Orange County, California has so much to offer during the fall. Parks, Apple picking, festivals, museums, and restaurants are just a few of the things that tourists and locals can experience in Orange County, California.
Family Farms
Family farms are a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. They often will have corn mazes and petting zoos. Farmers markets, and hayrides can also be expected.
South Coast Farms U-Pick
33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Hours- Tuesday through Sunday 10AM-5PM This farm is perfect for U-Pick produce of all kinds. Advertised as most popular are their sweet and juicy strawberries. If you’re not a fan of strawberries, they also have cucumbers, tomatoes, a variety of peppers, carrots and other vegetables. Parking costs $5 and the entry fee is not per person. If picking your own produce isn’t your cup of tea, you can pick up pre-picked produce to enjoy at a park. It is recommended that you wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and boots for going to pick produce because the ground is muddy and you are likely to get dirty.
Orange County Great Park Farm + Food Lab
8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine CA, 92618
Hours- Tuesday-Sunday 10AM-3PM This place is a learning opportunity for both young and old. Located in the Great Park Neighborhood, the farm + food lab is an interactive farm where people can learn how to grow their own fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, there is a compost center where you can drop off your organic, non-gmo food scraps that will be fed to their worms and later used to help grow their crops. One specific exhibit that many kids love is the butterfly garden. This garden not only allows for a hands-on experience with butterflies and other insects but is a great backdrop for family photos. Lastly, you are supporting an organization that gives all of the produce on the farm to the Second Harvest Food Bank, which helps make fresh produce available for those in need.
Centennial Farm
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Hours- Daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through June 30. Closed on Holidays and certain fair events. When the Orange County Fair is happening, Centennial Farm is open during fair hours. This last farm is located right in the heart of the Orange County Fairgrounds. What’s even more, is the Centennial Farm offers YEAR ROUND fun for everyone. Tours during the school year are often given. Discovery days are held to show the inner workings of the farm and its animals as well as the agricultural side of the farm. For older kids and adults there are Farm and Garden classes.
Festivals and Parades
For nearly 100 years, Anaheim has been celebrating autumn with a Fall Festival and Halloween Parade. Guests 12 and under can compete in the Kiddie Costume Contest by dressing up in their best costume. At the peak of popularity, the Anaheim parade drew nearly 150,000 spectators into the streets, and the event was televised in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Irvine Nights Fall Fest offers food and entertainment while celebrating fall and the best of Irvine. The food is local and international gourmet. Community, entertainment, shopping, fall kids activities, costume contests, lawn games, and live music are the reasons why people come to the Irvine Nights Falls Fest in Orange County. .
Restaurants
If picking fruits and vegetables and festivals and parades aren’t your thing, Orange County has many restaurants that are sure to please you. With eclectic cuisine styles and high quality food, Orange County has much to offer.
Furai Chicken
This is a popular Korean fried chicken restaurant located in Irvine, CA. The menu includes rice skewers, chicken and egg stuffed creams, and desserts. The Furai fried chicken is the best seller overall.
Simply Fish
This is a casual seafood restaurant that serves classic fish house comfort food. New England clam chowder, fried clams, and fish and chips are some of the main meals. The building is a sit down restaurant space area but still keeps things casual.
Veg'D
Noted vegan chef Matthew Kenney hit Costa Mesa with Veg’d, converting a former Del Taco drive-thru into a destination for plant-based snacks and comfort fare. Breakfast is available with Just Egg inside sandwiches or classics like avocado toast, while lunch is a mix of bowls, burgers, and other comfort staples.
Ootoro Sushi
Ootoro Sushi in Irvine, California has a good selection of fresh fish like akamutsu, uni, live ama-ebi, and more. By serving traditional sushi you are exposed to a variety of nigiri and simple hand or cut rolls. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays and open for lunch between 11:30 AM-2:00 PM. It’s then open for dinner between 5:30-9:30/10:00 PM from Tuesday through Saturday.
Parks
Central Park West in Huntington Beach has a wonderful playground that kids will not be bored on. There are two side by side zip tracks at this big playground. Pines Park is on a coastal cliff with ocean views, playgrounds, and grassy areas for relaxation. Open from 6AM to 10PM, guests are able to use picnic tables, barbecues, water fountains, and a beautiful lit, paved path. Alta Laguna Park is another recreational area that caters to a wide variety of interests. Featuring tennis courts, half basketball court, kids’ play area, baseball field, walking trails, and picnic tables, anyone who visits will find something to keep them busy. Laguna is open 5AM to 1AM.
Orange County is full of so many activities that this list above barely even begins to cover it all. The food is exquisite and diverse. The parks are gorgeous and family friendly. The farms are entertaining and relaxing while the festivals are fun and social. While you’re at Tustin Mazda looking for the Mazda that is perfect for you, maybe spend a few more days in Tustin or Orange County and see what the area has to offer.
