Hidden Gems in Orange County

85 places across 12 towns that locals know about and most visitors never find — tide pools that only appear at low tide, a 1926 tower at the end of a residential stairway, a canyon you can only reach on a docent-led hike.

Every location here was checked against Google Maps, and anything that could not be verified was left out rather than guessed. Where a place is hard to reach, closed, tide-dependent or open one hour a month, that is stated on the entry instead of being quietly omitted.

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  Hidden Gems in Laguna Beach →

  17 spots · Victoria Beach Pirate Tower, Treasure Island Beach, Crescent Bay
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  Hidden Gems in Newport Beach →

  8 spots · Bunnyhenge, Fashion Island Wind Chimes, Galaxy View Park
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  Hidden Gems in San Clemente →

  8 spots · Lost Winds Beach, Riviera Beach, Boca del Canon Beach
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  Hidden Gems in Silverado Canyon →

  7 spots · The Sinks, Black Star Canyon, Arden — Helena Modjeska Historic House
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  Hidden Gems in San Juan Capistrano →

  7 spots · Los Rios Historic District, Arroyo Bird Park, Northwest Open Space
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  Hidden Gems in Corona del Mar →

  6 spots · Inspiration Point, Little Corona del Mar Beach, Pirates Cove Beach
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  Hidden Gems in Dana Point →

  6 spots · Strands Beach, Hilltop Conservation Park, Dana Point Tide Pools
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  Hidden Gems in Anaheim →

  6 spots · Oak Canyon Nature Center, Deer Canyon Park Preserve, Brookhurst Community Park Gaudi Playground
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  Hidden Gems in Crystal Cove →

  5 spots · Treasure Cove, Little Treasure Cove, Scotchman's Cove
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  Hidden Gems in Huntington Beach →

  5 spots · Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Old World Village, Shipley Nature Center
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  Hidden Gems in Irvine →

  5 spots · Sepulveda Vista Point, Bommer Canyon, Cattle Camp
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  Hidden Gems in Santa Ana →

  5 spots · Santa Ana Mural Walk, Old Orange County Courthouse, Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum