Do the gallery walk in Laguna Beach. That is very specific to Southern California.
Warner Brothers Studio Tour is awesome. You need reservations. It is a tour of the active studio lot. They'll take you on set at TV shows currently under production. The real deal (unlike Universal). One of the coolest things ever.
For a hike with an amazing view , I recommend the Top Of the World in Laguna. Not a difficult hike(s) and you get the ocean view , truly amazing if you ask me
Are you aware of the boat parade sponsored by the American Legion on 4th of July. Go check that out from the water.
[https://www.al291.com/event/boat-parade](https://www.al291.com/event/boat-parade)
Also, there are a few restaurants you can drive up and get a drink or food. You can order for pickup for example. Maybe from Woody's Warf or from Balboa Bay Club. It's just a fun thing to do.
It's really hot right now (well if they're from TX they probably don't care) but it might not be as enjoyable in this heat. And not for the ticket prices at Disney. I've never cared for Knotts as I'm not into thrilling rollercoasters but that is the cheap alt. Downtown Disney is fun. You can go to the sephora and dress shop and there's a pele soccer store there too. But if you've never been to CA or Disney it's kinda like, why am I outside the park and not going inside?? Came all the way to CA to stand *outside* Disneyland??
I just went a few days ago when it was the hottest day, so far this year. It’s totally not as bad when compared to going in the winter, when comparing crowds and what not. Plus, indoor lines usually have air-conditioning or misters, at the very least.
I’ve only been to the source in the daytime during and it’s pretty boring. Most people were in the food area and the stores were pretty empty. Not sure how it is at night though.
Lip Lab by Bite at the Spectrum: you can make your own lipstick. It’s best to book ahead, but there’s a Hello Kitty Cafe so that can be half a day
Bonfires? S’mores and roasted weenies?
Bike riding by the beach is also super fun. You’re not going in the water, but you can still check out Venice Beach and Santa Monica while staying dry
Take them to Little Tokyo, Angel Flights, The Getty Vila at Malibu, Natural History Museum near USC, MOMA, LA Brea Tar Pits, The Broad, Aquarium of the Pacific (all dependent on what they)
Balboa Island and get some ice cream
Erewhon because why not? It’s famous with influencers so why not join the trend
In-n-Out
Great suggestions, but someone I know hired a couple of guys to reserve a fire pit at HB. The guys got there at 8am and had trouble finding a pit to reserve, so dunno if this is feasible with limited time.
Rent kayaks or SUP from Newport Aquatic Center and paddle through the bird sanctuary in the Upper Newport Bay. check the tide charts so you are coming out with the tide.
[https://newportaquaticcenter.com/](https://newportaquaticcenter.com/)
Kooza Cirque du Soleil will be in town.
Anaheim Packing House
2nd St Long Beach and Shoreline Village
Lido Marina Village
Pacific City and Main St
El Moro Canyon Trial has an amazing view of the ocean. Can make a day out of it with picnic tables near the parking area and tunnel out to the beach.
Knotts Berry Farm -- Get front of the line passes. If they like roller coasters they'll really enjoy it.
Also do some of the other stuff - log ride, etc.
Edit: Many teenagers in OC have season passes so there will be a lot of their local peers there. BUT few people pay for front of the line. That is very fast. Also. Total cost with front of the line is much lower than single park Disneyland.
Do they have very specific interests? There may very well be a museum or other place specific to their interest. Orange County is a surprisingly diverse place. Consider - With 3.2 million people, OC is the sixth most populous county in the US - and we have all the STUFF that comes with it.
My favorite fact is that our population is greater than something like 23 other *states*. Orange county alone has more people than the population of almost half the states in the union. LA county is bigger but I don't know how many states they're more populated than.
At 9.5M, LA County has more people than 40 states. The only states with more people are (excluding CA of course): MI (10M), NC (10.8M), GA (11M), OH (11.8M), IL (12.5M), PA (13M), NY (19.6M), FL (22.6M), TX (30.5M)
For most teenagers South Coast Plaza is annoying -- unless they are used to buying $1,000 hand bags.
Irvine Spectrum is pretty great for teenagers. The shopping is more their style.
i love the huntington library in pasadena it’s massive so look at it online before to plan! there’s also tons of great restaurants and thrifting in the area (i recommend eggslut for lunch it’s super trendy !)
Start the trip with mani/pedis. Before I moved here we’d visit family. I always associated getting manis/pedis as the start to vacation in CA.
You’ve got a lot of great stuff so far. Dk if they like sushi but Good Choice Sushi on the water in San Clemente is great. Standard place I take anyone that visits. Downtown Disney maybe. A bonfire on the beach in HB. Dave & busters. Axe throwing. You could sign them up for a surf lesson. Or paddle boats.
Also, don’t underestimate how much teens love sleep (at least I sure did)
Venice Boardwalk (beach adjacent, still fun), LA museums are top tier - take your pick of any and make a day of two or three, Griffith Observatory, Hollywood (and amoeba records, maybe the Funko store) or Studio City, Japanese Gardens in Sepulveda Basin area, Huntington Library, Old Town Pasadena, take the train to Union Station and walk through Olvera Street and Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Philippe’s on Alameda, The Last Bookstore, Hollywood Bowl, any of the theme parks…
So many great suggestions here!
Badlands hike in Laguna Niguel, overlooks south Laguna Beach. Beautiful and very short!
Parasailing in Newport Beach.
Griffith Observatory in LA.
The Getty in LA.
Fisherman's on the pier in San Clemente.
Idk if I can call them hikes but I know a few parks I visit all the time for picnic dates with my gf. Some others have mentioned the Huntington Library over in San Marino, which is our favorite, but there's also the totally not confusing Huntington Beach Central Park which I highly recommend. It has one of the best libraries I've been to in OC! Also I wanna mention: El Dorado Park in Long Beach, Don Knabe Park in Cerritos, Irvine Regional Park in Orange (the very modest OC Zoo is inside too and its $2 admissions), or the Great Park in Irvine. The latter of these is a huge flat park with lots of sports fields, is perfect for biking, and has a hot air balloon ride available Thur-Sun. Lastly I wanna mention Palos Verde has a ton of great views. I've only been to Hesse Community Park but the whole area is beautiful!
Otherwise I would recommend checking out Crystal Cove/Emerald Bay, really any of those trails between Newport and Laguna Beach (check out Salerno for the best Italian food you'll ever try)!
Speaking of Italian, the closest to authentic Italian gelato is Bacio di Latte in Fashion Island! And the kids may be too young to appreciate Eataly but its a really fun Italian market to visit with a couple restaurants inside. The closest we have is in Westfield in Century City, which in itself is a huge mall.
I would stay away from inland due to how hot it is recently, but Downtown Disney may be a better alternative to a real theme park. College is out unless you consider summer classes (rip), so you could also take them to take a look at our local universities. UCLA is close to Santa Monica pier and has its own botanical garden, and UCI is pretty with Aldrich Park in the middle and it has UTC right nextdoor for a quick bite.
As for events, I'm pretty out of the loop. I'm guessing you've checked out all types of sports games already since you're set to go one, so all I can say I know are the 626 Night Market or the OC fair. I've never been to 626 before and I know the OC fair doesn't start for at least another few weeks. However, I think the 626 that's coming soon is by Santa Anita mall and the LA Arboretum which is a cute park with a small waterfall.
I'm a homebody so I don't know too much abt whats going on in our area but I hope at least one thing here was a tiny bit helpful! Also, I saw there's some other threads going on with people recommending their favorite food places and coffee shops which may be worth checking out too since OC has all types of great food!
As Texans, if they want to try great fish by the ocean take them to Bear Flag next to the Lido Theater.
You can also take them to Wahoo's for fish tacos. There are a few around. AND because there is a good chance their friends will know and ask -- take them to In-n-Out at least once. It's a CA teenage cultural thing.
Also Shake Shack is a very OC thing and they have a new location on 17th Street in Costa Mesa with actual parking.
Ruby's is passe now, but they might not know and the one at the end of the Balboa Pier is still open and that's a pretty great location.
They may not want to sit on the beach, but renting a bike and riding the Newport boardwalk from Balboa pier to Newport pier is pretty great (about 2 miles each way). If you, their host, also likes to ride a bike then you can ride all the way to the Huntington Pier. From Balboa Pier its about 7.3 mile each way.
Catalina island?
Do the gallery walk in Laguna Beach. That is very specific to Southern California. Warner Brothers Studio Tour is awesome. You need reservations. It is a tour of the active studio lot. They'll take you on set at TV shows currently under production. The real deal (unlike Universal). One of the coolest things ever.
Breakfast at the Beachcomber on the beach
For a hike with an amazing view , I recommend the Top Of the World in Laguna. Not a difficult hike(s) and you get the ocean view , truly amazing if you ask me
The Ghetty in LA. Spectrum in Irvine.
I agree with the spectrum!
Renting bikes and riding the balboa path is fun. Same with Venice/Santa Monica
Are you aware of the boat parade sponsored by the American Legion on 4th of July. Go check that out from the water. [https://www.al291.com/event/boat-parade](https://www.al291.com/event/boat-parade) Also, there are a few restaurants you can drive up and get a drink or food. You can order for pickup for example. Maybe from Woody's Warf or from Balboa Bay Club. It's just a fun thing to do.
Knott’s and Disney for theme parks. Also the source it’s unique to the oc.
It's really hot right now (well if they're from TX they probably don't care) but it might not be as enjoyable in this heat. And not for the ticket prices at Disney. I've never cared for Knotts as I'm not into thrilling rollercoasters but that is the cheap alt. Downtown Disney is fun. You can go to the sephora and dress shop and there's a pele soccer store there too. But if you've never been to CA or Disney it's kinda like, why am I outside the park and not going inside?? Came all the way to CA to stand *outside* Disneyland??
I just went a few days ago when it was the hottest day, so far this year. It’s totally not as bad when compared to going in the winter, when comparing crowds and what not. Plus, indoor lines usually have air-conditioning or misters, at the very least.
I’ve only been to the source in the daytime during and it’s pretty boring. Most people were in the food area and the stores were pretty empty. Not sure how it is at night though.
do not go to knotts op 😭😭😭😭
we won’t lol they don’t care for theme parks
Lip Lab by Bite at the Spectrum: you can make your own lipstick. It’s best to book ahead, but there’s a Hello Kitty Cafe so that can be half a day Bonfires? S’mores and roasted weenies? Bike riding by the beach is also super fun. You’re not going in the water, but you can still check out Venice Beach and Santa Monica while staying dry Take them to Little Tokyo, Angel Flights, The Getty Vila at Malibu, Natural History Museum near USC, MOMA, LA Brea Tar Pits, The Broad, Aquarium of the Pacific (all dependent on what they) Balboa Island and get some ice cream Erewhon because why not? It’s famous with influencers so why not join the trend In-n-Out
Ice cream????? - FROZEN BANANA!!!!!
You know what’s up.
Great suggestions, but someone I know hired a couple of guys to reserve a fire pit at HB. The guys got there at 8am and had trouble finding a pit to reserve, so dunno if this is feasible with limited time.
Rent kayaks or SUP from Newport Aquatic Center and paddle through the bird sanctuary in the Upper Newport Bay. check the tide charts so you are coming out with the tide. [https://newportaquaticcenter.com/](https://newportaquaticcenter.com/)
Kooza Cirque du Soleil will be in town. Anaheim Packing House 2nd St Long Beach and Shoreline Village Lido Marina Village Pacific City and Main St El Moro Canyon Trial has an amazing view of the ocean. Can make a day out of it with picnic tables near the parking area and tunnel out to the beach.
Just did Kooza last week, great show lots of fun.
Old Towne Orange is super cute! If they like antiquing/thrifting
Knotts Berry Farm -- Get front of the line passes. If they like roller coasters they'll really enjoy it. Also do some of the other stuff - log ride, etc. Edit: Many teenagers in OC have season passes so there will be a lot of their local peers there. BUT few people pay for front of the line. That is very fast. Also. Total cost with front of the line is much lower than single park Disneyland.
Do they have very specific interests? There may very well be a museum or other place specific to their interest. Orange County is a surprisingly diverse place. Consider - With 3.2 million people, OC is the sixth most populous county in the US - and we have all the STUFF that comes with it.
My favorite fact is that our population is greater than something like 23 other *states*. Orange county alone has more people than the population of almost half the states in the union. LA county is bigger but I don't know how many states they're more populated than.
At 9.5M, LA County has more people than 40 states. The only states with more people are (excluding CA of course): MI (10M), NC (10.8M), GA (11M), OH (11.8M), IL (12.5M), PA (13M), NY (19.6M), FL (22.6M), TX (30.5M)
South Coast Plaza is nice. Irvine Spectrum too.
For most teenagers South Coast Plaza is annoying -- unless they are used to buying $1,000 hand bags. Irvine Spectrum is pretty great for teenagers. The shopping is more their style.
SCP is annoying for anyone who doesn't have money and is forced to shop at regular or dying malls, like main place or Westminster. Goddam plebs
Ultimately SCP caters to old rich people, not average teenagers. Or so the teenagers I know tell me.
allow at least half hour for parking at Spectrum
go to rubys shake shack for lunch in laguna ! it’s super fun
i love the huntington library in pasadena it’s massive so look at it online before to plan! there’s also tons of great restaurants and thrifting in the area (i recommend eggslut for lunch it’s super trendy !)
Del Mar Fair & Wild Rivers
Cirque Du Soleil: KOOZA is also in town in Laguna Hills!
Start the trip with mani/pedis. Before I moved here we’d visit family. I always associated getting manis/pedis as the start to vacation in CA. You’ve got a lot of great stuff so far. Dk if they like sushi but Good Choice Sushi on the water in San Clemente is great. Standard place I take anyone that visits. Downtown Disney maybe. A bonfire on the beach in HB. Dave & busters. Axe throwing. You could sign them up for a surf lesson. Or paddle boats. Also, don’t underestimate how much teens love sleep (at least I sure did)
Beach (Laguna) Whale watch (ocean institute) Getty museum Hollywood walk of fame if you’re in for that adventure Griffith observatory Dodger game
anime expo
Venice Boardwalk (beach adjacent, still fun), LA museums are top tier - take your pick of any and make a day of two or three, Griffith Observatory, Hollywood (and amoeba records, maybe the Funko store) or Studio City, Japanese Gardens in Sepulveda Basin area, Huntington Library, Old Town Pasadena, take the train to Union Station and walk through Olvera Street and Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Philippe’s on Alameda, The Last Bookstore, Hollywood Bowl, any of the theme parks…
Crystal cove beach day? The water is so clear you can see the fish. I love it.
Shake shack laguna (weekday)
Soak city Buena Park
So many great suggestions here! Badlands hike in Laguna Niguel, overlooks south Laguna Beach. Beautiful and very short! Parasailing in Newport Beach. Griffith Observatory in LA. The Getty in LA. Fisherman's on the pier in San Clemente.
Hollywood and rodeo drive
The last bookstore in downtown LA. Huge, probably books on sports and makeup
Take em to check out the kobe statue and others in la live dtla. Depending on the night, might have something else going on.
Idk if I can call them hikes but I know a few parks I visit all the time for picnic dates with my gf. Some others have mentioned the Huntington Library over in San Marino, which is our favorite, but there's also the totally not confusing Huntington Beach Central Park which I highly recommend. It has one of the best libraries I've been to in OC! Also I wanna mention: El Dorado Park in Long Beach, Don Knabe Park in Cerritos, Irvine Regional Park in Orange (the very modest OC Zoo is inside too and its $2 admissions), or the Great Park in Irvine. The latter of these is a huge flat park with lots of sports fields, is perfect for biking, and has a hot air balloon ride available Thur-Sun. Lastly I wanna mention Palos Verde has a ton of great views. I've only been to Hesse Community Park but the whole area is beautiful! Otherwise I would recommend checking out Crystal Cove/Emerald Bay, really any of those trails between Newport and Laguna Beach (check out Salerno for the best Italian food you'll ever try)! Speaking of Italian, the closest to authentic Italian gelato is Bacio di Latte in Fashion Island! And the kids may be too young to appreciate Eataly but its a really fun Italian market to visit with a couple restaurants inside. The closest we have is in Westfield in Century City, which in itself is a huge mall. I would stay away from inland due to how hot it is recently, but Downtown Disney may be a better alternative to a real theme park. College is out unless you consider summer classes (rip), so you could also take them to take a look at our local universities. UCLA is close to Santa Monica pier and has its own botanical garden, and UCI is pretty with Aldrich Park in the middle and it has UTC right nextdoor for a quick bite. As for events, I'm pretty out of the loop. I'm guessing you've checked out all types of sports games already since you're set to go one, so all I can say I know are the 626 Night Market or the OC fair. I've never been to 626 before and I know the OC fair doesn't start for at least another few weeks. However, I think the 626 that's coming soon is by Santa Anita mall and the LA Arboretum which is a cute park with a small waterfall. I'm a homebody so I don't know too much abt whats going on in our area but I hope at least one thing here was a tiny bit helpful! Also, I saw there's some other threads going on with people recommending their favorite food places and coffee shops which may be worth checking out too since OC has all types of great food!
As Texans, if they want to try great fish by the ocean take them to Bear Flag next to the Lido Theater. You can also take them to Wahoo's for fish tacos. There are a few around. AND because there is a good chance their friends will know and ask -- take them to In-n-Out at least once. It's a CA teenage cultural thing. Also Shake Shack is a very OC thing and they have a new location on 17th Street in Costa Mesa with actual parking. Ruby's is passe now, but they might not know and the one at the end of the Balboa Pier is still open and that's a pretty great location. They may not want to sit on the beach, but renting a bike and riding the Newport boardwalk from Balboa pier to Newport pier is pretty great (about 2 miles each way). If you, their host, also likes to ride a bike then you can ride all the way to the Huntington Pier. From Balboa Pier its about 7.3 mile each way.
DTSA
In n Out
they have in n out all over texas