My 25 Favorite Restaurants, Bars and Hidden Gems in Orange County, California

brewery, costa mesa, fullerton, irvine, laguna beach, orange county, seafood

My 25 Favorite Restaurants, Bars and Hidden Gems in Orange County, California

Orange County has an incredible variety of places to eat, from inexpensive neighborhood restaurants and authentic international food to upscale steakhouses, breweries, and bakeries. This is my personal list of 25 favorite places around Orange County. Some are hidden gems, others are well established local favorites, and a few are small restaurant chains. I've included everything from casual takeout spots to expensive restaurants worth visiting for a special occasion.

Butcher's House Brasserie Costa Mesa

If you told me you were visiting Orange County for just one day and wanted to splurge on one great meal, I'd tell you to go to Butcher's House Brasserie. Their dry aged ribeye is the best steak I've ever had in my life, and the French onion soup is absolute perfection. It's just a really good French restaurant with incredible food, a relaxed atmosphere, with none of the pretentiousness you might expect from a French steakhouse. This is my favorite restaurant in Orange County.

	Restaurant / Website	Price	Per Person
1	Butcher's House Brasserie	$$$$	$35–75
2	NEP Cafe	$$	$20–30
3	Tsuruhashi	$$$$	$35–70
4	Hanuman Thai Eatery	$$	$20–30
5	Drift Distillery & Smokehouse	$$	$16–35
6	All That Barbecue	$$$	$30–40
7	Goat Hill Tavern	$	$7–20
8	Sup Noodle Bar	$$	$16–26
9	Pizzeria Fuoco	$$	$19–30
10	Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse	$$$$	$59–79
11	Mitsuwa Costa Mesa Food Court	$	$12–20
12	Kaori Sushi	$$$	$30–70
13	Green Cheek Beer Co.	$$	$15–30
14	Wursthaus	$$	$12–25
15	Orange County Mining Co.	$$$$	$40–75
16	Grazie Grazie Pizzeria	$$	$17–25
17	Chaupain Bakery	$$	$15–25
18	Pizza 900 Wood Fired Pizzeria	$$	$14–25
19	Pizza Port San Clemente	$$	$12–27
20	Giana Bakery & Provisions	$$	$12–30
21	Chan Chan	$$	$14–24
22	Muldoon's Irish Pub	$$	$17–35
23	Hive and Honey Rooftop Bar	$$$	$20–45
24	Panini Kabob Grill	$$	$17–28
25	Peony Chinese Kitchen	$$	$15–28

Venice, Italy: The Best City in Europe to Get Lost In

Europe, italy, kayaking, Rome, venice

Venice Italy

Venice is an absolutely incredible city. There is really nothing else like it anywhere in the world. Yes, it's touristy, but for good reason. The entire city is built around canals, with hundreds of bridges, narrow pedestrian streets, beautiful historic buildings, and little restaurants tucked away in every corner. There are no cars, and just walking around feels like stepping back in time.

My biggest recommendation for visiting Venice is not to have too much of a plan. Of course, there are a few major attractions worth seeing, including St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and the Bridge of Sighs. The basilica is absolutely spectacular, and the Doge's Palace is worth visiting for its architecture and history. But the best thing about Venice is simply wandering around. Most tourists tend to congregate near St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, and Campo San Bartolomeo. Walk a few blocks away from those areas and you can find yourself on a beautiful little canal with almost nobody around. There are endless streets, hidden courtyards, small churches, and pedestrian bridges to discover. Neighborhoods like Cannaregio and Dorsoduro are especially great for exploring away from the crowds. You can easily spend an entire afternoon walking without any particular destination.

One of the best ways to explore Venice is by water. The public water buses, called vaporetti, are absolutely worth the money. A 24-hour pass costs €25, a 48-hour pass costs €35, and a single 75-minute ticket costs €9.50. You can jump on and off the boats and explore different parts of the city. I highly recommend taking a ride down the Grand Canal just to see the incredible buildings from the water. You can also take the boats out to the surrounding islands, including Murano, famous for its glassmaking, and Burano, known for its colorful houses and traditional lace. Another great experience is the Traghetto gondola crossing, which still operates at a few locations along the Grand Canal. For just €2, visitors can take a short ride across the canal in a traditional gondola. It's the best deal in Venice.

Venice also has some fantastic small restaurants and a great bar scene. Rather than eating at one of the big tourist restaurants near St. Mark's Square, wander into the smaller neighborhoods and find a little restaurant along a canal. There are plenty of places serving fresh pasta, seafood, and traditional Venetian dishes. For a great pizza, check out Pizzeria L'Angelo. It's a small takeaway place where you can order an entire pizza made fresh instead of grabbing a slice that's been sitting around. Venice is also a great city for bar hopping. Some places worth checking out are Santa Cocktail Club, a stylish cocktail bar overlooking the Grand Canal; El Venexian, a cozy little bar with great drinks and snacks; La Terrazza Rooftop Bar, with fantastic views of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge; Bar Caravellino, a great stop for cocktails near St. Mark's Square; and Il Santo Bevitore, a craft beer pub in Cannaregio with more than 20 rotating taps. There are also countless little wine bars serving cicchetti, the Venetian version of small tapas-style snacks. I generally check Google maps ahead of time and just save a few places I want to visit that have good reviews.

Getting to Venice by train is incredibly easy. Italy has an amazing high-speed rail network, and you can travel from Rome to Venice in less than four hours, with advance tickets starting around €30. Most people stop in Florence along the way, which I definitely recommend, but Bologna is also worth spending a night in. I would also recommend a stop in Verona, one of my favorite cities in northern Italy, although it requires a slight detour from the usual Rome-to-Venice route. When you arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia station, you walk right out of the station and you're in Venice. You can walk straight into the city to reach your hotel, or jump on a water bus if you're staying farther away.

Venice is one of those places that everyone should experience at least once. You don't need to spend a fortune on tours or have every hour of your day planned out. Spend your time wandering the streets, crossing little bridges, eating at small restaurants, and stopping for a beer or cocktail whenever you find somewhere interesting. Yes, there are crowds, but it's surprisingly easy to escape them. There are so many beautiful hidden corners of Venice that most visitors never discover. It's an absolutely singular city, and one of the most memorable places you can visit in Europe.

Venice Italy

Doge's Palance Venice Italy

Venice Italy

Visiting Paris: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Europe, france, paris, seine river

The Louvre

I made 10 trips to Europe before I finally broke down and visited Paris. I had avoided the city for years because of its less than stellar reputation. Europe is a huge place, and there are so many incredible places to explore. I'd already taken an amazing road trip through Provence, explored the French Alps, and spent time along the French Riviera. I absolutely loved all three, and Paris was never really a priority. I knew I'd make it there eventually, and this year I finally did.

And I have to admit, I really enjoyed Paris. There were a ton of things I loved about the city, from the incredible food and architecture to the museums and historic neighborhoods. But I also discovered that many of the negative stereotypes about Paris are absolutely true. With the reports of riots and unrest, I wouldn't be surprised if travel prices dropped for the rest of the year. So I figured it was finally time to share my experience visiting Paris, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Mandatory Attractions

I recommend at least four full days in Paris to do it right. You'll walk several miles every day, but there's so much to see that it's absolutely worth it. There are a few attractions in Paris that I consider mandatory. Notre Dame Cathedral is at the top of the list. Admission is free, and we waited about 30 minutes to get inside. It's one of the most impressive churches in Europe, and you absolutely need to see the interior. The Louvre Museum is another attraction you can’t skip. Purchase your tickets in advance, and be prepared for a wait. It took us about an hour to get inside with a ‘skip the line’ pass. You'll need a minimum of four hours just to see the major attractions, including the Mona Lisa, and you'll easily walk several miles inside the museum. It's enormous.

Another mandatory stop is Montmartre, one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Paris. Start at the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, which is free to enter and has incredible views over the city. Afterward, walk over to Place du Tertre, where dozens of artists spend their days painting portraits and selling their artwork. It's a great area to wander around for a few hours. While you're there, stop at Grenouilles for a sandwich. That sandwich was flawless

One of my favorite things we did was renting electric bikes and riding along the Seine River. Paris has some excellent separated bike paths, and you can ride along the river from the lovely Marais neighborhood all the way to the Eiffel Tower. It's the best way to see the city without spending the entire day walking. You also need to spend an evening doing a bar crawl through Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This neighborhood has amazing bars, restaurants, and cafés on every corner. It's one of the best places in Paris to go out at night.

Make sure you walk the famous Champs-Élysées all the way to the Arc de Triomphe. It's one of the most famous streets in the world, lined with shops, restaurants, and impressive buildings. Another place you shouldn't miss is Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, an enormous department store with a beautiful interior and spectacular glass dome. Even if you're not interested in shopping, it's worth visiting just to see the building. Don't forget to go up to the rooftop terrace. It's free and offers some fantastic views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. It's one of the best places in the city to take photos.
The Good

The food in Paris is absolutely incredible. There are endless choices of restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and little sandwich shops throughout the city. You could spend an entire week eating at different places and probably never have a bad meal. The bakeries are absolute perfection. Fresh croissants, pastries, baguettes, and sandwiches are everywhere, and you don't have to spend a fortune to eat well. One of the best things about Paris is simply walking through different neighborhoods, stopping for something to eat, grabbing a drink, and enjoying the atmosphere. There is so much to see that you really don't need to plan every hour of your day. Google maps is a great way to quickly find a great place to eat, but don’t be afraid to ask a local for a recommendation.

The Bad

Our first impression of Paris wasn't great. The area immediately outside the train station was terrible. It felt dirty, chaotic, and unsafe, and we weren't interested in hanging around. We ended up splurging on an Uber just to get out of there as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the rest of our experience was much better. Parisian are rude. You just have to deal with it. We were always friendly and polite, and most of them eventually warmed up to us. Don't let a bad interaction ruin your experience.

The Ugly

You definitely need to be aware of scams and pickpockets in Paris. Around major attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Sacré-Cœur, you'll encounter people approaching tourists with various scams. Some will ask you to sign petitions, try to sell you things, or come up with excuses to get your attention. Just ignore them and keep walking. Don't stop to have a conversation with them. Pickpockets are also a concern, particularly on crowded trains and around major tourist attractions. Keep your valuables secure and pay attention to your surroundings. We spent most of our time walking around Paris and never had any problems.

Is Paris Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Despite some of the negatives, Paris is an incredible city with more history, museums, restaurants, and attractions than you could possibly see in one visit. You just need to know what to expect. Give yourself at least four full days, bring some comfortable walking shoes, book your major attractions in advance, and definitely explore the different neighborhoods. Some of our favorite experiences were simply riding bikes along the Seine, wandering through Montmartre, and spending an evening visiting bars in Saint-Germain. Paris has its problems, but the good far outweighs the bad. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Arc de Triomphe

Moulin Rouge Paris

Montmarte

Place du Tertre

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

The Louvre Paris

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

The Louvre

Notre Dame Cathedral

Marais Neighborhood

Saint-Germain-des-Prés Neighborhood

Eiffel Tower

My Favorite Campground in Utah: Ofland Escalante

Bryce Canyon, camping utah, escalante, Utah hiking, utah waterfall, Zion National Park

Ofland Escalante Campground

If you're flying into Las Vegas, I highly recommend turning this into a larger road trip through southern Utah. You can easily combine Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Escalante into one incredible vacation. The drive from St. George to Escalante along Highway 9, US 89, and Highway 12 is honestly one of the most beautiful drives in the entire United States. You'll pass through Zion, drive past the towering red cliffs near Bryce Canyon, and continue into the incredible landscapes surrounding Escalante. It's worth taking your time because the drive is an attraction in itself.

If you're looking for a place to stay, I can't recommend Ofland Escalante enough. Located just outside the small town of Escalante along scenic Highway 12, this is easily the best campground I've ever stayed in. It's a combination of luxury glamping, a boutique hotel, and a traditional campground, with some incredible amenities. You can stay in beautifully designed individual cabins, vintage Airstream trailers, or bring your own camping gear. We stayed in one of the cabins, which had a really comfortable bed, air conditioning, heat, and a private outdoor fire pit. They even provide firewood so you can build your own fire at night. It's the perfect combination of camping and staying in a nice hotel, without sacrificing comfort. This isn't a paid or sponsored review. I just loved this place and wanted to recommend it. I've stayed at campgrounds all over the country, and Ofland Escalante is easily my favorite. If you're visiting southern Utah, it's absolutely worth staying here for a few nights.

There are multiple bathhouses throughout the property, and they're nicer than the bathrooms in many hotels I've stayed in. The showers are large and completely private, with towels provided and individual heat lamps to keep you warm. There's also a swimming pool and a huge heated outdoor Jacuzzi, which is amazing after spending an entire day hiking through the desert. The property has a massive covered outdoor common area with comfortable seating and fire pits. It's a great place to hang out in the evening, drink a few beers, play games, or roast marshmallows and make s'mores.

Probably the coolest feature at Ofland is the old-fashioned drive-in movie theater. They have a collection of vintage American cars parked in front of a giant outdoor movie screen. Every evening, shortly after sunset, they show a movie, and you can actually sit inside one of the classic cars to watch it. They have a concession stand with snacks and free popcorn.

The location is another huge selling point. Ofland is less than 5 minutes from the town of Escalante and makes an excellent base for exploring Escalante National Monument, one of my favorite hiking areas in Utah. There are dozens of incredible hikes nearby, including Lower Calf Creek Falls, Zebra Slot Canyon, the Boulder Mail Trail and Escalante Natural Bridge. You can also visit Kodachrome Basin State Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, both roughly an hour away or less. Highway 12 itself is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country, passing through massive sandstone cliffs, colorful canyons, mountains, and some of the most spectacular desert scenery you'll find anywhere in the American Southwest.

One important thing to know is that Ofland Escalante is seasonal. The campground typically closes in late October as winter approaches and reopens in early spring, usually around mid March. Quite a few other businesses in the small town of Escalante also close or reduce their hours during the winter months, so I recommend visiting between spring and fall. Escalante Outfitters, which is an excellent pizza restaurant, was closing down in October when we were in town. We caught them on their last weekend. September and October are especially nice because the daytime temperatures are generally comfortable for hiking, and the cooler evenings are perfect for sitting around a fire.

Website: https://www.ofland.com/

Ofland Escalante

Lower Calf Creek Falls in Escalante Utah

Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike in Escalante Utah

Lower Calf Creek Falls in Escalante Utah

Driving from Cádiz to Málaga: An Amazing Road Trip Through Southern Spain's White Villages

Europe, madrid, roadtrip, roman ruins, Spain

Setenil de las Bodegas

One of the best road trips we’ve taken in southern Spain is the drive from Cádiz to Málaga through the mountains of Andalusia. Instead of taking the coastal highway, I highly recommend heading inland through the famous White Villages. The drive is absolutely gorgeous, with winding mountain roads, castles, vineyards, small villages, and beautiful countryside. You'll pass through some of the region's spectacular protected landscapes, including the area around Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. We encountered almost no traffic on much of the drive, which made it even better. The route through Ronda takes roughly 3½ to 4 hours without sightseeing, although adding the side trips to Arcos de la Frontera and Setenil de las Bodegas brings the driving time closer to 4½ hours. I would recommend spreading the trip over several days rather than rushing through everything.

Cádiz: Spend at Least One Day

Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, with a beautiful historic center surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The old town is incredibly walkable, with narrow streets, historic plazas, restaurants, and impressive buildings. Make sure to visit the Cádiz Cathedral with its golden dome, the Roman Theatre, Torre Tavira for panoramic views, and the Central Market for some great local food. You can also walk along the waterfront past the Castillo de Santa Catalina and Castillo de San Sebastián. The beaches in Cádiz are fantastic, especially Playa de la Victoria, which has a long stretch of sand and plenty of restaurants nearby. La Caleta is another great beach right in the historic center. We also found the beaches here much more relaxing than Málaga, with far fewer vendors constantly approaching you to sell things. I would recommend at least one full day in Cádiz, and longer if you want to enjoy the beach.

Arcos de la Frontera: Two Hour Stop

About an hour from Cádiz, Arcos de la Frontera is one of the most impressive White Villages in Spain. The entire historic town sits on top of a massive cliff overlooking the Guadalete River and the surrounding countryside. Park outside the old town and walk up through the narrow cobblestone streets to Plaza del Cabildo, where you'll find some incredible viewpoints, the Basilica of Santa María de la Asunción, and the historic Castillo de los Duques. The Church of San Pedro is also worth seeing. There are plenty of little restaurants and cafés tucked into the streets, and the views from the cliff are spectacular. You don't need an entire day here. About two hours is enough to walk through the old town, see the major attractions, and enjoy the scenery before continuing into the mountains.

Setenil de las Bodegas: Two Hour Stop

Setenil de las Bodegas is one of the most unusual villages we've visited anywhere in Europe. Instead of building houses on top of the cliffs, much of the town was built directly underneath enormous rock overhangs. Some of the buildings actually use the rock itself as their roof. The two most famous streets are Calle Cuevas del Sol and Calle Cuevas de la Sombra, where you'll find restaurants, shops, and houses tucked underneath massive boulders. It's a pretty incredible sight. You can also walk uphill to see the remains of the medieval castle, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, and the viewpoints overlooking the village. Setenil is only about 30 minutes from Ronda, making it an easy stop along the way. I would allow about two hours to explore the village, take photos, and stop for something to eat.

Ronda: Spend One Full Day

Ronda is one of the most spectacular towns in Spain and is definitely worth spending a full day exploring. It's very affordable to stay the night in a nice Airbnb with tons of options around $100 for the night. The town sits high in the mountains, divided by a massive gorge with the famous Puente Nuevo bridge connecting the two sides. It's one of the most photographed landmarks in southern Spain, and the views from the bridge and the surrounding overlooks are incredible. Walk through the historic old town, visit the Plaza de Toros bullring, explore the Arab Baths, and see the Palacio de Mondragón and Church of Santa María la Mayor. The Alameda del Tajo park has some amazing viewpoints overlooking the mountains and countryside. If you're up for a little hiking, you can also walk down below the bridge for one of the best views of the entire gorge. The surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards, wineries, and small villages. Ronda has plenty of restaurants and bars, so I'd recommend staying overnight and enjoying the town after the day-trip crowds leave.

Málaga: Spend at Least Two Days

Málaga is a fantastic place to finish the road trip, with a large pedestrian-friendly historic center, great nightlife, plenty of restaurants, and beautiful Mediterranean beaches. Some of the major attractions include the Alcazaba fortress, the Roman Theatre, the Cathedral of Málaga, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, which has incredible views over the city and harbor. You can also visit the Picasso Museum, walk down the popular shopping street Calle Larios, and explore the waterfront at Muelle Uno. I would recommend spending at least two days in Málaga, especially if you want a beach day. One important tip: If you're planning to spend the day on the beach, I would skip the busy La Malagueta area and head farther east toward Pedregalejo or El Palo. We found the constant beach vendors at La Malagueta incredibly annoying, with people repeatedly approaching us trying to sell things. The beaches farther down the coast can be a much more relaxing experience, with plenty of beachfront restaurants and bars. Málaga is a great city, but I actually preferred the beach experience in Cádiz.

My recommendation would be to allow at least four days for this road trip, with one day in Cádiz, a day exploring Arcos de la Frontera and Setenil de las Bodegas, one full day in Ronda, and two days in Málaga. The drive itself is one of the highlights of the trip, so don't rush it. Some of the best scenery in Spain is along these quiet mountain roads, and renting a car gives you the freedom to stop whenever you see something interesting. You can typically find a point to point car rental in Spain for less than $300 per week. This is a great option for groups that can actually save you a little money on multiple train and bus rides. I found driving in Spain to be very easy and relaxing.