| | History (Source: WCities) | Top | Although perhaps now more closely associated with sprawling oceanfront mansions and designer flip-flops, the coastal region between Los Angeles and San Diego has a past rooted in conflict over land, the Catholic Church, and agriculture. The Mission Era Originally inhabited by the Tongva and Juaneño/Luiseño people, a group of Spanish explorers and missionaries bound for the legendary Monterey Bay reached the region in the mid-1700s. Father Junipero Serra, founder of the Alta California Mission chain, was among the party and established the Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1776 making it the first permanent European settlement in California. The Mission was built and maintained by the native people who were converted to Christianity by the Spanish monks. Once converted, most of these native Californians were permitted to own land, undoubtedly the impetus for many of the transformations. During this time the cattle industry thrived in area with the development of a port at Dana Point, and a busy trade of tallow, hide, and other goods developed between New England and the West Coast. Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821 and the California missions fell into a state of disrepair. Subsequent drought and disease wiped out the cattle and killed crops, and the mission economy was further damaged by increased secularization implemented by the Mexican government. Unrest continued, and Mexico eventually lost control of the territory with Mexican-American war of
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | By Air John Wayne Airport ( SNA ): The only commercial service airport in Orange County. It is located 35 miles south of Los Angeles, between the cities of Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach and Santa Ana. ( +1 949 252 5200/ http://www.ocair.com/default.asp ) John Wayne Airport is home to the following major airlines: Alaska Airlines ( +1 800 252 7522/ http://www.alaskaair.com ) American Airlines ( +1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com ) Continental ( +1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com ) Delta ( +1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com ) Southwest ( +1 800 435 9792/ http://www.iflyswa.com ) United ( +1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com ) US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322/ http://www.usairways.com ) Long Beach Airport ( LGB ) is an alternative airport when flying to Orange County, situated midway between Los Angeles and Orange County. Long Beach Airport provides very efficient ground transportation, and the lowest-cost parking in the region. ( +1 562 570 2619/ http://www.longbeach.gov/airport/default.asp ) Airport Parking Service John Wayne Airport offers a variety of parking options: Four terminal parking structures at the rate of $1 per hour or $17 per day, an off-site ( Main Street ) parking lot for $1 per hour or $12 per day and valet parking for $23 per day are available. The Main Street Parking Lot offers a complimentary shuttle service to the Terminal every 15 minutes. All parking options are available for s
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | Orange County's entertainment scene is crammed with endless possibilities for locals and visitors alike. Whether you like fine art or hard rock, the OC is the place for you. Its beautiful seaside surroundings and nearly perfect weather creates ample opportunities for your "things to do" list. Art & Museums The true beauty of Orange County is matched by equally exceptionally creative representations that celebrate California culture and contemporary art. Located at the popular Fashion Island Newport Beach , the Orange County Museum of Art features collections that concentrate on California art and late 20th century pieces. California impressionism can be seen at The Irvine Museum where they’re dedicated to spreading awareness about the current condition California's natural environment. If you're interested in the works of local artists, check out the Art Institute of Southern California-Ettinger & Reynolds Galleries , that features works by students, and the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art whose emphasis is on freedom to express oneself through contemporary art. At the Irvine Fine Arts Center , you can see an array of innovative artistic expressions including ceramic, multimedia, photography, and much more. For the seafaring enthusiasts, you will be happy to know that Orange County's proximity to beaches makes it a perfect place to see art about maritime history. The Vallejo Gallery is dedicated to portrayals of the American and Br
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