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Touring The Best Of Southern Orange County


Southern Orange County is best known for its spectacular beaches along more than 40 miles of dramatic coastline. We will be exploring via Coast Highway 1 from Dana Point north to Crystal Cove State Park, where the cliffs drop away into the flatter part of the O.C. In Laguna Beach we will visit the Marine Mammal Recovery Center, stop for a rooftop drink at the historic La Casa del Camino, and tour the scenic walkways in several communities. We'll dine in nearby Irvine and catch a show at the Spectrum Center, take the kids to Pretend City, and visit the new Orange County Great Park.

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Chapters in this tour:
     Intro to Southern OC
     All Around Irvine
     Digs Around Dana Point
     Laguna Beach Living
     Crystal Cove Seclusion
Transportation: By Car
Specialty: City/Town, Highway/Countryside, Child Friendly
Category: Guided Tour - play before & while you tour
Tips in this Tour:   Read More
For those flying in, Orange County's only major airport is John Wayne Airport. Although its abbreviation (SNA) refers to Santa Ana, the airport is in fact located in unincorporated territory surrounded by the cities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine. The actual Destination Moniker which appears on most Arrival/Departure airport screens throughout the United States is "Orange County."
Directions to Irvine attractions in this tour: Pretend City is located where the 405 and 5 freeways merge, next to the Irvine Spectrum Center, the Verizon Amphitheatre and Wild Rivers. Pretend City is at 29 Hubble Street. The Orange County Great Park is also located off the 5 or 405 freeways, at Sand Canyon and Marine Way. Some helpful Irvine websites: http://www.irvinemuseum.org/http://www.strawberryfarmsgolf.com/
The OC's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. The average annual temperature is about 68 °F (20 °C), with sunny days every month of the year. Dress for warm days, but in the winter there can be cool nights, requiring the visitor to change out of their beach clothes. Lots of Dana Point events are held on the Pilgrim, including Open House on Sundays, and in the summer there is musical theater and tall ship sailing instruction. Here's the link: http://www.ocean-institute.org/programs/pilgrim.html For more information on the surfing history of Dana Point and the development of the harbor, which destroyed the "Killer Dana" surf spot: http://www.edanapoint.com/history.shtml
For out-of-town visitors who wish to experience the best of southern Orange County it is recommend to take the "OC Wildlife and Beach Tour." Half day and full day tours include transportation, educational guide, beverages and snack. For reservations call: 949-500-6981; http://www.ocwildlifebeachtour.com/ The Ocean Institute itself also has opportunities for the public to explore. Here's their link: http://www.ocean-institute.org/programs/index.html Check for low tide pools on this PDF chart from the government: http://www.nps.gov/cabr/naturescience/low-tide-best-dates-and-times.htm
For accommodations, those with eclectic tastes will enjoy the historic boutique hotel "La Casa del Camino" near downtown Laguna Beach (1289 S. Coast Hwy). Be sure to request one of the 10 "Casa Surf Project" hotel rooms. For reservations call: 949-497-2446; http://www.lacasadelcamino.com/ The Plein-Air artist's movement was huge in Laguna Beach - it's what started the town, and made it world famous. Great info about the movement on the Pageant of the Masters site: http://www.pageantofthemasters.org/site/history.asp
Click to see how our tours display--tons of images with either text or narration--much better than any audio tour because you can see the sites. It's like having a friend show you around, with priceless advice and insider information, to enjoy at your own pace. Our samples feature different locations throughout the year.

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Provider: Brad Olsen


Brad Olsen is a Contributing Editor for World Explorer magazine and has written several guide books. His seventh, “Sacred Places Europe: 108 Destinations,” was released in March, 2007. The second edition of "Sacred Places North America: 108 Destinations" was released in 2008 and won the "Best Travel Guide for Planet Earth" Award in 2010. Brad's commentaries have appeared on National Public Radio, CNN and the Travel Channel. He enjoys extended global travel (particularly to exotic locations), and public speaking on the subject of sacred places.