The Allure of Orange County

Orange County California has so much to offer, from the charming and sunny beaches of San Clemente to the world famous theme parks of Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm, and so much in between. With over 42 miles of coastline, it includes over 24 miles of beautiful beaches open to swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, diving, snorkeling, fishing hiking, kayaking, boating and luxurious sunbathing.

Its many wonderful vistas have earned it the label of The California Riviera, both for its wondrous sunsets as much as the Mediterranean climate and enviable living environment. As a sporting mecca, the U.S. Open is among the many surfing championships that are featured in Surf City, aka Huntington Beach. Other major attractions include the Fun Zone on Balboa Peninsula, including the ferry boat ride to picturesque Balboa Island, world-famous Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, and Wild Rivers water park in Irvine.

Aside of the water theme, there are dozens of parks that offer camping , fishing, hiking, biking and nature programs, while the remaining nature preserves, forests and wetlands provide more diverse environments for learning, leisure and recreation. Golfers have so much to choose from, with over 30 public courses throughout the county, including the magnificent Pelican Hill overlooking the Pacific, to the challenging and new courses like Aliso Viejo Golf Club, plus the exclusives such as Strawberry Farms and Shady Canyon.

For those who appreciate art, Laguna Beach offers the esteemed Festival of The Arts, incorporating the annual Pageant of The Masters, with open air living tableaux recreations of famous art pieces. Additionally, the Art-A-Fair and Sawdust Festival offer conveniently located and timed alternative choices in locally-produced artworks. The end result is an annual summertime celebration of one of Americas great enclaves of creativity!

Orange County is also known for excellence in education, with many highly regarded school districts, its amazing business climate, ranking it among the top-producing economies in the world, and its nearly unlimited recreational opportunities. Quality of life is the end product, enjoyed by its 3 million citizens and innumerable visitors alike.

From the word-renowned Crystal Cathedral just south of Anaheim to the Lake Forest mega-church known simply as Saddleback Church, worship is done on a large scale, and with flair and pomp seen in such productions as The Glory of Christmas, produced annually in the 12-story glass and steel Cathedral.

For more established church attendees, there is The Great Stone Church found at Mission San Juan Capistrano, a cathedral ruin included in the worlds 100 most endangered sites. Home also to the famous Swallows Day Parade, this event celebrates the incredible migration of the birds who return annually to Capistrano.

To the north in bustling Anaheim is found the California Adventure and Disneyland complex, as well as the Big A home of the World Champion Angels baseball team and Arrowhead Pond (now known as Honda Center), home to the World Champion Mighty Ducks hockey team. The huge and always-busy Anaheim Convention Center is found here also, as are numerous musical entertainment venues. Not only in Anaheim, but all around the county there are many places to catch a concert or play, a night of dancing, dining or stand-up entertainment. Orange County always has plenty to offer for anyone, anytime!