Things to do in Orange County on a budget this summer.
After living in Los Angeles my entire life, I decided to move to Orange County area, better known as the OC. This isn’t a dramatic move since these counties border each other, but it gave me a change of scenery. I felt a need to switch things up without uprooting my life.
Although the OC isn’t entirely new to me, there are areas I never knew existed. With the weather finally warming up, I’m hoping to enjoy the summer by exploring the area. But I am currently saving for a wedding, so my budget is limited. Here is a list of places I’ll be checking out this summer.
Orange Country Food courts
If your foodie, then OC has tons of food courts to offer. There is the Anaheim Packing District, which is popular based on its proximity to Disneyland, which I’ve mentioned in this post “The Foodie Guide in Orange County”. There is also Santa Ana 4th Street Market and Tustin Union Market at the District. Both seem to have amazing food stall options, that it might take my an hour to decide what to eat.
Knots Berry Farm
Knots Berry Farm is the lot less popular amusement park in the OC, but equally as fun. This place holds a soft spot in my heart because I use to come here a lot as a child. While Knott’s does not have the Disney magic, they do have actual fast speed roller coasters. My favorite being Ghost Rider, the longest wooden roller coaster. Here is a list of reasons to go: well-priced entrance fee, rides, shows, family-friendly events, great food options, and the park is like a museum of the wild west.
Santa Ana Zoo
This community zoo in Santa Ana, CA, is a hidden jewel for families. It’s a magnificent place to spend a few hours with the entire family or in my case my friends with their kids. As a kid, I wanted to work at a zoo, so if there is wild life, I’m there! This zoo has a variety of monkeys, a ferris wheel, and soon an otter exhibit. This beats a boring Saturday at home.
Laguna Beach
When I think of Laguna Beach I think of the MTV reality show, that helped defined my generation. Sad but true. The one good thing is that it put Laguna Beach on the map. Laguna Beach is a scenic beach town. It is known for the art community, showcasing the Pageant of the Master, annual festival, which recreates famous artwork using real people. This wealthy city can be expensive to dine at, but lunch at the beach is always better. There is also the Laguna Beach tower. It looks like something out of a movie set.