Where to visit from Mission Viejo

Question

We are spending 3 nights in Mission Viejo towards end of September before flying back to UK. We thought we would spend one day having a look at the beaches and maybe one day driving inland. Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Which is the best mall for bargains. Good eating places near Ayres Suites? We will have driven up from San Diego. Many thanks.

Answer

Mission Viejo is a great central base in Orange County, allowing easy access to beaches, inland attractions, shopping, and dining. Since you have three nights, here’s a detailed plan and suggestions for your stay.

Beaches

Orange County has some of California’s most famous beaches. From Mission Viejo, most beaches are a 25–45 minute drive west:

Laguna Beach: Scenic coves, tide pools, art galleries, and walking along the cliffs. Great for photography and a more relaxed vibe.
Newport Beach: Ideal for people-watching, harbor cruises, and the Balboa Fun Zone if you like a classic boardwalk feel.
Huntington Beach: Popular for surfing and long stretches of sand, with a lively pier area.

For a day trip to the coast, you could combine a morning at Laguna Beach with lunch at a seaside café, then visit Newport Beach for an afternoon stroll along the harbor.

Inland / Day Trips

Driving inland from Mission Viejo offers several interesting options, all within 1–1.5 hours:

Orange / Old Towne Orange: Historic district with antique shops, restaurants, and classic architecture. Great for a relaxed afternoon.
Irvine Spectrum Center: A large outdoor shopping and entertainment center, with restaurants, shops, and a Ferris wheel.
Disneyland / California Adventure: In Anaheim, around 40 minutes’ drive. A full day if you enjoy theme parks.
Santa Ana Zoo or Bowers Museum: Family-friendly, easy half-day options.

Shopping for Bargains

For outlet-style shopping and bargains:

South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa): High-end mall with some sale options, but not primarily outlet.
Outlets at Orange: Offers a wide range of discounted brand-name items, including Nike, Michael Kors, Coach, and more.
Labrea Tar Pits / The Block (near LA): Only if you are willing to drive an hour north, more urban shopping.

Dining Near Ayres Suites Mission Viejo

You are centrally located, and there are plenty of nearby options ranging from casual to mid-range:

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Upscale American steakhouse, within a few minutes’ drive.
Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill: Excellent BBQ options, family-friendly.
Bear Flag Fish Company: Fresh seafood, casual dining in Laguna Beach if you plan a coastal day.
Corner Bakery Cafe: For a lighter breakfast or lunch, very close to the hotel.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, check-in, relax, perhaps dinner nearby.
Day 2: Beach day – Laguna Beach in the morning, Newport Beach in the afternoon, sunset if you like. Lunch by the coast, dinner back in Mission Viejo.
Day 3: Inland / shopping day – Irvine Spectrum Center or Outlets at Orange, or a theme park if preferred. Lunch at the mall or nearby casual dining, return for final evening dinner.

This plan balances relaxation, sightseeing, and some shopping without excessive driving. Since it’s late September, the weather is generally warm but not peak summer heat, so both beach and inland activities are comfortable.

Where to visit from Mission Viejo

More Mission Viejo Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions