1. Orange
Mile-square area with Plaza Park at Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue at its center; cityoforange.org
Years ago, the City of Orange made the decision to save and retain the core of its downtown in all its old-timey authenticity. In making historic preservation a guiding value and keeping its downtown like a time capsule, Orange remains a go-to destination for residents and visitors alike.
Orange consistently ranks high among Orange County residents with its active and bustling entertainment and business district.
“Our historic downtown gives visitors a sense that they’re in a safe, charming American small town of yesteryear, while making you forget you’re in the middle of suburbia,” said Orange Mayor Dan Slater.
From the moment you wander into the Plaza Square, with its historic fountain and traffic rotary, it’s like being transported into another era. Radiating from the plaza is the one-square-mile Old Towne historic district, with more than 1,300 homes and businesses, making it the largest National Register District in California, since its addition in 1997.
The American Planning Association designated the Plaza area a “Great Place in America,” saying, “First laid out in 1880, The Plaza is the social and cultural heart of the City of Orange. The proximity of the surrounding neighborhoods contributes to the role that it plays as the community’s living room.”
The business area bustles with antiquing, shopping and dining with 24 antique shops, 29 specialty shops and more than 50 restaurants and cafes.
— Greg Mellen
2. Huntington Beach
Main Street off Pacific Coast Highway and nearby areas, 714-969-3492,; hbdowntown.com, surfcityusa.com
It’s what frames the commercial corridor of downtown Huntington Beach that truly elevates the always bustling area on the destination list for both tourists and locals.
With the drop dead beauty of the expansive Main Beach and historic pier as its front porch, not to mention the thriving Pacific City mall immediately south, the Surf City identity runs deep through the downtown area.
The downtown commercial corridor is filled with trendy bars, eateries and retail shops that carry the beach vibe and offer “the quintessential Surf City experience.” Not to mention the iconic Jack’s Surboards and Huntington Surf & Sport shops and Duke Kahanamoku statue on Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street and the nearby International Surfing Museum.
A variety of year-round events, such as Surf City Nights, a weekly street fair and farmer’s market, the Fourth of July Parade and fireworks keep downtown jumping .
3. Fullerton
Area bounded by Chapman Avenue, Highland Avenue, the train tracks and Santa Fe Train Depot and Lemon Street; 714-738-6300; cityoffullerton.com
Fullerton strives to keep in touch with its roots. And while it may lack some of the cohesion of some old towns, the city has preserved the best examples of its architectural history, with 70 historic buildings popping out to visitors like gems of period architecture.
Founded in 1887, Fullerton has balanced the past with modernization in a downtown that is both historic and happening.
Historic highlights include the Santa Fe District and Fullerton Railway Plaza and train museum, Chapman Building, VIlla del Sol, Fox Theatre, and the award-winning Fullerton Museum Center. “Pastoral California,” is a 1934 New Deal era fresco that was painted over then restored in 1997.
No need to overdose on history, however, there are also 40 restaurants and numerous trendy shops spread over 350,000-square-feet of retail space.
