MUST SEE, DO
DISNEYLAND RESORT After reopening from the year-plus closure last spring due to the pandemic, the parks have gradually been restoring stage shows, nighttime spectaculars, and other entertainment. Galaxy’s Edge is the Magic Kingdom’s top draw now—who could pass up a smuggling operation on the Millennium Falcon or battling the First Order with the Resistance? Pixar, Marvel Comics (see the new Avengers Campus at California Adventure) and Twentieth Century Fox acquisitions may overshadow classic Disney characters, but princesses, witches and cute animals galore still enchant youngsters. There’s also the new Jessie’s Critter Carousel and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind ride at Pixar Pier.
disneyland.disney.go.com
ORANGE COUNTY GREAT PARK Marked by a huge orange balloon floating 400 feet overhead, the continually evolving 1,300-acre park is a family favorite offering open space, educational play areas, art galleries and studios, a playground and picnic area, 1.5 miles of walking/biking trails, an outdoor performance plaza and a weekly farmers’ market. In addition, there is a 194-acre Sports Complex with a championship soccer stadium, 25 tennis courts and amenities for a wide variety of sports. The latest addition is a public ice and training facility with one Olympic and three NHL regulation-sized rinks and a gym.
ocgp.org
LOT 579, HUNTINGTON BEACH Just south of “Surf City’s” downtown, steps from Huntington Beach Pier and the city’s famous sands, the sidewalk cafés and markets of this modern waterfront food hall offer 12 unique restaurants and eateries. Lot 579 is an anchor of Pacific City, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex. The communal space upstairs offers plenty of seating and a killer ocean view.
gopacificcity.com/lot579
LAGUNA BEACH’S PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS Art literally comes to life in the unique Pageant of the Masters, in which living actors take up positions against painted backdrops to recreate world masterpieces in eerie 3-D fidelity. It’s the pièce de résistance among the festivals, workshops, galleries and proliferation of public art in the picturesque beach town that began life in the early 1900s as a small artists’ colony. visitlagunabeach.com foapom.com
KNOTT’S BERRY FARM What started as a small berry farm grew into a family theme park destination. With attractions for all ages, the Park has four themed areas. The Old West Ghost Town is the heart and soul with cowboys, shootouts, shows and rides for all. Camp Snoopy is for young ones and features the “Peanuts” gang. Fiesta Village pays tribute to California’s Hispanic roots with Mexican-style architecture, food, and eyecatching works of art. Knott’s Boardwalk pays tribute to the Socal beach lifestyle and is home to California’s first dive coaster, Hangtime.
www.knotts.com