Orange County Adventure

Orange County, with all of its constituent cities, towns, and communities, covers a lot of physical territory. As a result, trying to tackle all the locales in an abbreviated burst of sightseeing could prove daunting, if not downright exhausting. To maximize your time enjoying LA's upscale southern neighbor, focus on Anaheim, which promotes theme parks, professional sports, and a handy selection of satisfying restaurants – you'll find plenty to keep you occupied and entertained.

If you'd like to immerse yourself in Disney, get an early start of it at either Disneyland_® Park or Disney's California Adventure_® Park. The former, Walt's original famed attraction, boasts all the familiar, much-loved districts, including Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown, and Main Street, USA. The latter, a more recent addition to the Mouse realm, caters to a post-childhood clientele who look for more than kid-oriented rides. Its districts highlight California mainstays like boardwalks and movie backlots and state regions like the Wine Country and the San Francisco Bay Area. Both of these Disney parks are rife with thrill rides, shows, restaurants, and spectacle galore. They can also easily fill entire days if you give yourself over to their charms.

If you're hoping to devote yourself to other Anaheim attractions, plan for a morning energy boost at Original Pancake House. The family business is well-equipped to satisfy eager taste buds, and rich ingredients will have your lips smacking in delight. The Dutch Baby, a puffy, sugar-dusted confection, is a house specialty, and homemade corned beef hash (made extra luscious with a touch of cream) is a far cry from the canned concoction that many people grew up with. Sure, you'll encounter a few calories in your meal, but when the vehicle is so delicious, who can complain?

With your stomach full, make the quick, mile-long trip to MUZEO, the reinvented institution that transformed itself from a local history museum into a cultural arts center. Hosting exhibits that tap into local interests and influences, MUZEO has regaled visitors with the lore and objects of imperial Rome and with Chicano art and heritage as reflected in the region. Other touched-on topics include Jane Goodall and her work with chimpanzees, the mystique of Africa, and photographs from the Sudan. The fascinating displays frequently showcase a timeliness and depth of subject matter that dovetail nicely, and they can always be counted on to raise more than a question or two in your mind.

As you reflect on what you've seen, travel about a mile and a half to Luigi's D'Italia. The family-run place is simply adorned and disarmingly casual, but its food is zesty and well-prepared, drawing on authentic Italian culinary traditions. Homemade sauces give the pastas character, as you'll see in a spunky puttanesca and robust arrabbiata. Pizzas are also scrumptious, as are chicken, veal, and seafood entrees. In addition, Luigi's will fashion special dishes on request, and best of all, prices are incredibly reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. Eat to your heart's content, and revel in the goodness.