California Luxury in Orange County

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Advisor - Tyler Chow
Curated By

Tyler Chow

  • Orange County

  • California

  • Beaches

  • Food & Wine

  • Luxury Travel

  • Local’s Guide

  • Barefoot Luxury

  • Coastal

Hotel beach view
Curator’s statement

Orange County will always be a part of me. Growing up here, catching the amazing sun rays, coastal breeze and luxurious atmosphere always sounded like a perfect vacation destination. Lucky for me, I got to live here. I want you to be able to experience Orange County on a visit and go back home relaxed and rejuvinated.

The Fora Difference

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Insider knowledge

Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there

Where to stay in Orange County

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Things to do in Orange County

Luxury shopping at South Coast Plaza

South Coast Plaza - The largest shopping mall in the West Coast of the United States, this luxury shopping mall is the perfect place to find a new outfit or spend an afternoon window shopping.

Fashion Island - Care to shop but need the California sun? Come here for some outdoor open-air shopping and take in the ocean breeze.

Disneyland and California Adventure - Come see where the magic began. Disneyland opened in 1955 and was the first theme park by the Walt Disney Company. And if you want some different rides, grab a Park Hopper ticket and head over to California Adventure for extra fun. 

Beach, Beach and More Beaches- With 42 miles of coastline and picture-perfect beach cities, there are plenty of beaches to fall for here. My personal favorite is Laguna Beach.

Nature Hikes- Want some nature after all that shopping? With 3.2 miles of beach, and 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness my personal favorite is Crystal Cove State Park.

Laguna Beach - such a cute beach town! It has seven miles of coves and beaches where visitors can explore sea caves, tide pools, ocean-side bluffs, natural tide pools, and of course, sandy beaches. The downtown also features unique stores with an array of specialty boutiques, eclectic shops, and fine art galleries.

Orange Circle/Old Towne Orange - If you want to feel like you've transported back in time, give this a visit. Take a stroll through the numerous antique shops, boutiques, and specialty stores.

Water Sports in Newport Harbor- Rent a paddleboard and tour the harbor, or get a Duffy boat to explore. And while you're there, go visit Balboa Island, which is perfect for bike rides or laying out on the sand.

DAY TRIPS

You can add a day trip to San Diego, Santa Barbara or parts of Los Angeles!

Place to eat & drink in Orange County

Enjoy your drink over Disneyland fireworks at RISE Rooftop.

1. Knife Pleat - Located in the Penthouse section of South Coast Plaza, have a luxurious dining experience at this contemporary French restaurant that has 1 Michelin Star.
2. Hamamori - Upscale Japanese fare. My personal favorite is the lunch set menus. 

3. Chaak Kitchen - Specializing in modern Mexican cuisine, this hip restaurant features a retractable roof. My personal rec is to order the octopus as it is very good!

4. Orange Hill - Take in some crazy views from this hilltop restaurant offering Prime Steaks. On a clear day you'll be able to see views of Catalina Island, Los Angeles, the coastline and Disneyland fireworks.
5. AnQi - A nice and hip Asian fusion restaurant. I especially love the desserts and the lively atmosphere.
6. Din Tai Fung - My favorite restaurant ever! The internationally famous restaurant originating from Taiwan, specializes in Chinese cuisine like dumplings and noodle dishes. Make reservations in advance or show up early as there are long wait times. But, you can shop at South Coast while you wait!
7. Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens - Upscale American fare is served at this rustic garden-style restaurant. It is such a cute place to have a meal in a nursery/garden! 
8. Bourbon Steak - If you're craving steak, head over to Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina. This luxury steakhouse is located inside the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach.
9. RISE Rooftop - Located on the roof of the Westin Anaheim Resort, grab a meal or drinks here to see the Disneyland fireworks at night.

Advisor - Tyler Chow

Travel Advisor

Tyler Chow

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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, An Insider's Guide to Honolulu.

This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Orange County.