#17 Crescent Bay Park (Daryle Lynn)

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We would like to nominate Crescent Bay Park and View Point. This area brings us so close to nature and God’s creation. Standing at the viewpoint is one place where we can have a greater than 180 degree view of the ocean. The cozy, grassy park area of Crescent Bay is so serene and a wonderful place to have an afternoon or evening sunset picnic. MAP

#16 (Newport Harbor (Yves)

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The view of Newport harbor from the park on Cliff Drive: I think the history is interesting. From the OC Weekly, “No one wanted to live in what would become Newport Beach (cold, sand got in your sandwiches, smelled of dead fish). This led to an unfriendly rivalry that had Costa Mesa referring to the lowlands as 'Mackerel Flats,' while the backward types that hugged the coast called the higher ground 'Goat Hill.' That’s because goats used to graze on the Costa Mesa grasslands until they were all rounded up.” So I think the view from that point is interesting because nowadays what used to be called “mackerel flats” is one of the most desirable (and expensive) places to live in OC. MAP

#15 Blimp Hangers (Suzanne)

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I would like to put forward my idea of a memorable part of Orange County. I feel that the blimp hangers are very memorable and interesting to look at. I have been all over the country, and these are the only blimp hangers I have seen in the direct center of a city. MAP

#14 South Coast Plaza (Christy)

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Surely the commerce that transformed the orange groves of Orange County into a center of wealth known as the OC is best symbolized by one of the premier shopping destinations in the world -- South Coast Plaza. So even though our hearts find peace and restoration in the natural beauty of our diverse county, rightly or wrongly our aspirations and acquisitive culture lead thousands of us to the mall every week-end... MAP

#13 Amtrak San Clemente (Beth)

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I love images that show juxtaposition of cultural extremes, which is usually so much easier to find in Japan than here. My favorite example in Orange County, though, is that of the Amtrak train stopping on the beach in San Clemente, with the old-fashioned train signs in view.  MAP

#12 Orange Groves (Lex)

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Orange Groves - I know developer William Lyon has some on his estate. It's very disheartening to know the beautiful groves that named this county are near extinction.  MAP

#11 Noguchi Sculpture Garden (Phyllis)

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The Noguchi Sculpture garden near TGI Fridays off Bristol and Anton, between the two large bank buildings, is exquisite! The Redwoods and sculpture et al. Hardly anyone knows it exists. MAP