Orange Things to Do Tips by marinarena Top 5 Page for this destination

Catch Busan West, Film Screenings at Chapman

Chapman University is a well regarded private university located in the heart of the city of Orange. The institution has become a major factor in the town's city activity and structure, particularly by creating venues for arts and entertainment.

Well noted for having a premiere film school, Dodge College, Chapman honors the craft of film by presenting special screenings throughout the year and, since 2010, the Busan West Film Festival, which attracted movie superstar and ex-CA governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Busan West honors acheivements from the Asian movie industry, particularly full-length films and shorts from China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. Screenings prices start $10+, $25 for opening reception.

Pictures from Busan west: Busanwest.com

See calendar of events schedule for film screening (filter for film events):
http://www.chapman.edu/events/calendar.aspx

Check out student film work online:
http://www.chapman.edu/dodge/showcase/first-cut/index.aspxChapman.edu

Catch the OCTA 59 bus to get to film related events and others at Chapman University.

Address: One Chapman Drive, Orange

Directions: off Glassell St, Old Towne Orange area

Enjoy Viet New Year - Garden Grove, OC

Tết, the Vietnam New Year (Hội Chợ Tết Sinh Viên), is well recognized faraway from the south Asian country. A popular festivity for the holiday take place early February in O.C: in the heavily Vietnamese populated Garden Grove.

In 2013, The Garden Grove festival honored the" Year of the Cat" on its milestone 30th run. Lead solely by volunteers, the culturally rich event attracts tens of thousands. Attendees enjoy a variety of activity, including traditional dance performances, carnival rides, choosing delectable meals from many food booths, and viewing the Miss Vietnam of Southern California pageant.

Note:
Admission is just $5
Catch the festivities at Garden Grove Park.
Excellent pictures on website!

Address: 9301 Westminster Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Other Contact: contact@uvsa.org

Phone: UVSA (714) 890-1418

Website: http://tetfestival.org

Do a self-guided Church tour in Old Towne

Religious or not, one who fancies viewing and admiring churches should come in Old Towne Orange. There are several charming churches of distinct architecture within the relatively small zone- and all can be reached by foot during a nice, easy stroll.

Main picture is of St. John's, the biggest church in Orange
http://www.stjohnsorange.org/history

Second church is First United Methodist Church
fumco.org

The green building pictured used to be an active church but is now an Avila's Mexican restaurant.

Do a Food Tour in Old Towne

If you are like me, often indecisive on which restaurant to try in an area where there are so many tempting eateries, you may desire to do a food sampling tour. Old Towne Orange has a regular and popular "Walking Food Tour" attraction. Head to OTO from the train or take a roadtrip here for this weekend event of good grubbing.

There are 3 types of tour offered: Orange Sampler, Vintage Tour and Art Walk Tour. Orange Sampler, occurring weekly, Saturday and Sunday mornings, is least expensive and less time consuming. If you would like a little history and cooking demo with your food sampling, go for the Vintage Tour, occurring every Saturday morning (meet at Chapman College where there is a film school tour). Art Walk Tour, which is scheduled least frequent and is the longest tour (ample time for artist discussion and presentation) , is geared for art gallery and food enthusiasts.

Regular tour costs is $54-$65. Check website for updated info, contact numbers and schedule.

Note:
Look out for a Groupon for these tours for a 20%-50% discount and get it fast because they will sell out!

Directions: Old Towne Orange, park at Chapman College or and Orange Station

Website: http://www.oldtownorangewalkingfoodtours.com/

Stop and dine at Stadium Promenade

I give a nod to the Stadium promenade. Just a few minutes drive from Angels Stadium and Honda Center in Anaheim, this small town center is a very good option for tourists and locals alike who are in town to catch a game or concert. Although it expands for a block, SP is packed with a nice selction of restaurants from which to choose, as well as offering Century 25, a huge cineplex for your Hollywood entertainment.

Favorite restaurants are Chilis (Variety-watch for the high sodium entrees here!), King's Fish House, Lazy Dog Cafe (Variety) and Acapulco (Mexican-Amer.). Also, check out Auld Irisher (Irish bar), Pint house (gastro pub) and Tilted Kilt (Scottish influenced American).

It's all about location, location, location with Stadium Promenade. Besides The Block, SP is the commercial place to dine for your after dining/entertainment. If you like more of a local, quaint flair, don't come here and make you way east to Old Town Orange.

Directions: at Main St /Katella Ave intersection

Website: http://www.stadiumpromenade.com/

Be a Local at International Street Fair (Sept)

Mix in with real locals, try international delights and possibly get stone drunk in the heart of this town come Labor Day weekend for the Orange International Street Fair (OSIF). All these are for a good cause- fundraising for Orange community groups, including several youth-centered ones. The somewhat sleepy streets of Old Orange become unmistakably alive during the first weekend of September.

As for food and drink, there are different streets serving up foods from various cusines. Go for a Mexican chimichanga, Greek souvlaki, sushi, Danish ableskiver (a kind of donut served with jelly). Spirits are a plenty and great variety with the beverage of choice being a lager or good ol'American beer.

There are also some craft and vendor booths here selling jewelry household items and various trinkets or souvenirs.

It's better to come here in the evening or night because the breeze is very nice to feel after the usual Labor Day heat during the afternoon hours. For laughs, the crowd is more animated with the alcohol consumption. It's just funny to see people getting wasted! But then again, Friday and Saturday evening gets so sardine-packed that being an early bird is quite desireable.

OISF began in 1973 to celebrate the city of Orange's centennial mark.

Directions: Old Town Orange, on Glassell and Chapman Ave

Spend time at the Block (Outlets at Orange)

In the west side of Orange, premier shopping and entertainment is along City Blvd at the Outlets at Orange, which is more commonly referred to as the Block (formerly, the mall was called The Block at Orange but corporate meddling has, alas, ruined a perfectly good name once again.

The mall stretches out about a square mile, providing more than adequate space to spend your paycheck, eat and kill time. I have witnessed it flourishing and declining over the years, with new stores coming and going. Though, the place is always a big draw on the weekends with local and a good share of tourists visiting the area for primarily Disneyland and Angel games.

If you want to hang out here on the weekend, come early! I cannot stress that enough. The parking lot is huge but not enough from Fri-mid Sun At least it is free to park, unlike at many popular West LA county and Hollywood areas. Well, if you want to show off, there is valet service here as well.

Here is a lowdown of some favorite places at the Block:

Dave and Busters- typical sports bar/arcade but the life of the Block party is here

Van's Skate Park- see the world's largest skate park.

Lucky Strikes- bowling and socializing

Market Broiler- probably the best quality restaurant in the Block area. It serves mostly seafood but other options are available.

Off 5th (Saks)- an outlet style version of Saks 5th Avenue, still the high-end apparel place to go here for woman and men.

Neiman Marcus outlet - the most luxurious store of all here !!

Nordtsrom Rack- grand opening in Feb 2012.

Notes:

Find deals online for featured Block stores here :
http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1236

Memories...

Like many malls in America, The Block is experiencing some economic lows, forcing the close of some major stores and leaving empty real estate.

Virgin Megastore is closed forevermore :-( I helped to "christian" the store back, in 1998 :-) It was cool working there. Oh, my Virginity is really gone now!

Also closed :Borders Books- blame it on modern technology, the E-Book craze and overdevelopment of brick and mortar store. Steve and Barry and Richie's Neighborhood Pizzeria. No more cheap, casual clothes and fabulous but expensive pizza pies :-(

Address: 20 City Boulevard West, Orange, CA 92868

Directions: http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1236

Website: http://www.theblockatorange.com

Come to Our Version of a Village

Old Towne Orange is a charming little getaway from the very busy city area. There are many antique stores and shabby chic boutiques here for a great, enriched shopping experience. Most stores are open until 5 or 6 PM. After hours, one can still enjoy the cafes, restaurants and a few bars. I actually recommend to come here at night to experience a more calm evening out. So, if you look to go clubbing, avoid this spot! However, if you enjoy a less quiet and local experience, don't hesitate to come and take a stroll around.

Directions: Old Town Orange is off the 22 fwy, exit Chapman. Off 91 Fwy, exit Glassell Ave

Visit a Uniquely California Zoo

Shame on me (and many other OC'ers)! Only until recently did I discover that there is an official OC Zoo! I had known of the tiny Santa Ana Zoo within the city, however further east is the regional zoological dome of animals especially of southwest USA. Located within Irvine Regional Park is the 477 acre zoo which features the popular California beast, the black bear and the mountain lion. If not much of a wildlife enthusiasts, come here just to take in a rustic, rural atmosphere while still being in a big city. No personal pics yet, but check out website : http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo

Address: 1 Irvine Park

Directions: from Los Angeles, head south eventually on the 55 fwy, exit Chapman Ave., go east until Jamboree, turn left of Jamb. and you will come to a dead-end to Irvine Park.

Awe over Cathedral- Garden Grove, OC

Inside the cathedral can make of a wonderful religious experience. If you are not religious, you'd be impressed greatly with the experience of viewing spectatcular architecture.

About the cathedral...

it has 10,000 panes of reflective glass, allowing 8% of outside light into the church.

Much more in travelogues!

Address: 12141 Lewis St, Garden Grove, CA.

Directions: Garden Grove, just a few miles west from the city of Orange. It is along Chapman Ave (Orange/G. Grove-- not the Chapman Ave in Fullerton!). Meet at the intersection of Chapman Ave and Lewis St.

Website: http://www.crystalcathedral.org/