Orange, California
We loved stumbling into Old Towne Orange — a pocket of preserved early-20th-century Americana amid the Southern California sprawl.
Our experience
Orange was a quick Orange County overnight in February 2023 — a night at the Best Western Orange Plaza, paired with our Jeff Ross comedy night nearby in Brea. The city’s real claim to charm is Old Towne Orange, a remarkably well-preserved historic district centered around the Plaza at Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue.
The surrounding streets are filled with historic storefronts, antique shops, restaurants, and classic Southern California architecture. It made our brief stay memorable — proof that even a one-night stop for a show can turn up an unexpectedly delightful slice of history.
Old Towne Orange is one of California’s notable historic districts, with a large concentration of historic homes and commercial buildings surrounding the Plaza. Its vintage streets and storefronts have also made the area a popular filming location.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Old Towne Orange Plaza — wander around the historic traffic circle and surrounding streets at the heart of Old Towne Orange.
- Antique shops — browse the antique and collectibles stores clustered around the Plaza and surrounding blocks.
- Vintage cafés & restaurants — stop for breakfast, coffee, or lunch among the historic storefronts of Old Towne.
- Historic architecture — wander the surrounding streets to see preserved homes, commercial buildings, and early Southern California architecture.
- Chapman University — walk through the attractive university campus at the edge of Old Towne.
- Brea Improv — head to nearby Brea for comedy; this was the show that brought us to the area.
Our pro tip
We’d seek out Old Towne Orange specifically — it’s the reason to stop, and the historic center is wonderfully walkable around the Plaza. Give yourself time to browse the antique shops, grab breakfast or coffee, and simply wander the surrounding historic streets. It pairs well with other Orange County outings — as we found when combining our stay with a comedy show in nearby Brea.
If you want to add a larger Orange County attraction, check Knott’s Berry Farm tickets on Klook in nearby Buena Park.
If you’re spending more time around Anaheim and Orange County, browse Anaheim activities on Klook.