TRAVEL | OUT & ABOUT
Califor
By M I C H E L L E T E
It's not California without some pool time. At Hotel Irvine, you can also enjoy a jacuzzi, cabana and bar.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is a must-stop location.
True California cuisine at Terrace by Mix Mix. 12 NORTHWEST 50 PLUS SOUTH VALLEY | MARCH 2020
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HEAD SOUTH FOR SUNNY SKIES AND GRAND ADVENTURES
MAGINE THAT ONE PERFECT OREGON SUMMER evening where everything feels just right — you’re outdoors with friends, the sun is slow to set, there’s a gentle breeze and you don’t think about needing a sweater or going inside. You’re happy and relaxed. That’s how I felt while visiting Orange County in southern California. Everywhere I went felt just like that perfect Oregon day. Orange County is most famous for its Anaheim-based amusement parks, and for good reason. But if you’ve spent the day at Disneyland with the grandkids, spend another day doing some sight-seeing within the county. My visit took me to the master-planned Irvine, fashion-centric Costa Mesa, historic San Juan Capistrano and the lavish beach towns of Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. Here are six reasons you’ll put Orange County at the top of your next travel destination. EASE OF TRAVEL. I recommend flying Alaska Airlines into the OC’s John Wayne Airport, which is small and easy to navigate. Car rentals are available right next to the baggage claim and cars can be picked up directly across the street in a covered garage. You’re just a few minutes to the freeway and within 30 minutes of any destination in the county. Getting around Orange County was easy at almost any time of day. The streets are wide, the freeway traffic flowed surprisingly well, and I had no problems finding my way. LOCATION. Orange County is a suburban paradise nestled between the large cities of Los Angeles and San Diego. It touches both the beaches and the hills yet escapes the headaches of daylong rush-hour traffic. You can just as easily take a nature hike as you can shop at boutiques by today’s top designers. As expected, there are plenty of palm trees and swimming pools. There’s also first-class restaurants, high-adventure outdoor activities, waterways, yacht rides and an opportunity to test drive the sports car of your dreams — Maserati, anyone? Drive the famed Pacific Coast Highway for beautiful views of the California coast and some of the state’s most expensive real estate. Take a bridge or short ferry ride to Balboa Island, one of the loveliest spots in southern California. HISTORY + ART + FASHION. Orange County’s glitz and
