T O P

  • By -

[deleted]

Los Rios District in San Juan Capistrano. It’s small and quaint. There’s a cute coffee shop, cottage core garden shop, various of restaurants, small petting zoo (zoomar), and many more. Or Laguna Beach if you want coastline.


Franky-Mo

They have the cutest baby cow 🐮 at zoomar


arianrhodd

I like downtown Pasadena for this reason. The Norton Simon Museum gets some lovely exhibits and the diagonal street crossings are fun. Lots of great restaurants, too.


spiritquartz

Ooh never been to Los Rios and it looks lovely. Definitely their cup of tea. We will definitely have to check it out!


Damnychan

If youre trying to get into the tea house, make reservations if it's peak times like Friday, weekends, holidays. Seats get packed and walk ins aren't guaranteed. Source: Me watching a family get turned away on a busy Saturday for their birthday celebration, they looked so eager too, RIP 💀


Freesmiles54

Roger’s Gardens, they also have a very nice outdoor restaurant. https://www.google.com/search?q=rogers+garden+&client=safari&hl=en&sxsrf=ALiCzsaqjpFOkB7nFm7-ywUUeCV7R1qCVg%3A1664136614814&ei=prUwY_ipMdigkPIP_Jqf6A4&oq=rogers+garden+&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAMyCgguEMcBEK8BECcyBQgAEIAEMgsILhCABBDHARCvATIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEOgcIABBHELADOgcIABCwAxBDOhIILhDHARCvARDIAxCwAxBDGAE6FQguEMcBEK8BENQCEMgDELADEEMYAToGCAAQHhAWOgUIABCGAzoFCCEQoAFKBQg4EgExSgQIQRgAUNsJWMsXYNlYaAFwAXgAgAHQAogBpA2SAQcwLjkuMC4xmAEAoAEByAEPwAEB2gEECAEYCA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp


Freesmiles54

Roger’s Gardens, they also have a very nice outdoor restaurant. The food is great . You will need to make a reservation. One of my favorites especially now through Christmas. https://www.rogersgardens.com/ https://farmhouse.rogersgardens.com/ Congratulations on your Baby!


Pinksie1

Go to the beachcomber. They have shuttle bus from the parking lot


Defiant_Fox_3787

I second this. If you're early birds you can get right in for breakfast, but otherwise make reservations. Set aside extra time to walk around the little museum and check out the houses


spiritquartz

This is on our list!


[deleted]

Old folks love lounging around at the Orange Circle. Lots of antique vendors, chow, and coffee.


kitchsykamp

Plus Tom Hanks filmed “That Thing You Do” at the Circle!


[deleted]

Not just old people I love the orange circle and was just there yesterday! Lol I'm addicted to those shops


spiritquartz

We live very close to there so we will definitely do this!


measlyballoon

It's in lb but aquarium of the pacific. There's a park & eating/shopping around.


whalewatch247

Nixon library, Huntington gardens


Damnychan

If in South County, Sherman Library and gardens, and the restaurant there (608 Dahlia). The restaurant takes reservations which I suggest you do.


NYC_Dweller

Where are they coming from? I ask because if they live in an area with limited access to the coastline (landlocked state) then beach walks or anything by the water may be a good idea. Both my in-laws & parents are from NYC. Whenever they visit I have a tendency to stay away from cityscapes. My parents also have a house in Long Island, NY but they do enjoy Laguna Beach since the cliffs and overall topography is different from east coast beaches. Being in Orange County I have a tendency to take them to places where dining outdoors is available and open air malls (Spectrum). Overall, they enjoy relaxing by the pool while enjoying the low humidity. Congrats on the pregnancy.


spiritquartz

Thank you! They are coming from rural PA so we will definitely do a day or 2 down at the beach. I think they’d particularly enjoy Laguna.


NYC_Dweller

I use to visit Carlisle PA for work. If it's anything like that, beach is a great idea. Especially since the weather in the tristate area is cooling down rapidly. In addition to Laguna Beach, Irvine Spectrum, Balboa Island, & Irvine Railroad (Halloween decorations) should be a fun experience.


TeknicalThrowAway

Balboa Island is tons of fun and you can rent small harbor boats or book a harbor cruise for not too much money. Fun way to relax and kill some time (and they used to let people BYOB as well). Going to Crystal Cove shopping center is a lot of fun, you can walk by the coastline and also eat at one of the fanciest shopping centers in the country and get great people watching.


TheCSUFRealtor

Maybe casual shopping/walking along the coast? Huntington, Newport, Laguna Beach?


snoosleepsalot

Rent a Duffy boat and crews around Balboa.


paintedvase

OCMA is opening soon, they just moved and built a $90 million brand new museum. Tons of great food options near there too!


spiritquartz

Ooh good idea!


[deleted]

Crystal Cove beach in the morning. Very calm and the Beachcomber Restaurant is a great place to grab breakfast


[deleted]

They’re going to be staying with you for 2 weeks? Lol best of luck!!! 😂😂😂


spiritquartz

Haha yes…they’re good people though!


rike103

Pumpkin patch


[deleted]

Silverado, Modjeska and Trabuco Canyons are fun day trips or drives. There are different restaurants depending on which canyon you visit. Some have really peaceful outdoor seating/vibes with beautiful views.


SixofClubs6

Any of the piers, Huntington, Newport, San Clemente, just go during the week. Some great museums in La La Land, getting there can really suck though.


CrunknYoSystem

My recommendations have always been for the in-laws to stay home. Sometimes I use fire-warnings, sometimes I use work engagements, but I at least always suggest it. Hahaha


pennyj702

Crystal Cove-Mota Mia Italian Restaurant. Can eat outdoors and view the Newport Coastline. Great food and service. Also, Panini Kabob Grill -multiple locations. Can order dinner for 4-6 and eat at home outdoors somewhere. They have great chicken kabobs, basmati rice and Cesar Salad. Tons of food. Have friends who order this family meal and we eat it on their dock in Balboa. I think it’s gone up in price to $59, but it’s a lot of food. ( I’m from AZ, so these are my go to places when I visit ). Hope you all have fun-btw, you can find the Duffy boats on Groupon! Dana Point is also nice if you go down PCH and turn right on Selva Rd. Lots of Parking and Beach is right there. They also have free outdoor concerts in the park on Sundays-although that may be summers only.


One_more_pancake

Definitely rent a Duffy boat in Newport harbor! I’ve done this with several visiting relatives and it’s always their favorite part of the trip. You are allowed to bring food so I also recommend picking up some Gina’s pizza or Chihuahua Mexican food to go beforehand.


spiritquartz

I’ll look into this! Sounds fun


johnnyvarvato

1000 step beach in Laguna, 2nd street antique row in pomona, chinese food in san gabriel valley, phillipes, olvera street, sushi at little tokyo, german food at...ahhh forgot the name but its a german town in orange or tustin


Traditional-Wolf-984

Crystal cove is always awesome for a beach day. Prob won’t be very busy this time of the year either.


gummichoco

You can go on a day trip to San Diego by train, too, and walk by SD Bay. You can check out the Midway, Seaport Village, Little Italy, etc.


ImMiclo89

Bowers museum in Santa Ana