California vacation: Orange County on a budget

(Photo: Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau)

By Alina Motin

Since I work for Orbitz and live in Orange County, I often help family and friends plan their California vacations. I think Orange County has a lot to offer for romantic getaways, family vacations and everything in between — there’s the ocean, Disneyland and of course, warm temperatures year ’round (as I write this in January, it’s in the high 70s!) Best of all, I’ve got some money-saving tips you can take advantage of.

Shorebreak Hotel

You can stay right on the beach in Huntington Beach at the brand new, hip hotel – The Shorebreak. It’s a property by Joie de Vivre Hotels, an ownership group known for its unique and boutique-y hotels. The hotel features outdoor fire pits, ocean views and a fitness center with a yoga studio, and you can find rates from about $100.

RA Sushi right near the hotel has what I think is an amazing happy hour special: half off sushi and appetizers, as well as drink specials, Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. (yes, on Saturday too).

If you are looking for a hotel under $100 for your California vacation, I would suggest  the Radisson Hotel Newport Beach. It’s not on the beach, but you would be in a perfect location in Newport Beach with access to all the beaches — Laguna, Newport and Huntington.

Laguna Beach (Photo: Laguna Beach VCB)

I don’t think your California vacation would be complete without a stop in beautiful Laguna Beach. For dinner, I like Nick’s Laguna Beach; it has good ambiance, great food and won’t break the bank. (But the place is very popular so make reservations in advance.)

If your California vacation includes a visit to Disneyland, there are plenty of cheap hotels in Anaheim. You can stay at the Hyatt Regency Orange County for around $70. And you can now save $80 on a 5-day Disneyland Park Hopper Ticket.

The Garden Walk on Katella in Anaheim has affordable family restaurants like California Pizza Kitchen, P.F. Chang’s and Bubba Gump Shrimp.

Most of all I suggest you relax and soak in all the beauty and sunshine the OC has to offer!

Related Orbitz resources:

• California vacations
• Huntington Beach hotels
• Anaheim hotels
  
• Disneyland vacations
• Disneyland tickets
  

Alina Motin is an Orbitz market manager in Orange County.

Tagged: California, Disney, Family time