How to Find Cheap Hotels in Orange County California

Orange County, California, is home to more than 3 million people, making it one of the most populous counties in the United States. Recent television shows focusing on such wealthy enclaves as Newport Beach and Laguna Beach have added to its reputation as a glitzy area where cheap accommodations are scarce. But Orange County is, in fact, very diverse, and plenty of options exist for the economical traveler.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A good map of Orange County, California
• A credit card to book your cheap accommodations
• A computer with Internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Get ready to drive. Orange County, California, covers nearly 1,000 square miles and more than two dozen incorporated cities. They include Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Irvine and Villa Park, among many others.

2. Immerse yourself in the Disneyland Magic: Orange County contains the city of Anaheim, which is famous for housing the world's most famous theme park.

3. Catch a wave at Surf City, USA, the nickname for Huntington Beach. Several high-profile surfing contests are held here each year.

4. Shop one of Orange County's enormous luxury malls. Some of them, such as Costa Mesa's South Coast Plaza, are famous throughout the country.

Choose Your Cheap Accommodations in Orange County, California

1. Get away from it all at one of the region's many State Parks. Quite a few, such as Crystal Cove near Laguna Beach, offer scenic and easily affordable camping.

2. Stay inland. Though not as scenic as some of the wealthier coastal communities, inland communities such as Irvine, Garden Grove and Santa Ana tend to offer more options for cheap accommodations.

3. Rent a condo, house, or cottage. Many of the beautiful coastal communities feature plenty of second homes, some of which are available to rent. Keep your costs down a bit and stay for a longer period with this option.

Get Around Orange County, California

1. Know the major arteries. These are some of the largest and busiest freeways in the country, particularly Interstate 5 and 405.

2. Slow down a little by cruising the famous Pacific Coast Highway from Seal Beach to Newport Beach and beyond.

3. Ride the rails instead. Metrolink Rail Service offers a handy way to get from Los Angeles through much of Orange County. Link up Orange County cities for easy day trips.

4. To book accommodations in Orange County, California, call Orange County Chamber of Commerce at 714- 538-3581 or visit the link below.

Tips & Warnings

• Beware the gloom. June is a big month for coastal fog in Southern California. You may not experience the kind of spectacular beach paradise you envision if you book around this time.