Hey, I really enjoyed your trip report so far. I'm glad you have persevered through OC's outrageously expensive real estate market to follow your dream. I grew up here but moved away a few years in my 20s just fed up with it all. I moved back to be around family a few years later. Honestly, I think I missed the weather almost as much as the family. I actually developed vertigo while we were living in Arizona so I know how you feel with the illness. One good thing about living in OC is the access to some of the best medical care out there.
I enjoyed your report so much I thought I'd return the favor with some of my favorite places in OC that I think you guys would like and aren't too pricey (if you haven't already heard about them). I hope I'm not being presumptuous, but I figure it's easy enough to ignore me if you aren't interested.
I'm enjoying your adventures so much I want to be sure you have fodder for many more.
First, if you're still looking for stuff for the apartment, I think Irvine is having one of their "community sales" this Saturday, May 4. Since HOA's like the one in Irvine are only allowed to have garage sales once or twice a year a lot of families participate. Tis the season to replace your barely used patio furniture in planned communities like Irvine, Ranch Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo etc. Check Pennysaver.com for the ad/info.
At the Orange Circle, eat at Byblos Cafe. It's family owned by the sweetest family. The hummus and skewers are beyond amazing. And go for a drink at Orange Hill for the hilltop view of Orange, or a meal if you want to splurge. Also try out the nearest SuperMex for heavenly salsa. For a unusual twist on Mexican food, try Taco Mesa. I've only ever been to the one in Costa Mesa, but I guess they have one in Orange now.
Huntington Beach: Visit the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. There's an interpretive center with parking off PCH. There's a dog beach right at Goldenwest and PCH if you are lonesome for some doggie time. Then head inland to Central Park (there's a restaurant there that serves dogs too). Explore the giant bushes. We used to play hide-n-seek in them, and they were cool/creepy enough to warrant braving the giant spiders that live there. Be sure to stop by the Huntington Beach Library next to Central Park. Head to the stacks in the back where there's little stream and at least there used to be a some couches next to it to sit and have a snack. The whole library is beautiful--maybe one of my favorite places in OC. Wings-n-Things on Beach Blvd has AMAZING chicken wings. Keep on the lookout for grunion runs and red tides that make the ocean glow fluorescent blue. Often the red tides are announced in local papers etc and last a few days. For the grunion, it's only a few hours certain times, so with some web research you might get lucky. Maybe try one night after having a bonfire at one of the beaches that have pits, like Bolsa Chica.
Santa Ana: The Santa Ana Zoo is really small with no big-name animals like lions or elephants. It's mostly monkeys, but it's not too expensive for an annual pass and they have a petting area, which I incidentally never found open.
They have an aviary that's beautiful and peaceful to sit in with turtles and scarlet ibises walking around freely with you. Peacocks also wander the zoo grounds freely. Their annual pass also gets you into some other local zoos (not San Diego).
Irvine: Woodbridge Dollar Theater (
www.starplexcinemas.com) for cheap older movies, usually just before rental release. There's one in Seal Beach too, but the one in Irvine has some 3-D showings. The Woodbridge Irvine lake very close to the theater has a nice walking path around it where small flocks of Canada Geese like to hang out (most winter there but there are some that stay all year). Irvine Regional Park (which is much farther east) has a little train and water bike rentals etc. (
http://ocparks.com/parks/irvine/). Green parrots live wild all over the park.
Newport Beach: Check on groupon and travelzoo for discounted cruises to Catalina or whale watching during the season or kayaking around the Back Bay (which is nice to walk around as well). Ride the Balboa Island Ferry. Eat breakfast at The Omelette Parlor in Costa Mesa for fresh squeezed oj and amazing breakfast, but it can get crowded. Stop for a cupcake from Sprinkles in Fashion Island. Habana at The Lab in Costa Mesa has the most incredible sangria and ropa vieja--you barely have to chew. I read baby pigs were just born at Centennial Farm at the Costa Mesa fairgrounds (
http://www.ocfair.com/ocf2/community_programs/CentennialFarm.aspx).
Corona del Mar: Visit the tide pools at Little Corona at low-tide. Check out Rogers Gardens. It's just a retail nursery, but it is very beautiful.
Laguna Beach: Drive at least one way by way of the canyon, i.e. the 133 between the 405 and PCH, just avoid rush hour and weekend mid-mornings, especially during the summer. There's a Hari Krishna temple that has a Sunday dinner (
http://iskcon.lagunatemple.org/page/295/Sunday-Feast) that's free/donation only. They do chanting, then a lecture then serve food family style while you sit on the floor. You can be of any faith and there was no pressure whatsoever the times I've been. Unless they've changed it, you can arrive after the chanting or after the lecture too. The food is pretty good and the chanting is really relaxing. There's info about the feast etc on their website. They are happy with whatever you donate for your meal and are very nice. There are lots of art galleries, coffeehouses, places to grab a cocktail as well as volleyball and basketball courts. Also, head up to Top of the World for a great view. And the Sawdust Festival will be starting up in a few months.
San Clemente: Have a drink and some clam chowder at Fishermen's on the pier. The left side is their fancy restaurant and the right is their bar. You might have to hover a minute to snatch a table near sunset with an amazing view of the water and the chowder is awesome. Be sure to be close to the tracks at least once when the train goes by.
Most of these things you should find easily with a web search. If you can't and I didn't include a link, just pm me. And pick up the OC Weekly for a good events calendar and some very sassy editorial. I hope you love living in OC!
)
I love that you shared all those great ideas, and now we can't wait to do a bunch of them!! I'm sure it will probably take us years to accomplish everything, but thank you so much for your "local" advice 
I'm glad that you're enjoying reading along and can relate to a lot of our experiences! Maybe we'll get to see you in the parks sometime!
We will be going to Disney World instead and hope to make it to California in December.
!!!
