Welcome to beautiful OC, where the trees are fine and the people are finer! tl,dr: bustling, vibrant community. full of exotic cultural dynamics. adventurous comings and goings. Oh, the people you'll meet! Where to begin... Likes: + Boiling pot of cultures. In OC you'll meet people from backgrounds all around the world. So much exposure, from their music to their lifestyles, their food to their merchandise. So much to see and do! + Did I mention food? Tons of cultural culinary variety. You'll never get bored! Once your standards have acclimated to the quality eats of OC, your taste buds will always be wanting more. Rumor has it, once you leave OC and taste mundane food elsewhere, you'll be missing home before you know it. ;) + Lots of nice ppl just about everywhere you go. From dining areas to community hotspots, you're bound to meet friendly, welcoming, and helpful people who can answer questions and provide ya company. + An abundant variety of activities. Hiking, beach bonfires, MeetUp volleyball, pickleball, museums... You're never short of pastimes around these parts! Non-likes: - Overpopulated. gawd, the gawd-awful traffic jams during rush hour everyday. on the public roads as well as on the freeways. 405, 55, 22... The roads have no shortage of overpopulating cars, that's for sure! - Despite how culturally modernized and advanced the West has become, a lot of people here still harbor racism or sexism. Perhaps the aggression of mankind can never completely be eradicated. Neutral: . Pretty safe. A lot of ppl can walk around the streets, sometimes at night, with no incident. But it's not perfect, for sure. Crimes happen here and there. People get hurt occasionally. But overall I think the crime rate around these parts remains much lower than in other counties as well as other countries. read more

Beware Hagen Electrical! They charge $250.00 for a home call no matter how minor the problem turns out to be. In my house it was reconnecting some loose wires in a ceiling fan. I was not told about this minimum fee when I made the appointment. When I called to complain, they took $25 off my bill. They also add 3% if you use a credit card to pay. read more

"There is science, logic, and reason: there is is thought verified by experience. And then there is California." The coast with the most, you guessed it right California! Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington, Laguna, and New Port Beaches. Shall we play! When one thinks about visiting the west coast; one idea pops. The beach. Find your happiness with the blessings of sand, sun, and surf. It's has been proven that the healing energies of the ocean can change brain wave patterns. In today's brave new world we need these vibes to make life a little more precious. Sit down let your feet sink into the sand, feel all your pressures and stress melt away. As you become one with the ocean; she rekindles your soul. The ocean waves penetrate to your core. Now breathe in all that passion and let it take you! Now that you are wild and free from all that ocean it's time to enjoy some delicious eats. Build back your strength and imagination. Your on the beach, now where do we get together and break bread. Just turn your head from side to side the rows of shops call out to you. Head this way, no over here. Follow your nose to the food; decisions decisions. Having lived in Orange County on and off; your dreams with food await only you to walk through the door. Now, that we built back our strength we can head back to the beach. A hop, and a few skips and it's all sand and ocean as far out. We made it just in time for another sunset. As the pinks tickle the sky and the light blues fade to darkness the sun dips low for night night sleep time. It's summer time, fun time.... let's go and explore the shore some more. It's the little simplicities in life that make us most happy. Here it is new day, new sunrise, and same beach place. What could be a more wonderful day? How about beach life with the puppies. As we stroll down the beach the sand is so soft as it kisses your feet. The pups are loving that cool water as it hits their fur. They run and play along side one another; biting at the ocean waves. In this moment captured here; life is good! Can you spend all your time at the beach? Indeed, but let's see what else we can do. Disneyland is not to far away. Play and remember what it was like to be care free. "Hakuna Matata!" This mantra can be used to live those long long summer days, with no worries; it's the way to live. Stroll along the avenues of board walk adjacent to the ocean so many special people performing, dogs walking around, let's not let anyone down. Follow the sun and let the tides tell you it's time to go. Sink those toes deep down, now deeper into the sand. Smell in that sweet salty air. As you stand as still as a tree the gulls over head peer inward from up above. Seize this moment for these are the memories that will rescue you from yourself. The visions of grandeur await thee. Release your reigns on life and seek out happiness with a different scope of psyche. The waves are whispering it's song; the siren from the sea cries out to you. Answer this is a wave that you cannot miss. As we conclude yet another journey through the soul, we can get up and do it again tomorrow. Let's celebrate these moments that while are so simple make life the best. Discover what makes your passion cry and sing out. Seize that moment, that memory in which you will find your beginning and the end. read more

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i had the most positive experience at aaa family gems in tustin. i was hesitant about selling some family jewelry and gold pieces but tony magnemi, the owner, provided the exact professional manner and soothing presence which instilled the confidence i needed to complete the selling process. having read many of the previous reviews from satisfied customers, i chose this family-run business and was not disappointed. i feel this firm was honest in their value assessment and enjoyed the homey atmosphere (as well as the bite size candy bars while i waited for the estimates)! kudos to aaa family gems as i am now a loyal and very happy customer! elissa (lisa) compton laguna niguel, ca read more

ABC Driving School classes. Andre, at the ABC School in Fullerton was my counselor last appointment. He's extremely kind and helpful. I need Saturday classes since I work fulltime during the week days. I hope he continues to be my counselor. If I need assistance I hope to be able to contact him. Andre is the BEST! Thank you for your help, you're AMAZING!!!!!! Mario is a great class instructor. He's positive, funny, and energetic. Couldn't be happier. Thank you. Robin Skeene read more

I love the O.C. it's much more laid back than L.A. Any chance I get I will be walking at one of the many beaches. Huntington is one of the best beaches. There's always something going on. Of course there is the U.S Open surfing championship. You can fish off the pier, play volleyball (usually there is a tournament ) They have several marathons too. For food hit one of the restaurants on Main st. read more

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i Love me some SoCaL and when i say SoCaL, i generaLLy mean Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Buena Park, & Anaheim [Orange County]. This is where aLL of my time is spent whenever im out here expLoring. Southern CaLifornia aLways seems to have the upper hand when it comes to the newest, trendiest food buzz. That being said, Orange County definiteLy put itseLf on the map when it comes to being a top food destination. Being a food addict, it is a no brainer that my time is spent searching yeLp and checking out the food scene here. There is a heaLthy dose of authentic cuisine from aLL waLks of Life and cuLtures. There are fun activities that are famiLy friendLy (DisneyLand, Knottsberry Farm, Irvine Spectrum Center, LA Zoo). OC offers amazing retail therapy for those who are on a budge and others who are baLLen outta controL. What more couLd you ask for?? How about beautifuL weather and breathtaking views at Huntington, Laguna, & Sunset beach (just to name a few). There are aLso a countLess number of hiking traiLs to satisfy your adventurous side. The onLy gripe that i have would be the unavoidabLe, headache-giving, stomach turning traffic. BUT!!- with aLL that OC has to offer, can you reaLLy bLame peopLe from wanting to take part in aLL of this as weLL?? read more

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Chapman Auto 714 633 1800, truly great guys to deal with! Highly recommend. Great customer service and very nice and super helpful read more

Orange County - Chapman Auto Orange CA. Highly recommend! - Public Services & Government Near Me - Santa Ana, California

5 stars for the food. Seriously a fn zero for the female bartender who went off shift odered a beer, changed the semi final CFL game with 2 minutes to go for the Fn Laker game. Oh and your mouth is atrocious! read more

I LOVE San Diego but I must say Orange County got it made. So many shopping opportunities & so many activities to do all around the county. I REALLY had a fun time Playing around in Orange County for the past 2 days. Had a blast I will return soon :) read more

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Associated Heating & Air came out and installed a completely new HVAC system including air, heat, condenser, all new ducting. Matthew and Victor were their representatives and did a stellar job - I will ask for them always. I used this service through COSTCO and they handled the job in a professional and expedient manner and installed Lennox equipment. John Glodich, the estimator also did a fabulous and thorough job and spent time explaining it all to me, even taking pictures of what needed to be done. read more

**ORANGE COUNTY (The OC) v. LOS ANGELES** 1. LA has Redondo, Manhattan, Malibu and Orange County has Seal Beach, Sunset Beach, Bolsa Chica Huntington, Newport and Laguna. 2. LA has the Beverly Center and Melrose ~OC has South Coast AND Fashion Island Baby!!!! 3. LA has LAX, OC has John Wayne! 4. LA has the 710 and 110 and OC has the 22, 55, and 57. 5. LA has Smog, and OC has Fresh Ocean Breezes. 6. LA has the "Beverly Hill Billies" and OC has "Laguna, the Real OC." 7. LA has Portos and OC has Cream Pan 8. LA has Mochi (which I love dearly), OC has Sugar Cane (yummy). 9. LA has little Tokyo and Gardena and OC only Costa Mesa. 10. LA has China Town and OC has Bolsa-Little Saigon. 11. LA has graffiti and OC has none. 12. LA has downtown and OC has Irvine, Baby!!!! 13. LA has K-Town and OC has Garden Grove (Little Seoul). 14. LA has the Dodgers and OC has the Angels Baby!! 15 OC has more Yummyliscious Restaurants. 16. People who live in OC are better looking and better yelpers. The only LA exceptions being those that are my yelp buddies. Sixteen Big Reasons why OC is the best place to live!!! read more

Orange County - Public Services & Government Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Orange County.. You sommabish. You got me. You got me right here (*points at tummy), and once you've gotten to me there, you've got a serious case of Mary Ann for life! I've lived here for almost 2 years now. I have grown to appreciate, love and learn from Orange County. Native San Diegan and frequent squatter in the Bay Area, OC is the last place I would choose to reside. Why? Cuz in the eyes of this once naïve SD girl, nothing happens in OC except Disneyland... No JUAN better say EVAR! As offensive as people here telling me they only go to San Diego for SeaWorld!! And it happens often! :O Blasphemous! That's another review however... I'd be lying if I said I loved all OC equally. Kinda like when you look into the large, glistening eyes of your children and tell them you don't have a favorite. :X Don't deny it! ;) You're all the sass and trendiness of LA w/out the grime and the overbearing efforts of trying to be "edgy". You're warm, welcoming, homey... Sometimes a bit sketchy and sleazy. But when the occasion calls, you clean up real nice and your class becomes second to none. The sounds of the traffic and the Santa Ana winds that kick up are no joke. But that's also a part of your charm. You appeal to all the senses and taste is definitely the one you do the best. It's ever changing and what's trendy here becomes trendy almost a month afterwards everywhere else. Where there might be a handful of KBBQ spots in some cities, you provide in abundance. Your never ending hypes of dossiants, ramen burgers, nitrogen ice cream, boba crazes, and food festivals. Aside from the possibility of becoming physically incapable of leaving and just having roots somewhere else, why would anyone want to? I do plan on returning home to San Diego one day and be rejoined with my roots but until then, I appreciate every moment I get to spend in the OC sunshine.... And yes. Continue to brag about the insane art and food scene to my friends back at home. Like a healthy jab to the kidney. :) Love you OC. read more

If you can't find enough fun in OC to give it five stars then you're just not looking hard enough. Maybe you're clinically depressed. There's no shame - see someone -really. One of the most beautiful places on earth. IMO, skip Disney and the Malls. It's the OC's natural beauty that earns it the mother yelpin five star review. My current top three OC attractions... 1. The beaches. My favorite is Little Corona, Sunset Magazines #3 best Secret Beach. I've posted pictures of the incredible sunsets and tide pools (they're protected so don't touch anything.) Pro photographers pay the city to use the site for professional shoots. See the Yelp reviews. 2. County Parks. Before the fires I'd have told you to go to Medjeska Canyon but now I'll choose Laguna Wilderness park. I'm sure there are more but my favorites burned. They'll be back. Check the OC Parks web site for free guided hikes. Did you see the word Free. Can you believe it. I recently did a full moon hike and the docent guide was fantastic. 3. This summer I discovered Kayaking in Upper Newport Bay. What a joy. Rent a Kayak at the Newport Aquatic Center. Take a group tour which comes with a quick lesson if you're a first timer and be sure to bring your camera (in a water proof bag.) See the Yelp review and print a map. The Aquatic center is very hard to find. Enjoy! Ignore the naysayers. Laugh at the commercial and enjoy the natural beauty. read more

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Ever since I was a kid I wanted to live in LA. 90210 posters covering the walls in my room 6000 miles away in Southern Germany. I have relatives there so I visited every chance that I got. Fast forward 20 years, I am living an hour from LA, living the dream I always wanted. Exploring CA, I have found no place more beautiful than Orange County. LA can be dirty, grimy, not to mention EXPENSIVE and we all know about the traffic. None of this can be found in "the OC" Every street is clean and beautiful, as are the people, traffic flows more or less without a hassle, as for expensive...well...ok its expensive too. But you get what you pay for in life. If you have less than half a mill to spend, look elsewhere, if you are fortunate enough, live here. read more

Over priced and over rated, I think I'm gonna be sick and it's your fault. This is the end of everything. It's about QUANTITY with no QUALITY here. Beaches are super dirty- sewage spills- MILLIONS of gallons yearly- Google it! Couldn't pay me to go in the ocean here. Water quality is scary bad here. The fruits and vegetables are poor quality. - huge concern. It's all imported which is crazy. Locally grown and purchased is what should be happening. But instead our food is treated with chemical to make it last the long ride here. Too many people- too much traffic that NEVER STOPS! Really think a toll lane will help? No, but you just keep thinking of ways to pump more money out of us. Knock it off OC - your greed is showing. Investors are now building up- literally. Ascon Landfill Site- setting a good example of what I'm referring too! The people that grew up here are getting pushed out while the shaming, disrespectful, entitled but your not foreigners with attitude are coming in, with their money. (Be nice, maybe smile, & we wouldn't hate you as much.) The OG generation are getting older & passing. Their kids who have kids now can't afford it here. What once was a laid back county, it now greedy, tourist, foreign shithole. read more

Just tried Capistrano Winery. Service was great, we had Gabe that was very helpful and gave us suggestions to try. It was a bit loud as most of the reviews have mentioned. Outside very comfortable, plus the people I was with, I didn't want to talk to them anyway! So my suggestion. If you like the people you are with, eat outside, the ones you don't like request a table inside. PERFECT! read more

American Windows in Orange is the Best! Had a crew come in and show up on time and neat appearance and polite. Our crew was Gio , Edgar ,Steve and Octavio. Installed 8 windows and a slider. Windows were in bedrooms bath and den. Windows installed well and the slider was a masterpiece. Also Steve our Salesperson and Sergio , quality control and Daniel were also verified that all was installed properly and to our SATISFACTION! Several of our neighbors are asking which was the the window company. I gave them number of Orange store and the name AMERICAN WINDOW! That rings out well. read more

THE OC! I feel like that music from the show needs to start playing right now... I really like Orange County for a few different reasons: 1) It's less expensive than LA in most areas 2) it's more low-key than some of the surrounding areas 3) there is a lot to do there. There are some ways in which it could be improved: 1) It needs more diversity 2) Too Republican 3) Too many rich people who don't realize that they wouldn't own their house if they lived in LA. LOL read more

AT&T FiOS system SUCKS! We were convinced to upgrade from out current cable/modem to their FiOS system and less than a month later, it has crashed!!! We have been without Internet or TV since Saturday and they won't get anyone to us until Wednesday! 5 days without the internet (daughter does online Summer School that ends this week) or TV, or gaming systems is unacceptable! No credit given for loss time. Mike Tang (sales person who sold us on all this crap) told us to call him DIRECTLY if we have any problems or issues. "Don't call the 800 #, call me". Well, he is now telling us there is nothing he can do about the technical stuff and to call the 800#. Typical sales guy....tells you what you want to hear until the deal is done. Does anyone have a good, reliable TV/Internet company that they use???? read more

Counting the days when I finally leave this place and never look back. Living here for the past two years has made me value the Bay Area even more. I won't miss the chain stores, the conservative values and the apathy and fakeness that I have experienced here. Update 4/4/07: A month and a half more to go and I'm outtie!! read more

This facility in La Habra has the worst online and phone service ever saying since they combine two stores until one it's impossible to get to him on the phone I've spoke with Liz four times in the last week online for 20 minutes without ever having anyone respond or even know that I am there the people working there I'm trying to do a good job but they're understaffed online read more

Almost two years ago, I moved here to get away from the chaos and madness that is LA. Now I miss that chaos and madness. Orange County is nice, but sometimes it seems so suburban. Maybe a little too quiet. Are there a lot of fakes in OC? Maybe. Probably equal to the number of fakes, flakes, and narcissists in LA. In Southern California, you're bound to run into the plastic people. Some of my neighbors are stoners and ex-hippies, so I haven't experienced conservative values up close. If you live near the beach, you probably love Orange County. Surf and sand...what's not to love? It's a nice place to raise a family because of the good school districts. Then again, I live in Garden Grove, so what do I know. I didn't know this place was called 'Garbage Grove' until I moved here. Why the slam on this diverse city? *ponder* If you're a single person like me, it gets boring once in a while. I haven't made up my mind yet, but I'm not sure that OC living is for me. I can't explain why, but it is what is. Maybe the grass is greener on the other side (of the freeway). read more

It's Saturday night at midnight. John Wayne is shutdown for the night. It's peaceful and quiet. My neighbors, all in their 80's, are in bed asleep. I could drive to Long Beach and go to Pistons. Hell, I could drive up to LA. The bottom line is, I need to leave my safe little quiet life and drive an hour, hunt for parking, just so I can have a beer with other gay people. I think I'll go to bed instead. read more

I LOVE Orange County! I was born and raised here so maybe that makes me biased! I was born and raised in Anaheim, moving to Brea when I was 11 or 12. Now I just purchased a house in South Orange County. I love it even more! Like one reviewer said there is definitely a difference between North county and South county. I have to say that I personally never understood why south county was "snobbier" but now that I live there I KNOW why! South county IS better!! There is so much to do here!! Beaches are minutes away, the mountains are a couple hours away!! Great Restaurants, social scene! I love California!!! read more

really, seriously, c'mon...are you S.E.R.I.O.U.S? is o.c. really the worst place on earth? it has disneyland, south coast plaza, free parking and laguan beach. what it doesn't have are blessing to o.c. residents - traffic, people with chip on their fake gucci bag hung shoulders (oc only has authentic gucci/lv/chanel bag snobs) and pinkberry (o how i love thee). and 7.75% tax!!! please don't send me hate pm's. for the record, i have very liberal values. 4 years of living in l.a. was fun, but had enough of traffic and 8.25% tax. read more

Orange County - even in germany, oc is loved. - Public Services & Government Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I agree with Stewart's review. I am a prior resident of the county and have experienced its great diversity of ethnicity, ideology and religion. Yes, the dominant value is conservative. Does this somehow mean that other views are repressed? UCI students can protest away, the OC Weekly can spill gallons of ink supported by its near soft-core porn advertisements and the hippies in Laguna can paint until their organic brushes fall apart. There's also a big difference between quietly enjoying life and being apathetic. A person who doesn't go out on protest after protest and complain incessantly about everything isn't apathetic. And I've found that many of those labeled as "apathetic" are only labeled so because their views are wholly different from those who think they know what passion and earnestness are all about. read more

I've watched this county mature and develop rapidly literally from my backyard over the last decade especially. I just have to get through the older, more run down North County part first to get to the much posher South County (which roughly is determined by the location of South Coast Plaza). Orange County has better weather than most of the country and, if they were people, is Los Angeles' richer and better looking cousin that he wishes he could marry without being labeled as being in an incestuous relationship. I can sympathize with the South County portion of Orange County because I went to college there; in the heart of the great social experiment of suburbanization and sprawl. It also hearkens to my own hometown of Cerritos, which is oftentimes confused for being located in Orange County because it looks like a smaller version of Irvine. Life in Orange County is drastically different than living in a big urban center like Los Angeles or New York. There's just no valid comparison, so no parallels should even be drawn. It's something you just have to take at face value. In fact, there is no "big city" in Orange County it's just a couple dozen cities in search for a metropolitan, if anything. The images in the media isn't totally unfounded. There are definitely rich, white people in this county. There are also more middle-class or working class people in the northern areas. In fact, go watch "Arrested Development." I think that's a more accurate portrayal of the social dynamic of the wealthy (and poor, in a way) in Orange County than "The OC." A number of athletes and celebrities also call this place home, and for good reason, because if you're looking for honest, California living, this place is for you. It's also not too far from either San Diego or Los Angeles, so if you want to make a weekend trip out of it, then get into that car that you worked hard for and enjoy the diversity and bustle from a safe distance. read more

Costco Store Tustin District we purchase a Christmas Tree they are wrap up so you can not see them the price was good the tree was fresh but it was the skinniest tree I have ever seen I will not be getting a christmas tree from them in the future. I would not recommend them unless you do not care what your tree is like. I do mean the tree is skinny from top to bottom no shape 7-8 ft tall and not even well shaped the sides go in and out. I am very disappointed . read more

Sure, we have some great beaches. But what happened to all the orange groves and strawberry fields turning into concreteland? :( read more

Life is good in the OC. He liked where he lived and who he lived with. He loved his job and his church. He enjoyed the entertainments and eateries here; they were his home away from home. He feels cozy at Roma's in front of a plate of noodles. He feels at home in the rocking chair gazing at the fireplace of the Grand Californian. Sunsets at Huntington pier and sundaes at Bob's big boy. Lectures at Nixon Library and target practice at Firing Line. There in Orange County you can live the dream, be happy, raise a family, and make money- doesn't matter what your creed, color or w-2. He was mighty proud to live in a county that continues to preserve the American Dream. In 2011 he said, "I shall return." If you like what you see in OC, write your mayor: Curt Pringle (anaheim), Miguel Pulido (santa ana), Allan Mansoor (costa mesa), Carolyn Cavecche (orange city), Cathy Green (huntington). For a glance back in time- 1869, LA lawyer Andy Glassell beat Alfie Chapman in a poker game. His prize? renaming the community of Richland to Orange after Prince William of Orange IV (Netherlands). Mr. Glassell was born in Orange County, Virginia and felt nostalgic when it came to naming his town. At this point, the City of Orange still belonged to Los Angeles County. 20 years later, the California legislature split LA County in two, forming Orange County. In 1904, Henry Huntington's pacific electric railway connected LA to OC. 1954, the 5 Interstate freeway was completed and Disneyland opened its doors. read more

I was shopping for a new used car and saw what I was looking for at a great price at Pro Motors in Santa Ana. It was a loaded Infiniti QX80. It said it had the DVD entertain package but I did not see picture of it in the add. When I called him over the phone he gave me some excuse but assured me the rest of the add was accurate. I drove 90 minutes to see the car and several of the upgrades advertised were not present. Even though car was not what was advertised he was inflexible on the price. It was a nice car but not what was advertised. Classic bait and switch, false advertisement what ever you want to call it. My advice, run the vin numbers yourself and save the time and frustration on this type of dishonest business practice. read more

Everybody wants to live in south OC, meaning Tustin/Irvine/Newport and south. It's rich, wealthy, the weather is moderate, the schools are great, it's Republican, it's suburban, it's safe, and you get a better housing value than anywhere in LA. If you're worried about fakery, the sort that exists in every urbanized area today, then go move to some remote "real" Rocky Mountain town. If you miss the club scene, go move into an expensive tiny apartment on the West Side. Otherwise it's hard to complain about OC. Best of all, our sheriff fearlessly cavorts in public with mob bosses. OC is one happy family. read more

I live in LA (West Hollywood) and spend much time living in Orange County, too, for various reasons, and in San Diego. Orange County, like America, often gets quality-of-life confused with "standard of living." America has been punked by the Tea Party movement. America has been in socioeconomic and political decline since the great days of Bill Clinton. Obama was a rising star tarnished by vestigial elements of racism refusing to see that he is the flowering of the American dream, in many ways. American democracy is having a tough time living up to its enlightened promises and expectations. In Orange County, an historic bastion of conservative politics, it's founding City, Santa Ana, flirted with disaster when its urban inclinations were politically derailed by administrators seeking to emulate growing suburbs and their beige stucco successes of endless tract housing with prestige-sounding names. In the 1970's and 1980's, communities such as Santa Ana faced growing infrastructure decline, immigration, and "white flight." problems connected to urbanism down marketed expectations. In Santa Ana's case it was the arts that rescued it's I'll-fated reputation for disadvantage and despair. The creative community gave Santa Ana another voice. Everyone knows that "disadvantage is opportunity badly dressed!" Change can be a frightening proposition, and few believed Santa Ana, of all cities, might ever approximate the once proud status it once enjoyed as the governmental, social, and socioeconomic center of Orange County, one of the wealthiest per-capita counties in the United States. But here it comes! And it's redefining Orange County's typically superficial definition of "wealth" in the process. Santa Ana is little more than an intersection. That essentially defines what it is. Main Street and First Street, Santa Ana, actually are the center of Orange County, the proverbial "two sticks rubbed together!" Now, a public sculpture there reads, "The future Starts Here!" how's that for"recycling?" Once Orange County's proud Downtown and Civic Center, so it is becoming again today, "Downtown Orange County!" it is also the physical address for one of the more important and unexpected developments in modern Orange County history, the ten-block, downtown "ARTISTS VILLAGE." Here, the concept for an urban, inter connective educational and creative space for Orange County was created, despite hisses, thumbs down, and moans from local press such as The Register and The Los Angeles Times Orange County Edition. Of all things, it was Santa Ana, under Administrative Direction from City manager David Ream, that most actively resisted the formation of a non-City based arts council, the Santa Ana Council of Arts and Culture, which formed in 1987 with fourteen Santa Ana-based arts and educational organizations including the prestigious Bowers Museum of Cultural Art and Pacific Symphony Orchestra. The hood ornament of the arts movement was a proposed 10-block artists district in the downtown with the working title, "The Artists Village." One day the eighth (top) floor of City Hall I was confronted by the authoritarian Executive Director of Parks and Recreation. "Don," the executive director began, looking me squarely in the face, " With that Artists Village idea of yours you'll turn the downtown into nothing but homosexuals, prostitutes, and drug addicts!" I thought for a nanosecond, eyes-to-eyes, as it was. "What's your point?" I asked. (What a huge step up that would be!) Today Santa Ana is not only Orange County's "youth culture capital" and an alternative to the rest of typical Orange County, but it has claimed for itself the profile as, perhaps, Orange County's leading creative community, with Laguna and, perhaps, Fullerton in the wings. From famous art schools, and artists, and culinary classes, advertising agencies, sound labs, young architects and art gallery owners, and over three hundred artists live/work studios ... as well as a thriving "Artists Village, downtown, a booming Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, a hands on Discovery Science Center uptown, Santa Ana has become a vision of West LA meets East LA with all the benefits in between! It's great old neighborhoods are looking great again, filling with a creative class of unique individuals. Lastly, Santa Ana was once the "Orange County" people are writing dismissively about. It was even the home of the ultra conservative John Birch Society! Now it is everything but that! It now is home to The Center OC, the important LGBT non-profit umbrella organization (needing, already a larger building!), in the OC.There is even a "gay parade" and a very busy gay bar across from a relatively new twenty-story Ronald Reagan Courthouse and Federal Building Now that's progress! Welcome to the new Orange County! (I mean Santa Ana!) read more

The OC by the beach deserves an easy 5 stars, however the OC in the onion fields has left such a foul taste in my mouth and an overwhelming stench, I have no choice but to give a 1 star. Anaheim, Garden Grove, Buena Park, Orange, Santa Ana, Westminster, Fullerton, Fountain Valley, Irvine......this means YOU! For 2 years of my life, I had to venture into the onion fields of the OC throughout these cities. This was the most miserable time in my life! I have done community hours, community work, worked in various healthcare businesses, spent thousands of hours of my life that I will never get back in these cities! I absolutely can not stand this area of the OC! Aggressive drivers! Confusing freeways! Rude people everywhere. Homeless people all over the streets! You'd think you were in a third world country in half the streets of this area of the OC. Remove Disneyland from Anaheim and what do you have?! Absolutely nothing special. Just another city that gets too hot in the summer time! It's called Ana-slime for a reason! I feel bad for the beach front cities that have been clustered into the OC label. read more

I love the OC!! It's quaint and homey and not too far from the LA! The air quality in OC is great! There are great beach cities in OC. People are generally friendly. What more can you ask for? Sure, it lacks stuff in LA, but it has that earthy feel to it that makes it feel genuine rather than dull. read more

Dollar Tree in San Juan Capistrano CA The store itself is NOT neat and clean. Bathrooms are filthy not even a little dirty it's a disgrace. I can't believe you don't have a supervisor checking on the condition of the store. I just happened to stop there I won't go back. B Maz read more

I was at the Gap store today. Filthy dressing rooms and never saw anyone even attempting to make them safe for their customers. Shame on GAP read more

I love it any time I go I become so relax Nice beaches and great parks and excellent Views read more

-1 star for the north county haters. I love OC, but my industry is in LA and NYC. I like the suburbs but I'm only willing to commute across one county. I had to drive from Newport Coast to Pasadena for a week but it was only acceptable because I didn't have to be on the road during rush hour. Little Corona is also my favorite beach. read more