Car Rental Orange County

Parking in Orange County

• Short and long-term parking is available at Orange County John Wayne Airport (92707) with four parking lots next to the Thomas F. Riley Terminal. A1 and A2 are closest to Terminal A, with B2 and C nearest Terminal B and C – all have electric vehicle charging stations.
• In central Orange there’s free parking at Orange Metrolink Station (92866) for around 250 vehicles, while Lastinger Parking Structure at Chapman University has 2,500 spaces (92866).
• Out on the coast at Newport Beach there are various city and metered parking lots, with rates dependent on the time of year. The largest are Balboa Pier Parking Lot (92661) with 614 spaces and Corona del Mar Main Beach Parking Lot (92661) with room for 572 vehicles.

Traffic in Orange County

Rush hour in Orange County is between 7am and 9am, then around 3pm until 7pm in the evening. These busy periods mainly affect the freeways and downtown areas of The OC. For a peaceful trip, avoid driving during these hours where possible.   

Roads and freeways

Main routes in Orange County

• Interstate 5 (I-5) runs from north to south through the heart of Orange County to connect Los Angeles with San Diego, passing through Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana and Mission Viejo.  
• Interstate 405 (I-405) is a 72-mile highway thatoriginates in Orange County and runs through Fountain Valley and Westminster as it heads north, bypassing central Los Angeles before rejoining the I-5. 
• California State Route 1 (SR 1) starts at Capistrano Beachand heads north along the Pacific Coast for 656 miles, all the way up past San Francisco.  

Orange County to Los Angeles

From the heart of Orange County to Los Angeles, it’s a 36-mile drive, taking around 45 minutes. Take the I-5 north for the fastest route to Downtown LA – or use the I-405 to bypass Downtown and reach Santa Monica.

Orange County to San Diego

Orange County to San Diego is an 88-mile journey that takes around an hour and a half. Follow the I-5 south all the way along the coast to reach the border city.  

Things to do in Orange County

Disneyland Resort

Combining the original Disneyland Park that opened in 1955 with the modern Disneyland California Adventure Park, this is the star attraction in Anaheim. Wander around the different lands, bumping into your favorite characters and superheroes amongst the thrills of countless rides. Scare yourself silly in The Haunted Mansion, hurtle down the Matterhorn bobsleds, and strap in for the Indiana Jones Adventure.    

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Salt marshes, coastal dunes and open water makes up this ecological reserve that’s a ten-minute drive north from Huntington Beach. Be on the lookout for more than 200 different bird species as you hike along its coastal paths. It’s just off the Pacific Coast Highway and opposite the Bolsa Chica State Beach, if you fancy a bit of sunbathing or surfing afterwards.  

Bowers Museum

Celebrating global cultures with the finest art collection in the county – with more than 10,000 objects from Native American art to pre-Colombian Mesoamerica works – is Bowers Museum on Main Street in Santa Ana (92706). Enjoy the eight permanent galleries and various temporary exhibitions at your leisure or reserve a spot on the daily ‘Best of Bowers’ guided tour.

Orange County Zoo

This local zoo in Irvine Regional Park (92869) is mostly home to native southwestern wildlife. Black bears, bald eagles, ocelots and mountain lions are well looked after here, while there’s a barnyard where your kids (and adults) can get up close to goats, pot-bellied pigs and Jacob sheep.

The best restaurants in Orange County

Taco Maria

Have your taste buds transported nearly 2,000 miles south without leaving the OC at this upscale Mexican restaurant in Costa Mesa – just inland from Huntington Beach. Unique handmade, blue tortillas are loaded with combinations like shitake mushroom and chorizo, smoked sturgeon and chile morita.    

Packing House

Previously a Sunkist packing facility dating back to 1919 in the heart of Anaheim (92805), today this gourmet food hall is the place to go when you don’t know what to eat. There are 26 food vendors from around the world, serving up Neapolitan pizza, indulgent mac and cheese, BBQ plates and more. There’s even a quieter al fresco dining area away from the bustling atmosphere inside.

Where to stay in Orange County

Balboa Bay Resort

The prime location in Newport Beach opposite the Balboa Peninsula offers marina views and waterfront sunsets from your room or the resort’s Waterline restaurant. Blue and cream décor in the rooms and suites matches the ocean setting, with an outdoor pool, hot tub and water activities including kayaking and paddle boarding available for guests.

Lido House

On the Balboa Peninsula itself, Lido House is a boutique hotel that greets you with three-story artwork once you step inside the lobby. Wood and brick aesthetics hint at its heritage charms but there are plenty of modern comforts, such as the Boost Spa to unwind with a variety of treatments, and large beds with 300-thread cotton sheets.   

Best beaches in Orange County

Laguna Beach

Seven miles of coves and beaches spread out along the Californian coast at Laguna Beach. Lounge on the sandy banks or search for sea turtles and other creatures with the kids in the sea caves and tide pools.

Newport Beach

The five-mile stretch of Newport Municipal Beach on the Balboa Peninsula is popular with swimmers, surfers and sunbathers. Various nearby parking lots make it easy to turn up, unload and find a quiet spot to unwind.