Labor Day Activities in Orange County

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With Labor Day for most people signalling the end of summer, it’s best to go out with a bang on the long weekend before fall kicks in. We asked our partner, Homestayme who are based in Newport for their local tips on how to spend Labor Day like a local as well as what to do as a lover of the outdoors in this beautiful Californian hotspot.

Naturally they wisely advised us that before you go anywhere, you’ll need to grab breakfast to make the most of your day. Start your morning off with some delicious gourmet doughnuts from Side Car Doughnuts on East 17th Street, Costa Mesa to get your sugar and caffeine fix then head down to the coast to Newport Bay to breathe in the sea air and soak up the fun-loving atmosphere. Waffleholic on Superior Avenue is another favourite for a breakfast sugar rush.

pink doughnuts from side car doughnuts in costa mesa

Image courtesy of L.A Foodie.

Chill out at Balboa Peninsula and Island

Known to the locals as simply “The Peninsula”, Balboa Peninsula forms the barrier to Newport Bay and is a great spot by day or by night for a bite to eat and a stroll along the seafront. For many who have never been to Los Angeles, these will be familiar because of the memorable, colourful Ferris wheel in the Balboa Fun Zone. Stroll up and down the promenade, or nab a bike or your roller blades and cruise along the peninsula. Balboa Island is only a short ferry ride from the peninsula and has a beautiful boardwalk that encircles the island. It’s also a great place for water sports and excursions from jet skiing to parasailing and longer trips out for fishing and whale watching.

If all that is whetting your appetite for the catch of the day, try out The Cannery, which his located on Lafayette Road, just off Newport and West Balboa Boulevards, where you can get some seriously delicious fresh fish dishes and sushi, as well as a great wine list.

Beaches away from the crowd

Corona del Mar beach in Orange County, California

Laguna Beach is definitely a great spot to head to for an afternoon by the shore followed by a meal out somewhere but it can get quite crowded and is most definitely the beach most tourists hear of. If you’re looking for somewhere different Corona del Mar is a great spot for families with the added bonus of ample parking nearby. After a day taking in the sea air, head to Bandera for their slow-cooked rotisserie chicken and top it all off with their banana cream pie.

For something more off the beaten track, Crystal Cove beach is a lesser-known gem located between Corona del Mar and Laguna beaches. As well as some stunning coves and reefs for you to explore, the coastal hiking trails are a great way to take in the views of the Pacific Ocean. If you're idea of a day at the beach is more wave-riding than sun bathing then Homestayme run surf lessons for all ages and abilities. Have a look at their website for a full breakdown of costs and times.

cyclist on the beach at crystal cove, california

Image courtesy of tinyfroglet.

Away from the Crowd

If Labor Day for you is an excuse to get away from the crowds downtown then there are a surprising number of spots that are off the beaten track around Orange County. The San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary has over 300 acres of peaceful wetlands and 12 miles of walking trails. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching or for any amateur photographers who are looking for a place to practice their skills. There are also guided tours of the area should you wish to know a little more about the centre. 5 Riparian View, Irvine.

Lodge at Bear Mountain in Irvine, California

Image courtesy of John Murphy.

For a more adventurous day out, Bear Mountain is a hiking and adventure centre at Big Bear Lake in the San Bernadino Mountains. In the summer months the park is a haven for mountain bikers and holiday makers can rent bikes on site if they don’t have their own. A golf course and several hiking trails are also available and Bear Mountain is a feasible day trip by car from Newport or anywhere in Orange County. In the winter season the area comes alive with downhill skiing and snowboarding classes as well as the mountain biking trails.

For a more detailed list of hiking trails in LA and Orange County, have a look at Nobody Hikes in LA for a thorough list of trails and difficulty levels of routes in the area.

And after a day enjoying the outdoors, we’re told that the best spot to finish off an evening is in Durty Nellys on Red Hill Avenue in Costa Mesa where you can get a great pint and if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even indulge in their karaoke evenings.


Do you want to book a homestay in Orange County? Browse our listings to find the host family that is right for you.

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