ESCAPE /// GUIDE “At Taco Maria, I want to honor my family’s culture and their hard work by making Mexican-inspired food while using the bounty of Southern California.” —CHEF CARLOS SALGADO
ORANGE COUNTY
For the Foodie
S H O W Y O U R FA M I LY THE VERY BEST OF OC
OC Has All Your Foodie-Bases Covered
@gritsfullerton
DYNAMIC DUO Every day at 5 p.m., Grits Fullerton turns into an Asian fusion pub called Grits Pub with dishes including sweet and spicy wings and fried dumplings.
TACO MARIA
On the Move • Prefer the oldfashioned way? Look into taking the toll roads to save time or the PCH for unbeatable views.
TACO MARIA
Ever yone glamorizes
• Pick up the pace around town and rent electric scooters to sightsee on the go.
sunny California and more specifically, Orange County. When
F OR YOU R TA C O L OV I N G C OU S I N Costa Mesa Voted Restaurant of the Year in 2018 by the LA Times, this taco shop has an awesome prix-fixe menu that will change Mexican food as you know it. TACO MARIA www.tacomaria.com
F OR YOU R M EATL OV I N G U N C L E Garden Grove The meats are smoked daily at this hole-in-the-wall barbecue favorite. If you dare, take on the “Kings Challenge,” you’ll get your meal for free, along with a T-Shirt and photo on the wall if completed. THE SMOKING RIBS www.thesmokingribs.com
FO R Y O U R BRU NCH-O BS E S S E D S IS TE R Fullerton Head over for a lifechanging brunch from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., seven days a week. They serve classic American comfort food, such as their house favorite: Pork Belly Benny. GRITS FULLERTON @gritsfullerton
FO R Y O U R V E GA N NIE CE Orange This vegan/vegetarian cafe is full of flavor thanks to filling dishes like stuffed French toast sandwiches and its colorful atmosphere. The cafe is decorated with vibrant art pieces to add to the coziness of Old Towne Orange. MEAD’S GREEN DOOR www.meadsgreendoor.com
@meadsgreendoorcafe
For the Shopper We Hope the Fashionistas Brought an Extra Suitcase A little retail therapy never hurts, and Orange County will have your guests covered whether they’re here just to peruse, or stuff their suitcase with SoCal finds. Everything at De Lany Clothing in Newport Beach is total boho chic and $18 or less without skimping out on quality. And there’s something for everyone at the outdoor Irvine Spectrum, from trendy boutiques to classics like Nordstrom—you’ll find it here! Have a big spender in town? Take them to Grayse, where they’ll fall in love with luxury items, including everything from evening wear to leather jackets. We’ll see you on the catwalk!
family comes to visit, they expect only the best beaches and the best weather. We’ve created the ultimate guide to all the great tourist spots and hidden gems in Orange
• No unnecessary trips to LAX—Orange County’s main facility is John Wayne Airport.
GRAYSE 231 Newport Center Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.640.0025 shop.mkgrayse.com
IRVINE SPECTRUM 670 Spectrum Center Dr Irvine, CA 92618 949.790.4871 irvinespectrumcenter.com
County. Your fam will be left with a full tummy, an empty bank account and an unforgettable holiday vacation. Written By: Allison Belda 50 LOCALE MAGAZINE
• Cruise along the coast via Amtrak from SD to San Francisco— hello, Pacific Coast!
DE LANY CLOTHING 306 Marine Ave, Ste D Newport Beach, CA 92662 949.791.2845 delanyclothing.com
Gorjana at Irvine Spectrum
Photos - Taco Maria: Provided by Taco Maria & Heather Young | Rancho Capistrano Winery: Guisepe Demasi | Monarch Beach Resort: Provided by Monarch Beach Resort | Keys on Main: Provided by Keys on Main
E