Brea, California
Brea was a fun night out in February 2023, when we caught comedian Jeff Ross at the Brea Improv on South Brea Boulevard.
Our experience
This Orange County city isn't a classic tourist stop, and we won't pretend it was a sightseeing marathon — it was about the show. But Brea has its own appeal: a walkable downtown built around dining and entertainment, a well-known public-art program, and an easy SoCal-suburb comfort.
For us it was a reminder that some of our most memorable trips are about a single great experience — in this case, a night of comedy — in a place we might never have visited otherwise.
Brea's Art in Public Places program began in 1975 and has grown into a collection of more than 185 sculptures around the city, giving this Orange County suburb a surprisingly extensive open-air art collection.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Brea Improv — the comedy club where we saw Jeff Ross and a longtime stop for touring stand-up comedians.
- Downtown Brea — the walkable dining and entertainment district centered around Brea Boulevard.
- Brea's Art in Public Places — explore the city's large collection of outdoor sculptures.
- Brea Mall — one of North Orange County's major shopping destinations.
- Carbon Canyon Regional Park — a nearby outdoor escape with trails, open space, and a redwood grove.
- Craft brewing & dining — make an evening of the local restaurants and bars around downtown Brea.
Our pro tip
We'd come to Brea for a specific show or dinner and make a night of it in the walkable downtown — the Improv regularly books touring comedy acts.
Pair the show with dinner beforehand and a stroll past some of the public-art pieces scattered through the district.
If you want to stay overnight, check Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County on Klook, conveniently located in Brea and just a short walk from Brea Mall.