Skip to main content

Southwest Airlines Community

Nonstop Love: Get to Orange County While It's Ripe

liz-blumberg
Employee
Employee
Orange Beginning October 13, Dallas Love Field is FREE!  The restrictions of the Wright Amendment will be gone, ushering in nonstop destinations that span from coast to coast.   Southwest has been counting down the years and weeks (literally—we have a billboard at the Love Field entrance and a countdown clock in our Headquarters lobby) until we can say, “Goodbye, Wright Amendment. Hello, America!”   We are excited to begin this new era by serving five new nonstop destinations on October 13, followed by ten additional new nonstop destinations on November 2.  The addition of these 15 new nonstop destinations will bring Southwest to a total of 31 nonstop destinations from Love Field.  In anticipation of this momentous event, each week we will take a look at one of the cities that North Texas Customers will be able to soon visit nonstop on Southwest.  Each post is written by a Southwest Employee who is affiliated with the city and can give an insider’s view of what to see and do while visiting.  Enjoy! OC Even though I moved to Texas to work for Southwest, California will always have a special place in my heart.  Having been born and raised in Orange County, I grew up a mere five miles from the coast where I spent much of my childhood on some of California's most beautiful beaches.  I'm excited to see Orange County get some Nonstop Love because I'll not only get to visit my family, but I'll also get to work on my tan! In terms of daily departures, Orange County runs 52 nonstop flights to ten cities each day, making it an ideal destination for those who are craving a little time in the sun.  Grab your sunglasses and your surfboard—here are my insider tips on what to eat, do, and see in “The OC”! Your Orange County to-do list: To Eat:
  • Nick’s Deli:  Any Orange County native will agree:  Breakfast burritos are a staple in a Southern California diet.  Head to this local favorite in Seal Beach for breakfast burritos steps from the beach.
  • In-N-Out:  You can’t talk about food in Orange County without bringing up our favorite fast food.  Orange County natives swear by the famously fresh burgers, fries, and shakes.  Have you tried the secret menu?
???????????????????????????????????????????? To Do:
  • Disneyland:  A trip to Orange County would be incomplete without a stop at where the magic all began.  Built on 160 acres of orange groves in 1955, Disneyland continues to capture the hearts of children and adults alike.
  • Balboa Island:  Balboa Island is only 15 minutes away from John Wayne Airport, but you’ll need to hop aboard the iconic Balboa Ferry to get there.  Once you reach the quaint island, don’t forget to ride the Ferris Wheel at the Fun Zone and enjoy an infamous Balboa Bar (I have one every time I go home!).
OC(3) To See:
  • Crystal Cove State Park:  This picturesque state beach boasts three miles of beaches and tide pools, 400 acres of bluffs, and 2,400 acres of canyons.  It’s the perfect location for a relaxing hike followed by a picnic on the sand.
  • Mission San Juan Capistrano:  Mission San Juan Capistrano is a beautiful Spanish mission located in the heart of Orange County.  If you grew up in Orange County, the odds are you attended at least one field trip to this treasured historical landmark and museum, famous for the annual migration of the Swallows who inhabit its grounds.
My City Secret:
  • The Wedge:  This “secret” surf spot in Newport Beach isn’t for the faint of heart—the large wedge shaped waves can reach almost 15 feet!  Join the crowds that often gather to watch local surfing legends tackle the waves.