One of the most frequently asked questions I receive are from those who live out of town and heading to Orange County for a vacation… they’re typically looking for recommendations on what to see, do, and where to eat. Orange County is actually a very large area, broken up into sections… South, Central, North… and a few in between… that I always have to clarify exactly where people are staying. Most note they’ll be in the coastal regions, but I always argue that there is so much charm, culture, and history in some of the more inland areas of Orange County.

So today I teamed up with FitFlop to bring you a walking tour of one of my all time favorite, small, and quaint parts of the county… The Orange Circle. What used to be the antique mecca of Orange County has now been transformed into an area filled with small shops, tasty eateries, trendy beauty spots, and tons of history (fun fact, I actually received my Master’s degree from the college that has revived the area into a “hipper” spot… Chapman University…) all amidst old buildings and beautiful architecture.

In order to walk this tour in comfort, you’ll want your feet to feel like you’re walking on clouds… enter FitFlop. I own two pairs of shoes from their brand, and they easily keep my feet comfortable all day long. Their shoes are on trend, with various styles to fit whatever need you might have. For work + a casual day (like walking through a city), I love these ballet flats (they come in several different color options… and I actually got a pair for my mom as well….) for practicality, comfort, and style… for those days when I’m on mom duty from morning till afternoon I toss on these sporty knit kicks (I own in the blush color….) to run around after little miss (I’m also considering these star studded kicks as well…)…. And for work or a date night out with TJ these over the knee boots are a perfect addition. They offer free shipping, which always makes shopping there a cinch.

I recommend stopping in at one of our favorite spots for avocado toast and a little caffeine… Provisions Market. You can opt to sit inside, or grab a seat on their outside patio and people watch (trust me, you can get some interesting characters). We frequent this spot at least once a week… I’ve also heard amazing things about their deviled eggs…. maybe give those a try as well….. and, at the end of the day, they have quite the selection of craft beers + wine (not that I’m partaking in that right now).

After your belly is full and you’re fueled up with caffeine, take a stroll to the center of the circle. Along the way stop in the cute little shops (there are a few clothing boutiques + a cute toy shop…) and take a look around. Once you’re in the actual “circle” relax a little on one of the benches… it’s a tree lined area, so you can even take your avocado toast to go and enjoy it on the grass.

A fun fact. The movie “That Thing You Do” with Tom Hanks was filmed here….

After, I highly recommend heading to Lollipop Nail Salon for a little pampering. Not only is the decor absolutely adorable, but all their services are organic in nature. Their scrubs, soaks, + oils are made with organic ingredients, and their nail polishes are non-toxic. It’s a clean, friendly, environment and I can’t recommend it enough…   

By now your stomach is likely growling again, so I’d swing into Impact juice bar for a healthy snack, smoothie, or açai bowl. They have a wide selection on tea tonics, kombuchas, and small snack bites that you’re guaranteed to find a healthy snack here.

To close out the day, meander over to the Enchanted Florist  for a beautiful custom made bouquet of flowers to take home with you. They also have adorable trinkets that you can browse while you wait for them to work their magic….

And while I just highlighted a few favorite spots, some other places that you should add to your list are The Well for a happy hour beverage, Pizza Press for dinner, Ürth Cafe for a loaded veggie sandwich, Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen, Francoli’s for authentic Italian, and A La Minute for organic, made right in front of you, ice cream sandwiches. Wherever you chose to walk to and from, you’re guaranteed a fun day, and comfortable feet thanks to FitFlop!

Thank you to FitFlop for sponsoring this post….