Orange County Travel

Orange County, CA: The Big O-CWith year-round beaches, world-class theme parks, and loads of beautiful people, the O.C. is quickly becoming the country's most famous county.Local flavor: Nothing captures the laidback vibe of SoCal like eating fish tacos from El Jefe at San Clemente beach.Chill-out spot: With massive cliffs that plunge to the Pacific, Laguna Beach is the jewel of the O.C.'s 42 miles of coastline.Place we love, even if it's touristy: Duh, a visit to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm is a no-brainer. Like, totally.Good to know: Freeway driving is the way of life in the O.C., so be prepared to sit behind the wheel for a while and practice your patience with 24/7 traffic.History lesson: Celebrate the O.C.'s rich, Spanish history at the 200-year-old Mission at San Juan Capistrano, considered the birthplace of the O.C. If you're a birdwatcher, go around March, when the swallows arrive in flocks.Where to blow your paycheck: A farmer's market, two food courts, 40 restaurants, more than 200 shops, and even a koi pond make it easy to while away days at the Fashion Island in Newport Beach-Cali's quintessential "Galleria."Talk the talk: California State Route 1 is better known as the Pacific Coast Highway, or "PCH." It's just about the most beautiful scenic drive in the country, and let's not forget its role in CHiPs.Did we mention it's free? Upper Newport Bay, bordering Newport Back Bay, is a nature preserve with one of the best birding sites on the continent. It's also home to various endangered species.