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Orange County

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Orange County

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Orange County, California

Updated March 7, 2023

Unusual Attractions in Orange County

The place where it all started.

Irvine, California

The Original Taco Bell Building

Someone really, really wanted to save this fast-food icon from demolition.

Dad's, which claims to be the original big banana.

Newport Beach, California

The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island

Try the frozen treat that inspired Arrested Development's famous banana stand.

Peter the Anteater

Irvine, California

Peter the Anteater Statue

This bronze statue commemorates the strange and beloved mascot of UC Irvine—the only university to be represented by a giant anteater.

Anaheim, California

Dominguez Palm Tree

A family agreed to sell their property to Disney on the condition that this tree, planted as a wedding gift, would not be removed.

Anaheim, California

Walt Disney’s Bench

Inspiration struck on this seat outside the Griffith Park merry-go-round.

Jingles the carousel horse.

Anaheim, California

Jingles

The lead horse on a Disneyland merry-go-round that is older than the park itself.

Newport Beach, California

Fashion Island Wind Chimes

These were the largest wind chimes in the world when artist Tom Van Sant created them for a California mall in 1967.

Stephen's bench

Anaheim, California

Stephen Hillenburg Memorial

A monument to the legacy of the man who created Spongebob Squarepants at the school where his passion for art and marine biology began.

See All 16 Things To Do in Orange County

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Orange County

The place where it all started.

Irvine, California

The Original Taco Bell Building

Someone really, really wanted to save this fast-food icon from demolition.

Dad's, which claims to be the original big banana.

Newport Beach, California

The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island

Try the frozen treat that inspired Arrested Development's famous banana stand.

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