Top 5 Reasons To Fall in Love With Orange County

It has been TWO years since I packed up the house we brought our babies home to in Richmond, Virginia. The home that we purchased and ultimately became a family in, with sleepless nights and lots of love. Two years since we officially said “yes” and we hopped on a plane with a one-way ticket to Orange County.

We have fallen deeply in love with Orange County.

As a fresh transplant couple with three young children, falling in love with Orange County really wasn’t an option, but there were a few things that really helped us to solidify that love.

So as we have been slowly working on our “California Bucket List” (which I am totally and shamelessly soliciting suggestions on, just comment below) I present you the “Top 5 Reasons We Fell in Love with Orange County” list in case you need a reminder of how incredible Orange County truly is. Enjoy!

 

#1 – The views!

Even driving to Target takes my breath away. On a clear day, as I turn left to drive down our hill, I am hit with a panorama of two mountain ranges, back to back with the 2nd one always snow capped and to the far left the ocean. I really hope I never get used to the views, and that those that have lived here forever still appreciate them.

 

#2 – The music and access to it.

As we look ahead to the warmer seasons, we are getting so excited for the incredible musicians that make their way somewhere between LA and San Diego, so much more than even Washington DC to VA Beach which is where we used to see shows. And the music festivals! So many music festivals like the Ohana Music Festival.

 

#3 – Other festivals.

At the Dana Point Festival of the Whales, my kids learned more about how to take care of the Earth than they have learned in all their schooling. There always seems to be some kind of festival going on that it is near impossible to make them all, but gives us more check boxes on our bucket list for year 2!

 

#4 – The weather.

Okay, so this one I have been on the fence about including because it has rained A LOT. I certainly wasn’t expecting the amount of rain we have gotten, but I understand neither was the rest of the state…for the last 20 years. However, having visited CA in November during the wildfires, I know this is just what this state needed. I just look it as California’s way of asking if our little family really is in it for the long haul. We are. Promise.

 

#5 – Fires on the beach.

Seriously. If you are a born and raised Californian and don’t still have a random hot-dog roasting, marshmallow toasting fire once in a while…YOU ARE MISSING OUT. Seriously. It is so fun and relaxing and if you are lucky there will be several groups of children for your children to get lost with at the beach! This is the top one that natives and those that have lived here a while say they don’t do enough of. So go do it.

 

My sweet family and I made a pact that no one would try to “get out of California” for at least 5 years. So on January 1, 2024, on our 5 year California-versary, we will have a family meeting to decide our next adventure. But something tells me we are going to be here for a while. Thanks for making it so easy OC!

Tell me, what made you fall in love with Orange County? And what should we have on our California Year Bucket List?? Please comment with your ideas below!