Orange County turns to gold: new resorts, TV show bolster county's image as resort destination.

Traveling south from Long Beach, visitors at last reach the new capital of cool--Orange County. Spurred by the recent success of its new coastal resorts--and the TV show "The O.C.," Orange County has shed its drab image of a bedroom community and become the place to see and be seen.

Orange County is unique by its lack of a downtown identity that people can point to--but the hit "The O.C.," has focused attention on the Newport Beach lifestyle--both fact and fiction--and sent young visitors in search of the world they see each week on the Fox soap.

"Shows like 'The O.C.' are a positive contributor to image," said Peter Yesawich, partner in the Orlando marketing firm of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell (YPB&R)

It wasn't always this way.

While developers set out to carve a city in Los Angeles in the early 1900s, and the Navy helped spark the growth of San Diego, Orange County sat comfortably in the middle--ignored by many, discovered by few.

By the 1920s, sailors and artists had made their way to coastal Orange County and spread the word about its charms. Not many highways came through the area until the 1950s when the Santa Aria Freeway reached to Anaheim.

Then Walt Disney chose Anaheim as the home of his dream amusement park and Orange County became a destination--as a day-trip to Anaheim.

Scattered resort properties like the exclusive Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach and Surf & Sand in Laguna Beach drew their share of celebrities and fame, but it wasn't until the late 20th century that this increasingly urban area became a destination for its resorts.

"Coastal Orange County is very strong," said Bruce Baltin, senior vice president of PKF Consulting in Los Angeles, which tracks the hotel industry.

"We're seeing the true resort properties getting a lot of business," he said.

Anaheim has transformed itself, too, with the 1,100-acre Anaheim Resort District that includes the Disneyland Resort's two parks and three hotels, the Convention Center and a host of other lodging and dining.

Anaheim is still the heart of the tourist and convention district. But now, more visitors have the option to enjoy a wealth of resorts along the county's 42 miles of coastline, too.

Coming south from Long Beach, visitors can choose whether to take the Garden Grove (Route 22) Freeway to Anaheim or continue on Pacific Coast Highway south through the heart of the Gold Coast.

Early travelers didn't have the comforts of today's coastal read--though they probably faced less traffic. But they came anyway, as Hollywood stars like Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Charlie Chaplin and Mickey Rooney discovered Laguna Beach and actors like John Wayne made Newport Beach his home.

In the 1970s, the Surf & Sand served as the headquarters for the press corps whenever President Richard Nixon stayed at his Western White House in San Clemente. Today, that press corps would be able to choose from a string of coastal resorts that still includes an expanded Surf & Sand as well as the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach and Hilton Waterfront in Huntington Beach; the Montage in Laguna Beach; or the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Monarch Beach and Marriott Laguna Cliffs in Dana Point.

Since 2001, three of these jewels have opened their doors, focusing more attention on Orange County as a destination--even outside of Anaheim. Another boutique resort hotel is slated for Newport Coast as is one in Costa Mesa near South Coast Plaza.

"Orange County is a hot area," said Doug Wheeler, a La Jolla-based conference planner.

"It's interesting to clients because of the sophisticated nature of the area and the allure of new, hot high-end hotels," he said.

Orange County has about 3 million residents, but planned cities, greenbelts, national forests and coastal development guidelines have left much of it with a wide-open feel. Wilderness trails and canyons are easily accessible--sometimes just outside of town--and small beach coves complement the wider expanses of beaches throughout the county.

Visitors driving down the coast will get a glimpse of its diversity when they pass through still-sleepy Surfside and Sunset before arriving in Huntington Beach at the Bolsa Chica State Ecological Reserve, a major stop on the Pacific Flyway for migrating birds.

Huntington Beach is known as Surf City, made famous by the '60s musical groups Jan & Dean and the Beach Boys. This year, the city celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Today, surfing, volleyball, BMX bike contests and inline skating dominate the sports scene--but the big draw is the new Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa that has given tourists and meeting planners, a reason to consider it an upscale destination.

The Hyatt includes the largest conference center along the coast, a top-rated restaurant, a bridge to the beach and a full-service spa that offers specials like "Mommy and Me" treatments for mother-daughter days.

But whether visitors explore on foot or by car, they'll find eclectic stores like Jack's Surf Shop and upscale restaurants like Chimayo at the Beach or local favorites like Park Bench Card.

Continue into Newport Beach, the largest coastal city, and turn down the Newport Peninsula to saunter the Newport or Balboa piers, sample bayside dining, or rollerblade in the Fun Zone--a whimsical Coney Island-style relic of an earlier time. Rent an electric boat, or watch surfers at The Wedge.

Newport claims the largest marina in the county and the city includes three islands--two exclusive to residents. You can take your car on a ferry across the bay to Balboa Island to shop the village streets and then proceed back to the mainland by bridge and head to Newport's main shopping district: Fashion Island.

Here you'll find the Four Seasons--Newport's urban resort--as well as a wealth of upscale restaurants like Roy's Newport Beach, The Ritz Restaurant or Fleming's Prime Steak House and Wine Bar or shopping at OC's only Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdale's, all within walking distance of the Four Seasons.

"Although Newport is a smaller city (than others), its proximity to both the LAX and Orange County airports and the strong hospitality community make it an ideal meetings destination," said Charles Massey, a West Hollywood certified meeting planner.

Some of those groups head to the Balboa Bay Club Resort & Spa--the first public hotel at the exclusive club once governed by the legendary John Wayne, who sometimes served drinks at the bar. Balboa Bay Club has the only waterfront ballroom in the county along with first-rate restaurants like the Frost Cabin.

Pelican Hill Golf Course overlooks the Pacific Ocean at Newport Coast--a luxury residential development--and the city's restaurants rival the best in any major metropolis.

Pelican Hill is just one of almost 40 golf courses in the county that also include former Anaheim Angels Doug DeCinces' Strawberry Farms, Tustin Ranch Golf Club, Talega in San Clemente and Monarch Beach Golf Links at St. Regis in Dana Point

About a dozen types of sailing vessels are available for charter and private parties, including Hornblower Yachts & Events, whose fleet includes the John Wayne yacht, Wild Goose. Or choose a dine-around for groups--by boat.

Just inland from Newport Beach is Costa Mesa, where South Coast Plaza--a destination shopping resort--beckons. South Coast Plaza's 280-plus stores and 33 restaurants, together represent the first shopping resort in the nation, and a travel destination recognized by Visa International as one of only nine "Most Famous Places to Stay, Shop & Dine."

Costa Mesa also is the cultural hub of Orange County, with the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the acclaimed South Coast Repertory Theater anchoring a host of dance, orchestra, opera and ballet troupes as well as live theater.

Before continuing along the coast, travelers may want to detour inland to explore other parts of the county.

Anaheim is the focal point for the visitor industry, with the Disneyland Resort, the convention center, Anaheim Angels baseball stadium and the Arrowhead Pond, home to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, a major league Lacrosse team, and the site of the Olympic gymnastics tryouts in June.

When Disneyland debuted its second theme park in 2001, it also opened the Grand Californian Arts & Crafts style hotel, setting a new standard for luxury properties that others have followed. Next year, the Disneyland Resort will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland--raising the bar once again on tourist-serving events by bringing cruise ship Disney Magic to a Los Angeles port for 12 weeks of cruises to Mexico and generating an expected increase in tourist business across the county.

Disneyland Park has been sprucing up for the big event and will relaunch some of its most popular rides--including Space Mountain--next year. Meanwhile, at Disney's California Adventure, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror debuted in May, adding another dimension to the park--and another option for theme parties for convention groups.

"Whenever Disney opens a new attraction, we get a big spike in visitors," said Charles Ahlers, president of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau.

The Anaheim Convention Center is the largest on the West Coast after an expansion completed in 2000 and has more than 8,000 first-class hotel rooms within walking distance of the Center. Also within walking distance is Downtown Disney--a retail, dining and entertainment area linking the two Disney parks that has added a nightlife component for visitors.

New this year is Tortilla Jo's--an authentic Mexican eatery serving handmade tortillas and more than 100 varieties of tequila.

In nearby Yorba Linda, visitors can spend a peaceful afternoon at the Richard M. Nixon Library and Birthplace. The museum this fall will complete a 47,000-square-foot expansion that includes a replica of the White House East Room. Groups are welcome to book meetings, receptions and banquets--and it's just 10 miles from the Convention Center.

Other visitors might want to head to Old Town Orange, the county's antique capital adjacent to Anaheim, or to the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art and Santa Arm Artists Village in the county seat, Santa Ana.

The Irvine business district near John Wayne Airport acquired a top-rated hotel when the Hyatt Regency Irvine achieved a four-diamond rating last fall after a massive renovation. The last phase of that--a remake of its restaurants--will be completed in August.

Visitors following the new Orange County Driving Guide put out by the Anaheim/orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau will find it easy to get from Anaheim to the next stop for coastal resorts--Laguna Beach. When you leave the Santa Arm (I-5) Freeway, you'll wind your way down Laguna Canyon to the city entrance near the Festival of Arts.

Laguna Beach already was gaining fame as a 'tent city' camping resort in the late 1800s. Just a short time later, San Francisco artist Norman St. Claire came to paint the surf, lagoons and hillsides in the plein-air Impressionist style. Edgar Payne, who also created the forerunner to the Laguna Art Museum, opened the first art gallery in 1918.

In 1932, the Festival of Arts opened its doors; this month, it debuts its 72nd edition of the Pageant of the Masters, an exhibition of tableaux vivant that is unique in the U.S.

Laguna remains an art colony today, with places like the new [seven-degrees] combining studio lofts, exhibit space and event space in one dramatic facility between the Art-A-Fair and Sawdust Festival grounds.

Last year, the Craftsman-style Montage Resort & Spa opened its doors, bringing new acclaim to the city.

Last summer, it was featured in Architectural Digest, named the 'Best New Hotel/Resort Discovery' by The Gallivanter's Guide and broke into Conde Nast Traveler's '100 Hot New Hotels' list. The top-rated resort also boasts a spa that made Mobil Guide's first four-star spa list. It has become a favorite spot for celebrity-studded fundraisers and for visitors who simply want to learn about the ocean tide pools on the beach below.

Just to the south, Dana Point--long a local secret of sorts--has invited the world to enjoy its coastal charm at its three coastal resorts. The Ritz-Carlton has the oceanfront advantage, while the St. Regis across the street has golf at Monarch Beach Golf Links onsite. And the nearby Laguna Cliffs Marriott, which debuted its own full-service spa this spring, overlooks Dana Point Harbor. Both the harbor Dana Point Marino." lo and town were sailing, fishing named in honor of author Richard Henry Dana who wrote "Two Years Before the Mast." The novel is said to be ah account of the harbor's discovery in the 19th century.

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel broke ground in April on its new spa and offers guests unique experiences through events like Saturday Cooking Classes with the chef. Groups can theme the classes to ingredients such as chocolate, wild game or even tomatoes. The resort's winemaker dinners are an experience that rates high with guests.

Across the street at the St. Regis Monarch Beach, request the services of a beach butler for leisure guests or a conference butler for groups. Visitors can enjoy Martini Mondays--now set to music--or high tea during the holiday season.

The resort's concierge can assist guests in arranging shopping tours, fishing trips or visits to the Mission San Juan Capistrano nearby.

Travelers arriving by car will want to get away from driving for a day or so--and Catalina Island offers just such ah adventure. Catamarans ply the waters between both Dana Point and Newport Beach daily in season to the enchanted island 26 miles offshore. Private planes have a shorter trip to a mountaintop landing strip. The island is largely a nature conservancy, ideal for hiking and exploring in the wilderness. The lone town, Avalon, is almost a throwback to the Big Band era when the Wrigley family owned the island. Dotted with B&Bs, restaurants and shopping, Catalina also offers a chance to explore the waters off the Western coast. This year, it celebrates it 75th anniversary.

In all, Orange County has about 50,000 hotel rooms--about half of them in Anaheim. Like other resort areas, it is finally seeing signs of a tourist resurgence absent since 9/11, much point for with countywide occupancy at about 71% through April, up from 64% a year ago. Average room rates range from a low of $82 in North County to a high of $156 in South Orange County, which includes most of the coastal cities.

YPBR's Yesawich said that 32% of travelers in a recent survey indicated an interest in visiting Orange County.

"That's the same percentage as Williamsburg (Va.)," he said.

The convention market in Anaheim remains strong--and services like the Anaheim Golf Shuttle, the Anaheim Resort Transit trolley system and the nearby California Welcome Center in Santa Ana help to promote the area.

A promotion launched by the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau bears the tag line "It's sO California."

And for those who seek the quintessential Southern California experience, that says it all.