Orange County has a population of 3,010,232, according to the 2010 figures of the US Census Bureau. It is the smallest county in Southern California by area. However, in terms of population, it was ranked as sixth in 2009. Orange County is a major tourist destination and the tourism industry contributed $374 million in earnings in 2009, according to the NYS Empire State Development, US Census. The city of Anaheim rakes in the maximum revenue from tourism. With picturesque landscapes, sunny beaches and luxurious resorts, there is no dearth of things to do in Orange County.
Five Things to do in Orange County
Here are five exciting things to do in Orange County:
1. Newport Landing Whale Watching: Here, whale watching tours are organized all round the year. At a nominal fee of $20, you can see blue whales, finback whales, dolphins, seals, killer whales, sharks and many other marine creatures.
2. Knott’s Berry Farm: This was started by Walter Knott, a farmer, and his family, who became famous for selling berries and pies. It is credited as America’s first theme park and is visited by seven million people annually. This theme park is known for events like ‘Halloween Haunts’ and various thrill rides.
3. Huntington Beach: This beach is rightly nicknamed ‘Surf City’, as the biggest surfing competitions take place here. After having your fill of wave catching, you can head off to Ruby’s Diner to tickle your taste buds. After a great meal and an exciting day of adventure, you can find other things to do in Orange County, like experiencing the nightlife, which among other things includes live music and comedy clubs.
4. Disney Land Resort: This is a combination of the original Disneyland Theme Park and the more recent Disney California Adventure theme park. Both the places share the same entrance booth. Another place worth visiting is Downtown Disney, which is a street that offers various options for eating, shopping and entertainment not only for children but for those who are young at heart.
5. Newport Beach’s Fashion Island: This is an open shopping arcade surrounded by beautiful gardens and a huge pond. You can see the entire West Coast from here and be sure that nothing will miss your eye. Other activities you can engage in are biking, jogging, hiking or riding a segway in the ‘Back Bay’ ecological preserve. You can even have a romantic dinner on the beach or head off to enjoy a harbor cruise.
There are several other things to do in Orange County, depending on your preferences.