4 Summer Activities To Do In Orange County

Orange County is known for its beautiful weather, beaches, and lifestyle. And, summer is the perfect time to take advantage of it all. Many activities here are family-friendly, but there’s also plenty of nightlife and places to explore during the day. Here are some of the best summer activities to enjoy in the famous O.C.

Watch a movie outside. 

Every summer, Orange County holds many outdoor movie screenings in local parks. Many of the movies are family-friendly classics, although there are some movie choices aimed at adults as well. An outdoor movie screening is a perfect opportunity to have a picnic and relax with family or friends. At some events, you’ll even find popular food trucks where you can pick up some snacks and BYOB.

Stroll down the pier. 

Orange County is known for its beautiful and charming beach towns, and there are so many to explore this summer. In particular, it’s always fun to take a walk down one of the area’s long piers and just watch the waves crash while the surfers hang ten. The Newport Beach and Huntington Beach piers are two of the most popular, but there are several more located throughout the area. Grab an ice cream cone or frozen banana and relax as you watch the sunset, or pick up something fresh from one of the many nearby farmer’s markets. Check your local events calendar – during the summer, you may find festivals or concerts happening at the pier.

Go for a hike. 

Inland Orange County has plenty of beautiful, rolling hills that make for an excellent place to go hiking. There are so many amazing trails to choose from, and many have gorgeous views of the ocean to the west and the mountains to the east. With the long days in the summer, try starting your hike in the late afternoon, when things are beginning to cool off. You’ll get a beautiful sunset view as a reward for making it to the top of the trail. 

Take the ferry to Balboa Island. 

Balboa Island is located in Newport Beach, and it’s a great place to spend a quintessential summer day in California. Start by taking a ferry ride over from the mainland, and then ride the iconic Ferris wheel at the Balboa Fun Zone. There are also several other rides, like a tower drop and a huge swing to get your heart pumping. When it starts to get hot, you can head inside and play arcade games. You can also enjoy plenty of classic boardwalk snacks while you’re there, and adults can grab a drink as well. 

These are just a few of the many exciting things to do in Orange County during the summer. Take advantage of the beautiful weather, and get out to explore the area!