Summer Vacation by Car: Orange County

Pack up the family and drive south an hour to Newport Beach, two hours to Dana Point, or any Orange County city in between. We have compiled a list of resorts overlooking the Southern California coast and some of the best restaurants in Orange County that your family is sure to enjoy. Check them out below!  

RESORTS

LAGUNA BEACH 

Laguna is a small coastal city in Orange County. It’s famous for its art galleries, oceanside coves and beaches, state parks, and pristine ocean views.     

Montage Laguna Beach

The Montage Laguna Beach spans 30 acres on a bluff overseeing the Pacific Ocean. It’s location, views, and stunning Craftsman-style architecture make it one of the world’s most beautiful hotels. Along with a fantastic beachfront, and miles of trails, there are two pools, a 20,000 square feet spa and three restaurants. 

Surf and Sand Resort 

Located directly on 500 feet of beachfront this award-winning resort features 164 guest rooms and 13 suites. There is also a complete spa, exquisite coastal dining, event center, and more sitting right on the beach.  It’s just steps from the quaint town of Laguna Beach. Guests rave about the service. You’re sure to be pampered here! 

NEWPORT BEACH

Newport is known for its large harbor, the Balboa Peninsula, the Balboa Fun Zone Amusement Park, pristine beaches, Fashion Island shopping mall, and more.

Resort at Pelican Hill

This Italian Revival-style resort hotel is perched on 504 acres overlooking the  Newport Beach coast. This luxury resort features spacious bungalows, guest rooms, and villas. It’s 136-foot diameter circular Coliseum Pool is entirely surfaced with hand-cut glass mosaic tiles.  There are two 18 hole Tom Fazio-designed golf courses and a five-star spa. 

Lido House Hotel 

The authentic beach house experience gets reimagined at Lido House, Autograph Collection, a luxury hotel nestled on Lido Isle in Newport Beach. Situated near Lido Marina Village and Balboa Peninsula, the hotel is perfectly positioned on the water to discover Newport Beach’s vibrant atmosphere, bustling marina, and white-sand beaches.     

DANA POINT

Dana Point is a quaint coastal town. It features a marina with great restaurants and shops, golf courses, trails, parks, beautiful coastlines, and world-class resorts. 

Monarch Beach Resort

The Monarch Beach Resort In Dana Point features 400 guest rooms with private balconies or patios overlooking a beautiful pool, golf courses, parks, and the Pacific Ocean. There is a full-service spa where you can enjoy a massage, body treatment, or facial after a day at the beach, in the pool or a round of golf. This five-star resort boasts six restaurants and a coffee shop/cafe.     

Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel

The Ritz Carlton sits on a bluff just above the Pacific Ocean in Dana Point. This beachfront resort allows guests to walk down and enjoy the beach, escape to one of the many private parks like sitting areas, swim in the pools, enjoy oceanfront fine dining, go to the spa, hike, golf, and more! 

RESTAURANTS

Nick’s Laguna Beach

440 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Known for the fresh seafood, juicy steaks, and melt-in-your-mouth butter cake, Nick’s is a spot where both locals and tourists collide. It’s that good. 

 

The Dock

2816 LaFayette Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92663 

The Dock is a quaint waterfront restaurant. The infused Continental Menu is creative, and approachable with a harmony of well-balanced flavors and seasonal ingredients. We recommend their fresh fish, pork chop, and all of the sides. 

 

Andrea at Pelican Hill 

22701 S Pelican Hill Rd, Newport Coast, CA 92657

When you think of upscale Italian fare, you think of Andrea at Pelican Hill. Homemade pasta, an extravagant wine list, fresh caviar, and some of the best barrel-aged risotto presented to you in a cheese barrel at the table.