For those who can make only one stop in Corona del Mar, make it the Corona del Mar State Beach. This area alone can make everyone fall in love with CdM, a laid-back multi-million-dollar neighborhood accented by the Pacific, with streets lined by palm trees and flower beds. On the bluff, three signs mark beach access: Lookout Point, Main Beach and Inspiration Point. Each point has a different view, but all share Catalina Island in the background, and Newport Bay and Balboa Island in the foreground. A few steps towards the south end of Ocean Boulevard is a secluded cove near the Robert E. Badham Marine Life Refuge, and some of the most extravagant mansions follow.

Huntington State Beach is one of the best beaches in southern California. It is popular with both locals and tourists alike. It has barbecue pits that are used year-round but especially in the summer as well as fire rings that can be used for bonfires. Avid surfers will relish the opportunities for surfing offered by the beach. Fishing, birdwatching and swimming are some other recreational options here. Keep your eyes peeled for California Brown Pelicans.

El Muelle de la Playa Huntington, que se adentra unos 565 metros en el Océano Pacífico, es uno de los muelles más largos de la Costa Oeste. Esta atracción recibe a millones de personas cada año y reúne una multitud un tanto excéntrica. En esta zona también se celebran varios eventos muy importantes, como el US Open de surf en julio, la Fiesta de los Cometas en febrero, y el Derby de Pesca de Huck Finn en agosto. Además, la gente encontrará excelentes restaurantes en ambos extremos del muelle. El bullicioso paseo Oceanview Promenade se encuentra justo al otro lado de la autopista Pacific Coast.

The picturesque Orange coast is home to a wide variety of marine animals. Established in 1971 with the aim of rehabilitating such marine mammals along the coast of Orange County, Pacific Marine Mammal Center is an excellent rescue facility. Volunteers work hard to nurse the creatures back to health until they are strong enough to go back to their natural environment. Visitors to the facility can get an overview of the site as well as meet the mammals.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is a locals' favorite for hiking and biking, particularly during spring when a spectrum of wild flowers bloom. Two entrances are available. One is at the junction of El Toro Road and Aliso Creek Road where limited street parking is available for free. Despite its isolation from the majority of the park, this area features Barbara's Lake, Orange County's only natural lake. The other entrance is across Laguna Canyon, by the junction of Laguna Canyon Road and El Toro Road. Although there is no free parking, you can head straight to Crystal Cove from here. With "wilderness" in its name, no pets are allowed in the park. Some residents you may have the pleasure of seeing are deer, mountain lions, and snakes.

This is a non-profit botanical garden situated on 26 gorgeous acres of the California State University Fullerton. Botanical collections are sectioned into zones: the temperate zone, the tropical zone and the arid zone. There is a rare fruit grove featuring subtropical fruits like cherimoyas, kiwis, papayas, guavas and rare citrus varieties. The Children's Garden is the site for educational programs and hands-on fun. Also on the grounds is the Heritage House, an Eastlake Victorian cottage built in 1894 by Dr. George C. Clark, an early Fullerton physician, as his home and office. There is a lot of nature and a little bit of history here, making for a wonderful outing. Although admission is free, a voluntary donation is suggested.

A pocos metros del barullento centro de la playa Laguna, este parque es un increíble oasis escondido. El risco cubierto de follaje y la playa de arenas blancas, con rocas enormes y cavernas escondidas, hacen de este parque uno de los favoritos de los fotógrafos, recién casados, amantes del atardecer y de los picnics (hay parrillas, pero el primero es quien se queda) e incluso aves marinas. También los visitantes encontrarán una variedad de puestos donde podrán comprar piezas de artesanía local. Estén atentos a los bancos tallados, únicos en su clase. El parque Heisler es conocido como uno de los mejores en el condado Orange.

En realidad, no hay mil pasos desde la autopista hasta la playa; hay 227. Pero así y todo, es una buena caminada, en especial cuando se va en subida. Esta playa escondida es la favorita de los surfistas y de los enamorados. También verán mucha gente haciendo ejercicio, subiendo y bajando las escaleras. No es el lugar más práctico si uno tiene hijos pequeños o si lleva muchas cosas, así que lo que se recomienda es venir con algún ser querido y disfrutar de la tranquilidad de la playa. Se puede estacionar junto a la calle.