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Orange began in 1869, when two Los Angeles lawyers, Alfred Chapman and Andrew Glassell, received land from the old Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana as payment for legal work and laid out a town they first called Richland. Renamed Orange in 1873 and incorporated in 1888, it grew into a busy citrus town at the heart of the county that later took the same name.
The town was built around a circular plaza with a fountain, and the Plaza Historic District, known as Old Towne Orange, remains one of the largest and best-preserved historic districts in California. Its blocks of brick storefronts, churches and Craftsman bungalows are packed with antique shops, cafes and restaurants, and the neighborhood has appeared in many films and television shows.
Today Orange is home to Chapman University, whose campus sits beside Old Towne, as well as large medical centers and the Outlets at Orange shopping center. Visitors browse the antiques around the plaza, enjoy the fall Orange International Street Fair, and head to Irvine Regional Park and the Santiago Oaks wilderness on the city's eastern edge for hiking among oaks and canyons.
The Plaza is the heart of Old Towne Orange, a circular park with a fountain and old trees at the crossing of Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street. It is surrounded by historic storefronts with antique shops, cafes and restaurants. Start a walk here, and come back in December when the plaza is decorated for the holidays.
Chapman University is a private university next to Old Towne Orange, with an attractive campus of historic and modern buildings, sculpture, gardens and a well-known film school. Visitors can stroll the campus and look for public talks, concerts and exhibitions. It is a few minutes' walk from the Plaza.
The Old Towne Orange Historic District is one of the largest historic districts in California, with hundreds of preserved Victorian, Craftsman and Spanish Revival homes and buildings around the Plaza. It has appeared in many films and TV shows. Walk the quiet residential streets east and west of the Plaza for the best houses.
Old Towne Orange is known as one of the best antique shopping areas in Southern California, with many antique malls and vintage stores along Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue near the Plaza. You can find furniture, jewelry, records, toys and collectibles. Wear comfortable shoes and plan a few hours to browse.
The Outlets at Orange is a large open-air outlet mall near the Orange Crush freeway interchange, with discount stores from well-known brands, restaurants, a movie theater and entertainment venues. It is close to Angel Stadium and Honda Center. Weekday mornings are quietest, and parking is free.
The Orange International Street Fair takes over the streets around the Plaza every Labor Day weekend, with food and drink booths representing dozens of countries and cultures, live music on several stages and big crowds. It has been held since the 1970s. Come early in the day, and use public transit or walk if possible.
The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University focuses on California scene painting, watercolors, illustration and animation art from the twentieth century to today. The building has a striking large mosaic mural on its facade. Admission is free, and it is a short walk from Old Towne Orange.
Irvine Regional Park in the foothills of Orange is the oldest regional park in California, with large old oaks and sycamores, a lagoon with pedal boats, a small train ride, pony rides, playgrounds and trails. It is a classic family picnic spot. Expect a vehicle entry fee, and weekends fill up early.
Santiago Oaks Regional Park follows Santiago Creek in the hills of Orange, with trails through oak woodland, a historic dam and grassy ridges with views over the county. A nature center has exhibits on local wildlife. Trails range from easy to steep; expect a parking fee and bring water on warm days.
Peters Canyon Regional Park on the edge of Orange has a reservoir and loop trails through coastal sage scrub, willows and eucalyptus groves, with views of the Santa Ana Mountains. The trail around the canyon is popular with hikers and runners. Go early on hot days, and bring water as shade is limited.
The OC Zoo inside Irvine Regional Park is a small zoo focused on animals native to the American Southwest, such as black bears, mountain lions, eagles and coyotes, many of them rescued. It also has a petting area. The zoo is easy to see in about an hour, and a small admission fee is charged on top of park entry.
The Orange Home Grown Farmers Market is held on Saturday mornings in Old Towne Orange, with local farmers selling produce, flowers, bread, cheese and prepared foods. It is run by a nonprofit focused on local food. Combine it with breakfast near the Plaza and an hour of browsing the antique shops.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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