Surf, sun, and fun—what more could a tourist want? Maybe some top-shelf cannabis. Luckily, Orange County, California has all of the above. Where should you start on your Orange County vacation? That depends on whether you prefer the outdoors, the indoors, or gourmet eats. It’s almost too much to handle, but stay chill: People’s has the lowdown on what to do in the OC.
California’s best known for its surf, sun, fun, and the best cannabis in the world. So where to begin your California getaway—a hike at the Dana Point headlands? Perhaps you’d prefer some gourmet eats instead. Figuring out what to start with is almost too much to handle, but it’s chill: People’s is here to help.
In a post-2020 world where bar hopping and tightly-packed concerts have gone temporarily extinct, you can still enjoy year-round Southern California sun! Whether you’re on a runner’s high, waiting for the high tide, or just like to sight-see while high, there’s still plenty to do in Orange County. The best part is the price—as most of these activities are free!
There’s nothing better than heading down to the shore, especially in Southern California. Clean water and salty air meets perfect weather almost every day of the year down here. Trying to figure out which famous spot to hit first? Visit one of these Orange County beaches:
Aim high while high. At Alta Laguna Park, better known as “Top of the World,” you can see most of Orange County (on days when the LA county smog is light). This hike is great for beginners, with a well-worn trail to follow and plenty of places to rest your weary feet. To further elevate the experience, try a sun-grown cannabis pre-roll from Cali Fresh before or after your hike.
If you’re more of a laid-back type, check out the drive-in movie theater at the Irvine Spectrum. Offerings range from classic, fun-for-all movies like Zootopia to raucous live comedy nights. If you go on the weekends, the admission price includes a $20 gift card that can be used to buy dinner or snacks before the movie. Order to-go from one of the Spectrum mall’s delicious and diverse restaurant options. Whether you’re into Lebanese food, Cuban dishes, or classic steakhouse fare, it’s all available. Yum!
We know what you’re thinking. Mall food? Trust us. Malls in Orange County have restaurants that far exceed your typical food court fare. Fashion Island’s Great Maple restaurant offers parmesan truffle fries and charred cauliflower hummus, which make a great start to your meal. Keep going with a juicy steakhouse burger or a spicy fried chicken sandwich, or go for the brunch menu instead, which includes a Cajun shrimp biscuit Benedict, healthy vegan hash, and indulgent fried chicken & doughnuts.
At South Coast Plaza, you have to visit Din Tai Fung. It sounds crazy to say that some of the best Taiwanese food in Orange County can be found inside a mall, but it’s true. Small plates and dumplings come hot and ready as you order them, and while it may take some time to prepare, it’s worth the wait. The Xiao Long Bao (a specialty dumpling) is excellent, and so are the vegetarian mushroom buns. Top off your meal with the eight-treasure sticky rice, Taiwanese hot tea, or a lychee slush.
Cannabis is technically a vegetable, but it’s always a good idea to get some extra greens in your diet. After toking up, grab a ride over to one of Orange County’s farmers’ markets. On Sundays, you can check out the offerings in front of the Newport Beach pier or browse the massive Great Park Farmers’ Market in Irvine, which even has a fresh tamale vendor. During the week, hotspots include the Irvine Towers and the Orange County Fairgrounds. Make a tour out of it!
We’ve told you all about the places you can enjoy with cannabis, but where can you get it? Visit one of Southern California’s premier dispensaries, People’s! Located right by the Santa Ana airport, People’s is the best place to shop for everything from CBD gummies to potent vape carts and top-shelf cannabis flower. Buying cannabis can be intimidating, but People’s makes it easy with an efficient downstairs ordering system and friendly Guides to answer all your questions. Even better, you can order your marijuana online for free pickup or delivery, which makes getting your favorite cannabis products faster than ever.
Want to learn more about visiting the best place in Southern California? Look out for the next article in our Orange County Travel series, highlighting our favorite towns. See you soon!
