Orange County
maintains a number of free public beaches.
Orange County is home to miles of sand and surf, a famous mouse and an angelic baseball team. Many of Orange County's attractions carry a price tag, but a number of fun and family-friendly activities don't cost a dime. When you're looking for no-cost activities, fit one of these free attractions into your travel plans.
The Beach
Orange Country is home to miles of sandy beaches. Capistrano is known for volleyball and relaxation, while Newport is a haven for boaters. The most famous beach may be Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City USA. Grab your buckets and shovels to build a sandcastle, watch surfers hang ten, walk the pier at sunset or window shop on the city's main street, just across the street from the beach itself.
Huntington Beach
8.5 miles of beach along the west coast of Orange County
Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway
surfcityusa.com/
Great Park Balloon
It's not easy to find a helium balloon ride, never mind a free balloon ride. But at Orange County's Great Park, you have the opportunity to rise 400 feet into the air to observe the beauty of Great Park and Orange County. The environmentally-safe balloon holds 25 to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Days of operation are Thursday through Sunday with closures on major holidays. While the ride is free, those who choose to drive may have to pay a fee for parking.
Great Park Balloon
Sand Canyon and Marine Way
Irvine, California 92618
866-829-3829
ocgp.org/visit/balloon/
Fullerton Arboretum
Gardeners and plant lovers won't want to miss out on the more than 4,000 plants contained within the 26 acres of the Fullerton Arboretum. The Arboretum offers beauty and relaxation in its Cultivated, Desert, Mediterranean and Woodlands plant collections. Educational opportunities abound, with the Arboretum offering regular garden tours, special classes and a staffed nature center. The Children's Garden is a special place for little ones to learn about seasonal gardening and farming.
Fullerton Arboretum
1900 Associated Road
Fullerton, CA 92831
(657) 278-3407
fullertonarboretum.org/home.php
Bowers Museum
Santa Ana's Bowers Museum features a collection of more than 130,000 works of art. Highlights include Native American art, Art of Asia and nearly 2,000 paintings from the late 19th century to the present. A rotating selection of permanent and visiting exhibitions ensures that each trip to Bowers Museum holds something new. Entrance to the museum is free on the first Sunday of every month; and Santa Ana residents can also visit free of charge on the third Tuesday of each month.
Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
714-567-3600
www.bowers.org/
Summer Concerts in the Park
When the weather is warm and sunny, Orange County residents and visitors head to the park. Cities in the county each offer a bustling schedule of free music and fun at a variety of park locations. The annual Summer Concerts in the Park program presents all types of music from classic and modern rock to tribute bands, orchestras and Motown. Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy the sounds of an Orange County summer.
Various locations throughout the county
orangecounty.net/html/events_concerts.html
Tags: Orange County, Bowers Museum, Great Park, Fullerton Arboretum, balloon ride