Kristin & Andy
Things To Do
Disneyland Park
This is where we got engaged! Plus it is the happiest place on earth and it is only 20 minutes away from the venue! If you have any questions about visiting Disneyland, we'd love to help!
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is a fun place to go with lots of boutique shops, restaurants, and a boardwalk along the beach. There’s volleyball courts and lots of space to play in the sand. Notes: It’s about 20-30 minutes from Irvine but traffic can get backed up because there is one main way in and out of the area. Parking can also be a challenge during the summer months. You can always find a parking garage and walk in.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach has a bunch of fun shops, great restaurants, and a mall right along the oceanfront. There’s a nice pier to check out too while you are here. You can spend a day on the beach but it can get crowded during the summer months.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Here ye, here ye! Calling all Lords, Ladies, and Knights! Have you ever wanted to watch a joust in person? Or see knights duel? This is a fun event for any family! A delicious dinner or lunch is included with the festivities. Make sure to make reservations, so you are sure to get the time you’d like to attend. https://yelp.to/qTKq/5QHXORFeJN
San Diego
San Diego is a 1 1/2 -3 hour drive (depending on traffic) from Orange County! There’s so much to do! San Diego is home to beautiful beaches, the world renowned San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, SeaWorld, the Gaslamp Quarter, and more. Spend a day or stay for several. We have some food recommendations too: Werewolf: https://yelp.to/qTKq/0QImKknfJN Phil’s BBQ: https://yelp.to/qTKq/6xpI7JsfJN Extraordinary Desserts: https://yelp.to/qTKq/ZvyvAcwfJN Le Parfait Paris (Macarons): https://yelp.to/qTKq/cuwBXGAfJN Oscar’s Mexican Seafood: https://yelp.to/qTKq/1EQpZkEfJN
LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND is a fun place for LEGO lovers of all ages! It is about an hour away from the venue.
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm is a fun place to visit! They have both an amusement park and a water park!
Sawleaf Vietnamese Cafe
Sawleaf is one of our favorite Vietnamese restaurants. They focus on three amazing dishes: pho (noodle soup), bun (noodle salad), and banh mi (a sandwich on a baguette)! You can always get a combo and try two! Notes: Totally affordable and delicious! There’s a second location in Anaheim too! https://yelp.to/qTKq/GjKjZKaKAN
Din Tai Fung
Everyone should try these Chinese dumplings! They are some of the best. It is fun to watch them crafting them by hand. We highly recommend the pork xiao long bao and green beans! Notes: The wait can be long here especially on weekends. You can sign up for the list and hang out in the mall while you wait. You can also get a shorter wait sometimes if your party is small and you sit in the bar. This place is a little pricy but totally worth it! https://www.yelp.com/biz/din-tai-fung-costa-mesa?uid=-kM6ZEJ6beP0aUgjwQCGmQ&utm_source=ishare
Ritter's Steam Kettle Cooking
Ritters has awesome southern food prepared in steam kettle. We only order the house pan roast when we go because it just that good! Notes: This place will run you about $15-20 per plate but we’ve found that we can often share plates. Plus it is conveniently located next to Cauldron Ice Cream, so you’ll want to save room for dessert! https://yelp.to/qTKq/gr8PQjXKAN
Cauldron Ice Cream
After trying Ritter’s, head over to Cauldron for dessert. This place has incredible nitrogen frozen ice cream (always fun for the kids or young at heart to watch). We don’t have recommendations for flavors because they are all delicious! For added fun, try the puffle cone! https://yelp.to/qTKq/5BqONzILAN
SlapFish
Awesome fried fish tacos! They are HUGE, so 1-2 per person is probably enough. Their “sodas” or “pop” are also really good. You can find Slapfish in Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and Irvine! https://yelp.to/qTKq/8PqNljXLAN
Santouka Ramen
This is the best local ramen place! Try the miso broth because it is delicious! Note: Yes this is located in a food court in the Mitsuwa grocery store but trust us when we say it really is the best! Plus afterwards you can check out the Japanese grocery store or head on over to Daiso, the Japanese dollar store with super cute products (everything costs $1.50)! https://yelp.to/qTKq/nE5HMtEMAN
Bruxie Original Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich
Two words: WAFFLE SANDWICHES!!! Yum! We love coming back and trying their specials but sometimes it’s hard to pull us away from our favorites: chicken and waffles or the green (pesto) eggs and ham! Their shakes are also incredible and so are their dessert waffles (the creme brûlée is one of our top choices). Also the already mentioned Daiso (Japanese dollar store) is just across the parking lot! https://yelp.to/qTKq/l99nIXPMAN
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hopdoddy is one of the best local burger joints. It originated in Austin where Andy spent a year for work. All of the burgers are awesome and we highly recommend the truffle fries (ask for extra sauce)! https://yelp.to/qTKq/FNzG88NVAN
All That Barbecue
Korean BBQ is one of our all time favorite foods. You will be grilling your own meat at the table but don’t be afraid to ask any of the servers for help. Let them know it is your first time and they’ll give you some pro-tips to help you get the perfectly cooked meat. We recommend the bulgogi (think sliced beef) and the “Don’t Rib me Off” (boneless ribs). This is all you can eat (about $20 per person for dinner), so make sure to come hungry! *** FYI*** For those of you who are squeamish, the shrimp do come with the heads on!
85°C Bakery Cafe - Irvine
If you are looking for breakfast, dessert, snacks, or iced coffee, 85 Degrees is the place for you! They have a wide selection of Taiwanese pastries (we recommend the ham and cheese, egg tart, milk pudding bun, guava cheese, berrytale, mangotale, and chocolate cream cheese -as you can see it’s easy to get carried away). Their cakes are really light a fluffy. Their iced sea salt coffee (or green tea if you don’t drink coffee) is a must try for anyone visiting. Note: There are several locations including one less than five minutes from the venue. The Irvine location is surrounded by several awesome Asian restaurants along with Afters Ice Cream and Lollicup (boba). https://yelp.to/qTKq/nvjPTnyXAN
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
The BEST doughnuts on the west coast (yes even better than Voodoo or Blue Star). There may be a line but it usually moves fast. Try the savory doughnuts and make sure to eat them while they’re still hot. Other favorites include the butter & salt and huckleberry. They also always have a rotating list of specials that are fun to try!
Anaheim Packing District
This is a modern food court with options for EVERYONE. This is NOT your 1980’s mall food court by any means. This is more like a collective of restaurants with some incredible food. You can have everything from gourmet popsicles, to sandwiches, to Vietnamese food (Sawleaf is here with a different menu from their other location), to poutine, to cafe food. You may have to come more than once try out different restaurants. (We actually haven’t been to them all yet either). Note: Parking can be a bit of a pain because this place is popular. You can either pay for valet or park in the neighborhood and walk in.
Capital Seafood Restaurant - Irvine Spectrum
Interested in trying dim sum (Chinese brunch)? Check out Capital Seafood! Make sure to try the pork and shrimp siu mai, egg tarts, and pineapple bun! Note: Dim Sum closes around 2PM and then the restaurant closes and opens again as a seafood restaurant for dinner. Make sure you go with enough time to eat. This restaurant is located at the Irvine Spectrum Mall. It is all outdoors and features some fun shops, restaurants, the Hello Kitty Cafe (the only one currently in the US), a train, a movie theater, and a ferris wheel.
Snooze an A.M. Eatery
Snooze is your go to restaurant for brunch (although there may be a line, so you can go next door to Hopdoddy for a burger instead if needed). Try their pancake flight or their breakfast pot pie! You can''t go wrong with anything here! https://www.yelp.com/biz/snooze-an-a-m-eatery-tustin-3?osq=snooze