Destination Orange County! It’s more than amusement parks and the mouse… it’s top beaches, boats and a world famous art scene. We share a closer look into the Southern California hot spot.
BOATS & BALBOA BAY RESORT
From a duffy to a yacht, boats are synonymous with Newport Beach. So when it comes to vacationing in Orange County, we turned to the only Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond waterfront resort in the city… the Balboa Bay Resort.
First opened in 1947, the renowned Balboa Bay Club hosted many famous guests and members including Humphrey Bogart, Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Lucy and Desi Arnaz, and several presidents ranging from President Bush and to President Ford.
With the largest recreational harbor on the west coast, we were immediately smitten with the row of yachts parked by A + O Restaurant which provides the perfect backdrop for any meal. Step outside and you’ll find an expansive wrap-around patio with striped umbrellas, and multiple fire pit tables, to enjoy during the day as well as into the evening with live entertainment offered most nights.
We spent as much time at the pool as we did at the beach and a highlight was having the Balboa Bay Resort house car take us to Balboa Island where we walked the main street, meeting the Newport Fire Department, skipping along the boardwalk and catching a ferry to Balboa where it drops you off at the Fun Zone. There is so much to explore and then retreat to our luxurious room back at the hotel.
LAGUNA BEACH: FESTIVAL OF ARTS & PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS
The Pageant of the Masters is the Festival of Arts’ crowning jewel and arguably one of the most unique productions in the entire world. 2023 celebrates the 90th anniversary of the first presentation of “living pictures” with “Art Colony: In the Company of Artists.” Attendees sit under the stars and take in the summer breeze as famous works of art are recreated. Real people pose in elaborate sets to reenact “living pictures.” It truly is a unique experience. Runs now through September 1 with nightly performances.
Before the show, make sure to take in the Festival Art Show, featuring over 100 Orange County artists. You can meet the artists and explore their work. From photography and woodworking to glass and ceramics, photography and more, the Festival showcases a variety of mediums and artwork styles for avid collectors and festival attendees to browse and purchase directly from the artists.
NEWPORT BEACH AND THE CITY OF SURF
You can’t go wrong with the Orange County coastline including Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach, which bears the nickname Surf City… they are all beautiful spots to grab a boogie board or SUP and dip in the ocean, or play games or bury yourself in the sand.
Every summer the US Open of Surfing takes place in Huntington Beach and boasts top talents to watch. We love even walking the boardwalk and spending time on the pier… and of course venturing into the shops and grabbing coffee or a smoothie nearby too.
MUST-STOP TREAT: HISTORIC SUGAR AND SPICE
Whether you are just cruising around Orange County or end up exploring Balboa Island, a must-stop treat is Sugar n’ Spice Original Frozen Bananas. For the past 78 years, Sugar n’ Spice has been making frozen bananas and Balboa bars. Only one of us in our entire group had ever had a frozen banana, so we knew we had to make a stop and after exploring the island, it was a fun reward on a warm day. You can pick from a frozen banana or Balboa bar, which is made of ice cream. Each treat is made fresh right before your eyes as you pick what it is dipped in – chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut butter or cherry and then rolled in your topping. We tried the most popular banana dipped in chocolate with sprinkles and it was so yummy.
We also love the family story behind Sugar n’ Spice. It started when Bob and Dot Cook asked their son to put the bananas in the refrigerator. He accidentally put them in the freezer. Rather than toss the frozen bananas out, Bob decided to dip the banana in warm fudge and top it with toffee and nuts. Their candy store customers fell in love. Soon people from all over were stopping by the candy shop to try out the frozen bananas.
