California Here I Run

#2 in a Series

                  Orange County

                Tourists love this SoCal County.  It’s the O.C. – home of Mickey Mouse (Disneyland) and Surf City, U.S.A (Huntington Beach).   The third largest county in population, with over 3 million in 34 cities, Orange County offers unlimited recreation, from water sports, and beachside camping, to golf, biking, running, walking, and hiking.  Local newspapers list a plethora of weekend events.   ocgov.com   

Home of:

The Founder and His Mouse

Disneyland – For a morning treat sans crowds, have Mickey Mouse pancakes at the River Belle Terrace.   Disneyland.disney.go.com

Knott’s Berry Farm – Shop outside the park at the Market Place Shops.  Berry Market features the Knott’s jams and jellies.  Virginia’s Gift Shop has beautiful collectibles, gifts, and red and purple glass collections.   knotts.com

John Wayne Airport – Named after “The Duke,” JWA is accessible from the 405 and 55 freeways.  An impressive 9 feet statue of the actor and past resident of O.C., sculpted by Robert Summers, stands on a marble base in the terminal.  Ruby’s Diner, popular for its red and white décor and delicious shakes and cinnamon rolls, is one of several in the OC.   ocair.com

South Coast Plaza – Just off the 405 fwy, South Coast Plaza is a fantastic shopping mall.  Name a store and it’s here!   One of my favorites for furniture and glassware is a 2-story Crate & Barrel in the complex on Bear and South Coast Drive.  Afternoon browsing is fun!   southcoastplaza.com 

Huntington Beach – The renowned Surf City, besides its city beach, has miles of CA State Beach with fire rings, RV sites, and wetlands to explore.   For parking convenience, the Surf City Shuttle operates from the Civic Center parking lot.   huntingtonbeachca.gov  

Huntington Beach Pier

Laguna Beach – To thoroughly enjoy Laguna Beach you need to walk!  Shops, museums, art galleries and darling seaside cottages are a magnet for tourists and locals any time of the year or weather.   lagunabeachcity.net

The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum – Richard Nixon’s birthplace (1913) is on site.  The museum also houses a Sikorsky helicopter, Army One, used during his administration 1969-74.   nixonlibrary.gov

Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Music, dance and theater productions draw audiences year round.  Holiday musicals, like White Christmas sell out early.  scfta.org

Newport Center/Fashion Island – Off Pacific Coast Hwy and Newport Center Drive, with bay and ocean views, Fashion Island is a great outdoor shopping experience.  Upscale shops and department stores, unique ice cream and cupcake boutiques, are intermingled with walking paths and kiosks selling Newport Beach t-shirts and local signature items.   I spend most of my time and money in a 3-story Barnes & Noble Bookstore.  Island Cinema features current movies in a small theater with comfortable seats and side tables.  Order a chicken quesadilla, a diet coke and have it delivered to your reserved seat.   shopfashionisland.com

Mission San Juan Capistrano –The historic landmark and museum was founded in 1775.   missionsjc.com

Newport Beach – The little community of Balboa and Balboa Island are part of the city of Newport Beach.  Take a stroll around the Island. The lovely custom cottages are beautifully landscaped with the flowers of the season.  The colors are amazing!   Newportbeachca.gov 

Crystal Cove State Park – To get the feeling of “old California,” spend the day at Crystal Cove.   Vintage beach cottages, a visitors’ center, the Beachcomber Restaurant, and the stunning views of water and eroding cliffs will immerse you in a bygone era – the 40’s and 50’s of the 20th century.  crystalcovestatepark.com    crystalcovebeachcottages.org

Orange County Races

OC Fair Fun Run  8/4/13

Ready to Run

Highlights:  What an ideal fun run for a family!  The t-shirt exclaimed, “Run, Walk or Skip through the OC Fair.”  Many moms with baby joggers, dads with little guys scooting out at the start and stopping abruptly for an O.C. Fair Detour (the Giant Slide or a midway game), and older walkers came together as a group of about 1700.  A beautiful orange and blue medal, a matching t-shirt, a free ticket for the fair, even a commemorative chip for your shoe added up to a bargain – $40.00 (adults), $25.00 (children), and kids under 5 free.

Distance:  5K

Course:  The detours were a novel idea.  Runners could take a break, win a prize on the midway, zoom down the slide or come up on stage in the amphitheater for a photo op, as the BBQ aromas wafted overhead.

My Observations:  This year was my 3^rd and I’ll return next year.  It’s really a fun run for all!

Comments:  One 6 or 7 year old young lady pinched her nose with 2 fingers, minding her mom, and posing for a photo by the animal barns,  walked away, sighing, “I held my breath the whole time.”  Yes, the summertime fair smells take me back to childhood.

Finisher Medal & Timing Chip

Orange County Half Marathon   5/5/13

Highlights:   The Pacific Ocean appeared on the initial downhill of the Marathon and Half as cool temps  welcomed the runners.   One young lady runner addressed her friend, “You’re all perky already!”

Distance:  The 26.2 marathon and 13.1 mile half started separately.  

Location:  Newport Beach Fashion Island Shopping Center provided room to spread out at the start.

Course:  Both races were loops with views of the ocean and the bay and ending at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

My Observations:  Margaritas at the finish greeted the runners on Cinco de Mayo Sunday.  Sitting on the curb at 5:57, waiting for the O.C. Half Marathon to start, I was eye level with a cavalcade of shoes- turquoise, Halloween orange, shocking pink and yellow and black reeboks.  Cloudy and a bit shivery cool in Newport Beach.

The runners flowed en masse down the hill from Fashion Island to Corona Del Mar.  Maybe it was the overcast weather, but the mood was subdued, as we traversed the steep avenues through the upscale Corona Del Mar and wound around the Back Bay.  Scenery extraordinaire, 360 degree views!

The finish at the O.C. Fairgrounds was festive and crowded.  Got the medal.  Found the car.

Comments:  One bystander shouted to the stream of runners, “It’s supposed to hurt!”  About midway into the run, a less than enthusiastic runner exclaimed, “I’m going to enjoy not doing this when I finish.”

                                                                                                                                Ultracjj 5/6/13

                                                                                                                                My Time:  2:51