» BEST
DOWNTOWN
1. Orange Mile-square area surrouning Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue; Cityoforange.org If downtown Orange looks familiar to you, well, it should. The historic streets of Old Town Orange has served as the backdrop for everything from Oscar Meyer and Snapple commercials to movies such as “Gumball Rally,” “Crimson Tide,” “That Thing You Do” and “Big Mama’s House.” That’s a byproduct of Old Towne Orange containing the largest Nationally Registered Historical District in California. Buildings in the historic district date to the 19th century. That creates a natural habitat for the numerous antique dealers sprinkled throughout downtown Orange, making the area a natural stomping ground for collectors and antique aficionados. The iconic Plaza Park fountain provides downtown Orange’s central landmark, lending more historical street cred with its 19th-century origin. You can go right from that fountain to enjoy
MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Friends toast with their margaritas and beers at Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar in Orange. Old Towne Orange offers foodies more than 50 restaurants and bars. 21st century creations like sports bars and brew pubs, as the area boasts more than 50 food and drink establishments. It’s easy to imagine the reaction of a 19th century person if he was somehow
transported to today’s downtown Orange. Would he migrate to one of the numerous antique spots? Nearby Chapman College, which gives Old Towne Orange that collegetown feel? Or restaurants
2. Huntington Beach
3. Fullerton
Yes, there’s the ubiquitous beach vibe that dominates the downtown area. That explains the numerous surf shops, bike rental shops and the International Surfing Museum, which houses the legendary Duke Kahanamoku’s surfboard, among other artifacts. What else would you expect from Surf City, USA? Well, how about Tuesday night’s Surf City Nights that turn downtown into a street fair and farmers market? There’s oceanfront-view shopping
Few downtowns in Southern California have enjoyed a Phoenix-esque renaissance like Fullerton’s. The 20-plus year process revitalized what was once a past-its-prime city center. Now, downtown Fullerton combines culture and history with a burgeoning nightlife supplied by a growing number of restaurants across the culinary spectrum, bars and nightclubs. Ample parking throughout the downtown area nurtures that nightlife, providing options
Main Street off Pacific Coast Highway and nearby areas; hbdowntown.com at the Pacific City shopping and dining center, offering everything from brand-names like Urban Outfitters and Tommy Bahama to locally owned boutiques and shops. One of the best ways to see all downtown offers is via a 90-minute historical walking tour that encompasses more than a century of the beach city’s downtown history. The tour begins at the pier and ends at the site of the iconic Golden Bear music venue, which was demolished in 1987.
featuring everything from Italian cuisine to Southern California-based fare? One thing is certain. Visitors from any century would not want for things to do.
–Brian Robin
Area bounded by Chapman Avenue, Highland Avenue, the train tracks and Lemon Street; cityoffullerton.com for every taste and palate. The culture comes from such city touchstones as Fullerton Union High School’s historic auditorium and the Fullerton Museum Center, which provides perspective and information on all things Fullerton, from the extensive Golden Books collection to the Leo Fender Gallery. That exhibit tells the story of a local radio repair shop owner who became an internationally recognized maestro of sound via his guitars and amplifiers.
10 THE BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY SEPTEMBER 2021
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