Guidebook for Mission Viejo
Food Scene
Taco Mesa
647 W 19th StGood, reasonably-priced Mexican food close to the house.
Casa Ranchero
25606 Crown Valley PkwyGood Mexican food, and Casa Ranchero has a great bar.
Thai smile Rancho Santa Margarita
29851 AventuraExcellent Thai food; inexpensive to moderately priced
Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine
27522 Antonio PkwyTasty vegan food
P.F. Chang's
321 W Katella AveVery good Chinese food with nice bar
Large menu with many inexpensive to moderately priced options; excellent deserts
188 habitants recommandent
The Cheesecake Factory
321 W Katella AveLarge menu with many inexpensive to moderately priced options; excellent deserts
Ruby's Diner
1 Balboa PierGood burgers, shakes, and fries
Nick's Laguna Beach
440 S Coast HwyAll-around excellent food and drinks; moderately priced
The Beach House
647 South Coast HighwayAs close to "on the water" as it gets. Amazing food, drinks, and sunsets
Amazing place for drinks and/or dinner; the views of the ocean and the sunset from the rooftop lounge are spectacular
56 habitants recommandent
The Rooftop Lounge
1289 S Coast HwyAmazing place for drinks and/or dinner; the views of the ocean and the sunset from the rooftop lounge are spectacular
Excellent food, great crowd. Portions on the smaller side and expensive.
28 habitants recommandent
Javier's
536 Spectrum Center DrExcellent food, great crowd. Portions on the smaller side and expensive.
On the San Clemente Pier, great for seafood. Great when the surf is high or it's stormy.
87 habitants recommandent
Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar San Clemente
611 Avenida VictoriaOn the San Clemente Pier, great for seafood. Great when the surf is high or it's stormy.
India Cook House
14130 Culver DrAmbiance is lacking, but this place has the best Indian food around.
Darya
3800 S Plaza DrGreat Persian food...
OPAH Seafood Grill
26851 Aliso Creek RdGreat food, very good bar, and nice ambiance - expensive
Sundried Tomato
31781 Camino CapistranoExcellent food in historic San Juan Capistrano
Our favorite place for a special occasion breakfast/brunch.
18 habitants recommandent
Ramos House Cafe
31752 Los Rios StOur favorite place for a special occasion breakfast/brunch.
Kanpai Sushi
27742 Antonio ParkwaySolid sushi close to the house.
Great place for breakfast or brunch across from the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Sit on the patio.
7 habitants recommandent
Cedar Creek Inn
26860 Ortega HwyGreat place for breakfast or brunch across from the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Sit on the patio.
Traditional and unusual pizzas, close to the house. Good for take out.
8 habitants recommandent
zpizza
10035 Adams AveTraditional and unusual pizzas, close to the house. Good for take out.
Cinnamon Productions Bakery Cafe
25672 Crown Valley ParkwayWe've never been, but heard it's fantastic.
Excellent steaks, seafood and California cuisine. The views of Dana Point Harbor are impressive.
56 habitants recommandent
Chart House
34442 Street of the Green LanternExcellent steaks, seafood and California cuisine. The views of Dana Point Harbor are impressive.
Tabu Grill
2892 South Coast HighwaySmall intimate place with excellent food.
Zinc Cafe & Market
3222 East Coast HwyExcellent unique vegetarian in Laguna Beach.
The best way to go for burgers and fries. Simple menu, great prices. Great for take out.
14 habitants recommandent
In-N-Out Burger
28782 Camino CapistranoThe best way to go for burgers and fries. Simple menu, great prices. Great for take out.
Caspian Restaurant
26772 Culver DrAmbiance lacking, but this Persian food restaurant is amazing.
The best fast food Greek food around. Great for lunch or take out dinner. The Giro's are amazing.
Surfin Souvlaki
28171 Marguerite PkwyThe best fast food Greek food around. Great for lunch or take out dinner. The Giro's are amazing.
Eva's Caribbean Kitchen
The best Caribbean food in the area.
Madison Square & Garden Cafe
320 N Coast HwyGreat for breakfast or lunch in Laguna Beach.
Best burger in OC. My brother's friend and wife own the restaurant.
15 habitants recommandent
The Riders Club Cafe
1701 N El Camino RealBest burger in OC. My brother's friend and wife own the restaurant.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
8956 Trautwein RdHealthier Mexican fast food.
Entertainment & Activities
Parc Disneyland
1313 Disneyland DrAlways a must, 30 minutes from the house.
Sea World Drive
Sea World DriveGreat for the kids.
Zoo de San Diego
2920 Zoo DrThe best zoo we have been to.
LEGOLAND California
One Legoland DrFun place for the day with kids.
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach BlvdSecond most popular amusement park in Orange County.
Lyon Air Museum
19300 Ike Jones RdSmall air museum 25 minutes from the house.
Roller coaster heaven, about 1.5 hours from the house.
716 habitants recommandent
Six Flags Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain PkwyRoller coaster heaven, about 1.5 hours from the house.
Movie-themed amusement park about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the house.
3326 habitants recommandent
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaMovie-themed amusement park about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the house.
Great afternoon for the kids and the kid in the adult.
27 habitants recommandent
K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts, Lieu d'événement d'entreprise, Activités de renforcement d'équipe
17221 Von Karman AveGreat afternoon for the kids and the kid in the adult.
Essentials
Amazing food experience; however, very expensive (hence the nickname "Whole Paycheck."
57 habitants recommandent
Whole Foods Market
283 Broadway StAmazing food experience; however, very expensive (hence the nickname "Whole Paycheck."
Inexpensive and wholesome gourmet food selections with more and more organic options. Our favorite place to shop for groceries!
10 habitants recommandent
Trader Joe's
25410 Marguerite PkwyInexpensive and wholesome gourmet food selections with more and more organic options. Our favorite place to shop for groceries!
Albertsons
27702 Crown Valley PkwyVery close and convenient
Small and well-stocked health food store about 20 minutes from the house; excellent prices.
96 habitants recommandent
Mother's Market & Kitchen
19770 Beach BlvdSmall and well-stocked health food store about 20 minutes from the house; excellent prices.
The most amazing Persian market in the region. Get the sangiak bread when you walk in the door. There is always a line for this bread. Visit the deli for your choice of amazing ethnice food.
28 habitants recommandent
Wholesome Choice Market
18040 Culver DrThe most amazing Persian market in the region. Get the sangiak bread when you walk in the door. There is always a line for this bread. Visit the deli for your choice of amazing ethnice food.
When we're in the Costa Mesa area, this is the best place to buy fresh seafood. Ask them for a bag of ice to keep your purchase cold and fresh.
19 habitants recommandent
Santa Monica Seafood (Market & Cafe)
154 E 17th StWhen we're in the Costa Mesa area, this is the best place to buy fresh seafood. Ask them for a bag of ice to keep your purchase cold and fresh.
Mitsuwa Marketplace - Costa Mesa
665 Paularino AveThe best Japanese market in the area.
Jordan Market
24771 Alicia ParkwaySmall well-stocked Persian Market 15 minutes from the house.
El Molino De Oro
31886 Del Obispo StDeli with fresh and hot Mexican food. Check out the pan dulce (Mexican sweetbread)
Everything Else
Mission Hospital Emergency Room
27700 Medical Center RdFull-service medical center with ER
MemorialCare Medical Group Urgent Care
31001 Rancho Viejo RdWalk-in Medical Clinic
CVS
27702 Crown Valley PkwyFull-service pharmacy with beauty and health products
Exclusive, 5-star hotel with amazing views of the ocean; excellent bar and appetizers, great place for a special occasion
74 habitants recommandent
Spa Montage Laguna Beach
30801 Coast HwyExclusive, 5-star hotel with amazing views of the ocean; excellent bar and appetizers, great place for a special occasion
US Post Office
13761 Goldenwest StClosest US Post Office to the house
Crescent Bay Beach
Great beach.
1000 Steps Beach
1000 Steps BeachGreat hidden beach.
Parc de la plage principale
The most popular beach in Laguna.
Excellent place to see contemporary art; has a fantastic Biennial dedicated to California artists - visit their website for exhibition information
66 habitants recommandent
Orange County Museum of Art
3333 W Sunflower AveExcellent place to see contemporary art; has a fantastic Biennial dedicated to California artists - visit their website for exhibition information
Musée d'art du comté de Los Angeles
5905 Wilshire BlvdGreat museum in LA.
Le Getty
1200 Getty Center DrAmazing museum in West LA.
Shopping
Indoor mall; accessible for all budgets; 5 minutes from the house
59 habitants recommandent
The Shops At Mission Viejo
Shops At Mission ViejoIndoor mall; accessible for all budgets; 5 minutes from the house
Outdoor mall with many shops, restaurants, and a movie theater; accessible for all budgets; about 15 minutes drive from the house
554 habitants recommandent
Irvine Spectrum Center
Outdoor mall with many shops, restaurants, and a movie theater; accessible for all budgets; about 15 minutes drive from the house
The premiere indoor shopping mall in Orange County; accessible for most budgets, although one wing of the mall features very exclusive, high-end retailers; about a 30 minute drive from the house
95 habitants recommandent
Brookstone
3333 Bristol StreetThe premiere indoor shopping mall in Orange County; accessible for most budgets, although one wing of the mall features very exclusive, high-end retailers; about a 30 minute drive from the house
Premiere outdoor mall in Newport Beach. Great place to shop and dine in the summer months.
719 habitants recommandent
Newport Center/Fashion Island
401 Newport Center DrPremiere outdoor mall in Newport Beach. Great place to shop and dine in the summer months.
The Lab Anti-Mall
2930 Bristol StSmall alternative outdoor mall in Costa Mesa.
Costco Wholesale
33961 Doheny Park Rd10 minutes from the house at Crown Valley Parkway and I-5
Arts & Culture
Musée Bowers
2002 N Main StSmall, close and always has an interesting show.
Discovery Cube Orange County
2500 N Main StAnother great spot for kids.
Small museum, great place to visit when you're in Laguna Beach.
43 habitants recommandent
Laguna Art Museum
307 Cliff DrSmall museum, great place to visit when you're in Laguna Beach.
Sightseeing
1 hour 45 minutes from the house via the 241 toll road. Great place to visit for shopping, art, vintage antiques from October-May. If you don't mind the heat, visit June-September.
527 habitants recommandent
Palm Springs
57096 Twentynine Palms Highway1 hour 45 minutes from the house via the 241 toll road. Great place to visit for shopping, art, vintage antiques from October-May. If you don't mind the heat, visit June-September.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
26801 Ortega HwyA jewel in the California Mission system.
Take the ferry from Newport Beach. Great place to snorkel, dive, beach and sightsee.
16 habitants recommandent
Santa Catalina Island
Take the ferry from Newport Beach. Great place to snorkel, dive, beach and sightsee.