My dad has been living in Orange County (San Clemente) for 8 years now and I go out to visit him about two times per year and have quickly fallen in love with the area. If I was ever going to move anywhere it would be to Southern California. This past week my mom and step-dad rented a house near Dana Point (just south of Laguna Beach) for a week for a family vacation. For the first time since I started visiting 8 years ago I felt like I really knew my way around and had a good handle on the food spots I love, places to grab a coffee or matcha, great beaches to visit as well as kid-friendly spots. Below are my recommendations.

COFFEE / MATCHA:

• Juice Press (locations in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach) has an amazing Keto Coffee or Matcha that I love!
• Organic Tree Café (Dana Point) – superfood lattes!
• KIT (Newport Beach) – love their coffee
• Café Gratitude (Newport Beach) – head here for superfood lattes!
• Bear Coast Coffee (locations in Laguna Beach and San Clemente) – a large selection of coffee and lattes

FOOD:

• Juice Press (locations in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach) – love their smoothie and they happen to have the best waffles!
• Organic Tree Café (Dana Point)
• KIT (Newport Beach)
• Café Gratitude (Newport Beach) – delicious vegan food!
• Bear Coast Coffee (locations in Laguna Beach and San Clemente)
• Sejuiced (Corona Del Mar) – love their smoothie bowls!
• A Market (Newport Beach)
• True Food Kitchen (Newport Beach)
• Bear Flag Fish Co – the freshest seafood!
• Wild Taco
• Circle Hook for local and sustainable seafood
• Eat Drink Vibe (Newport Beach and Dana Point)
• Flower Child (Newport Beach)
• Malibu Farm
• Babette’s
• Pressed Juicery Freeze for something to satisfy your sweet tooth

*My favorite restaurants that aren’t notably ‘healthy’ but surely are notably GOOD:

• Starfish – incredible Asian cuisine
• Gen Kai – the best sushi I’ve ever had!
• Javier’s – amazing Mexican food on Newport Coast

GROCERY:

• Mother’s Market (wish there was one in Florida – love it so much)
• Whole Foods
• Sprouts
• Farmer’s Markets (San Clemente on Sunday or Irvine on Saturday are the two I’ve been to, but there are SO many amazing farmer’s markets to check out.)

FITNESS:

• Mantra South OC (the best pilates reformer class)!
• Soul Cycle (Newport Beach)
• Pacific Blue Yoga
• Yoga Works (a few locations throughout Orange County)

BEACHES:

• Crystal Cove (Newport Beach)
• Shaw’s Cove (Laguna Beach)
• Victoria Beach (Laguna Beach)
• Diver’s Cove (Laguna Beach)
• T Street (San Clemente)
• The Beach at the San Clemente Pier

TO DO WITH KIDS:

• Walk around Fashion Island – there’s a koi pond that Emma loves!
• Irvine Spectrum Center – we love riding the train around
• Zoomar’s Petting Zoo – My girls loved feeding the animals and riding the train
• Balboa Island
• Explore Lido Marina Village 
• Visit the San Clemente pier – grab some ice cream while you’re there!
• Have a sunset picnic dinner on the beach
• Disney Land – about 25 – 45 minutes from Orange County depending on traffic
• Of course take your kids to all of the amazing beaches that I listed above as well!

ADULTING: (if you’re here without kids or have someone to watch your kids)

• The spa at The Monach Beach Resort (Miraval Spa located in Dana Point). Get a massage here and then treat yourself to a blowout at Drybar (located in the hotel as well)
• Shopping/dining at Lido Marina Village or boat rentals
• Shopping at Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa
• Visit the fabulous beaches I listed above
• Stroll through Laguna Beach – so many amazing art galleries, shops and restaurants
• Visit Dana Point Harbor