I get it. Disneyland is (for a good reason) at the top of your list for a California family vacation. But a trip to Southern California can be about so much more in addition to Disney. As a former resident of Orange County, one thing I know is that, while Disneyland may be the star attraction around here, there are plenty of other activities that are also fantastic, fun, and family friendly.
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These are my favorite things to do in The OC beyond Disneyland. I’ve included some thrills, some chill, and plenty of chances to enjoy the California sunshine.
1. Wild Rivers Water Park
Irvine, California
If there’s only one part of Southern California I can convince you to visit, it’s Irvine. The bustling concrete jungle of corporate headquarters might seem like a drive-by city but in fact it’s filled with fun activities for the entire family (not to mention tons of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options). And Irvine’s list of offerings has only grown in recent years with the addition of Wild Rivers.
This family-friendly water park has 20 attractions, including water slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. It also has multiple dining options, including Island Sweets, perfect for those hot California days. My favorite, Mustang Bar & Grill, features a menu of specialty cocktails. They even have Piña Coladas served in a hollowed-out pineapple (so, yes, adults can have a great day here, too).
2. Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park, California
Less than 10 miles from Disneyland and just as deeply rooted in Southern California’s cultural landscape, Knott’s Berry Farm first opened as a roadside berry stand in 1920. It has since grown into a fully-fledged theme park with roller coasters, live entertainment, food festivals, and more.
No matter your preferred level of thrill, there are plenty of rides for guests of all ages to enjoy. Foodies will love Knott’s for its Boysenberry Festival, which takes place every spring. In the fall, the fan-favorite Knott’s Scary Farm dials the fear factor up in a way that rivals any other theme park Halloween event nationwide. The onsite Knott’s Hotel is a great fit for families and has free shuttle service to Disneyland, which makes it a perfect home base.
3. Irvine Spectrum Center
Irvine, California
I generally wouldn’t recommend you carve time out of your vacation to visit a shopping mall, but I’ll make an exception for Irvine Spectrum Center. The outdoor shopping mall is conveniently located off the 405 and 5 freeways, so it’s easy to tack onto your day. And there are just so many dining options that it’s an amazing place to feed the whole family and have some fun while you’re there.
When traveling to Orange County with your family, I recommend checking out the Hello Kitty Cafe. Here, you can try various coffee, tea, and sweets there, all themed to the internationally acclaimed Sanrio character. The cafe is next to Spectrum’s Giant Ferris Wheel, which offers excellent views of the surrounding area. And, of course, there are plenty of stores to explore, as well as a movie theater and a lawn where you can kick back and listen to live music.
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4. Santa Ana Zoo
Santa Ana, California
It’s not as big as the Los Angeles Zoo, but Orange County’s Santa Ana Zoo is that perfect Goldilocks size: not too small but it’s not too big, either. It’s a great half-day activity that offers a wide variety of animals and, bonus, the zoo is part of a reciprocal admission program. Exhibits include primates, birds, and a children’s petting zoo area. Fun fact: University of California Irvine’s mascot is Peter, an anteater, and you can meet him at the Santa Ana Zoo.
5. Irvine Great Park
Irvine, California
Irvine’s Great Park has the ultimate outdoor flex space: sports fields and arenas for recreation and local tournaments, a Farm and Food Lab that serves as an outdoor educational space, regular community events like a Farmers Market, and live entertainment.
The Irvine Great Park is also home to a couple of attractions that families will enjoy. Soar high above Orange County in the Great Park Balloon, one of the largest tethered helium balloons in the country. Looking to stay closer to the ground? Great Park also has a carousel.
6. Crystal Cove State Park
Laguna Beach, California
Fancy a leisurely hike while visiting Orange County? The region has no shortage of nature trails, especially in and around Laguna Canyon. For an easy walk that screams California, head to Crystal Cove State Park between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Here you’ll find 18 miles of hiking trails throughout the park, or you can opt for my personal favorite: simply walking along the beach.
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When you work up an appetite after your hike, there are a couple of great nearby food options. There’s the iconic Crystal Cove Shake Shack located along the Pacific Coast Highway, and down on the beach is Beachcomber Cafe.
7. Tanaka Farms
Irvine, California
Want simple and sweet? Head to Tanaka Farms in Irvine. This year-round farm stand and its star attraction, the U-Pick Wagon Rides, delivers an uncomplicatedly fun experience that’s good for all ages, especially kids. The produce available for picking on the wagon rides changes by season, and ranges from strawberries in the spring and summer to pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees in the winter.
8. Downtown Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, California
When our families came to visit from out of town, we knew a day in Laguna Beach was always an automatic wine. The picturesque town is one of the most famous in Orange County, and for good reason. It’s guaranteed fun whether you spend the afternoon at the beach or wandering around the many shops and restaurants (for great food and views, head to The Cliff).
Depending on when you visit, Laguna Beach might be in the middle of one of its famous festivals. There’s the Sawdust Art Festival, which takes place each summer and winter, and the Pageant of the Masters, which takes place each summer. I personally love the Pageant of the Masters—if you’ve never been, it’s worth checking out.
9. Balboa Island
Newport Beach, California
It’s easy to spend an entire day on Balboa Island, the coastal Newport Beach community. There’s a ton of shops and restaurants along with attractions and seaside activities. Balboa Island can also serve as a launch for a day out on the water, whether it’s via paddle board rentals or on a whale-watching excursion.
For kids and kids at heart, there’s the Balboa Fun Zone, which includes a full arcade, rides, nautical museum, frozen bananas, and ice cream galore. I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to be young to appreciate the views you get when riding a waterfront Ferris Wheel.
10. Angel Stadium
Anaheim, California
One of the ways to immerse yourself into the fabric of any vacation destination is to attend a local sporting event. That’s definitely the case with Orange County, where fans flock to Angel Stadium to cheer on the home team. Can’t make it out for a scheduled game? Behind-the-scenes tours are offered at Angel Stadium throughout the year as well. Different tours are offered depending on whether the Angels are on the road.
11. Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Laguna Beach, California
Sea lions and seals are familiar sights along California’s coast. When they require rescuing and care, they and other marine mammals are brought to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Here, the animals go through a rehabilitation program before being released back into the wild. This rescue center will be reopened to the public in Summer 2025 following an expansion of its facilities. Once open, guests can enjoy tours, viewing tanks, educational programming, and more! If wildlife is high on your list of things to see and do in Orange County, you’ll definitely want to consider adding this to your list.
12. Discovery Cube
Santa Ana, California
Anyone who regularly drives along I-5 (it’s me, hi) will know about this next Orange County attraction. The Discovery Cube is hard to miss; it’s literally a giant cube in the middle of Santa Ana. Inside the cube and adjoining building is a highly interactive, family-friendly science museum with exhibits on everything from dinosaurs to space exploration. It’s a great indoor attraction if you’re visiting on a super hot day, but kids will find Discovery Cube entertaining any day of the year.
13. Adventure City
Anaheim, California
Did you know that there’s an amusement park in Anaheim? And no, I’m not talking about Disneyland. If you’re looking for an affordable yet still fun Orange County amusement park destination on your next trip, look no further than Adventure City. Located just a few miles from Disneyland resort, Adventure City offers 17 unique attractions, including two roller coasters. Adventure City also has live entertainment, a petting farm, and more.
