Although Orange County, California, is hardly an expensive destination, its renowned theme parks, high-end shopping malls, beachside restaurants and large hotel chains can easily put a big dent in the average pocketbook. Fortunately, many free attractions, some encouraged by the year-round sunshine, can mitigate the financial drain.
If you enjoy law and order, courtroom dramas and cop shows, experience the real thing by attending an actual trial. Nearly every city in the county has a courtroom, but it's hard to beat the high stakes of county superior court proceedings. The biggest occur at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, although it's less crowded and easier to find parking at satellite facilities. No reservations are necessary, since most trials are open to the public. Check the court calendar before making the trek so you know what's on for the day.
For an educational day in the sun with the entire family, check out any of the tide pools at local beaches. You might see barnacles, crabs, anemones, starfish, shells and sculpin. Go during low tide, which exposes normally hidden ecosystems, and never pick up the animals or the rocks. If you'd rather have a knowledgeable guide, check out the interpretive outings offered at Doheny State Beach, which have a small fee.
The Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda attempts a balanced view of America's controversial 37th chief executive. Free on holidays, the museum exhibits a variety of artifacts, such as campaign buttons, evening gowns, lunar material and international gifts. The grounds also guard the remains of the president and first lady. There's no blank tape in the bookstore but you'll find an entire hall devoted to the Watergate affair.
Disneyland's nightly fireworks typically cap an expensive day at the Magic Kingdom, but you can enjoy them for free -- without the musical accompaniment -- from almost anywhere in Anaheim or surrounding cities, as long as you can see the skies toward the park. One of the best places to view the spectacle is on the Esplanade, the entry plaza to the park.
If you own a board, why not catch a wave at the place that popularized the sport: Huntington Beach, aka Surf City. If you don't know how, you can still admire the athletes from the beach or from the long concrete pier. Related free attractions include the walk of fame, with notable names etched on a granite sidewalk; the hall of fame, with handprints and footprints in cement; and Bob Bolen's Surf Museum, with surfboards and other memorabilia.
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Locsin, Aurelio. "Free Things to Do in Orange County California." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/things-orange-county-california-14755.html. Accessed 21 April 2019.