The O.C. has diverse communities where you’ll find art museums, film festivals, ballet, opera, plus plenty of performance venues (many of them outdoor) for touring musicians and shows. Laguna Beach has a lively gallery scene, Newport a surfing museum, and Costa Mesa a performing arts center and professional theater group.

If you’re looking for quintessential Southern California beach towns, Orange County is the right place to be. There’s artsy Laguna Beach, surfing San Clemente, ritzy Newport Beach with its old-fashioned beachfront amusement park, and… Well, you get the picture.

Selecting a course in this region reminds us of an eight-year old child visiting one of Orange County’s famous amusement parks for the first time —anticipation, excitement and ultimately hyper-ventilating trying to decide which ride to go on first. Although one of the smallest regions in California, Orange County is chalk-full of diverse, interesting, and extremely well maintained golf courses.

Orange County’s beaches are its crown jewels, offering every kind of beach terrain and water sport, including excellent warm water sport fishing. Many beaches are also state parks, where you can hike, camp and watch for wildlife and birds. Speaking of birds, the largest coastal wetlands restoration project in Southern California is here, which up to 200 species visit each year.

Orange County’s restaurant scene, like that of its northern neighbor L.A., is tremendously varied and infused with the freshest ingredients from California’s land and sea. You’ll find cheap eats and fine cuisine from all over the world. Notable local favorites include date milkshakes, the Balboa Bar (from Balboa Island), and the world-famous O.C.-based In-and-Out Burger.

California has family-friendly fun for every member of your brood, young or old. From theme parks galore with the latest rides and roller coasters, to up-close encounters with animals and history alike, grab the relatives and hit the road for a groovy California getaway!