Star Vu Drive-In - Things to Do in Orange County 37

Movies in your Car! Enjoy the Drive-In Theater at the OC Fair & Event Center!

At the OC Fair & Event Center, you can snuggle in your car and watch a move at a Drive-In theater. The seats (or parking spaces) are first-come-first-serve basis, so if you want a good seat in the front, be sure to get to the Drive-In early. You’ll need to wait in line in your car by the gate until the people there let you in. Once you get the ok to go in, you’ll move forward to the ticket sales area then to the parking space. Just follow orders, and you should be good to go. For those of you who drive around in a big trucks or SUV, depending on the number of audience, you may need to park in the back so the others can see.

Once you are in the Drive-In, you can park forward or backward. Whichever way you prefer is okay with the Drive-In. If you have a car with a hatch back or a pickup truck, you may want to consider parking backward to watch the move from the back of the car. That’s exactly what we did, and we relaxed in the back part of the car, made ourselves a little bed, and enjoyed the movie. Others who had a truck had a mattress in the back to watch it from there. Whatever you decide to do, watching a movie from your car has a special feeling, and it’s really fun!

You’ll need to use your FM Radio in the car for the movie. They use a radio frequency to broadcast the movie here. I was worried about the battery because you need to shut off your engine, but everything was fine when the movie ended. If you’re worried about your batteries of your car, you may want to bring a portable radio so that you can listen to the movie there.

They say you aren’t allowed to bring any food or drinks into the Drive-In, but they rarely check for it. We brought our own snacks and drinks that we got from Walgreens before the movie. I love watching movies with my Raisinets! Of course you can buy hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks at the Drive-In, if you aren’t a cheapskate like me. :)

This is a once in a lifetime kind of experience, and you need to go check it out with your family, friends, or loved ones. It sure is a lot of fun!

*Update: It looks like Star Vu is closed for a few months. Come back and check out the website in a few weeks to see its status!

Star Vu Drive-In
http://www.star-vu.com/

88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Adult: $8.50
Children: $5
Children 5 and Under: Free

Open: Wednesday – Sunday Nights

Catalina Island - Things to Do in Orange County 36

Enjoy the Nature or an Activity Filled Day at the Catalina Island!

A popular resort destination for Orange County residents is the Catalina Island. Because of its popularity during the weekend or summer, it can be difficult to get hotel or ferry reservations to the Catalina Island during its peak season. Marilyn Monroe has actually visited the Catalina Island as part of her honeymoon as well!

Using the ferry that departs out of Newport Beach, it will take a little over an hour to get to the Catalina Island.
The Catalina Island is protected to preserve its natural beauty. So you’ll find beautiful views and scenery when you arrive here.

On the Catalina Island, you won’t see a single car. All of the residents drive around in a little golf cart to get around the city. A visitor can easily rent a cart as well. Since it isn’t a big island, the cart should get you to where ever you want to go on the island. I guess it’s all part of the nature preserving efforts.

If you are an athlete, you can also try getting around on a bicycle as well.

The Catalina Island is filled with things you can do. You can take part in a rafting tour, go snorkeling, ride on a kayak, go parasailing, or even go sky diving on the island. The Catalina Island will always keep you busy with all the things you can do here.

You’ll find gift shops and restaurants around the coast of the Catalina Island. When the tourists are not visiting, the Catalina Island is a nice quiet town. The hotels are all relatively small in size, and they all resemble something of a Bed & Breakfast Inn. It’s a great place to come and relax.
The symbolic Casino of Catalina Island is now a museum and you’ll need to pay an admission fee to get in.

The Catalina Island is a great place for Orange County Residents to come and relax!

Access to Catalina Island from Orange County:

・Ferry Departing out of Newport Beach
Catalina Flyer
Adult Roundtrip Fare $61
Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes

・Ferry Departing from Dana Point
Catalina Express
Adult Roundtrip Fare $61

Catalina Island
http://www.catalina.com/main.html

San Onofre State Beach - Things to Do in Orange County 35

A Surf Mecca– San Onofre State Beach

On the very Southern border of Orange County is a little beach called San Onofre State Beach. Next to the beach is world famous Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. You can also see the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station from the San Onofre State Beach.

San Onofre Beach is a Mecca for surfers. Surfers of any level whether just starting out or have been surfing for a long time can enjoy this great beach. Its waves are considered one of the best in Orange County, and even in the world.

The beach is a small walk after you park in the parking lot. You’ll need to cross a railroad track to get to the beach. The view is wonderful and to walk to the beach is just fantastic. Walking across the rail road track makes you feel good for some reason. It’s a cool feeling. The track is actually a working railroad track, and you’ll see Amtrak trains passing by at least a few times a day.

The Trestles is a collection of surf spots famous to surfers at the San Onofre State Beach. The Trestles include Uppers, Lowers, Old Man's, Churches, and Cotton's surf spots. Lower Trestles is the standout and the waves here are considered by surfers to be one of best in the world. Their long steady waves make it easy for a beginner and good for a novice to enjoy a long ride.
Because of this great condition, you’ll find a bunch of surfers here all year long!

You can also set up your gear and enjoy a day of camp here on the San Mateo Campgrounds.
And lastly, it’s been told that there is actually a nude beach on the very Southern edge of the San Onofre State Beach. I’ve never seen it myself, but it’s one of those great myths of Orange County! Maybe you can go check it out for yourself to see if it really exists.

San Onofre Beach or often called the “Tresltes” is a surfing Mecca for surfers from around the world!

San Onofre State Beach
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=647
San Clemente, CA 92672
Exit I-5 at Basilone Road
Parking: $10 per day

Sherman Library & Garden - Things to Do in Orange County 34

Enjoy a Lovely Garden and Terrace at the Sherman Library & Garden

At the Sherman Library & Garden in Corona Del Mar, you can relax to enjoy their beautifully landscaped garden on a nice sunny day. This lovely garden in South Orange County is where locals go to hang out and relax.
The Sherman Library & Garden used to be a personal residence, but since 1966 it has been accessible to the public.

The garden isn’t that big compared to the Huntington Library. It has got a greenhouse, a rose garden, and a cactus garden on it. There is also a gift shop at the Sherman Library and Garden where you can pick up a small gift. Around the fountain, you’ll see beautiful flowers blooming, and you can sit and relax, staring at the flowers all day long. :)

The Sherman Library & Garden is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only. And the Library only includes books from the South Pacific.

You can also enjoy lunch here at the Café Jardin. Reservation is recommended here at the café to ensure you a seat when you get there. All of the seats face the garden, so the view that you can enjoy with your meal is excellent! Enjoy your afternoon here with great conversations, excellent food, and a beautiful garden.

Sherman Library & Garden is located in the city of Corona del Mar in South Orange County. Hope you have a chance to visit soon!

Sherman Library & Garden
2647 East Pacific Coast Highway
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
http://www.slgardens.org/default.asp

Admission: $3

Hours: 10:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. daily
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day.

Library - Tues., Wed., & Thurs.9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Parking: Free

Cafe Jardin
Monday - Friday, 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Sunday Brunch: 10:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
For Reservations (949) 673-0033