image compiled by the folks at Design*Sponge from photos by death by 1000 papercuts and visit orange county
I was super excited to see the new city guide up on Design*Sponge, Orange County, California! I was born and raised out there (could see the Disneyland fireworks from my childhood window) and reading about it brought back such memories and inspired me to want to get there soon to try some of these new hot spots!
Some of my favorites listed:
The LAB in Costa Mesa (the site of one of the first Urban Outfitters stores {I think} and a serious grunge-fest all the time in the 90s, i.e., highschool)
Wahoo's (any location). Never have I had such delectable fish tacos.
Ruby's (also any location, but nothing beats the pier locations in Balboa and Huntington Beaches)
Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Just reminds me of happy, beachy shopping and my first Anthropologie experience back in high school.
Not to be missed, but not mentioned in the guide is the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach. So fun.
Watson Drug and Soda Fountain in Old Town Orange. The Orange Circle has been the filming location for several great films and TV shows. It's endlessly charming. Almost anywhere in Old Town Orange brings back extreme feelings of nostalgia for me. My dad's family has lived in Orange since he was a small boy, we have lots of history there!
Felix Continental Cafe has some great breakfast options, and the Army Navy store is always fun.
Rockwell's Cafe and Bakery in my home town of Villa Park was even featured, which made me so excited. Nothing beats their tuxedo strawberries, and it is within walking distance of the high school parking lot (which was SO convenient)!
Thanks to Aileen Holmes and Design*Sponge for the great County Guide! So many happy memories, I think it's time for a trip!
9 comments:
ahhh... sunny and beautiful!!
this totally makes me want to take a vacation down there.
I grew up (until 5th grade) in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, my family is still down there. Just the words "Fashion Island" makes me want to plan a trip! And going to Ruby's on the pier, my best childhood memories.
my grandma and I would get up really early go to a little donut shop on the beach and sit on the stone slabs while all the surfers came out to surf...great memories.
Wow, I had no idea you were from out there! The next time I take a trip with my husband out to Irvine, I need to write you and get some shopping tips from you!
yah, i guess the oc is pretty ok. :)
i miss it, too.
Oh how I miss Wahoo's - I'd trade every place here for a Wahoo's down the road!! We miss Ruby's malts so much :)
thanks for the info! i always love to try new places (sorry to say rockwells does get a little old after a while since i still go there at least once a week!) and this list looks fantastic!! thanks!
i guess the oc is pretty ok.
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Oh man, you are making me SUPER homesick. I think I've done (almost) all of those things :)
And yum! we grew up on Wahoos. My sister even worked there! (the one in Costa Mesa by The Lab)
Hi, I love your blog. Didn't know your family is from Orange. Me too! Take care and keep blogging.
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