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« Previous Edition | This California Travel Edition Posted on 01/12/12 | Next Edition »

Visiting Orange County

Happy New Year Orange County. From San Clemente and Dana Point north to Anaheim and Sunset Beach Orange County communities are welcoming 2012 with events, activities and fun. It’s the season for a Southern California getaway and Orange County is quintessential California. With four convenient airports – LAX, Long Beach Airport and Ontario International Airport are nearby alternatives to Orange County’s John Wayne International Airport. The OC’s world famous attractions are ready and waiting from Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure and Knotts Berry Farm to Newport Beach’s Fashion Island and Laguna Beach. Southern California’s beautiful weather just adds to the delight of a winter getaway to Orange County.

With a full calendar of events and activities, Newport Beach is a favorite destination for Orange County travelers. The 2012 Newport Beach Jazz Party in February, is the 12th annual festival for Southern California jazz fans. March brings the Toshiba Classic to the Newport Beach Country Club for golf enthusiasts. With sunny skies and temperate winter temperatures, Newport Beach makes a great getaway this time of year.

It is the season for Newport Beach whale watching cruise. Now through April, the California Grey Whale migrates back north to its summer feeding grounds. Newport Beach communities from Mariner’s Miles off Pacific Coast Highway 1 and Cannery Village at the end of Newport Boulevard, to Lido Island and the Balboa Peninsula, offer whale-watching excursions. Fishing charters into the Pacific are also plentiful for a classic Newport Beach experience.

Laguna Beach, located one mile south of Newport is another delightful Orange County destination. One of Southern California’s premier beach destinations, Laguna Beach is a must for art and nature lovers. Stretching along seven-miles of prime California coastline, Laguna offers more than 20 beaches and pristine coves to explore. The Laguna Craft Guild hosts Sunday afternoon arts fair on the plaza of Laguna’s Main Beach. Check out the arts and crafts February 12 and 6, and March 11 and 25 and enjoy a sunny Sunday in Laguna Beach.

East of Newport Beach two miles is the Orange County city of Costa Mesa. Recognized as a focal point in Southern California for performing arts and entertainment, Costa Mesa is home to the Orange County Theatre District. Conveniently located off Interstate 405 or the 55, visitors enjoy performances in Segerstrom Hall and Founders Hall, South Coast Repertory and the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and Samueli Theater.

Classical music fans, enjoy the Tchaikovsky’s Adagio for Strings and the Pacific Symphony February 23 through the 25: Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto with Korean pianist Joyce Yang and the Pacific Symphony March 1 and 3; or Mendelssohn Piano Trios with Philip Setzer, David Finckel and Wu Han – all at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Costa Mesa is the place for world-class entertainment.