

Balance your visit to an amusement park with some free activities, such as visiting the beach or strolling down some of Orange County’s beautiful parks and natural areas. Since the weather is pleasant during most of the year, take advantage of simply being outdoors and taking in some nature during your visit. The beach and mountains are within driving distance of most Orange County towns and Southern California boasts some of the country’s most gorgeous national parks.

Other places of interest in Newport are the County Museum Of Art, which exhibits some pieces of contemporary art produced by local artists. The Sherman Library and Gardens are also worth a visit with the many types of flowers, cacti and other tropical plants and a browse in the Library is a pleasant way to pass an hour or so.

Huntingdon Beach is more of an easy-going coastal region with some places of interest to visit. The town is not an overly expensive one, so eating in cafes and restaurants wont cost the earth. Shopping in the town is mainly Surf Shops and beach stores. Places of interest include the Surfers Walk Of Fame, which is a tribute to some of the greatest surfers and sports men and women. The Pro-surfers Championships are held here in June every year attracting hundreds of spectators and several professional surfers to its televised event.

Laguna Beach is a wealthy town with a pleasant atmosphere and climate to match. The town is very much influenced by artists with the many art galleries scattered around and the annual Pageant of Masters that is an art exhibition held from June – August in the town attracts many new and recognised artists from all around the world. The beach is a lovely one that doesn’t attract very large crowds; this could be due to some of the affluent people living in Laguna having their own stretch of beach to go with their large houses situated along the coast.