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Orange, CA Experts in Container Rental, Sales & Customization

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Southwest Mobile Storage - Best Mobile Storage & Office Containers In Orange, CA

Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.

While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. Orange, CA offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.

Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.

Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:

Storage Containers Orange, CA
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NO MATTER YOUR NEED, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

STORE AT YOUR LOCATION

We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.

STORE AT OUR LOCATION

Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.

CUSTOM STORAGE

Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.

LOCAL MOVE

Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.

LONG-DISTANCE MOVE

Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.

MOVING & STORAGE

We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.

OFFICE USE

Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.

BUSINESS USE

If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level

CUSTOM USE

We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.

You'll get your own dedicated storage and container expert to serve as your one point of contact for easy, convenient service you can trust.
With our wide selection of intermodal containers for sale and rent, you'll find exactly what you need, from size, to type and condition.
We maintain our rental fleet to the highest standard - our integrity depends on it.
Our certified, experienced Conex container modification experts have more than 500 years combined experience modifying ISO containers.
All of our containers come with high security dual-locking system for no additional charge, so you can rest assured your stored items stay safe and that you don't have to pay extra for it.
icon-scale
At our unrivaled 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, ensuring your custom shipping container is made exactly to your specifications.
With our level of service, quality and expertise, you won't find a better value anywhere else.
Our portable offices include lighting and electrical outlets, internet hookups, HVAC and were crafted by our in-house steel container fabrication experts for top-quality construction.

Premium Quality - High Security

With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.

Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.

 Rent Storage Containers Orange, CA

SMS Mobile Storage Containers have these high quality features:

1/8" thick steel plate bottom side rails
High strength steel supporting cross members
1 1/8" thick hardwood floor with galvanized self-tapping screws
16-gauge corrugated steel walls
16-gauge roof
270-degree swing cargo door(s)
High security dual-locking system*
Spot-grinded, primed & repainted with a beige high-grade water reducible alkyd direct-to-metal enamel*
* Comes standard on all rental units

SMS portable workspace containers have these structural features:

High security window bars, lever & deadbolt set with lock box
Studs & R-19 Insulation covered with wood paneling
1 1/8" marine board floor is covered with a durable single part gray epoxy coating
Dual pane low-E horizontal sliding windows with screens and miniblinds
18 Gauge steel polystyrene core 3-hour fire rated personnel door
All of our workspaces are manufactured in-house and arrive new or restored to factory specifications
Exterior load center operating on 100 Amp single phase 230 Volt power
Light switch, receptacles and 4' light fixtures; all wiring is Romex 12/2
CAT-6 voice and data lines with electrical junction box
HVAC units ranging from 1 ton to 2 ton on rentals; ability to customize up to 10 tons of cooling

Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.

At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.

EVERY ONE OF OUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR RENT IN Orange, CA, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES:

High-security slide-bolt locking system and extra-long lock box, giving you twice the security and peace of mind.
No holes to ensure your rental shipping container is wind and water-tight.
No rust for your safety.
14-gauge corrugated steel for strength and reinforcement.

Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.

COMMERCIAL STORAGE CONTAINERS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN Orange, CA

When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.

Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.

 Storage Containers For Rent Orange, CA

Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.

If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.

WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS COMMERCIAL, HEALTHCARE, GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION, OR YOUR INTEREST IS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY SHIPPING CONTAINERS, SMS HAS YOU COVERED:

One
Offsite storage alternatives cause a mess of hassles and headaches. Expanding office space and storage capacity at your location saves time, money and hassle of making multiple trips offsite.
We offer more choice in security, size and features in steel Conex boxes or ISO shipping containers than a public storage unit or Pod for less cost and far greater service.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental agreements and prorate by the day after your first 28-day billing cycle.
With us, you get a dedicated account manager you can rely on, so you can focus on running your business than waste time with a different person every time you call that doesn't know or care as much.
While other companies may have some staff for modifying containers, most outsource the work, so you don't know who is actually doing the modifications or how much they're marking up the price.
 Mobile Storage Containers Orange, CA
When you modify a shipping container for your business, you won't have to worry about expensive, lengthy and complicated construction.
We have modified thousands of containers nationwide and internationally for more than 25 years for NASA, US Navy, GCP Applied Technologies, Helix and Sundt to name a few. And rent containers to Amazon, Walmart and many of other nationally recognized brands.
Our extensive staff makes it possible to custom build multiple projects simultaneously and our 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility prevents contaminants from interfering with fabrication, which delivers better quality and precision.

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR YOUR HOME:

With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.

Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.

You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.

Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.

Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.

You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.

Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.

We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.

With our mobile storage containers for rent in Orange, CA, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.

MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS & PORTABLE OFFICES TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN Orange, CA

We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in Orange, CA, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.

Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.

You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.

HERE'S HOW WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK:

You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.

With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.

No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.

We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.

While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.

Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.

Choose Your Container

Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.

Choose Your Options

Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.

Choose Your Security

Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.

Choose Your Delivery Timeframe

You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.

Pick-Up Planning

Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

1

DETERMINE DESTINATION

Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in Orange, CA. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.

2

SCHEDULE DATE & TIME

Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.

3

PREPARE FOR YOUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER DELIVERY

Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.

4

DELIVERY & SETUP

When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MOBILE CONTAINERS TO Rent, Buy OR Modify IN Orange, CA?

Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @

Latest News in Orange, CA

This New Hotel in a Small Southern California Town Has an Attic Suite, Vine-covered Courtyard, and Cozy Bar

Orange County's newest boutique hotel, The Richland, is an intimate property with a residential feel, catering to travelers seeking tranquility and privacy. The hotel, located in the heart of Orange, California, opened on Feb. 3.The Richland sits within Orange's one-square-mile historic downtown district, just a five-minute walk from the city's main plaza. The property cons...

Orange County's newest boutique hotel, The Richland, is an intimate property with a residential feel, catering to travelers seeking tranquility and privacy. The hotel, located in the heart of Orange, California, opened on Feb. 3.

The Richland sits within Orange's one-square-mile historic downtown district, just a five-minute walk from the city's main plaza. The property consists of two early 20th-century structures that were restored with the modern-day traveler in mind. Even the hotel's name is a tribute to the city's roots: The city of Orange was originally called Richland before the name changed in 1873.

The hotel's main entrance is a courtyard with jasmine vine–covered pergolas, an olive tree, a water fountain, and a covered porch. Inside, there's a cozy communal bar and lounge area, with dark wood-paneled walls, leather sofas, a fireplace, and green and yellow accents.

Travelers can toast with handcrafted cocktails and local brews at the hotel’s bar, outfitted with custom-made stools, citrus grove-printed wallpaper (a nod to the city's name), and vintage decor sourced from local antique stores. (Orange, known as "the antique capital of California," is home to more than 40 antique stores.)

The color scheme and coziness carry into each of the hotel's 12 guest rooms. Handwoven rugs and vibrant wallpaper infuse the rooms with personality, while pops of mustard yellow in the lighting fixtures and artwork add character. The bathrooms are equally eclectic, with bold-hued and patterned tiles.

One of the most unique accommodations is the attic suite in the main house, which features sloped ceilings and windows overlooking the street.

Guests seeking more private lodging should book the two-bedroom cottage, which is filled with natural light and California-chic decor. The cottage accommodates five guests and comes with a full kitchen and dining area.

The hotel is a great spot to celebrate a special event — big or small. The indoor bar and lounge area and the outdoor courtyard can host smaller gatherings. For larger events, there's also a ballroom — with exposed wood-beam ceilings and over a dozen chandeliers — that can accommodate parties of up to 150 guests.

Nightly rates at The Richland start at $300. Reservations include a seasonal non-alcoholic welcome drink and complimentary continental breakfast. You can book your stay at therichland.com.

Tracking the coronavirus in Orange County

This page was created by Swetha Kannan, Casey Miller, Sean Greene, Lorena Iñiguez Elebee, ...

This page was created by Swetha Kannan, Casey Miller, Sean Greene, Lorena Iñiguez Elebee, Rong-Gong Lin II, Ryan Murphy, Melody Gutierrez, Priya Krishnakumar, Sandhya Kambhampati, Maloy Moore, Jennifer Lu, Aida Ylanan, Vanessa Martínez, Ryan Menezes, Thomas Suh Lauder, Andrea Roberson, Ben Poston, Nicole Santa Cruz, Iris Lee, Rahul Mukherjee, Jaclyn Cosgrove, Anthony Pesce, Paul Duginski, Phi Do, Alejandro Maciel, Matt Stiles and Gabrielle LaMarr LeMee.

State and county totals come from the California Department of Public Health. Numbers are gathered and posted each day. Data on hospitalizations, tests, demographics and reopening plans also come from the state health department.

The number of people who have recovered from a coronavirus infection is an estimate, created by a model described in our FAQ.

Nursing home totals include skilled-nursing facilities tracked by the state public health department, as well as assisted-living facilities monitored by the California Department of Social Services.

Data from other states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico are collected by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

Counties are organized into regions using the groupings developed by the state health department.

The Times database is available to the public on Github, a popular website for hosting data and computer code. The files will be updated daily at github.com/datadesk/california-coronavirus-data.

The data collection effort is done in partnership with journalists at the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Diego Union-Tribune, KQED, KPCC, CapRadio, Calmatters and Stanford’s Big Local News.

Learn more about The Times count by reading this list of frequently asked questions or by reading this interview with members of our team.

If you see information here that you believe is incorrect or out of date, please contact Sean Greene at sean.greene@latimes.com or Iris Lee at iris.lee@latimes.com.

Discovering Orange, CA's Premier High Schools: Excellence in Education and Beyond

Orange, California, located in the heart of Orange County, is a city steeped in history and charm. The community's commitment to providing top-notch education is evident in the high-quality high schools that serve the area. In this article, we will explore the best high schools near Orange, share their addresses, and delve into their unique histories. Let's uncover the highlights and benefits that make these institutions stand out in the educational landscape.Address: 525 N Shaffer St, Orange, CA 92867Orange High School, situ...

Orange, California, located in the heart of Orange County, is a city steeped in history and charm. The community's commitment to providing top-notch education is evident in the high-quality high schools that serve the area. In this article, we will explore the best high schools near Orange, share their addresses, and delve into their unique histories. Let's uncover the highlights and benefits that make these institutions stand out in the educational landscape.

Address: 525 N Shaffer St, Orange, CA 92867

Orange High School, situated in the heart of the city, has been serving the community since 1903. As one of the oldest high schools in Orange County, the school is steeped in history and tradition. With a strong focus on academics, extracurricular activities, and community involvement, Orange High School offers a well-rounded education for its students, making it a top choice for families in the area.

Address: 3920 E Spring St, Orange, CA 92869

Established in 1966, El Modena High School is known for its comprehensive curriculum and commitment to student success. The school's wide array of academic programs, sports, clubs, and performing arts opportunities provide students with a diverse and enriching educational experience. Additionally, El Modena High School is home to the Vanguard Academy, a highly regarded magnet program that emphasizes rigorous academics and college preparation.

Address: 18042 Taft Ave, Villa Park, CA 92861

Villa Park High School, located in the nearby community of Villa Park, has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and robust extracurricular offerings. Founded in 1964, the school boasts a diverse student population and a strong sense of camaraderie. Villa Park High School's commitment to student growth and achievement is evident in its numerous accolades, including multiple California Distinguished School awards.

Address: 220 S Imperial Hwy, Anaheim, CA 92807

Canyon High School, nestled in the neighboring city of Anaheim, is a top choice for families seeking an outstanding education for their children. Established in 1973, the school is known for its rigorous academic programs and extensive extracurricular opportunities, including a renowned visual and performing arts department. Canyon High School's dedication to fostering student success has earned it recognition as a California Distinguished School.

The city of Orange, California, is home to a variety of exceptional high schools that prioritize academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement. Orange High School, El Modena High School, Villa Park High School, and Canyon High School each offer unique benefits and highlights that make them stand out as premier educational institutions in the region. By exploring the rich histories and unique features of these schools, we hope to provide valuable insights for families seeking the best educational opportunities for their children in and around Orange, California.

Orange County declares local state of emergency amid onslaught of storms

Amid an onslaught of winter storms that have battered Southern California, the Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday declared a local state of emergency.The declaration comes as officials are particularly concerned about the neighborhood of Dover Shores in Newport Beach where at least one home is dangerously close to sliding into the Back Bay and endangering the stability of the entire block.“We have homes that...

Amid an onslaught of winter storms that have battered Southern California, the Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday declared a local state of emergency.

The declaration comes as officials are particularly concerned about the neighborhood of Dover Shores in Newport Beach where at least one home is dangerously close to sliding into the Back Bay and endangering the stability of the entire block.

“We have homes that are teetering on falling down into the Back Bay off of the hillside,” Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley told KTLA.

Supervisor Foley added that the two adjacent homes on Galaxy Drive are also in danger of sliding down the hill.

“We have one family that has senior citizens, elderly people almost 90 years old, who had to be removed from the house because it was red tagged,” Foley explained. “I mean, literally the corner of the house has air under it, no more land, and the other families on each side have little, elementary age kids. So, you know, it’s pretty devastating for the families.”

The board of supervisors’ local state of emergency was declared, at least in part, to help these families.

“They already have a lot of damage and they’re having trouble because insurance isn’t covering it. So, they’re having to go out of pocket to just save their homes,” Foley said.

The hillside gave way during a heavy downpour on Mar. 3. Crews have tried several different methods of shoring the ground up.

“They did do some drilling today to try to find some bedrock, so that they could secure the slope,” Foley said. “Unfortunately, they just kept hitting water.”

So far, the land beneath the three homes continues to shift, and Foley worries that if the three homes slide down the hillside, the other 50 homes on the block are also in danger.

“I’m also very concerned about whether or not we have any exacerbation of the area and hitting other homes if we don’t get some control of the structural stability of that slope,” she said.

At the beginning of the month, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for more than 30 counties, including San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, but Orange County was not included in that declaration.

Later Tuesday, however, Newsom’s office announced an expansion to the state of emergency that includes Orange County.

“Governor Gavin Newsom today proclaimed a state of emergency to support storm response and relief efforts in the counties of Alpine, Orange and Trinity, which join 40 counties the Governor has previously proclaimed a state of emergency for since the start of severe winter storms in late February,” the news release from the governor’s office stated.

Orange County’s declaration of a local emergency will allow officials to request state resources that can be used to repair areas damaged by winter storms.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

I've lived in California's Orange County for 40 years. Here are the 8 best things to do here besides going to Disneyland.

Many people travel to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and leave before experiencing all of the attractions that the surrounding area offers.Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is one of the ...

Many people travel to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and leave before experiencing all of the attractions that the surrounding area offers.

Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is one of the most-visited theme parks in the world, attracting millions of people to Orange County each year.

Though Disneyland is great, there's a whole other world waiting to be explored in this part of California. I've lived in Orange County for most of my life (over 40 years) and adore it.

Here's what I recommend doing in the area around Disneyland, regardless of whether or not you plan on visiting the theme park.

Rent bikes to ride along the Newport Beach Boardwalk.

Last year, my husband and I moved to Newport Beach, one of Orange County's six main beach towns. We immediately purchased bikes and started exploring our new home.

Our favorite ride is along the Newport Beach Boardwalk, which begins at E Street and continues to 36th Street. This 3-mile stretch is fully paved and flat, making it easy for a beach-cruiser bike.

If you have more time or want to go further, continue biking north into Huntington Beach.

Bike rentals are easy to find in both Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. I've found some of the best rental prices at Newport Bike & Beach Rentals. If you prefer an electric bike, head to Beach & Bikes.

Catch a wave and hit the bars in Huntington Beach.

Huntington Beach is known as Surf City USA for good reason. Each year, it hosts the Vans US Open of Surfing and, in September, it was home to the International Surfing Association World Surfing Games.

If you have a chance to attend a surfing event during your visit, I highly recommend it. Those interested in catching a wave themselves should definitely check out the surfing opportunities, and the best spot to do so is along the pier.

Visitors looking for a weekend party scene will definitely enjoy Huntington Beach.

Main Street is lined with dozens of restaurants, bars, and breweries, with a few musicians and performers mixed in. Currently, our favorite stops are The Ria for Detroit-style pizza and 4 Sons Brewing for beer.

For something more upscale with an ocean view, I recommend Duke's, a restaurant named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, a surfing legend.

Board the ferry to Balboa Island, where you can shop and dine at leisure.

Located in the middle of Newport Harbor is the tiny, man-made Balboa Island. Though you can drive onto the island, we prefer to ride the ferry.

In operation since 1919, the Balboa Island Ferry transports cars, bicycles, and pedestrians from the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach to the island in under 10 minutes. No matter how many times I ride this ferry, the view never gets old.

Once you arrive on the island, head to Marine Avenue to go shopping and dine.

For generously sized breakfasts, grab a table at Wilma's Patio. Later in the day, enjoy a meal or a beer at Snipe Island.

And whatever you do, don't leave without trying a Balboa Bar, which is chocolate or vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate and rolled in an assortment of nuts and sprinkles.

Immerse yourself in music, art, and theater in Costa Mesa.

I've had the pleasure of watching Orange County significantly expand its cultural offerings over the past four decades. Many of the area's music venues, theaters, and art galleries are conveniently located on one campus in Costa Mesa.

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts boasts multiple performance halls, and the South Coast Repertory is home to three stages.

Rounding out the campus is the Orange County Museum of Art, which recently opened its new building. Thanks to a donation from Newport Beach-based business Lugano Diamonds, admission to the museum will be free for the next 10 years.

I've enjoyed theater, concerts, and shows at all of these places and encourage visitors to check them out as well.

Exercise outdoors by hiking through the canyons.

Like so many Orange County residents I know, I love to get outdoors to work out. Fortunately, I have a plethora of places to choose from.

My husband and I enjoy hiking through the canyons in and around Laguna Beach. After a steep climb, we love to be rewarded with an ocean view and an occasional breeze.

Head to Crystal Cove State Park along Pacific Coast Highway and look for the El Moro Canyon Trail. You can make this hike an easy out-and-back or connect to surrounding trails for a more significant elevation change.

Another great option is to hike through the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and choose from its 40 miles of trails.

Appreciate the art and green spaces in Laguna Beach.

Artists have been drawn to the oceanside town of Laguna Beach since the early 1900s.

Now, it has over 100 galleries, an excellent art museum, and a lot of public art. The town really comes alive in the summer when several festivals, like Pageant of the Masters and Festival Of Arts, kickoff.

Our favorite thing to do in Laguna is stroll through Heisler Park, a mile-long green space perched just above the water.

Within this park, you'll find about a dozen sculptures set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, there are a few staircases that lead to small, sandy coves that are worth exploring when the tide is out.

Explore Los Rios, one of California's oldest neighborhoods, in San Juan Capistrano.

When someone drives around Orange County, it may appear as if everything here is brand new, but that's an illusion.

In fact, one of California's oldest neighborhoods, Los Rios, is located in San Juan Capistrano, a city in Orange County.

Start with an audio tour of the Mission San Juan Capistrano, a historic landmark and museum, to learn about life here in the late 1700s. Then, continue on to the historic Los Rios district to explore its old adobe houses.

When you get hungry, head to Ramos House Café or Five Vines Wine Bar for excellent food.

Shop for antiques in Old Towne Orange.

For a great day of antiquing, there's no better place to go than Old Towne Orange, which locals often call the Circle of Orange. Here, dozens of locally owned shops and restaurants surround Plaza Park, a small green space dominated by a large fountain.

Nearby residential streets feature hundreds of beautifully maintained Craftsman homes.

Browse through one of the antique malls, like Country Road Antiques & Garden, my personal favorite. And when you get hungry, order Cuban food at Felix Continental Cafe or Mediterranean fare at Byblos Cafe.

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