Hi, out-of-towners.
I know it's not cool to like Southern California, much less Orange County. It's pretty much accepted that the West Coast is inferior in all things not involving Mexican food, the placid climate, or weed.
But it's summer now, and summers here aren't humid or muggy, and we don't get those tornado things, either. (At least, not usually.)
Our beaches might be filled with boatloads of feces and toxins and other things of the sort, but we've got some swells, and that means we get surfers. Huntington Beach is renowned. Right?
And if we're really going to get down to it, how 'bout those fucking avocados, eh?
There's one thing I'm not going to even bother defending Orange County on—its lack of places to do such things as walk around, shop a bit, and grab a bite to eat. Cities like Manhattan are full of outdoor shopping districts—SoHo, Greenwich, NoLIta, areas thriving with people and sounds. And I don't mean synthetics like Fashion Island or the Block. I mean something that's a genuinely integrated part of the city, with unique characters, boutiques, restaurants and bars that don't have 250 other look-alikes scattered across the United States.
Orange County and Long Beach have several shopping districts that fit the description. They might not be as expansive as SoHo, but they ain't South Coast Plaza, either.
OLD TOWNE ORANGE
It looks like something out of Leave it to Beaver, Pleasantville,or even The Wonder Years, but Old Towne Orange has only recently undergone an update of sorts. The countless antique malls and Watson's Drug Store and Soda Fountain are still there in all their glory, but storefronts such as the Den (129 N. Glassell St.), which sells plenty of RVCA, Obey, WeSC and Modern Amusement digs, are setting up shop next door. Heavenly Hostess (132 S. Glassell St.) is a particularly favorite newcomer, with its frilly organza cocktail aprons that are as impractical as they are irresistible. Their equally fetching patterned halter (pictured), chef and gardening aprons might be a better route for the thoroughly sensible—and don't forget the matching headbands and potholders. Hungry? There's Felix for Cuban, Paris in a Cup for tea and macarons (the French variety, not the coconut chocolate American macaroons), Gaby's for Mexican, the Filling Station for comfort food, and Rutabegorz for everything else. Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue, Orange; www.oldtowneorange.com.
FOURTH STREET, LONG BEACH
This too-brief stretch of boutiques lining Long Beach's Fourth Street is the city's attempt to replicate the Mission district of San Francisco. Serendipitous vintage shopping is the theme. You'll find plenty of mid-century modern pieces to ogle at in furniture shops such as Xcape (2235 E. Fourth St.) and plenty of furniture, jewelry, housewares, clothing and records at Vintage Collective (2122 E. Fourth St.). Immoni (2112 E. Fourth St.) has racks of gently used and fairly priced clothing in its cozy store that actually feels like a house, fireplace and all—in addition to the friendliest staff ever. Hungry? Portfolio Coffeehouse for sammies and tarts and croissants and Americanos and a welcoming atmosphere. Fourth Street and Junipero, Long Beach. Porfolio Coffeehouse; www.portfoliocoffeehouse.com.
MAIN STREET, HUNTINGTON BEACH
It's not much of a secret, but Main Street reeks of what out-of-towners think Orange County is. If you're into Billabong, RVCA and Roxy, there's nothing better than Huntington Surf N Sport (300 Pacific Coast Hwy.; also 126 Main St.). The Closet (121 Main St.) caters to the same Surf City crowd, but with a liiiittle more sophistication. Electric Chair (410 Main St.) is the only place for miles for OC's disenchanted “alternative” crowd, with bondage pants and Manic Panic and creepers. And yes, there's an American Apparel (207 Main St.), too. Hungry? Skip BJ's and Tuna Town: Bodhi Tree Vegetarian Café (501 Main St.) serves up the best damn hot-and-sour soup and faux duck, and Jan's Health Bar (501 Main St.) beats the Jamba Juice around the corner. Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; www.hbdowntown.com.
SECOND STREET, LONG BEACH
Though it can get crowded, strolling down Second can be a good way to spend a warm afternoon, even if you're not in the shopping mood. This is home to a Buffalo Exchange (4608 Second St.) that, like all other vintage and consignment stores, can be hit or miss. There's Fingerprints, the only record store in the area that hosts in-stores—past guests have included Tom Waits, Damien Rice and Rilo Kiley. You can purchase a purple cheetah-print cat collar and doggie birthday cake at Wiskers (4818 Second St.) and say hello to Frank Sinatra the in-house rabbit. Or hit up the newly opened Powell's Sweet Shoppe (5282 E. Second St.) for the Big Hunks you miss from your childhood, and the Aero Bars from that time when you studied abroad. Hungry? The Frosted Cupcakery's strawberry cupcake is a favorite. Avoid the bars with island themes, and you should be okay.
