Best Tourist Destinations in Orange County | High Seas

Large Orange County California sign against a bright blue sky

Spanning nearly 800 square miles and home to more than 3 million people, Orange County is a suburban region with a relaxed vibe. It’s also a hot travel destination. A 2016 report found the OC to be the fourth most-visited city in America, with more than 48 million visitors that year.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or back for another trip, we’ve compiled the best tourist destinations in Orange County, informed by the many tourists and locals we see daily at our Costa Mesa dispensary. Highlights include Crystal Cove State Park, Anaheim Packing District, Newport Beach Pier, Disneyland, and more.

The Best Tourist Destinations in OC

Crystal Cove State Park

If you want to catch some nature on your OC trip, you can’t go wrong with visiting Crystal Cove State Park. This park has it all: sandy beaches, tide pools, woods, and sandy beaches. You can swim or surf or sit on the beach and watch the sun go down. Or you can ride a mountain bike, scuba dive, or hike in the backcountry wilderness. If you want to take your trip to the next level, you can even rent a cottage for an overnight experience.

Located on the Pacific Coast Highway just between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove State Park is a must-visit for anyone who wants to see the various types of nature Orange County has to offer.

Anaheim packing district

If you’re a foodie, your itinerary should absolutely include the Anaheim Packing District.  A formerly abandoned citrus packing building, the space now houses a variety of amazing food vendors and hosts live entertainment.

The Anaheim packing district is a great destination for those who want to catch a quick bite, have an ice cold beer, or simply people watch in a comfortable and cool place. It’s a great spot to stop in between different activities to regroup and fill up before continuing on your adventure.

The Lab Costa Mesa

On the other hand, if you want a place to hang out, kick back, and people watch, consider the LAB in Costa Mesa. Billed as an anti-mall, the LAB stands for “Little American Business.” In their words, it was created to “combat retail monotony” back in 1993.

It’s an unconventional hangout space with restaurants, cafes, and lots of art, fashion, and culture. Before its conversion into The LAB, the space was a google-making factory. Today, it features an indoor-outdoor courtyard, great food and coffee, and eclectic shopping experiences. 

Disneyland

No OC tourism list would be complete without including Disneyland. After all, it’s one of the biggest drivers of tourism in the region, having just surpassed its one-billionth visitor.

The iconic resort includes Disneyland Park and Disney California adventure, as well as an outdoor shopping and food district. Ride all of the iconic rides, feast at the many delicious food vendors, and be sure to pack your comfortable walking shoes. There’s no shortage of things to do once you get inside, so prepare for an adventure-filled day from start to finish.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Thrill-seekers will love their visit to Knott’s Berry Farm. While it certainly doesn’t capture the magic and high production of Disneyland, the park is an excellent alternative or complement to the larger Anaheim resort. Located just roughly 15-20 minutes away from Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm is packed with some of the best roller coaster thrills around.

Experience the rides and live entertainment while enjoying iconic boysenberry treats at the former family farm. You can even ride the tallest wooden rollercoaster on the west coast, if you’re brave. The water park season runs from May 16 through September 7, 2026, so be sure to grab tickets if you’re looking for a fun way to cool off this summer.

Newport Beach Pier

A visit to the Newport Beach Pier offers a great slice of life in Orange County. Enjoy the nostalgic stroll on the historic wooden boardwalk or rent a bike for a pleasant seaside beach ride. You can even fish right off the pier as a relaxing daytime activity.

With plenty of food nearby and a relaxed coastal atmosphere, Newport Beach Pier is a great spot to hang out, relax, and regroup for your next adventure.

Plus, it’s a quick drive from the pier to our Costa Mesa cannabis store. Stock up before or after your day of fun in the sun with some of the best cannabis products in OC.

High Seas Dispensary and Aquarium in Costa Mesa

Of course, a trip to Orange County is made even better with quality weed and good company. That’s why we’re proud to have our OC dispensary located conveniently in the heart of Costa Mesa.

One of our favorite customer interactions comes from tourists who don’t have legal weed back at home. They can’t believe just how many great options we have, from pre-rolls and vapes to edibles, beverages, and even tinctures and topicals. Whether you need weed for your next beach day or want cannabis delivery straight to your hotel, we have you covered.

Our OC dispensary is more than just a weed store, though. While legal weed stores are a tourist destination in themselves for many, our dispensary is a little different. Beyond the excellent cannabis products in store, we also have an amazing aquarium setup with 2,000 and 400-gallon setups filled with our favorite aquatic life. From sea urchins and bubble tip anemone to golden pufferfish and hermit crabs, our Costa Mesa aquarium is a wonderful addition to our cannabis offerings.

Stock up with High Seas, responsibly

It’s illegal to consume cannabis in public here. If you decide to enjoy some weed before your next OC adventure, use your best judgement and consider opting for discreet options. Make sure you have a safe method of transportation that doesn’t require anyone who has consumed cannabis to drive.

With that said, we invite you to come check out our aquarium and OC cannabis store. We have a huge selection of products to meet the needs and preferences of all our customers, local or tourists. Check out our menu or stop by today!