Page 99 - 2023-2024 Travel Guide to California

SAN CLEMENTE PIER, above; Discovery
Cube Science Center, Santa Ana, right;
Honda Center, Anaheim, home of the
Anaheim Ducks, opposite.
The Great Outdoors
The coastline with its world-famous surf
spots (Huntington Beach, the Wedge at
Newport Beach, Trestles in San Clemente),
yacht harbors (Newport Beach, Dana Point)
and protected areas (Crystal Cove State
Park’s underwater reserve, the wetlands of
California’s first state beach, Doheny) are
just the beginning of Orange County’s nat-
ural wonders. Inland canyons and parks
teem with wildlife and hiking and biking
trails, such as Irvine’s 300-acre San Joaquin
Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.
Family Fun
Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are a
given, but don’t overlook Sky Zone Trampo-
line Park in Anaheim and Pretend City
Children’s Museum in Irvine, where kids go
to “work,” collect their pay from ATMs and
buy groceries. Santa Ana’s Discovery Cube
Orange County offers hands-on science
activities, and Dana Point’s Ocean Institute
runs marine science and history expedi-
tions on a tall ship or a research vessel.
DRIVE TOUR
The most scenic drive, best
attempted on weekdays
between rush hours, follows
Highway 1 along the coastline
from SAN CLEMENTE to LONG
BEACH. Stop in the popular
towns of LAGUNA BEACH,
NEWPORT BEACH or
HUNTINGTON BEACH—or all
three—for a taste of the
casual, diverse Southern
California beach scene.
2023-24 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 97