Orange County, California

orange county student activities

Activities for OCC Students

Explore everything that beautiful Orange County has to offer! Hike in Crystal Cove State Park and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and enjoy the beautiful views of the Pacific Coast, hang out with friends at beachfront Heisler Park, and then head over to Bear Flag Fish Co. for the freshest local seafood. Are you an ocean lover? Try surfing or bodyboarding, or hop on the ferry to Balboa Island and grab a frozen treat after taking countless photos of the beautiful scenery. Explore the area’s tide pools, run along the sand, or simply relax on some of California’s most stunning beaches. Shop in Newport Beach’s beautiful Fashion Island (and wonder how shopping can be so picturesque!) and then cruise along the famous Pacific Coast Highway before watching the sunset over the iconic Huntington Beach Pier. Life in the charming OC is indeed a dream!

OCC Student Activities

Orange Coast College’s student clubs (over 60 in total) represent a wide range of OCC student interests and include theatre, dance, music, orchestra, public speaking, business, and student government. For students interested in athletics, OCC also offers many physical education courses, including dance, aquatics, bowling, golf, soccer, and volleyball. Orange Coast College is also proud to have 13 collegiate-level sports for men and women, such as baseball, basketball, American football, tennis, sand volleyball, swimming, and water polo. 

Orange County Activities

Beautiful parks and green spaces, mountains overlooking the stunning Pacific Ocean and its beaches and piers, day trips to exciting Los Angeles: students have the opportunity to explore everything that beautiful Orange County has to offer! Here are some of our suggested student activities:  

  • Beaches galore + water activities
    Miles of beachline in Orange County provide the makings of a perfect beach day, are a gorgeous backdrop to stunning California sunsets, and offer numerous activities and sports! Explore the many beautiful beaches of the area, such as Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, or Newport Beach, and enjoy the view from scenic piers. Or, if you’re looking for a more peaceful locale, relax in secluded settings like Crystal Cove State Park and discover its beautiful tide pools and wildlife.  Is the water calling you? Try surfing, kitesurfing, or bodyboarding! Or, explore the Pacific Ocean via boat: book a dolphin and whale watching excursion, or hop on the ferry to Balboa Island and stroll down its main street with charming shops.  
  • Explore Los Angeles
    Students are a short drive from Downtown Los Angeles and the city’s many tourist activities, amusement parks, and events. Hollywood, Universal Studies, Magic Mountain, Disneyland and California Adventure Park, Knott’s Berry Farm, baseball games at Angel’s Stadium, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive. . . Los Angeles is the center of excitement, and the options for fun are endless!  
  • Eat well!
    Fresh seafood, casual burger joints, and upscale California cuisine are within arm’s reach in Orange County. Hang out with friends and have a picnic at beachfront Heisler Park, and then head over to Bear Flag Fish Co. for the freshest local seafood. Be sure to grab a frozen treat as well: it’s not a day at the beach without ice cream! The area’s name, Orange County, comes from its history of growing citrus, so it is no surprise that Orange County is also home to many farmer’s markets where students can sample the best local products and produce. Pick up some cheeses, fresh eggs, and seasonable fruits and vegetables at these fun weekly events!  
  • Hiking + other nature activities
    Escape to nature (but keep the beach close by)! Natural parks such as Crystal Cove State Park and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park are beautiful locations for a day’s hike, and each provides beautiful views of the Pacific Coast. Explore the area’s flora and fauna, go for a run, or simply enjoy the picturesque view.  
  • Shop until you drop!
    Shop in Newport Beach’s beautiful Fashion Island, pick up some unique gifts in Balboa Island’s charming shops and grab some bargains at the OC’s famous outlets and Costa Mesa’s South Coast Mall. You will need another suitcase for all your souvenirs!  
  • Museums and culture
    Southern California residents have access to some of the best museums in the U.S., including the Getty Center with its Greek and Roman pieces, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the astronomy lover’s haven in the Griffith Observatory, and the La Brea tar pits (with skeletons of saber-toothed tigers!) for the dinosaur fanatic. Be sure to also enjoy some California history by visiting the San Juan Capistrano Mission, which was built by Spanish settlers. Locally, enjoy Orange County’s annual art, film, and music festivals. Summer’s Pageant of the Masters, where works of art are recreated and come to life, is a spectacular sight!