We’re Not Keeping Score, but You’re About to Get 15 Major BFF Bonus Points

From the high profile of Hollywood to the bling of Beverly Hills, LA sure does have an allure, but the big city’s little sister offers much more than meets the eye. We’re talking about OC, of course! Local hotspots hit solid gold when it comes to curated vibes and refined styles. Relaxed coastal hideaways and secret cocktail bars are the main attractions, while popping off on Instagram is merely an added bonus. Not to mention that these places lack the crowds and traffic, and they actually come with parking. Have a hay day at these 15 favorite OC spots, and your LA friend may rethink big city living.

 

Museum of Peace and Quiet

If we’ve learned anything the past few years, it’s that almost anything can be achieved in loungewear. The Museum of Peace and Quiet is an archive of artfully designed modern pieces intended to enhance everyday living. Find your favorite new fall set tucked away in this charming Corona Del Mar courtyard. This label offers simple, low-impact designs that are recognizable by neutral color palettes and signature brand fonts. Calm and cozy, this hideaway has everything you need to bundle up with a match-lit candle and a fall-favorite read.

Location: Corona del Mar

 

Art Adventure at the Museum of Make Believe

When your LA friend claims OC lacks culture, this is where you take them. The Museum of Make Believe feels like stepping into a dream built by Laguna Beach’s most imaginative minds. The gallery merges storytelling, fine art and fantasy to create immersive installations you won’t soon forget. Every corner glows with whimsy, and the experience feels intimate and theatrical. Wander through shadow boxes, diorama worlds and hand-crafted scenes that blur the line between memory and illusion. It’s the kind of art adventure that sparks long conversations at dinner and inspires new Orange County itinerary ideas.

Location: Laguna Beach

 

Coffee Dose

Let’s just say this coffee shop is where you’ll want to take your bestie, but maybe not your grandma. Bold and playful in character, with hilariously profane cups, Coffee Dose is the perfect place for a girl-hang. No matter what health trend your urbanite friend is currently into, Coffee Dose has it covered. Unique beverages like The Goldie, made with organic turmeric, cinnamon, vanilla bean syrup, oat milk and espresso, have health nuts and caffeine junkies addicted. Dine in the retro-inspired, pink-and-green cafe as you indulge in the Nutella waffle or Sir PsychoSexy Sando. This menu is anything but ordinary!

Locations: Irvine, Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills

 

Semi Tropic Wines

Catch up with your bestie over natural wines that promise convos lasting long into the night. Jazz music lingers in the air at Costa Mesa’s first natural wine bar, Semi Tropic Wines. This hideout is redefining the wine scene with a collection of minimal-intervention selections that pair perfectly with cheese plates and seasonal snacks. String lights illuminate the patio and usher in an atmosphere of slow-paced living. It’s like sharing wine on your own back porch. The interior plays off the all-natural theme with light-washed wood and minimalist decor. It’s the perfect melody that makes a trend-setting hipster feel right at home.

Local Insight: Thursdays are Jazz nights at Semi Tropic Wines. From 6:30-9 p.m., grab a glass and sway the night away to the sounds of the brassy saxophone and cello vibrations.

Location: Costa Mesa

 

UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art

Everyone knows about the Getty and the Griffith, but a gem that often goes undiscovered is the Orange County Museum of Art. Recently acquired by UCI, this innovative art gallery has launched careers of many young artists, and it plays an integral part in OC culture. Current exhibitions include Cynthia Daignault’s “Light Atlas” and 12 featured artists in the “2025 California Biennial: Desperate, Scared, But Social.” Take some time to explore the grounds, which were designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne, articulated with the same artistry as the works inside. You’ll find the gallery on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. 

Location: Costa Mesa

 

Hotel Joaquin

Convince your friend to stay a while because a stay at Hotel Joaquin is an OC bucket list item. Designed to feel like a retreat, this little bungalow brings together California’s pioneering soul with easy-breezy accents. Rooms are finished with custom artworks and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, and the patios offer ocean views that will take your breath away. Be sure to take advantage of the “on the house” offerings, including nightly movies, bike rentals and breakfast for two. Every detail feels intentional, creating a seaside sanctuary to slow down and rediscover the joy of wandering off the beaten path.

Location: Laguna Beach

 

Little Ox Coffee

Fullerton is one of OC’s up-and-coming areas, so explore it before the crowds take over! Opened in 2023, Little Ox Coffee has quickly made a name for itself as the city’s go-to caffeine joint. It’s the ideal atmosphere for catching up with friends over boldly brewed cuppas. The modern, natural-lit cafe is detailed with contemporary glass-paneled walls and a skeel-marbled bar. Their salted vanilla latte is ridiculously delicious and not at all too sweet. Little Ox Coffee is best for a morning spent catching up over coffee, and freshly pulled espressos are worthy of a grab-and-go too. 

Location: Fullerton

 

Lido Marina Village

The epicenter of OC, Lido Marina Village is the local destination that even LA dwellers are flocking to. It has all the urban icons, such as Malibu Farm and Clare V., but it’s the local favorites that make this center so unique. Since most of the shops have an LA presence, be sure to show your bestie our local treasures: Grab a waterfront drink at Lido Bottle Works, shop the latest home decor trends at Amber Interiors and send them home with a loaf of sourdough from Rye Goods. Go big or go home, and sail away in an iconic Newport duffy with Vision Electric Boat Rentals. The marina is beautiful, and views are even better by boat! 

Location: Newport Beach

 

Kei Coffee House

This Little Saigon favorite runs on bold Vietnamese flavor, soft pastel charm and enough creative drinks to tempt even the pickiest caffeine lover. Bestsellers include the strawberry double matcha latte with cheese foam, banana toffee latte and corn cheese cookie. The crowd skews stylish and young, and the vibe makes it easy to linger. Not to mention, the playful aesthetic invites the kind of photos that end up on Instagram before your drinks hit the table. For anyone exploring Orange County things to do with a creative twist, Kei sets the tone.

Location: Westminster, Little Saigon

 

Softland Studio

For a good creative hobby, Softland Studio earns instant bragging rights. It gives visitors a chance to design and tuft their own rugs in a bright Santa Ana workspace filled with color and possibility. The staff guides you through each step, so beginners feel confident using the tufting guns that turn sketches into fluffy masterpieces. Time melts away as you trace your pattern and watch your design bloom in real time. Workshops are small, which adds a cozy studio energy for friends who love hands-on Orange County activities. You’ll leave with a custom rug and a new appreciation for OC’s indie arts scene.

Location: Santa Ana

 

Newport Beach Moke

For brag-worthy transportation, nothing beats cruising Newport Beach in a candy-colored Moke. These electric cruisers turn every coastal drive into a party. The open-air body catches ocean breezes, while the soundtrack is whatever summer playlist you queued for the ride. It’s the cutest way to explore Orange County hotspots like Lido Marina Village, Balboa Island and Crystal Cove. Locals wave. Tourists stare. And your friend suddenly understands why people move to Newport. Book it for an afternoon, drop the windows and treat the coastline like your personal runway.

Location: Newport Beach

 

Monaco Italian Kitchen

At Monaco Italian Kitchen, every plate feels like a warm invitation. The room glows with soft light and polished details, which pairs beautifully with dishes like handmade pasta, bright chopped salads and wood-fired pizzas that disappear faster than planned. The kitchen focuses on balance: rich sauces with fresh herbs, and rustic flavors with coastal ease. Bring a friend who claims they’ve “had all the good Italian spots”, then watch them fall silent at the first bite of cacio e pepe. It’s date-night chic, friend-approved and a strong addition to any Orange County dining lineup.

Location: Irvine

 

Orange County Great Park

Everyone has that one friend who loves a view, so take them to the Orange County Great Park for a ride in the iconic hot-air balloon. The ascent feels gentle and thrilling at once, offering sweeping Irvine skyline views. Back on the ground, the park buzzes with farmers markets, art exhibitions and seasonal events that keep weekends lively. Wide open fields invite long walks, while the carousel adds a nostalgic touch for anyone craving a carefree moment. It’s a reminder that OC has space to breathe, explore and play away from the big-city congestion.

Location: Irvine

 

The Lab Anti-Mall

If your friend swears by Silver Lake or Echo Park, introduce them to The Lab Anti-Mall. Costa Mesa’s beloved artsy haven mixes indie retailers, cafes, murals and laid-back energy that feels tailor-made for LA creatives. The vintage-meets-industrial aesthetic photographs beautifully, and each shop feels curated for people who appreciate personal style. Grab coffee, browse vinyl or wander the outdoor corridors covered in art. People-watching here rivals any LA afternoon, but without the traffic headache. It’s one of the best Orange County hotspots for proving the OC aesthetic is cool, clever and a little unexpected.

Location: Costa Mesa

 

Le Hut Dinette

Step inside Le Hut Dinette and you’re instantly swept into a breezy French daydream, the kind that makes Orange County feel worlds away. The space feels warm and stylish, with dishes that celebrate simple ingredients made well. Plates arrive looking indulgent enough to stop a conversation: patty melts with caramelized onions, chili cheese fries and steak soubise that vanish too quickly. It’s the perfect backdrop for slow mornings, long chats and the kind of food that soothes without showing off. Le Hut Dinette is just another reason OC stays underrated.

Location: Costa Mesa