Abbie Mood: Abbie Mood is a freelance writer and preschool Special Ed. teacher. She has been published on the Matador Network, in elephant journal online, and the lululemon athletica blog. Abbie loves to travel and experience new cultures, which led to her specializing in travel writing. Her goal with the Orange County Guide is to give readers well-rounded information about everything OC! Get all your OC news on Twitter @theocguide!

Try Wine Tasting this Weekend

If you enjoy wine tasting, but think you have to drive up to Napa Valley for great wine, think again! There are some amazing wineries and wine bars right here in Orange County. Laguna Coast Winery, 2133 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach (map) Marlowe and Darren Huber established their first winery...

March 12th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Get Out of Town for a Spring Break

Even if you’re not in college, spring is a great time to get away and destress. Spring break doesn’t have to mean parties and a wild time (although sometimes that doesn’t hurt), it can also mean relax and rejuvenate. Check out one of these locations, all within a short driving...

March 12th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

52nd Annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano

Come on down to Southern Orange County and celebrate the return of the famous swallows of Capistrano! The swallows are coming back to San Juan Capistrano for the 52nd Annual Swallows Day Parade on March 20th. The parade, also know as the Fiesta de la Golondrinas, celebrates the legend of the return...

March 8th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Work it Out in Orange County!

Remember that New Years’ Resolution in which you were going to lose 10 lbs. by March? Well March is here, and maybe you have met that goal but want an extra push to go that extra mile, or maybe you haven’t and need a little motivation to get going. Either way, Orange County has some great...

March 6th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

2010 Dana Point Festival of Whales

From March 6 – March 14 hundreds of 35-ton California Gray whales will be swimming through the waters of Dana Point, the location of the 39th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales. The festival draws over 100,000 visitors each year, with a variety of activities for everyone in the family! Dana...

March 4th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Eight Anaheim Olympians Featured on “The Element” Tomorrow

We all know that the Anaheim Ducks hockey team is one of the best in the NHL, but now we have eight Olympians to prove it! Ducks players combined for seven medals in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver this past month, and are going to be featured on”The Element,” a local TV program, Thursday,...

March 3rd, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Orange County

St. Patrick’s Day is often focused on green food, green beer, and green clothes. Try something different this year by watching a traditional dance concert, going to a Irish festival, or a supporting a golf tournament for a good cause. 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival at the Orange...

March 3rd, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Get Away From the Cold in Orange County

While parts of the United States are still buried under snow, it’s starting to feel like spring in Southern California. Come get away from the cold and check out some of these fun warm weather activities! Paddle Boarding Stand up paddle boarding originated in Hawaii, and is gaining popularity...

February 28th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Restaurant Week Takes Over Orange County!

From Anaheim to Laguna Beach, over 90 local restaurants will offer their chef’s finest creations for lunch and dinner during Orange County’s Restaurant Week. During the week of February 28-March 6, restaurants will have special lunch and dinner menus designed just for Restaurant Week diners. Mexican,...

February 26th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Four Reasons to Visit the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a place that “brings the whole universe under one roof” by housing an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one “living” roof. Originally opened over 155 years ago, the new Academy while potentially...

February 25th, 2010 | San Francisco | Read More

Get Away From It All In Orange County

Whether you are traveling, exhausted by your daily routine, or just need to take a little personal time, Orange County has a wide selection of spas for a relaxing massage, rejuvenating facial, or refreshing wrap. Here are three great spa choices in and around Orange County: Spa Montage 30801 South...

February 25th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Raw Food Review: 118 Degrees

Vegetarian, vegan… raw? Raw food is a trend that has been all over the Los Angeles area for a couple years now, and is creeping into Orange County as well with the opening of 118 degrees in Costa Mesa. Raw food is often not heated at all, but if it is, it is at a temperature that doesn’t...

February 24th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

lululemon athletica: Look Good While You Work Out

You’ve been working hard on that New Years resolution to get in shape, so why not reward yourself with some great new workout clothes to flatter your new figure! lululemon athletica luxury work out clothes are popping up in yoga studios and group exercise classes all over Orange County! lululemon...

February 21st, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Bolshoi Ballet Performs Don Quixote in Costa Mesa

For more than 230 years, Russia’s legendary Bolshoi Ballet has been captivating audiences, and for five nights in February you can see them for yourself at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. From February 24-28, the Bolshoi Ballet will be performing the classic Don Quixote...

February 19th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

It’s Jazz Season in San Francisco

“The finest such jazz event this city has ever seen and heard… superb festival.” – The San Francisco Chronicle From Tinariwen of Mali’s unique North African/Western blues/rock blend to Ana Moura of Portugal’s fado to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, San Francisco Jazz is set to showcase...

February 18th, 2010 | San Francisco | Read More

Spring Into Art in Laguna

If you are a budding (or accomplished) artist interested in refining your art skills while supporting local Laguna Beach artists, Spring Into Art workshops are for you! The Sawdust Art Festival non-profit organization will be hosting two-day weekend workshops at the Sawdust Art Festival Grounds (map),...

February 18th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

It’s Whale Watching Season in Newport Beach!

Mid-70 degrees, sunny blue skies, and a slight ocean breeze… Monday was the perfect day for cruising the coast of Newport Beach looking for whales! December through April are the main months for whale migration, so our chances of spying one of the large mammals were pretty good. After doing some...

February 16th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Romance and Renewal at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

If you want Valentine’s Day to go beyond February 14th, the Romance and Renewal spa package at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is for you! The Spanish Wing of the Mission Inn After a 45-60 minute drive from Orange County, you will find yourself in downtown Riverside at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa,...

February 13th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Foto Friday: Newport Beach Pier

Sure, you’ve heard of the Huntington Beach Pier, but you may not have heard of it’s southern counterpart, the Newport Beach Pier, also known as the Balboa Pier. Travel south along the Pacific Coast Highway until you get to the Balboa Peninsula at McFadden Place and Ocean Front Street (map)....

February 12th, 2010 | Orange County | Read More

Kimpton Hotels: Eco-friendly Luxury in San Francisco

Want luxury while being conscious of your environmental impact? In a “green” city like San Francisco, it’s fairly easy to find a “green” hotel, but one that doesn’t sacrifice style or quality is a bit tougher. While researching green hotels in San Francisco with...

February 11th, 2010 | San Francisco | Read More