We’re Not Keeping Score, but You’re About to Get 25 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. Think relaxed coastal hideaways, secret cocktail bars, a thriving arts scene and farm-to-table experiences that feel genuinely alive. Not to mention, these places come without the gridlock, and they actually have parking.
When it comes to things to do in Orange County with friends, OC delivers experiences that outshine LA’s crowded scene. Bookmark this list and plan a weekend that just might convince your LA bestie to swap the city for the coast. Here are 25 of our favorite OC spots to take your cool friend from Los Angeles.
Where Stories Come to Life
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.
Museum of Make Believe
1590 S Coast Highway, Ste 5
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.228.9297
Th-Su, 11 – 7 p.m.
The Coffee Shop That Keeps It Weird (in the Best Way)
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 café as you indulge in the Nutella waffle or Sir PsychoSexy Sando. This menu is anything but ordinary.
| Coffee Dose 2675 Irvine Ave, Ste E Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.656.9005 Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
23382 Mill Creek Dr Laguna Hills, 92653 949.337.9773 M-Sa, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Su, 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
| 1914 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.731.7459 M-F, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sa-Su, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
7 Corporate Park Irvine, CA 92606 949.994.1292 M-Su, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Jazz, Wine and Zero Pretense
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: Select Thursdays and Fridays are Jazz nights. Grab a glass and sway the night away to the sounds of the brassy saxophone and cello vibrations.
Semi Tropic Wines
816 W 19th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.520.2118
W-Sa, 5 – 10 p.m.; Su, 4 – 9 p.m.; M-T, Closed
The Art Museum LA Didn’t Tell Them About
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 the careers of many young artists and plays an integral part in OC culture. Take some time to explore the grounds, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne and articulated with the same artistry as the works inside. Rotating exhibitions celebrate California art, emerging voices and contemporary culture in equal measure. You’ll find the gallery on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
3333 Avenue of the Arts
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714.780.2130
W-Su, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; M-T, Closed
The Bungalow Stay That Sells the OC Dream
Convince your friend to stay a while because a stay at Hotel Joaquin is an OC bucket list item. Designed by Robert McKinley to feel like a retreat, this little bungalow brings together California’s pioneering soul with easy-breezy accents. Rooms are finished with natural materials, hand-woven textiles and custom lighting alongside one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, and the patios offer ocean views that will take your breath away. Laguna Beach in summer is the destination itself: quintessential Southern California vibes, incredible beaches and small surf town charm that’s hard to replicate. 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.
Hotel Joaquin
985 North Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.494.5294
Newport’s Cape Cod Dream
If you’re convincing your LA friend to make a weekend of it, Lido House, Autograph Collection is one of the most compelling reasons to stay. Built on the former site of Newport Beach City Hall, this boutique gem blends Cape Cod architecture with a distinctly California-cool sensibility. The rooftop bar, Topside, is reason enough to stop in for a drink even if you’re not an overnight guest. Downstairs, The Mayor’s Table serves coastal-inspired cuisine in a setting that feels both polished and effortlessly welcoming. It’s the kind of place that makes your LA friend genuinely reconsider their commute.
Lido House, Autograph Collection
3300 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.524.8500
Where Surf Culture Meets Spa Bliss
For an OC hotel experience that’s as Instagrammable as it is restorative, Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach earns major bragging rights. Named a 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Hotel, the only property in Huntington Beach with that distinction, it’s steps from the iconic pier and soaked in a beach-chic aesthetic that feels luxurious without trying too hard. Aarna Spa, ranked among the Top 100 spas in the country by Spas of America, offers Balinese-inspired treatments with indoor and outdoor therapy spaces. The rooftop lounge, Treehouse on PCH, serves craft cocktails with ocean views that rival anything your friend has seen from an LA rooftop deck. Let them know: laid-back luxury is kind of OC’s whole thing.
Paséa Hotel & Spa
21080 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
855.622.2472
The Newport Resort That Means Business (and Leisure)
VEA Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa, delivers the kind of sophisticated coastal escape that warrants a full weekend stay. Think sprawling suites with seafront views, an 85-foot pool surrounded by palm trees and SPA VEA, a 14,000-square-foot retreat featuring a saltwater pool, eucalyptus steam room and an impressive lineup of wellness treatments. The resort’s dining options add another layer of appeal, from poolside cocktails to more curated dinner experiences. For your LA friend who’s used to the Chateau Marmont set, this is the OC answer, and yes, it absolutely holds its own.
VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa
900 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
866.440.3375
OC’s Best-Kept Coffee Secret
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 café is detailed with contemporary glass-paneled walls and a steel-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.
Little Ox Coffee
217 N Euclid St
Fullerton, CA 92832
714.512.8187
Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Marina That Has It All
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 Shoppe Amber Interiors, pick up a freshly baked loaf at Rye Goods and send them home with delectable body care from Aesop. Go big or go home, and sail away in an iconic Newport Duffy. The marina is beautiful, and the views are even better by boat.
Lido Marina Village
3434 Via Lido
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Shop and dining hours vary by location
Little Saigon’s Most Photogenic Café
Kei Coffee House is a Little Saigon favorite that 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.
Kei Coffee House
15691 Brookhurst St
Westminster, CA 92683
714.702.5058
Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
The Rug Studio That Started a Hobby
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 Irvine 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.
Softland Studio
27 Mauchly, Ste 204
Irvine, CA 92618
626.977.8836
F-Su, 1 – 10 p.m.
Elevated Mexican on the Coast
Since 1993, Javier’s has been the OC standard-bearer for elevated Mexican cuisine, and the Newport Beach location at Crystal Cove Promenade is the one to bring your LA friends to. Ocean views from the patio set the stage before the food even arrives, and then the food arrives. Think Dungeness crab and shrimp enchiladas, prime Angus skirt steak fajitas and muddled mango margaritas that vanish before you realize you’ve ordered another. The recently remodeled space has a warm, Tulum-influenced energy without the 2-hour wait or $30 valet. It’s the kind of dinner that makes your friend go quiet mid-bite and then quietly open their Maps app to screenshot the address.
Javier’s
7832 E Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92657
949.494.1239
Su-Th, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; F-Sa, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sky-High Views, Surprisingly Down-to-Earth
Everyone has that one friend who loves a view, so take them to the Orange County Great Park for a ride in the iconic orange hot-air balloon. The ascent feels gentle and thrilling at once, offering sweeping Irvine skyline views from 400 feet up; on a clear day, you can see as far as the San Gabriel Mountains, Catalina Island and the Santa Monica range. 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. Adults $10 | Kids 13 and under free.
Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park Blvd.
Irvine, CA 92618
949.724.6000
General Park: Su-Sa, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Great Park Balloon: Mo-We, Closed; Th-Fr, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Sa-Su, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The Anti-Mall That Outshines the 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, cafés, 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.
The LAB Anti-Mall
2930 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
657.232.0049
Retail and dining hours vary by shop
The OC Diner With Michelin-Level Flavor
Step inside Le Hut Dinette and you’re instantly swept into a breezy French-meets-West Texas daydream, tucked inside a vintage Quonset hut in Santa Ana’s historic French Park neighborhood. The brainchild of Heritage Barbecue founders Daniel and Brenda Castillo, the kitchen is led by chef Ryan Garlitos, a Taco María alum whose Filipino-American influence quietly elevates every dish on the menu. Plates arrive looking indulgent enough to stop a conversation: chorizo tacos, chili cheese fries and Japanese milk bread French toast that disappears in minutes. 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.
Le Hut Dinette
730 N Poinsettia St, Ste A
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.450.5600
Th-Su, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Five Cents and the Best Three Minutes in Newport
There’s something undeniably charming about the Balboa Island Ferry: a tiny, three-minute crossing that has been shuttling passengers, cyclists and even cars across Newport Harbor since 1919. For $2 per person, you board a small vessel and drift between the Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island while the harbor bobs around you in full postcard mode. On the island side, the streets are lined with boutique shops, chocolate-dipped frozen bananas (the famous Sugar ‘N Spice) and weekend energy that somehow feels quieter than it should. It’s exactly the kind of quirky, photogenic, low-key-perfect experience that makes your LA friend realize they’ve been sleeping on OC this whole time.
Balboa Island Ferry
410 S Bayfront
Newport Beach, CA 92662
949.673.1070
Su-Sa, 6:30 a.m. – midnight
The Cliff Burger That Earns Its Own Trip
Before or after hiking the bluffs at Crystal Cove State Park, make a stop at the Crystal Cove Shake Shack. This tiny yellow burger hut has been perched on a cliff above the Pacific since long before the NYC chain borrowed the name, which makes it the true original. The menu is classic: burgers, fried seafood, hot dogs and milkshakes so thick you have to let them melt a little before committing to a straw. The Cove Deluxe Cheeseburger is the move, but the chocolate banana shake is the real reason people come back. Seating is all outdoors with sweeping ocean views, and the vibe is entirely unpretentious. Your LA friend will immediately want to Instagram it and will probably not stop talking about it.
Crystal Cove Shake Shack
7703 E Coast Highway
Newport Coast, CA 92657
949.464.0100
Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
One Night a Month, the Whole Town Is a Gallery
Every first Thursday of the month, Laguna Beach throws open its gallery doors for the First Thursdays Art Walk: a free, festive evening that stretches from 6 to 9 p.m. through more than 40 participating galleries across town. Free trolley service links all the stops, live music spills out of doorways and the Laguna Art Museum offers complimentary admission for the night. It’s the kind of effortless culture crawl that doesn’t exist in LA without a lot more planning and a lot more parking. For any LA friend who’s convinced OC is purely a beach destination, this is the most elegant counter-argument you’ve got.
First Thursdays Art Walk
Various locations throughout Laguna Beach
949.463.4800
First Thursday of the month, 6 – 9 p.m.
California Art Since 1918
Founded by local artists over a century ago, Laguna Art Museum is the oldest art institution in Orange County, and one of the most quietly essential in Southern California. The museum celebrates California art and culture through rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and its beloved annual Art + Nature show, all housed steps from the Pacific at 307 Cliff Drive. The collection is equal parts historic and contemporary, and the setting on the corner of Coast Highway with ocean air coming through makes it easy to linger far longer than you planned. First Thursdays Art Walk night brings free admission, but any visit is worth making.
Laguna Art Museum
307 Cliff Dr
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.494.8971
T-Su, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Farm That Changes How You Think About Food
Tucked into San Juan Capistrano amid the urban sprawl of South OC, The Ecology Center is the kind of place that makes your LA friend put their phone down and actually look around. This 28-acre Regenerative Organic Certified™ farm and education center is equal parts working farm, community hub and cultural destination. The center has a farm stand stocked daily with produce grown right on the property, a zero-waste Campesino Café serving true farm-to-table meals, children’s programming, hands-on workshops and a lineup of cultural events that draw people from across Southern California. It’s a modern ecological village in the truest sense, and an afternoon here has a way of quietly recalibrating your priorities. For an LA friend who thinks they’ve seen everything, this one tends to stick.
The Ecology Center
32701 Alipaz St
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949.443.4223
Farm Stand: Su-Sa, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Campesino Café: Su-Sa, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Movie Theater That Actually Has Something to Say
Skip the multiplex and its $9 popcorn upcharge. Frida Cinema is Orange County’s only nonprofit independent movie theater, built to put community, art and impact ahead of profit. It runs like OC’s own year-round film festival, taking a curatorial approach to programming that mixes new independent films, beloved classics, movie marathons and special events designed to make watching a movie a more immersive experience. Cult classics, foreign films, 4K restorations and director Q&As rotate through two intimate screens tucked inside downtown Santa Ana’s East End. One night might bring a Béla Tarr retrospective, the next a shadow-cast performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” complete with costumes and choreography. Classic horror lovers will want to bookmark October programming in particular: The Frida is the destination for the genre in SoCal. Over the years, it’s become a home base for people seeking connection along with their escapism, elevating everything we love about the cinematic experience to so much more than just movies. Grab a drink beforehand at one of the local bars, then settle in for something you won’t find streaming anywhere.
The Frida Cinema
305 E 4th St, Ste 100
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.285.9422
Su-Th, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; F-Sa, 11 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
A Historic District That Out-Charms Silver Lake
Circle the wagons, because Old Towne Orange is about to become your friend’s new favorite excuse to leave LA. Dubbed the antique capital of Southern California, this walkable historic district wraps around a fountain-anchored plaza lined with early-1900s architecture. Spend an afternoon digging through Orange Circle Antique Mall’s two floors of vintage finds, then wander into indie boutiques, record shops and gift stores that change hands often enough to keep locals coming back. When appetites hit, the district’s restaurant scene delivers everything from craft breweries to cultural hot spots. It’s proof that OC does nostalgia better than any curated LA flea market ever could.
Old Towne Orange
34 Plaza Square
Orange, CA 92866
714.538.3581
Shop and dining hours vary by business
A Little Bit of Local Nature & Gardening
For a friend who thinks Orange County is all strip malls and stucco, Tanaka Farms is the reset button. This family-run, 30-acre working farm has been growing more than 60 varieties of fruits and vegetables in Irvine since the 1940s, and it’s the largest U-pick operation in the county. Depending on the season, guided wagon tours roll through strawberry fields, watermelon patches or pumpkin rows, with plenty of hands-on tastings along the way. It’s unpretentious, genuinely kid-and-adult-friendly and about as far from an LA farmers market as it gets, in the best way. Book a tour ahead of time, since slots fill up fast on weekends.
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Dr
Irvine, CA 92612
949.653.2100
Su-Sa, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free Admission, Serious California Art Cred
Here’s a museum LA doesn’t have an equivalent for: the Hilbert Museum of California Art, one of the world’s largest collections of California narrative art, tracing the history of the Golden State from the late 1800s to the present. Founded in 2016 by Newport Coast collectors Mark and Janet Hilbert, the museum recently completed a three-year expansion, resulting in a 22,000-square-foot, two-building campus with 26 galleries holding more than 5,000 oils, watercolors, illustrations and pieces of movie production art. Works by Mary Blair, David Hockney and Wayne Thiebaud share space with one of the largest private collections of Disney animation art anywhere. Admission is completely free, and the museum marks its 10th anniversary with a new exhibition opening Sept. 30, 2026: “Back by Popular Demand,” shaped entirely by a decade of visitor favorites. With the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opening in LA this month, consider this OC’s original. It’s the kind of under-the-radar culture stop that quietly proves OC’s arts scene has range.
Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University
167 N Atchison St
Orange, CA 92866
714.516.5880
W-Su, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; M-T, Closed
Q&A:
Q: What are the best things to do in Orange County with friends?
A: OC delivers without the LA gridlock. Start with art at the Museum of Make Believe, OC Museum of Art or Laguna Art Museum. Sip natural wine at Semi Tropic or tuft your own rug at Softland Studio. Cap the day with elevated Mexican at Javier’s.
Q: Where should you take someone visiting OC for the first time?
A: Lean into the coastal icons. Ride the Balboa Island Ferry for $2 per person, grab a burger at the cliffside Crystal Cove Shake Shack, then wander Lido Marina Village for waterfront drinks and shopping. For an overnight, Hotel Joaquin in Laguna Beach feels like the OC dream in bungalow form.
Q: What are the coolest coffee shops in Orange County?
A: OC’s café scene punches above its weight. Coffee Dose keeps it bold and playful across Irvine, Costa Mesa and Laguna Hills. Little Ox Coffee anchors up-and-coming Fullerton with its salted vanilla latte. And Kei Coffee House brings Little Saigon flavor and pastel charm to Westminster.
Q: Does Orange County have a good arts and culture scene?
A: More than LA gives it credit for. The OC Museum of Art sits at the Segerstrom Center, and the Laguna Art Museum has shown California art since 1918. Time a visit around Laguna’s free First Thursdays Art Walk.
Ever since she was a child, Ashley Ryan knew she wanted to write. After working on her high school newspaper and college magazine, she graduated with a degree in journalism and anthropology, eager to tell the stories of people and places in Orange County and around the world. Her prolific career as a writer, editor and photographer has led her to write about travel, culture, art, home design and so much more. When not working on her latest piece, she enjoys visiting new places, going to concerts, hiking, doing yoga on the beach, reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams and spending time with beloved friends and family.
