Cottage of Whimsy Guidebook
Nature
We love hiking through the park with the dogs and horse! It has beautiful views of mountain peaks, and you can even spot the ocean, and on a clear day, Catalina Island!
Great for mountain biking, running, and camping.
19 locals recommend
O'Neill Regional Park
30892 Trabuco Canyon RdWe love hiking through the park with the dogs and horse! It has beautiful views of mountain peaks, and you can even spot the ocean, and on a clear day, Catalina Island!
Great for mountain biking, running, and camping.
Beautiful valley and a grueling hike up "Dreaded Hill" to get to the top for some spectacular views of Orange County.
14 locals recommend
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
27901 Glenn Ranch RdBeautiful valley and a grueling hike up "Dreaded Hill" to get to the top for some spectacular views of Orange County.
An out-and-back trail, with one very long climb to the top. It's about 27 miles in total, definitely for the more experienced hiker. The views are stunning, and you get to drive through the gorgeous and quaint Modjeska Canyon area.
Harding Truck Trail - Trail Head
29297 Modjeska Canyon RdAn out-and-back trail, with one very long climb to the top. It's about 27 miles in total, definitely for the more experienced hiker. The views are stunning, and you get to drive through the gorgeous and quaint Modjeska Canyon area.
Specifically, check out the Laguna Beach tide pools. Beautiful and calming place!
845 locals recommend
Laguna Beach
Specifically, check out the Laguna Beach tide pools. Beautiful and calming place!
The first time I hiked with my partner Jessica was at Santiago Oaks Regional Park! It holds a special place in my heart. Lots of great hills, dogs, bikes, and even horses hike here!
21 locals recommend
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
2145 Windes DrThe first time I hiked with my partner Jessica was at Santiago Oaks Regional Park! It holds a special place in my heart. Lots of great hills, dogs, bikes, and even horses hike here!
Top of the World
West RidgeA beautiful hike that overlooks Laguna Beach and the ocean.
Food scene
A cute coffee shop right in downtown San Juan Capistrano off the train tracks and near the Mission. Delicious coffee, and to die for almond croissants!
17 locals recommend
Hidden House Coffee
31791 Los Rios StA cute coffee shop right in downtown San Juan Capistrano off the train tracks and near the Mission. Delicious coffee, and to die for almond croissants!
One of our favorite local Mexican food places. Get the potato tacos, or the California burrito!
Lupe's Mexican Eatery
24531 Trabuco RoadOne of our favorite local Mexican food places. Get the potato tacos, or the California burrito!
Go for the breakfast burritos. OMG, they are delish. And Linda is so sweet and kind. Then, walk over to Patch Coffee for a refreshing tea or coffee!
Linda's Coffee House
29200 Portola ParkwayGo for the breakfast burritos. OMG, they are delish. And Linda is so sweet and kind. Then, walk over to Patch Coffee for a refreshing tea or coffee!
If you like ramen, this place is pretty great. Excellent service and the most delish noodles!
Slurpin' Ramen Bar - Costa Mesa
If you like ramen, this place is pretty great. Excellent service and the most delish noodles!
Folks Pizzeria
One of our favorite OC pizza joints. And their salads are divine too!
Bookshops
Our favorite local bookshop! It's like a 20-minute drive, but so worth it! Sam and Mike, the owners, are lovely humans. The bookshops features new and used books, and an adorable kid's book area! Plus a coffee shop inside!
Arvida Book Co.
115 West Main StreetOur favorite local bookshop! It's like a 20-minute drive, but so worth it! Sam and Mike, the owners, are lovely humans. The bookshops features new and used books, and an adorable kid's book area! Plus a coffee shop inside!
Our favorite local comic book store! The people there are so friendly and knowledgeable. Great collection of new and hard-to-find comics and collectables!
Comics Toons N Toys
13542 Newport AvenueOur favorite local comic book store! The people there are so friendly and knowledgeable. Great collection of new and hard-to-find comics and collectables!
Art and Culture
One of the best art festivals in the country, with work from over 100 Orange County-based artists. For the art lover, this is a must see. Festival of the Arts runs from July 5 - September 2, 2022.
113 locals recommend
Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
650 Laguna Canyon RdOne of the best art festivals in the country, with work from over 100 Orange County-based artists. For the art lover, this is a must see. Festival of the Arts runs from July 5 - September 2, 2022.
The Bowers Museum first opened in 1936! It's a stunning art museum, with current and past exhibitions including Ceramics of Western Mexico, Ascent to Glory: Everest, Walt Disney Archives, and more!
154 locals recommend
Bowers Museum
2002 N Main StThe Bowers Museum first opened in 1936! It's a stunning art museum, with current and past exhibitions including Ceramics of Western Mexico, Ascent to Glory: Everest, Walt Disney Archives, and more!
Catch a show! Segerstrom is a gorgeous venue that puts on a lot of amazing shows, from theater to music.
199 locals recommend
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center DrCatch a show! Segerstrom is a gorgeous venue that puts on a lot of amazing shows, from theater to music.
The Frida is a non-profit theater we love that screens an amazing collection of movies. Cult hits, horror, classics, you name it. It's old and cozy and the people are lovely.
The Frida Cinema
305 E 4th StThe Frida is a non-profit theater we love that screens an amazing collection of movies. Cult hits, horror, classics, you name it. It's old and cozy and the people are lovely.
Record Stores
We love listening to records, and we love perusing vinyl at local records just as much! Left of Dial has a lot of great new and used vinyl: jazz, pop, rock, blues, and more.
Left of the Dial Records
508 North Tustin StreetWe love listening to records, and we love perusing vinyl at local records just as much! Left of Dial has a lot of great new and used vinyl: jazz, pop, rock, blues, and more.
Dave owns this place, and he's the best. Sweet, kind, and knows his music! It's a small, cramped space chock-full of some amazing finds, from the old to the new.
Factory Records
Dave owns this place, and he's the best. Sweet, kind, and knows his music! It's a small, cramped space chock-full of some amazing finds, from the old to the new.