HOT SHOP

from Orange Coast magazine - July 2021

DINING GUIDE Many of our reviews plus a spotlight on Poppy & Seed at Anaheim Packing District

HOT SHOP

MINNOW SWIM

The children’s swimwear brand opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in Lido Marina Village in October. by Chelsea Raineri

Former Newport Beach resident Morgan Smith came up with the idea for a line of children’s swimwear while she was in London in 2016. Her family planned to go to the Amalfi Coast, which required her to find a pair of boardshorts for her son. “Everything I found had sharks or decals or slogans, and I was just looking for (something) very simple, very high quality, nothing crazy; it was bizarre to me how hard and challenging it was to find something like that,” Smith says. “When I came home from London, I knew I wanted to get to work on this and make what we call ‘boardies’ for my son and grow the brand from there.”

In the midst of the pandemic, Smith decided to open Minnow Swim’s first and only boutique for children and their families to experience the brand in person. The resort-like store sells everything from the shorts the brand initially started with to clothing, rash guards, coverups, girls’ swimwear, and beach market items such as hats, towels, sunscreen, and more. Customers can also shop third-party, women-owned brands such as Poppy & Co.’s necklaces and bracelets.

The store features a personal stylist and hosts events as well, such as bicycle decorating for Newport Beach’s Fourth of July bike parade. Stay tuned for a line of children’s sandals.

SUNNY DAYS WHAT’S BLUE TOTES CHIC

3505 Via Oporto Newport Beach 949-662-0107 minnowswim.com

NON-STOP FUN TO PARADISE

2021 marks many new beginnings for the famous stretch of beach and resort area on the island of Oahu.

Starting from May 6, 2021 direct service from Orange County’s John Wayne International Airport to Honolulu began o ering a convenient non-stop ight and a route that has been absent for more than 10 years. Also as restrictions slowly started to li last year, hotels and businesses in the area took this opportunity to move forward with reinvesting, upgrading and implementing robust health and safety guidelines. Highlights include: an $80 million transformation of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort set to reopen; enhanced safety and cleaning protocols at the recently reimagined Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani; the completion of a multi-year renovation of Sheraton Waikiki; and a unique Safe Travels Hawaii Concierge service at the award-winning Alohilani Resort to assist with logistics on the latest travel requirements to arrive in the state. On Waikiki’s Gold Coast near the base of Diamond Head, Hau Tree at the newly refreshed Kaimana Beach Hotel opened their casual beach-centric restaurant in a wonderful setting overlooking the golden sands and vast Paci c Ocean.

For the latest and most up-to-date Hawaii travel information visit: hawaiicovid19.com/travel

Voted Hawaii’s Best Hotel 2020.

Discover simplicity that surprises at Waikiki’s newest boutique hotel. Voted Hawaii’s Best Hotel 2020 by readers of Travel + Leisure and #1 Hotel in Hawaii by Condé Nast Traveler 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards. Visit Halepuna.com.

Su er FUN 2021

GUIDE

Still making up for lost time this summer? Whether you are looking for activities for the whole family, a chance to make unforgettable memories, or even a quick out-of-state jaunt, our Summer Fun guide offers ideas that will inspire and delight!

FUN, SUN AND SIGHTSEEING

THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO IN OC!

If you love the great outdoors, Orange County and its sister regions do not disappoint. Head to the coast for some scenic sunbathing, hike a secluded canyon, go gallery hopping, or enjoy a delicious meal under the stars. Around here, there are endless ways to seize the day!

• Get back to nature. OC’s coastal parks are a great way to enjoy views of the shoreline without getting your feet wet. Check out

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park or Upper

Newport Bay Nature Preserve.

• e 2021 Broadway season is in full swing

at Tuacahn Amphitheatre! Tuacahn's 25th season is o to a great start with Disney's

Beauty and the Beast, Annie, and Million

Dollar Quartet all now playing in July!

Although Annie ends July 10th, later on we have School of Rock and e Count of Monte Cristo starting in July with A Christmas Story coming in November. Tickets can be purchased online at tuacahn.org or by calling 800-746-9882.

• e OC Fair is back! If you’ve been craving funnel cakes and spin rides, you are in luck. e Orange County Fair is back for

Summer 2021, and runs July 16 through

August 15. Learn more and buy tickets at ocfair.com

• Begin your day with brunch. Cappy’s Café in Newport Beach is open 7am to 3pm daily and is a great place to chill with your friends and family. Cruise in and cozy up to a homestyle breakfast and don’t miss their Signature Cappy’s Bloody Mary with all the goodies. Add some spice to your life with a good dose of veggies sound with a dash of protein…celery, bacon, pickle, lemon, lime and olive? It’s served daily from 1:00 – 3:00pm. Mimosas are another bottomless option – sparkling, bubbly and oh-so refreshing. Make your reservation at cappyscafe.com

• Break out the bike. Lying peacefully in east

Orange alongside the Santiago Creek, the 1,269-acre Santiago Oaks Regional park o ers bikers and equestrians the natural charm of mountain vistas, an orange grove, a meandering creek and a mature forest of many di erent species of trees. Learn more at ocparks.com/parks-trails/santiago-oaksregional-park

• Rediscover Discovery Science. e recently reopened OC center o ers sciencebased education and inspiration for visitors of all ages. From in-person and virtual summer camps to innovative exhibits, activities and events, Discovery Science o ers something for everyone. Learning has never been so much fun! Plan your visit and buy tickets: (714) 542-2823 or discoverycube.org