Enjoy a Sun-Soaked OC Summer With These Memorable Ideas
Warm weather and longer nights are on the horizon, and we are absolutely itching for it! There are so many things to look forward to this summer, especially in Orange County. Beach days will obviously be aplenty, but make sure to mark your calendars to celebrate summer the way OC locals do. Commemorate warm summer nights with live music in the park, and stay close to the coast with electric boat and Moke rentals. Your ultimate summer bucket list is here; let’s see how many you can check off this year!
For the Foodie-Loving Couple
16-course Omakase Experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Get ready for a culinary revelation! Taikun, the latest sensation at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, promises an extraordinary omakase experience. Led by acclaimed Executive Chef Kei Yoshino and restaurateur Ryan Chadwick, this transformed private dining room on the beachfront will leave you spellbound. With an intimate eight-seat counter, guests interact directly with Chef Yoshino, witnessing the artful execution of each of the 16 courses. The menu, determined weekly by premium seasonal ingredients, features highlights like Toro Tartare with Caviar and A5 Wagyu. Taikun completes the journey with a sommelier-curated pairing of premium sake and wine. Reserve your seat on Tock for $175 per person, with seating available from Wednesday to Sunday at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Don’t miss this extraordinary culinary adventure at Taikun happening July 15 until Nov. 5.
For the Lively Friend Group
Rent a Vision Electric Boat
Being on the water is a quintessential Newport Beach summer activity. Hop aboard a sleek and chic electric boat to make a statement as you cruise along Lido Island. Choose between vibrant blue or playful pink and explore four miles of shoreline. Available to rent for two hours and beyond, bring your own charcuterie board, wine and Trader Joe’s snacks aboard the boat for a good time! Whether you’re searching for your next date night activity or you’re trying to please everyone in your crew, look no further than being on a Vision Electric Boat. Sit back, feel the ocean breeze and cheers to summertime at the beach. Monday through Thursdays are 50% off this summer, and with their Early Fish special, book a ride that leaves before 10 a.m. on weekends and you’ll receive $100 off.
Location: Newport Beach
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For the Entire Family
Daycation at Renaissance ClubSport
Looking to beat the heat without heading to the crowded beach? A luxury gym and resort pool create the ultimate Orange County experience—Renaissance ClubSport has it all. Start the day with a solid sweat on the spacious gym floor overlooking the pool deck or pop into one of over 80 weekly studio classes! Towel off, detox in the sauna and replenish with a flavorful protein smoothie or delicious lunch at Citrus Fresh Grill & Market. Catch some rays at the pool, and feel like a VIP with poolside service.
To turn your daycation into a vacation, book a hotel stay and a life-giving massage at R Spa. Not to mention, Renaissance ClubSport is also kid-friendly, offering those with family memberships three hours of free childcare per day! Kids can play the day away at ClubSport’s outdoor waterpark, and summer camps encourage them to meet friends while being active—all while you enjoy the amenities! It’s the club’s 15th anniversary on July 15, so celebrate with Renaissance ClubSport all summer long.
Location: Aliso Viejo
Rent a Moke and Cruise the Balboa Peninsula
Soak up the summer sun while cruising down the coast in an eye-catching electric Moke! With the cool ocean breeze running through your hair and trendy shops to stop at along the way, a Newport Beach Moke rental is a summer bucket-list must. Ride in a retro open-air Moke, which can be rented in orange spritz paint, classic white and almost every color of the rainbow! These electric vehicles can be rented for up to five hours, giving you enough time to ride across on the Balboa Ferry and also explore the peninsula.
Location: Newport Beach
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Visit the Beach, Mountains and Desert All in One Day
There are a few good things that resulted from the prolonged rainy winter—one of them being lasting snowy mountains! Experience the best of California with a trip through all three terrains in one day. Leave early for a two-hour drive to Big Bear Mountain to hit the slopes when they open. Then, take the scenic route out for an hour and a half to Joshua Tree National Park for lunch at Pappy and Harriet’s before the two-hour ride back to the coast for sunset in Newport Beach. We highly encourage caffeinating at one of these local coffee shops before heading out on your adventurous day.
OC Parks Summer Concert Series
Laguna Beach is not the only city hosting concerts this summer. Find live music near you with the OC Parks Summer Concert Series. The lineup consists of 10 concerts throughout the summer, running on Thursday nights from June 22 to Aug. 24 Highlight shows include a No Doubt Tribute July 20 at Mason Regional Park and Queen Nation at Salt Creek Beach on Aug. 17. All events are family-friendly with free parking, food trucks and a beer and wine garden for guests 21+.
A Night in Asia at 626 Market
Experience the authentic flavors of Asia without the 13-hour plane ride. Inspired by Asia’s open-air nighttime bazzars, 626 Night Market hosts over 250 food and entertainment vendors for a night of culinary creativity and fun. Traveling all over California, 626 Night Market is making its way to the OC Fairgrounds the weekends of June 2, June 9 and Aug. 25. From pork belly baos to loaded fries and live concerts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Admission is $5 online and at the door.
Location: Costa Mesa
Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off in Tustin
There’s nothing quite like a cook-off to ring in summer. Tustin is hosting its 39th Annual Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off on June 4. Stroll the streets of Old Town Tustin before experiencing the country’s largest one-day chili cook-off. The street fair will also feature local craftsmen, live music and a kids fun zone. It’s the perfect event for the whole family! Plus, craft beers and wine are available for adults to enjoy. Proceeds are donated to local nonprofits too, so it’s a win, win, win!
Location: Tustin
Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach
Art comes to life at the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach. Experience the magic of this annual event as you shop for handcrafted art designed by 162 local makers, watch live glass blowers create stunning vases, dance to live music and even take your turn at the potter’s wheel. The Sawdust Festival opens June 30 and will stay open daily through Sept. 3, so there’s plenty of time to take in all of Laguna’s rich art culture. Libations and local bites will also be available at the Sawdust Saloon.
Location: Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach Music in the Park
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Music in the park hits different on warm summer nights. Dance with your hands in the air and toes in the grass! Laguna Beach hosts the annual Music in the Park summer series on Sunday nights in July and August at Bluebird Park. Low-seating beach chairs or blankets are encouraged, and seating comes on a first come, first served basis for the 5 p.m. concerts. Pack a picnic; alcohol is permitted for guests 21+ when accompanied by a complete meal.
