The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Orange County, Orange County

December 11, 2021 Misti Hsu

Beyond its epic theme parks and perfect weather, Orange County is celebrated for outdoor dining, entertainment and beach-bound adventure. Treat yourself at South Coast Plaza for the finest in luxury shopping and superlative restaurants. Spend an afternoon aboard a whale watching cruise in Newport Harbor, or cast a reel from the Huntington Beach Pier. Stop to smell the flowers at the Sherman Library and Gardens, or explore Laguna’s vast variety of boutique shops along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Restaurants in Orange County

1. Crescent Bay Point Park

Crescent Bay Drive, Laguna Beach, CA +1 949-497-3311 http://crescentbaypointpark.com
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 179 reviews

Crescent Bay Point Park

Reviewed By Global91212 - Irvine, United States

Small-ish well manicured park overlooking Crescent Bay cove. Limited parking on residential street. Dog friendly.

2. Heisler Park

375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1623 +1 949-497-3311 http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/pw/parks.asp
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,297 reviews

Heisler Park

Reviewed By RalphR193 - Farmington, United States

Long walking path well above sea level with great ocean views, great landscaping, e. g. flowers, palm trees, etc. Public rest room building and plenty of close by parking. Charcoal grill and picnic area for public use. Not much seating along the way. Very enjoyable.

3. Dana Strands Beach

Salt Creek Beach Park Strand Vista Park, Selva Road west of Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, CA 92629
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 64 reviews

Dana Strands Beach

Reviewed By Z4886QWannev - Monterey, United States

If you are looking for a beautiful beach for a walk, surfing, tide pools and to watch surfer Strands beach is the to go to. I moved away from Orange County four years ago and when I visit this is the first beach I want to visit.

4. Crystal Cove State Park

8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949-494-3539 [email protected] http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com/
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,230 reviews

Crystal Cove State Park

Reviewed By 691ac - Los Angeles, United States

This is such a special place to visit! Starting with the short bus ride from the parking lot to the beach, this park is worth at least half a day to visit. You can walk around the cottages, and spend time on the beach. There are various hiking trails on the grounds and the Beachcomber restaurant of course. It is a lovely and serene place to visit.

5. Orange County Coast

Sunset Beach off Pacific Coast Hwy. and Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA http://gotosocal.com/orange-county-coast/
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 238 reviews

Orange County Coast

Reviewed By Smithysfishing - Buddina, Australia

Over our 2.5 week stay with friends in Huntington beach we did all the beaches from Long Beach to Laguna Beach and took the train from Santa Ana to Oceanside so we pretty much saw all the beaches down to San Diego. It was good to check out all the scenery in OC to compare to the old TV show. We found ourselves having a quick look on Youtube of old episodes and comparing. All nice wide beaches compared to Australian beaches. Lots of intrastructure with volleyball courts, etc, etc along the whole coast compared to home.

6. Newport Beach

Newport Beach, CA 92660-3267 http://www.newportbeachca.gov/
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,447 reviews

Newport Beach

Reviewed By 723lisak - Richmond, Canada

Newport Beach is a beautiful area that always feels safe and is so clean. They take pride in their beautiful piece of paradise and it shows.

7. Irvine Regional Park

1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869-1000 +1 714-973-6835 http://www.ocparks.com/irvinepark/
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 218 reviews

Irvine Regional Park

Reviewed By F-F-7676 - Los Angeles, United States

This park is a really nice one, pretty large and with good parking. Inside this park you can find the OC Zoo, an equestrian center, many picnic areas, a little lake and some more attractions. They have a farmer market once a week and always events and games set up for all the holidays during the year.

8. Balboa Island

206 Marine Ave Unit 322, Newport Beach, CA 92662-7020 +1 949-375-4430 http://www.balboa-island.com/
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,423 reviews

Balboa Island

Man-made island that features upscale shops, restaurants and an amusement park.

Reviewed By mrbookies - Pleasant Grove, United States

Went with my family early evening in January. Bring a sweatshirt, enjoy a stroll among quaint shops and restaurants, beautiful boats and homes, and be prepared for the best chocolate-dipped ice cream bar you’ll ever have (the Balboa Bar!). If you are feeling adventurous, you can take the public ferry across to the peninsula (not very far).

9. Sherman Library & Gardens

2647 East Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, CA 92625 +1 949-673-2261 [email protected] http://www.thesherman.org/
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 296 reviews

Sherman Library & Gardens

Horticultural retreat that features a museum of living plants, walking paths, bubbling tile fountains and a library devoted to the study of the Pacific Southwest.

Reviewed By Buzzard100 - Santa Cruz, United States

This is a find in the midst of urban sprawl, strip malls and LA regional traffic. It is a horticultural oasis and a hidden gem! The gardens are lovely and while we did not eat at the restaurant, it has excellent reviews and outside-seating. The library focuses on the history of the Pacific Southwest and has an amazing collection of historical City Directories. The collection of art is small but interesting. This garden and library is named after the founder, Arnold Haskell’s benefactor, M. H. Sherman the founder of the Los Angeles Railway System and namesake of Sherman Oaks. A charming piece of history and garden beauty. I highly recommend.

10. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Entrance at Warner Ave. and PCH (opposite Bolsa Chica State Beach), Huntington Beach, CA 92648 +1 714-846-1114 [email protected] http://bolsachica.org
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 287 reviews

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Reviewed By Pt123123 - Huntington Beach, United States

With the recent Pandemic of COVID-19, the world has become a scary place. You can escape by visiting the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve where you can hike, run, view the wildlife, and get your exercise in at the wetlands with the refreshing ocean breeze. Bolsa Chica State Beach is across Pacific Coast Highway, so the ocean view is a plus. The wildlife, migratory birds, and natural environment are refreshing along your peaceful 4 mile walk/run by the ocean. The hours are 6am to 8pm and it's free.

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