Editor’s Note: For the Business Journal’s annual tourism issue, we asked businesspeople where they like to take out-of-town guests who are visiting the OC.
Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club is the perfect first stop for introducing visiting business executives to what Orange County is all about. What makes it especially unique is its location adjacent to Rancho Mission Viejo’s Nature Reserve, offering a glimpse of the vast open space that defines the area. And, of course, there’s no better way to experience it all than with a great round of golf. You might even be lucky enough to see Michael Block, Arroyo Trabuco’s club professional and fan favorite after his memorable performance at the 2023 PGA Championship. Left, view from O’Neill’s Bar & Grill at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club
—Jeremy Laster, CEO, Rancho Mission Viejo
Any visit by family or friends to Orange County begins with a Duffy cruise around iconic Newport Harbor and ends with dinner at OC’s best restaurant hands down: The Dock, in Cannery Village. Besides Disneyland, our 42 miles of splendid coastline and Newport’s world-class harbor are the strongest magnets for out-of-towners seeking the real OC. Our Duffy is named “Newsroom” where stories are told and edited.
—Steve Churm, Principal, Churm360
I love spending time at the beach, especially with my husband, kids and grandkids. It’s where I can unplug, recharge and just enjoy being together. There’s something about the ocean that brings perspective and balance, and those moments with family are incredibly important to me.
—Laura Ramos, CEO, Providence St. Jude
Los Molinos District in San Clemente is the most innovative place in the world! From art to cuisine to commerce. It’s where Bruce Brown (Endless Summer), Rainbow Sandals and many others got their start. Cool things to do: Underground SC Art Crawl: Los Molinos Brewery.
—Mike Gentile, CEO, CISOSHARE
I take guests to Crystal Cove State Park. Always. I tried a few other places and failed. People from most of the country say: we have museums, we have restaurants, some even have hikes but almost nobody has the beach as good as Crystal Cove.
—Juliana Elstad, CEO, Lytos Therapeutics
I’m bringing guests to the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC) at its new location, opening this summer in Laguna Beach. Just steps from Main Beach, this “Smithsonian of Surfing” and its world-class collection—including the world’s largest assemblage of historic wood surfboards—will be more accessible to all visiting OC. Tucked in the heart of the birthplace of surf culture and industry, SHACC’s new home will create an immersive experience for visitors and locals, including a perfect happy-hour spot in their new bar area.
—Shelley Hoss, CEO, Orange County Community Foundation
I take visitors to State Park Lifeguard Headquarters, which sits atop the bluff overlooking San Clemente State Beach. You can see the coastline from San Clemente Pier to Cottons Point.
—Richard Douglass, Southern California Division President, Trumark Homes
My favorite is taking guests on a Duffy Boat in Newport Harbor, complete with snacks and wine from A Market. Then we’ll either go to dinner at Ocean 48 at Fashion Island or to an Angel baseball game.
—Rebecca Hall, CEO/President, Idea Hall
My favorite places to take out-of-town guests in Orange County are Club 33 and Disneyland, Balboa Island, and Los Rios with its River Street Marketplace near the San Juan Capistrano Mission.
—Manuel Ramirez, Chairman, RJI International CPAs
Laguna Beach is an ideal spot to bring visitors, given its small-town beach community vibe along with fantastic food, the Sawdust Festival and the Pageant of the Arts.
—John Reekstin, Executive Vice President, Community Development at The Olson Company
Obviously, I take them to Angel Stadium. If I’m doing what I want to do, if I am able to gravitate my guest to what I wanted to, I love the beach walk along Crystal Cove and Reef Point. I walk the whole thing and back. Or Disneyland is always high on the list.
—Molly Jolly, President, Angels Baseball
I would take folks to my favorite North County restaurants. Storico in Tustin – Best Italian! I’d recommend one of the homemade pastas. Kaigen in Orange – epic sushi – go Omakase for sure! El Farolito in Placentia- sublime Mexican Food – Arroz con Pollo is my fave!
—Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO,
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
I love taking people to Lido Marina Village to do some shopping, walk on the promenade and enjoy a glass of wine and fantastic pizza at the very end corner at Skal Pizza.
—Brenda Springer, Founder/CEO, Reveille
I love taking out-of-town visitors and locals on the Cameo Shores walk/run in Corona del Mar and then to the Beachcomber at Crystal Cove for their famous beignets. Left: hiking the trails at Crystal Cove with friends.
—Shannon Eusey, Chairwoman,
Beacon Pointe Advisors
We enjoy welcoming out-of-town guests and creating memorable experiences through great food, local sights, and time together exploring, even if it is a “go-to” spot for my spouse and me. It could start with a Duffy ride with stops for cocktails and appetizers at an amazing restaurant with an outdoor patio overlooking the water and live music, commonly known as The Boathouse. Dinner is always an option, but in some instances, the choice is to cruise back to the slip, exchange boats and head out to Shoreline for higher-end restaurants such as The Lighthouse. This restaurant offers a water view and is relaxed yet polished. Right, a Duffy ride with my grandson.
—Anna Ricardo, CFO, MeriCal
