Pirate Tower in Laguna Beach is absolutely worth the effort to get to. There are two ways in: the…read moreTreasure Island Beach side, which involves walking over a rocky cliff area, so definitely check tide levels before you go. The other option is a hidden residential staircase that leads down directly, but it's hit or miss and not always open. Parking can be a bit tricky. From the residential aide straight across meter parking. From the Montage Resort area paid parking nearby do not park in the plaza across you will get towed or ticketed. Once you make it down, it opens up into crystal clear water and a stunning stretch of beach. The tower itself is incredibly unique and photogenic, almost like something tucked into a seaside storybook. Just a heads up, it is not dog friendly. Overall, a memorable spot that feels like a little hidden treasure along the coast.

This place is as fantastical as it looks on social media. It took a while for me to find out how to…read moreget to it. The entrance is in a residential area, and you take some stairs between houses down. There are some sharp rocks being lapped with ways on the way there, so bring some flip flops to walk over to it.

Great talent, super fun evening laughing so hard! We all need more laughter these days. Thanks,…read moreImprovCity!

One of my favorite improv theaters. Tucked into Tustin is this amazing comedy venue filled with…read morelaughter and love. Hilarious shows to help you escape from the drama of the day or the stresses of the world. Would recommend seeing one of the MainStage shows and/or taking an improv class which will change your life for the better. Devin and Gina(owners/performers/artistic directors/wonderful humans) provide a joyful space that fosters comedy and welcomes all. They have drinks and snacks to purchase. I drank an RC cola for the first time there. They have bathrooms as well if you drink too many RC colas. I attend and perform in their improv festival every year and they bring phenomenal acts like MAX! See you next year or sooner!

Great place to watch a movie! The theater is clean, comfortable, and has a really nice atmosphere…read more The staff was friendly, and the overall experience was great. Definitely recommend The Lot! Food was amazing also.

Hector was an amazing person, he greeted us right when we walked in and welcomed us so kindly. We…read morewill definetly come back, we had a great expierence because of him!

Today, this old grain silo is all that stands of the historic Nordham Ranch House property. The…read moresilo was saved by the developer of the office complex that now surrounds it. The silo towers above the ponds, waterfalls, and beautiful landscaping. Col. Robert Nordham's mansion stood on this site until 2000, when it was destroyed by a mysterious fire.

MIght not be a big deal to some of you Orange County residents, but for me and my girlfriend, we…read morelove the Secret Silo. For years and years, I have been trying to stop by here and take a look. So, we took 30 minutes of our time to hang out here yesterday. Lots of Huntington Beach history and scenery. I love the nature and water scenery in the Silo. My first up, close and personal scene. I will cherish more in the future.

Our 1 1/2toddler niece loved it! She didn't touch the animals, but there was a lot to see!…read moreChickens, cows, goats, oxen, pigs. We checked the website for hours, today it was free admission, free parking (outside of OC fair season) Lots of parking!

Centennial Farm is FREE to enter with free easy parking!…read more Make sure you check their website calendar for closures. My little one had an enjoyable time seeing and hearing all the animals and walking around the gardens! We saw cows, pigs, piglets, oxen, chickens, goats, sheep, bees, rabbits, and peacocks. You can even pet most of them! There were many handwashing stations available. The garden was fun to walk around and see all the labeled flowers, fruits and vegetables growing. The entire area has plenty of shade and seating. Keep in mind that you'll mostly be walking in dirt so dress yourself and children appropriately!

Tough to get a parking spot, but there are some businesses with tiny little free lots, and as long…read moreas you are a paying customer, you can park, make your purchase, and take a walk along the beach before heading out.

Used to go here a lot when I was a kid/teenager since it closer to home and nearby the fish market…read moreand the hole in a wall Russian pizza place that was fantastic. Love the early morning when foggy appears like a blacker over the pier and the coast. The pier is short and overlook the beach. Parking is paying now and the road is small and a lot of folks that do not look where they're going or know how to drive properly. Glad today is less driver and got time to enjoy the area more.

The Sculpture in Civic Center Park Exhibition is a free attraction by the Newport Beach City Hall,…read moreCommunity Center, and Library. There is a shaded parking structure for the area with comfortable parking. It was a hot day, and I was lucky I had some sunblock with me to apply before this spontaneous outdoorsy exploration. These exhibits listed on their brouchure: Interplay Reaching Man Glee Duality Growing Wings Heavy Landing Gecko Millefoilum Trillium Bus Stop Bench Natural Wonders Cosmos: Starry, Starry Night Wind Tree Spiral Dance Coming Through Open Heart Intended Destination Voyage of a Giant The Wave Joy Ride - Removed from brochure Art in Old English We actually came here to see Bunnyhenge... which I don't see listed on the brochure, but more to that in a separate review. Overall a nice free attraction to enjoy an outdoor walk and some art. A very nice spontaneous adventure. Kudos to my boyfriend for finding such a cute spot.

Really enjoyed looking at all the art sculptures walking an approximate of 1.5 mile loop. The trail…read moreconsisted of cement and gravel paths. The flowers around the path were also in full bloom. There is also a cool sky bridge to take in the beautiful scenery. I could see the ocean! Parking is free and trail head starts at the beginning of the parking lot. There were also two small dog parks within the loop.

The staff especially Mary is amazing and make this a fun place to stop. The services of the library…read moreare really worth a visit!

I love studying here for the free wifi and friendly staff. It is small but peaceful, and the light…read morefiltering in from the huge window wall makes for such a relaxing environment.

Reservations are needed for this lovely little garden tucked into the middle of the CSULB campus,…read moreso we made ours the night before and grabbed a 12:00 PM Sunday spot. One thing to know before you go: check the operating hours. The garden was closing at 1:00 that day, so our visit was shorter than we would have liked. About 15 minutes before closing they started rounding everyone up, which was completely understandable, but next time I'd definitely book earlier. We brought Billy's mom and dad with us, and his father is 92 amazing years old, so we're always paying attention to how much walking, stress, parking drama, or general nonsense an outing involves. This one was about as easy as it gets. There's paid parking right next to the garden. I think we paid around $6.50, and the payment system was simple enough. Once you're inside, it's just beautiful. Little bridges, waterfalls, colorful koi everywhere (bonus! tons of baby koi this time!) lilies on the pond, flowers, and these bright red dragonflies flying around that completely caught my attention. There were families, students, people sketching, people feeding the fish, just a really nice mix of people quietly enjoying the space. What I especially like is that you don't have to make a whole production out of it. You can stroll, sit for a while, watch the koi, cross a bridge, look at the water, and just enjoy being somewhere pretty. Small, peaceful, easy, and genuinely lovely. It makes for a really nice family outing, and it's one of those places that's good to keep in your back pocket when you want to do something without committing to an entire day.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a peaceful hidden gem tucked inside California State…read moreUniversity, Long Beach. I walked into a space that is smaller than some larger Japanese gardens, but the layout feels carefully planned with winding paths, traditional landscaping, a koi pond, waterfalls, bridges, and quiet corners throughout. It is the type of place where taking your time matters more than trying to see everything quickly, and the smaller size actually makes the experience feel more intimate. The garden feels like a world apart from the campus surrounding it, and the transition from the university grounds to the garden is immediate and effective. The koi pond is easily the centerpiece of the garden and one of the most enjoyable parts to spend time around. I found myself lingering by the water, watching the fish move through the pond as the sunlight filtered through the trees. The fish are large and active, and the surrounding greenery, stone features, and water elements create a very relaxing atmosphere. The garden does a good job balancing natural scenery with traditional Japanese design, with each section offering a slightly different view and feeling as I walked through. The bridges and stone lanterns add to the sense of place, and the sound of the waterfalls creates a calming background that stays with you as you move through the space. What I liked most about this garden is how calm it feels despite being located on a college campus. It feels separated from the surrounding area once you enter, making it a nice place for a quiet walk, photography, or just taking a break. The landscaping is well maintained, and the entire space has a slower pace that encourages you to actually stop and appreciate the details rather than rushing through. The garden's design rewards a slow approach, with each turn in the path offering a slightly different perspective on the pond, the plants, and the stonework. The visit is fairly quick since the garden is compact, but it works well as a relaxing stop rather than a destination that takes up an entire afternoon. Reservations are required, so it is worth checking availability before going. Admission is free, although parking is an extra cost and can be the main inconvenience, especially during busy campus hours. The garden's location on campus makes it accessible, but the parking situation can require a bit of patience. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a beautiful spot if you are looking for a peaceful escape rather than a large attraction. The koi pond, thoughtful design, and quiet atmosphere make it a place worth visiting, especially on a nice day when you can take your time walking through the garden. It offers a brief but meaningful pause from the surrounding city and campus life, and the care that has gone into maintaining the space is evident in every corner.

10/25/26 It really is a beautiful and well maintained park…read more It was my plan to visit the gazebo to see the breathtaking views from there but a small wedding party took over the space to capture some shots for their album. Perhaps next time. This park is a beachfront property and it's a prime location. There a few grassy places perfect for just a little picnic or sun bathing. There are many park benches to sit & just chill. There plenty of beautiful foliage that adorn the place. There are stairs leading down towards the beach where people enjoy the sand & take photos, go swimming or simply frolic in the water. Parking is limited and it is metered. You would probably have to circle quite a bit to score a spot but it's worth it once you find one.

We are incredibly fortunate to have discovered the breathtaking beauty of Heisler Park. My sister…read moreand I visited this coastal sanctuary every day during our Laguna Beach staycation back in August, walking over from our nearby hotel. This spot has held a magical captive hold on our hearts since we were teenagers; over the years, we discovered we had both independently drifted to this exact location time and time again. The winding walking paths and sweeping ocean vistas are all you need to truly embrace the essence of the California coast. The park is a tapestry of hidden beach coves, dramatic cliffs, swaying palm trees, and unforgettable sunsets. Years ago, my sister captured this magic in a lovely oil painting of the staircase leading down to one of the coves on Cliff Drive. Following our trip, she surprised me with the original artwork. I cannot wait to hang it on my wall at home so I can forever look back on the beauty of this place. It is a cherished haven that I will hold close to my heart forever.