Coastal Orange County is a region of Southern California's famous Orange County that stretches along the Pacific Coast, from Huntington Beach all the way down to San Clemente, before it stops at the Camp Pendleton Marine base. It comprises the cities of Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Hunting Harbor and Seal Beach, as well as the smaller communities that make up those larger cities.
The area is heavily populated and, for the most part, quite affluent, with median household incomes going to as high as $164,000 in Newport Coast. The area is also sometimes referred to as the Orange Coast, and includes most of the coastal area between Los Angeles and San Diego. To take the scenic route through the region, get on the Pacific Coast Highway.
The area attracts millions of tourists each year, as visitors flock to the region's 42 miles of coastal beaches, harbors and resort areas. Surfing is a major draw here with plenty of large waves and breaks, and the U.S. Open of Surfing, the sport's annual crown, is held in Huntington Beach. Laguna Beach is a historic artistic community, with more than 75 art galleries and the annual Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Master.
There are multitudes of attractions to visit in the Coastal Orange County area. The International Surfing Museum is a unique place to learn about the history of the sport in Huntington Beach. Costa Mesa has plenty of cultural offerings, with the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the South Coast Repertory Theater and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, which includes the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and Samueli Theater. Newport Coast is the launching point for the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, and Crystal Cove State Park stretches through several of the cities.