Things to do in Orange County

Head out on a whale and dolphin-watching cruise from Newport Beach. The waters surrounding Newport Harbor offer deep nutrient-rich waters that attract all types of marine creatures. With a 96% success rate, almost every trip has the opportunity to see whales or dolphins. Look out for giant blue whales (during the summer and fall months), finback whales, gray whales (winter and spring months), minke whales, humpback whales, several types of dolphin (including giant rizzo dolphin over 14 feet in length), seals, and all sorts of other marine life. Most whale-watching cruises take in the scenic backdrops of Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach while viewing the gentle giants just a few hundred yards from shore. Due to the geography of the Orange County coastline that surrounds Newport Harbor, ocean conditions are incredibly calm. The captain and crew have backgrounds in marine biology and can provide details about the marine creatures, environment, and ecosystems.

Set sail on a 50-foot catamaran yacht in search of wild marine wildlife on this cruise from Newport Beach. Enjoy the 360 degree walk-around deck that ensures that you never miss a moment with the whales. Keep your eyes peeled for giant blue whales, humpback whales, and pods of dolphins. Board the ship and set sail from the landing. Get up close to different whales and discover facinating details about these creatures from your naturalist guides that are eager to share their knowledge with you. Let your captain take you to places where the whales are more active to increase your viewing chances. Head to the front of the ship and look for bow riding dolphins which will glide just below your feet on one of the dual bows. Feel the excitement of watching these playful creatures frolic in their natural environment. End your tour at the meeting point where it began.

Take a 2-hour dolphin and whale watching tour from Newport Beach. Cruise in an open boat that offers 360-degree views from anywhere onboard, allowing everyone a to have close encounter with nature. Admire the stunning coastal landscape and look out for whales, dolphins, and other marine wildlife.   Board a custom-built RIB, perfect for whale watching. The boat has a maximum capacity of 15 people, giving each passenger a piece of the action. See dolphins come almost close enough to touch. The boat can travel at speed and cruises up to 14 miles from port to ensure the highest success rate of animal sightings.

Embark on a whale-watching adventure off Newport Beach, CA and look out for a variety of whales, including humpback whales and blue whales. Observe marine life in the wild and admire the Newport-Laguna coastline. On these year-round cruises off Newport Beach, many whale varieties are regularly seen including the giant blue whale (summer and fall), finback whale, grey whale (winter and spring), minke whale, and humpback whale. Several types of dolphin, seals, and all sorts of other marine life are typically spotted on the excursions as well. The cruises depart from Newport Harbor, located in the heart of Orange County, which is just a short drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego. Each cruise is a unique experience as you may never know what you might encounter. A recent cruise encountered a pod of more than 30 killer whales, including adults and their young, making for a whale watching adventure of a lifetime. The cruises enjoy a 96 percent success rate viewing whales and/or dolphin.

The waters surrounding Newport Harbor are deep and nutrient-rich, attracting all types of marine creatures. Cruises typically see a variety of whales including giant blue whales (during the summer and fall), finback whales, grey whales (in the winter and spring), minke whales, and humpback whales, as well as several types of dolphin, seals, and all sorts of other marine life. Each cruise is a unique experience in that you never know what you might encounter. The Laguna Beach coastline lies just to the south of Newport Harbor and is some of Southern California’s most beautiful coast. The grey whales are commonly seen in this area. Most whale watching cruises take in the scenic backdrops of Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach, while viewing the gentle giants just a few hundred yards from shore. Due to the geography of the Orange County coastline that surrounds Newport Harbor, ocean conditions are very calm allowing whale watchers to fully enjoy the amazing viewings. Our primary whale watching ship is 65 feet long, and has a large upstairs sundeck, wrap-around outside seating, snack bar, and indoor seating with large windows. The ship was purpose-built for viewing marine life. Plenty of other amenities guarantee a very comfortable and exciting trip. Captains and crew members are well-versed in marine biology and are incredibly knowledgeable about marine creatures, environment, and eco systems.

Enjoy a memorable day exploring California's famous wine culture in the beautiful Temecula Valley. Discover wineries of all sizes that serve up award winning wines, hospitality, wine knowledge, and stunning vineyard views. Depart your Temecula area hotel in the morning on a deluxe touring vehicle. Visit 4 fantastic wineries where you get to sample award-winning wines and enjoy the best that Temecula Wine Country has to offer. Relax as your guide liaisons with all four of the wineries, stow your purchases, and keeps you informed and entertained throughout the day. Sit down to an artisan-inspired lunch and dessert catered by an onsite deli and hosted in the barrel room. Explore the Temecula Valley Wine Country which offers more than 45 wineries on this flexible day trip which takes into account your preferences in wine and scenery, as well as any special events or offerings at the wineries. Get access to great discounts on wines through the tour. When booking, please select a food option from the list below and write in your selections in the notes during the booking process: • #1 Chicken Caesar Salad  • #2 Mediterranean Chicken Salad  • #3 Eggplant Caprese Sandwich • #4 Turkey Club Sandwich • #5 Classic Italian Sandwich • #6 Artisan Cheese & Deli Plate  • #7 Roast Beef Sandwich  • #8 Viva Chicken Wrap All lunches are served with a chewy Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie and bottled water. Spinach wraps are available as an alternative for ciabatta bread. Side house salads are served with Italian vinaigrette (on the side).

This is a roundtrip service, from Newport Beach to the Catalina Island's City of Avalon and back to Newport Beach. The transfer ferry ride from one place to the other takes about an hour and fifteen minutes one way. All of the vessels have multiple decks. Snacks and beverages, alcoholic and nonalcoholic, are available for purchase onboard, we accept cash/credit and contactless payments. We travel in the open ocean and can experience rough waters at any time. Catalina and Newport Beach both have many activities - great dining, water excursions, golf cart tours, and much more. You will need to book 2 separate one way trips to get a full round trip experience.

Come aboard for a romantic evening away. Unforgettable views listen to music, and a duet entrée sit-down dinner all make this is a can’t-miss getaway for visitors and local residents alike. Newport Beach is classic California, filled with wide beaches and expansive oceanfront mansions. The community boasts a well-known small-boat harbor as well as popular destinations such as the Balboa Peninsula, Fashion Island and bustling Mariner's Mile. See the area while enjoying a luxurious evening out. Sample Dinner Menu: Assorted bread and butter (V) and your choice of a starter of beet and baby arugula salad with feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and balsamic vinaigrette (G)(V), or signature seafood chowder with clams, flounder, potatoes, and cream (G). Enjoy your choice of main course with options like root vegetable fricassee with butternut squash, cauliflower, zucchini, grape tomatoes, gremolata, and coconut cream sauce (G)(VG)(V), or broiled salmon fillet with roasted tomato vinaigrette with lemon orzo, and farm-fresh seasonal vegetables. Choose from rosemary and thyme oven-roasted chicken breast with roasted new red potato and scallion salad, haricot verts, and creamy mushroom sauce, or braised beef short ribs with Fresno pepper glace, garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots, and Broccoli (G). Finally, end on a sweet note with your choice of signature chocolate cake with crème Anglaise, raspberry coulis, and candied pecans (V), or mixed fruit with strawberries Madagascar vanilla and orange cream(G)(VG)(V), or New York Cheesecake with lemon mascarpone cream, blueberry and compote (V).

Enter a series of elaborately designed escape rooms ranging across various themes. You and your group must work together to find clues and crack codes to complete your mission. With 6 thrilling adventures to choose from, you may find yourself as a prospector hunting for a lost cache of gold, a spy sent to recover a stolen painting, or a falsely-accused prisoner determined to break out of jail. Work as a team to solve the puzzles and break your way out to freedom. No matter your choice, keep your wits about you and focus: you’ve got one hour to escape. After you and your group have emerged victorious, you’ll be conveniently located in the Irvine Spectrum Center to celebrate your achievement.

The Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass by Go City gets you into over 40 top attractions in the city for one low price. Enjoy great savings on admission compared to buying individual tickets and pay nothing at the gate. Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, Dolby Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and many more of the best things to do in L.A., Hollywood, and beyond. In addition, when you buy a 3-, 5- or 7-day pass, you also get a ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood. You can take up to 2 weeks from when you first use the pass to use the remaining calendar days on your pass. The free digital guide helps you decide what to do, where to go, how to get there and how to make reservations in advance when required. Simply show your pass straight from your phone (or printed) at the gate or ticket office to get in. Activities, attractions, and tours included with the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass: Theme Parks • Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket (3+ day passes only) • Knott's Berry Farm • LEGOLAND California (choice between San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND) • Knott's Soak City Water Park Outdoor Activities • Whale Watching in San Pedro or Long Beach • Catalina Flyer (Ferry to Catalina Island) • Harbor Breeze Whale Watching Tour - Long Beach • Perry's Beach Café and Rentals - Mountain Bike or Roller-Skates (All Day) • Hollywood Sign Tour • Celebrity Bike Tour by Bikes & Hikes LA (choice between self-guided or guided tour) • Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour - Beautiful Newport Beach • Harbor Cruise in Long Beach or San Pedro • Huntington Beach: 2-hr SUP board or kayak rental • Huntington Beach: Yoga on the beach Tours • Big Bus Los Angeles 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour • Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood • Big Bus Celebrity Lifestyle and Homes Tour • Dolby Theater Guided Tour • Starline Tours: Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour • Downtown LA Food and Culture Tour • Glass Bottom Boat Eco Tour • SoFi Stadium Tour Family-Friendly • Madame Tussauds Hollywood • Aquarium of the Pacific • TCL Chinese Theater - Tour or Movie and a drink (choice between TCL Chinese Theater or Hollywood Museum) • Santa Monica Pier Aquarium • Los Angeles Zoo • California Science Center IMAX Movie • San Diego Zoo (choice between San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND) Museums and Entertainment • Hollywood Museum (choice between TCL Chinese Theater or Hollywood Museum) • GRAMMY Museum • Battleship IOWA Museum • Natural History Museum • Autry Museum of the American West • Museum of Latin American Art • Cabrillo Maritime Museum • Richard Nixon Library • South Coast Shop & Dine Package