Few still associate the county with its namesake citrus, but it was the prized historic export of this once-agrarian region, right alongside avocados and crude oil. Mentions of Orange County today more often conjure a lovable cartoon rodent and his Magic Kingdom—Disneyland is arguably the best-known landmark here, but there’s countless more, including (but hardly limited to) Balboa Island, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Knott's Berry Farm, Modjeska House, Yost Theater, Angel Stadium, and Honda Center. With 40+ miles of shoreline, Orange County is a world-class surfing destination and home to Huntington Beach—officially nicknamed Surf City USA—which hosts the Vans US Open of Surfing each summer. There’s no excuse to be bored, and every excuse to be on a board.

From cozy surf shops to outdoor malls, you’ll peel back all sorts of less-conventional, only-here shopping and dining experiences. Downtown Disney, Disneyland Resort’s vibrant retail district, pulls A-grade eateries and entertainment towards the shadow of Sleeping Beauty Castle—no park admission is required. Historic Fullerton, where Leo Fender once perfected the electric guitar, boasts a thriving downtown district that’s a block-by-block architectural treasure chest of storefronts in every style from Beaux-Arts to Brutalism. Head over to Buena Park to experience Mrs. Knott’s famous fried chicken dinners, a boysenberry-forward feast so beloved by locals it led to the creation of America’s first theme park just to help guests pass the long wait times.