Legendary Orange County

Updated: June 22, 2006

From pirate coves to movie star hangouts, our editors recommend the most legendary spots in Orange County.

On this page:Legendary O.C., More O.C. Favorites.

Legendary O.C.

  1. 1 Dana Point Harbor
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    Pacific Coast Hwy & Dana Pt, Dana Point, CA 92629 (map)

    Infamous pirate Hipolito Bouchard anchored his fleet at Dana Point in 1818 while trying to raid Mission San Juan Capistrano.

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Surf & Sand Resort
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    1555 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (map)

    Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather and Diane Sawyer frequently stayed here while reporting on President Nixon's visits to San Clemente.

  3. 3 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Crystal Cove St Park
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    8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (map)

    Years after prohibition ended, bottles from rum smugglers who brought their booty ashore were found in the sand and water.

  4. 4 Newport Harbor
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    Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (map)

    Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Mae West and John Wayne held legendary parties on their yachts in Newport Harbor.

  5. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Orange County Mining Co
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    10000 Crawford Canyon Rd, Santa Ana, CA 92705 (map)

    This hilltop steakhouse sits on an old silver mine site. Memorabilia on display are actual artifacts from the mining era.

  6. 6 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Coach House
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    33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (map)

    B.B. King, Ray Charles, Leon Russell and Patti Smith are a few of the music legends that graced the stage.

  7. 7 4 Star Rating: Recommended Watson Soda Fountain & Lunch
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    116 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92866 (map)

    The movies "American Wedding," "That Thing You Do," and "Big Momma?s House" filmed here and around historic Orange Circle.

  8. 8 Balboa Island Beach
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    Between Balboa Peninsula and Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92662 (map)

    In 1912 Glenn Martin flew his plane from Balboa to Catalina and set a record for fastest over-water flight.

  9. 9 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Disneyland
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    700 W Ball Rd, Anaheim, CA 92802 (map)

    The Disney Gallery is reportedly haunted by Walt himself, who used the space as an apartment while overseeing park construction.

More O.C. Favorites

  1. 10 Richard Nixon Library
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    18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (map)

  2. 11 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Knotts California Shop
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    8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620 (map)

    An old-time outpost with a few state-of-the-art thrills.

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