EVENT SPACE ON THE WATER
Head to The Shore at Lido Marina Village, located down the street from Lido, which features three quaint cottages that vendors can use to display clothing or products for attendees to browse through as well as a large lawn area for community gatherings, including Pilates or yoga sessions, overlooking striking views of the harbor just steps beyond. Brands including Things Between, La Voie, 75 & Sunny, Homebody Studios, and Galbi have popped up here, so give The Shore a follow on social media to stay updated on future events.
3300 Via Lido, Newport Beach
theshorelidomarinavillage.com
EXPERIENTIAL PLAY CENTER
Most indoor playgrounds look about the same: foam-covered structures, slides, ball pits, etc. But new Imagine Minds looks more like a fun, kid-friendly art gallery. The center features water tables, climbing nets, Bricks tables, STEM and art classes, an interactive dancing game, a toddler area, and more. There’s even a “car wash” station where kids can draw on and clean off a real vintage Fiat 500. Tickets start at $26.
514 E. 1st St., Tustin
imagine-minds.com
WHALE WATCHING ANNIVERSARY
Open since 1971, Dana Wharf Whale Watching was the first company of its kind in Orange County. Now celebrating 55 years in business, Dana Wharf is celebrating by offering $10 off adult tickets with the code DW55. Book a two-hour tour and find out why Dana Point is considered “The Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World,” with sightings of many different species year-round.
34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point
danawharf.com
Credit: Coastal FlowALTERNATIVE FITNESS
If traditional gyms and circuit training aren’t your jam, or you’re itching to try something new, consider signing up for one of Coastal Flow’s alternative fitness classes. Learn to move with power and grace on an aerial silk, hoop, or dance pole. Class sizes are kept small—six to 12 students for some sessions. The studio has beginner instruction for those with no and little experience, as well as more advanced workouts. Newcomers can choose from a menu of trial memberships, starting at $75 for a two-week unlimited option.
26731 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo
coastalflowoc.com
Credit: Red Room Supper Club at The Celebrations VenueSPEAKEASY SUPPER CLUB EXPERIENCE
Live entertainment, sophisticated sips, a fine curated dinner, and musicians playing Big Band hits and tunes from the American Songbook—that’s what’s being served up for guests who spend an evening in the Red Room Supper Club at The Celebrations Venue. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m., the speakeasy-style experience is the brainchild of veteran restaurateur Domenico Grillo, who’s created a vibe that’s both fun, upscale, and memorable—the kind of place to go with friends and family, or for a romantic night with your sweetheart.
1901 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa
thecelebrationsvenue.com
Credit: Shanghai’d RoomKARAOKE EVERY NIGHT
It stands inconspicuously on the corner of Beach Boulevard and Glencoe Drive, and come 8 p.m.—on any night of the week—the Shanghai’d Room in Huntington Beach comes alive with karaoke. Befitting its name, the small space boasts vintage Asian-inspired decor, with red vinyl booth seating and high-tops. It’s open daily from noon to 2 a.m. There’s no food service, but a team of able bartenders is ready to mix up the classics or a liquid pleasure to suit your individual taste.
16391 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach
shanghaidroom.com
PHOTO BOOTH BLOW UP
The Korean-inspired selfie studio K PhotoLaVie opened its first location in 2024 across the street from UC Irvine. Students and locals alike loved the concept, which featured self-serve photo machines and tons of fun, customizable designs. Now, just two years later, there are eight studio locations (four in O.C.) and 15 booths inside other businesses. They must be doing something right!
Studio locations in Buena Park, Irvine, and Stanton
kphotolavie.com
Credit: Bowers MuseumALL-AMERICAN EXHIBITION
In celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is displaying some 40 notable quilts and coverlets created throughout the nation’s lifetime, including a rare 1776 whole-cloth wool quilt, a quilt made of handkerchiefs for the 1876 centennial, and a 1975 pictorial quilt celebrating scenes of California life. Titled The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce, the exhibition runs through Aug. 30. Many of the items are from Bowers’ permanent collection. Others are loaned works from notable crafters, including the family of famed 1960s quilt revivalist Jean Ray Laury.
2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana
bowers.org
Credit: Holey Moley Golf ClubWILD AND CRAZY MINI GOLF
With 27 zany holes in themes ranging from skate parks and pizza to mannequin arms and the moon, Holey Moley Golf Club at the Irvine Spectrum brings a fresh new spin to the game of miniature golf. The indoor facility has plenty of photo ops around every corner and even offers tasty bites and specialty cocktails from the onsite bar, including a drink served in a small plastic bathtub (tiny rubber ducky included). After 8 p.m., the venue is 21-and-older. Perfect for a date night. Tickets range from $10 to $36.
517 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine
holeymoley.com
LUXURY ASMR EXPERIENCE
With ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) therapies growing in popularity, KAS Wellness has brought the sensation to Orange County for clients to experience in person. Each session (starting at $130) uses gentle sounds, light touch, and calming techniques to relax your mind and body. It’s less like a traditional massage and more like a reset for the nervous system—helping reduce stress and quiet your thoughts. For an additional $20, you can unwind prior to your session in the meditation lounge, complete with robes, slippers, gratitude journaling, shadow work, and libations such as electrolyte-enhanced water, Japanese whisky, tea, or a margarita.
2482 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa
kaswellness.net
SUMMER DANCE PARTIES
O.C.’s balmy summer nights beckon locals to head outdoors, and on Tuesday evenings, Segerstrom Center’s Julianne and George Argyros Plaza is a great place to be if you love to kick up your heels. The center’s summerlong roster of Tuesday Night Dance classes, which start at 6 p.m., are free and open to all levels. This month, learn the captivating footwork of Bollywood and the fluid moves of hula, followed by hip hop and Latin dance in August.
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
scfta.org
Readers’ Choice: Favorite Hike
- daniel_m_76 — Turtle Rock
- sharirini — Quail Hill Trail!!
- alexthezieg — Top of the World
- improvcity — Peters Canyon
- armon.kolver — Black Star Canyon
The post Our 2026 List Of The Best Things To See And Do In Orange County appeared first on Orange Coast.