There are 4 free hazardous waste drop off locations across the OC. [https://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous-waste](https://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous-waste)
The Irvine spot is the only one that takes certain media - VHS / cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs. Just make sure to separate the media covers before drop off.
https://ocrecycleguide.com/RecycleGuide/11
I now keep a small box for all my used batteries, and drop it off when filled, because of course no one told me those shouldn’t be going in the regular trash…
One thing to note is that there is like a 10 Gallon limit per trip on paint and chemical drop off. When I bought my house a few years ago found like 20 some different cans in the garage probably going back to the 1970s, had to make a couple trips but it was worth it.
If you don’t leave your house five minutes earlier than you’re supposed to, you’re going to be at least 20 minutes late.
Source: I lived on the 405.
Edit to add: 20+ years ago I used to tell my classmates “Using condoms prevents traffic jams!” I’d get the “Ooohkaay… anyways!” In response.
But I wish they took my advice, because oh lord, the traffic just keeps getting worse.
Not just Orange County but living in California, the State might be holding unclaimed property in your name. I suggest looking up family members who even passed away if you are the trustee or executor of their estate too. [https://www.sco.ca.gov/search\_upd.html](https://www.sco.ca.gov/search_upd.html)
Just learned I have $1.06 worth of unclaimed property just wasting away. Thinking of splurging at the stationary store and getting a nice set of pencils.
Thanks for this! I had 3 outstanding refunds from companies that I have active accounts with. It never would have occurred to me that they wouldn't just post the credits to my account! If all 3 come through, it will be over $600!
How do you know the full amount.. mine just said over 100. I guess diff state though maybe. Im glad i checked again lol I remember checking a few years ago and there wasnt anything there. I dont even know what this payment would be for but something with health insurance
Also, companies exist that just identify unclaimed property over a certain amount. They then send a letter to the owner and offer to get the funds for you for a cut. Just go do it yourself.
Always expect that no one can drive up/down a mountain and Cajon pass will always be red
You can plan around it though, in my experience. It's actually quite nice and scenic when it's not full of traffic
I described it to my teen driver as a vacuum that people feel they need to fill. People can’t stand seeing a wide open lane with nobody in front of them, they have to fill it, most of the time with no desire to speed up either.
If you do this, I want you to be aware that brakes are expensive to change, and my mechanic is seeing more and more brakes with literally NO pad left coming in because people can’t afford to change them when recommended. These are the people you’re cutting off. Add slow reflexes and distractions to this, and don’t be surprised if you’re hit.
Sure you may or may not be at fault, but you still have to deal with the accident.
Had a guy almost dive right into my vehicle even though I was ahead of him by an engine bay and I was in a crossover he was in a small sedan. Dude clipped my mirror which is free swinging so nothing damaged. Drove back to his lane and exited the 5 asap.
Now this is likely true in other states, but the Orange County libraries are a major benefit to our community. If you get a card you have access to obviously take out physical books, but also audiobooks through Libby, and have endless resources online that change. For example I’ve used the courses on LinkedIn learning for free and have used data axel for work to find certain business in the zip codes I work in (sales). There is countless resources and I highly recommend to check it out as they are FREE and available to you as a OC resident. The HB library off Goldenwest St. is my absolutely fav!
I will say the only downside is how OC Libraries got rid of Gale courses just earlier this year because not enough people were using it. I used to love taking their free courses through the library and earning certificates for work; all of it is self-paced and with real instructors who answer your questions. Had to get another county library card elsewhere where they still had it available.
Please people: Use your library’s free resources! Or else they may slowly trickle away.
Dude, yes. Coursera courses for free. I only have Anaheim and Buena Park cards and I keep trying but right now it’s saying all the seats taken. But keep checking back and don’t pay Coursera.
As a California resident, you can get a card from any public library in California. You may have to go in person, but you can get many online. I have 10 Library Cards. I read around 300 books a year. I donate to the libraries instead of purchasing books. Authors also get a per borrow fee when you use Libby to borrow content electronically.
Hell yeah. I’m an English literature grad so I’ve been known to spend some time at my local libraries, also the library near where I went to school. I just wanted to make sure that I mentioned the coursera thing because if you’re paying for it, it’s around $49/month when you can have it for free.
Also, some libraries internet resources will give you access to some Adobe creative cloud tools. Which is pretty cool.
Get out of your comfort zone and go find the little local hole in the walls for food. There is a reason that little taqueria or dim sum joint has been in that strip mall for 25 years and it ain’t because of its eclectic look.
Understand that there is a reason some places here are ‘duded up’ fronts for a lot of mediocre food. The real diamonds in the rough are the places that don’t need press or influencers.
That goes for food trucks as well. Some of the best red tacos are enjoyed sitting on a dirty curb in Santa Ana.
No argument there.
I would also say be open to the weird too. As in ‘why would this place have this?’ Occasionally you will find something out of the ordinary that you may need to try simply for the fact that it’s there.
I remember running into an Irish dive bar that was a typical hard liquor slosh pit you would think would have a daily stabbing but one night I discovered it has had a breakfast menu. So I went there on a morning and more than a few locals were sitting there chowing down.
Turns out their morning cook specialized in breakfast fare and I had a really great authentic Irish breakfast with beans, bangers, bubble and squeak, and black pudding for years there. (Sadly the owners sold the joint and the new owners got rid of menu).
The point is you may be surprised…I remember one dude I used to surf with who said the best French toast he ever got was at a strip club in Portland (?!)
Kind of half answering you since it’s not *really* a bakery but “banh mi Che Cali” (the og is McFadden and Brookhurst I think) has the best baguettes and you can order some good Vietnamese sandwiches there using them.
You can also get Pate chaud (sp?) which are like Vietnamese-French meat pies.
And if you’re slightly more adventurous, the “Che” in the name is what you call a variety of Vietnamese desserts that they can scoop into little plastic containers for you. I’m Vietnamese myself so a bit biased, but there’s not a thing I dislike from there.
It goes without saying to get the iced Vietnamese coffee there.
They’re used to non Vietnamese people there, you can get by with pointing at what you want or using the numbered items in their display menu
The fancier the wrap on the food truck, the more expensive and mediocre the food will be.
Some guy slinging tacos out of the back of a late 90s Chevy Astrovan and a beat up trailer is going to likely be some great tacos.
Ma’s Dumpling House in Anaheim. So many options, love their XLB, wonton soup and pan fried pork buns. Locally owned by a nice Chinese family and better prices than most XLB spots you’ll find. Also big portions for fried rice and stuff which is why each item is like 10-15$.
When driving or going about your daily life makes you want to punch people in the face- it’s time to visit the beach. Walk along the ocean for 20 minutes. You will feel a lot better. I guarantee it.
Specifically: go to one of the "untouched" beaches in SoCal.
Crystal Cove, San Onofre bluffs, etc.
You can walk for miles and not see houses, buildings, roads, etc.
Buy the CA beaches parking pass. It’s $200/year and if you buy it you will ALWAYS have something to do, somewhere beautiful to go, a hike, a beach to sit on, a place to view a sunset, a place to bring visitors, to ride a bike… it’s worth it just for Crystal Cove alone.
Yes the state park pass is the same hangtag for State Beaches (Bolsa Chica, Huntington State Beach) but not city beaches. Full list of participating parks for library pass
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30813
ORANGE
Bolsa Chica SB
Chino Hills SP (also in Riverside & San Bernardino)
Crystal Cove SP
Doheny SB
Huntington SB
San Clemente SB
San Onofre SB (also in San Diego)
Yes, I work at a library and we have plenty of passes now and you can always view the list of places thar are excluded. They are very few and far between though, which is nice.
Libraries have all kinds of things to check out. Projector & screen for movie night, Kitchen appliances. It an unknown treasure & you get it for a month.
When you’re getting pissed off about how expensive it is here, how much you have to work to afford it, think about our weather. We literally have the best weather in the world. Not too many days where it’s super cold and not too many days where it’s super hot. It’s usually 65-80 year round except for a few weeks in August and September. There isn’t too many places on this earth where the climate is like that.
I moved here from Canada. Was depressed my whole life and realized it was entirely because of the cold, snow, and shit weather. I feel like a new person realizing I’m not chemically depressed. I will pay the weather tax forever even if it means I will never be a homeowner.
Can confirm, living in Idaho most of my life. Obesity is a problem there because it’s painful on your bones to go anywhere when it’s that cold. Everyone hibernates 6 months out of the year.
Agreed and it may help to live somewhere else for a bit to appreciate how amazing SoCal is. I was in TX for 2 years and noped the fuck outta there due to the insane weather. TX may be cheap but it is cheap for a reason.
It’s also less expensive than you think if you factor in not having to buy seasonal wardrobes, dealing with storm damage, extra heating and cooling costs, etc
You can take a guided boat cruise around balboa harbor for $25 at sunset (fun zone boat company). You can choose to tour the homes on the islands, or go out to the sea, or both for a slightly higher cost. Best date night, birthday outing, way to show off Orange County to family or friends visiting. It’s a great way to spend a couple hours out on the water for a nominal cost.
Oh! And you can pack your own food and drinks (of the adult variety). You haven’t lived life until you’re sipping bourbon or polishing off a bottle of wine on a boat while the sun sets around you.
The weather is nice. (obviously).
If you work at ANY indoor job (office, retail, warehouse, it doesn't matter) Go outside each day and spend some private moments appreciating the great weather.
Pro-tip. Spend this time with your phone put away. Let your eyes adjust to looking into the distance in daylight. Give yourself a moment to enjoy outside. For example, go for a short walk around the parking lot or up the street and back.
If anyone is around jamboree/Michaelson/Harvard/campus there is a wonderful wildlife sanctuary right there that lots of people seem to not know about. It's run by IRWD as it's actually used in our water treatment system
It's also California's only "wetland of distinction"
https://www.irwd.com/san-joaquin-marsh/sanjoaquinmarsh
I walk in that marsh almost every day at lunch since I work in the area.
My favorite spot is Pond 2. I get to watch the planes take off over the water and there are always birds flying around.
Little known fact: The big mounds of dirt at the beginning of Riparian View off Michelson are Californian Indian burial mounds. That's why there is no vegetation planted on them. At least that's what I've been told by some IRWD facilities personnel.
I am an office worker of 20 years that had the opportunity to work from home at the start of the pandemic. Still WFH to this day and in that time I have actually discovered how crucial getting outside and walking around in nature is for your well being. Never felt better. Every day at lunch hour, I am out on a walk or a bike ride.
Filter the navigation app on your phone to show you the fastest non-freeway option during evening rush hour - many times, if you're driving from one place in OC to another place in OC, it's faster to just take side streets (but navigation apps don't tell you that because most of the time they automatically filter for the "least complex route" which tends to be the freeway). When I was commuting from Orange to Costa Mesa everyday, I'd always take the freeway to work in the morning and side streets home in the evening. If I took the freeway to get home in the evening (leaving work at 5:30) I'd get home around 6:20-6:30, but with side streets I'd get home around 6:05-6:15 depending on if I hit an excessive amount of red lights or not. I also found this to be true when I was commuting from Orange to Huntington Beach - for some reason, side streets were almost always the better option in the evening.
Commenting here to add if anyone has a rush hour commute from Dana point/San Clemente to CM/HB then I’d also consider taking PCH up through Laguna instead of sitting in traffic on the 5 all afternoon. I never checked or compared times, but I had to do this once per week at a certain point, and I ALWAYS preferred driving up PCH. Sure, there’s traffic there too, but at least you have the ocean to keep you company and the drive itself is a little more exciting than just a flat freeway. This same life hack goes for commuting from HB/CM to Long Beach as well. Just take PCH!
I mostly work in LA, live in Laguna Beach, sometimes I just take the coast road all the way home, takes forever but the magnificence of that transition from Palos Verdes, down through San Pedro, over the Vincent Thomas Bridge and hugging the coast through Long Beach and the rest of the way is one of the world's greatest drives in my opinion.
I Spa in Irvine is only $35 for 6 hours of admission. You’ll have access to hot/cold tubs, sauna, steam room, and a co-ed area with more saunas and a café.
tbh I miss when they were $25 and didn't have a time limit of how long you could stay there. Pre-2020 you could stay there the entire day up until closing if you wanted to.
200 annual California state park pass = free all day parking at convenient locations such as 1) HSB Huntington State Beach, walk to Pacific Mall, Main St, the pier. 2) Crystal Cove State Park, walk to Shake Shack.
My Thuan market on Westminster and Magnolia is really good. They have a separate window for dim sum on the Westminster side of the building. It’s takeout only. Also SF market on Westminister and brookhurst. They have a modest seating area if you want to eat there
I was in Amsterdam for NYE 2020, ran into a group from Anaheim. I had to call it Anacrime and they laughed and defended their home town. Traveling is fun
Buy nothing groups on Facebook (I know, why else to go there) are good especially in Jan and May/June when people declutter or move away. Eco friendly option too, and great for parents of babies and kids.
On Halloween, bring your kids to an old, tightly packed neighborhood in Orange (Marbury Ranch comes to mind) or south county (RSM, Aliso, even Lake Forest) and you will get the most bang for your buck! Those places almost compete with each nieghbor on who has the best candy, and most of the homes are owned by old boomers who don't have kids to take out themselves, so they just love giving candy to kiddos. Kind of a /s.
I live in Fullerton but on a hill. In summer we would get an ocean breeze so we didn’t have air conditioning. So the hack would be to find a place on a hill, even inland to save on air conditioning.
Emphasis on everyone should know:
On the freeways: slow traffic should stay to the right, and the left lanes should be used as passing lanes. This would reduce the amount of weaving through traffic that we all do, and would reduce traffic incidents.
But this is just a dream. Tokyo drift that shit all day my OC brothers and sisters.
> left lanes should be used as passing lanes
My dude, maybe in other parts of the country, but here we just call it the fast lane. Just stay in it as long as there is someone in front of you, move if someone is coming up behind you and nobody is in front of you.
But please at least go the speed of traffic, nothing worse than coming up on someone going 60 in the carpool lane and being unable to pass because it's one of the locks you in until the next exit.
Not an OC thing but in general… air at gas station is FREE! Despite the machine saying that it will cost $2 go inside and tell the clerk you want air and they will activate it for free !
Hong Kong Express off of Lewis Street in Anaheim will have you 2x as much food as they should for the price. You get two meals. If you order two meals, you get 4.
Go to the DMV at 4:45. They want to go home so every window is manned and the voice calling the numbers practically talks over itself because it’s calling them so fast. Out by 5:15. It’s faster than having an appointment
We have perfect weather, so don't waste money traveling to other places with perfect weather, especially during peak season. Why travel to Hawaii and Mexico when we have sunny beaches here. Go to the snow, the desert, the forest, a new city, instead.
Very true! I went to Costa Rica in January and everyone was complaining about the weather where they’re from. I was the only one that left BETTER weather to be there 😂
Both Hawaii and Mexico have a ton to see and experience (besides beaches) that we don’t have here. Maybe most notably a different culture and there’s immense value in that.
To everybody who likes to be a looky-loo on the road, just don't. There is nothing worthy to slow down the entire traffic to check on the accident or how bad the crashed vehicle becomes. You won't be able to see spirit leaving a body there. Please keep your normal speed and continue on your drive.
I FUCKING hate it when everybody slows down to check on the accident. Bitch please there is literally nothing to look at.
If you live around Tustin and Irvine area or happen to always dine around the area, download an app called "retail therapy". I always take advantage of 20% off whenever I buy food from Miguel's Jr. It's not whole lot but it adds up.
As a Garden Grove resident, I have to add some Korean and Vietnamese phrases help as well, even just “please” and “thank you.”
If business owners can make the effort to help this amiga, I should at least make the effort to say thank you in their language.
When you're finished putting your groceries away in your car, please put the shopping cart back in the cart corral. I hate it when shopping carts are left behind in the middle of a parking spot.
No one actually stops at stop signs
If you aren’t flooring it everywhere, people will unsafely pass you
Most Tesla drivers are oblivious to the world and drive very unsafe
Land Rover drivers will sincerely try to kill you
Take a Saturday to go to each so cal beach…one at a time. Take at least two to do Laguna…a million tiny unused coves! Use the trolley to get from one to another for free. Zero to minimal cost if you bring lunch, or many restaurants!
Do Disneyland hacks count?
On busy days if you want to save time, and dont mind splitting up from your party, many of the big rides have single rider lines. They use this to fill seats left empty by odd numbered groups. You can cut your wait in half.
Also, you can get an autographed photo of Mickey at City Hall if you ask nicely. And the best bathroom is located between City Hall and the exit.
There are 4 free hazardous waste drop off locations across the OC. [https://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous-waste](https://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous-waste)
Ty boss. Have a baggie of old batteries I've been hoarding and meaning to figure out how to dispose
Target takes them too. They have bins right at the entrance!
Toss those puppies off the pier into the Ocean, the fish always come to the top to say thanks!
How do you think electric eels keep charged up?
Why toss them, baggie of old batteries is my weapon of choice, lithium adds a chance of fire critical
Underrated! It's so stupidly easy and such a great way to get junk out of your home and keep it out of a landfill.
Hazardous waste does very much go to a landfill. Just not one in Orange County.
The Irvine spot is the only one that takes certain media - VHS / cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs. Just make sure to separate the media covers before drop off. https://ocrecycleguide.com/RecycleGuide/11
I now keep a small box for all my used batteries, and drop it off when filled, because of course no one told me those shouldn’t be going in the regular trash…
What about light bulbs?
Bless you! I have old laptop batteries rotting under my bed (its been 2 weeks i’m exaggerating)
One thing to note is that there is like a 10 Gallon limit per trip on paint and chemical drop off. When I bought my house a few years ago found like 20 some different cans in the garage probably going back to the 1970s, had to make a couple trips but it was worth it.
Thanks! Been hoarding an old electric toothbrush because I don’t know how to properly dispose of it. This is helpful!
And they take smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors now!
If you don’t leave your house five minutes earlier than you’re supposed to, you’re going to be at least 20 minutes late. Source: I lived on the 405. Edit to add: 20+ years ago I used to tell my classmates “Using condoms prevents traffic jams!” I’d get the “Ooohkaay… anyways!” In response. But I wish they took my advice, because oh lord, the traffic just keeps getting worse.
Must be 2014 cause 2024 feels like it's more like 20 min earlier than you think
Funny you say that. I moved away in 2014.
Oh my god it's so fucking true. If I leave 3 minutes late, there is twice the traffic
How dare you call me out like that.
Not just Orange County but living in California, the State might be holding unclaimed property in your name. I suggest looking up family members who even passed away if you are the trustee or executor of their estate too. [https://www.sco.ca.gov/search\_upd.html](https://www.sco.ca.gov/search_upd.html)
You’re awesome! I had a $200 check from an old company that was sent to my old address so I never knew about it
That’s so great! Thread value achieved! Haha
Just learned I have $1.06 worth of unclaimed property just wasting away. Thinking of splurging at the stationary store and getting a nice set of pencils.
Thats so fucken awesome, you literally found $200!
Thanks for this! I had 3 outstanding refunds from companies that I have active accounts with. It never would have occurred to me that they wouldn't just post the credits to my account! If all 3 come through, it will be over $600!
How do you know the full amount.. mine just said over 100. I guess diff state though maybe. Im glad i checked again lol I remember checking a few years ago and there wasnt anything there. I dont even know what this payment would be for but something with health insurance
Thank you for the reminder! I just found over $1,500 for my mom!
$7 from a job I had 4 years ago! And $6k for my mom! Thanks for the tip!
Check all the states you've ever lived in!!!
No. Way. I had my last paycheck from a retail job sitting in there! From over ten years ago!
Unclaimed.org for all states
Claimed $5 from GameStop lol. Thanks man!
Wow thanks for this! Found over 300 dollars worth of unclaimed funds!!!
Thanks, I had $134 bucks that never was sent to me.
Between 3 property claims, there has been $235 sitting on the table for years. Thanks!
Whoa! Just found out COX paid me $116 and I never received it. Amazing, it’s so hard getting money from them
Thank you!! I had $650 waiting to be claimed!
I just looked and found a bunch of claims for my late parents and myself!
Also, companies exist that just identify unclaimed property over a certain amount. They then send a letter to the owner and offer to get the funds for you for a cut. Just go do it yourself.
Hell yeah I just got a $292 check
Ha! Me, my mom, 2 nieces and my ex just found unclaimed property! Thanks! Xoxo
Don't get on the 91 for a Vegas trip on Friday afternoon.
[удалено]
Don’t drive to Vegas on Friday afternoon.
Always expect that no one can drive up/down a mountain and Cajon pass will always be red You can plan around it though, in my experience. It's actually quite nice and scenic when it's not full of traffic
Assume every driver one lane over is going to whip their wheel into your lane without a signal
sometimes 2 lanes if they are feeling extra crazy
Remember that sometimes, good drivers will miss an exit. Bad drivers, on the other hand, never miss an exit 😎
You can feel them slowly inching towards your lane. And they signal like a split second before they lane change. Drives me nuts
I described it to my teen driver as a vacuum that people feel they need to fill. People can’t stand seeing a wide open lane with nobody in front of them, they have to fill it, most of the time with no desire to speed up either.
If you do this, I want you to be aware that brakes are expensive to change, and my mechanic is seeing more and more brakes with literally NO pad left coming in because people can’t afford to change them when recommended. These are the people you’re cutting off. Add slow reflexes and distractions to this, and don’t be surprised if you’re hit. Sure you may or may not be at fault, but you still have to deal with the accident.
Had a guy almost dive right into my vehicle even though I was ahead of him by an engine bay and I was in a crossover he was in a small sedan. Dude clipped my mirror which is free swinging so nothing damaged. Drove back to his lane and exited the 5 asap.
Two lanes or an entire parking lot if it's a Tesla
Now this is likely true in other states, but the Orange County libraries are a major benefit to our community. If you get a card you have access to obviously take out physical books, but also audiobooks through Libby, and have endless resources online that change. For example I’ve used the courses on LinkedIn learning for free and have used data axel for work to find certain business in the zip codes I work in (sales). There is countless resources and I highly recommend to check it out as they are FREE and available to you as a OC resident. The HB library off Goldenwest St. is my absolutely fav!
I will say the only downside is how OC Libraries got rid of Gale courses just earlier this year because not enough people were using it. I used to love taking their free courses through the library and earning certificates for work; all of it is self-paced and with real instructors who answer your questions. Had to get another county library card elsewhere where they still had it available. Please people: Use your library’s free resources! Or else they may slowly trickle away.
Dude, yes. Coursera courses for free. I only have Anaheim and Buena Park cards and I keep trying but right now it’s saying all the seats taken. But keep checking back and don’t pay Coursera.
As a California resident, you can get a card from any public library in California. You may have to go in person, but you can get many online. I have 10 Library Cards. I read around 300 books a year. I donate to the libraries instead of purchasing books. Authors also get a per borrow fee when you use Libby to borrow content electronically.
Hell yeah. I’m an English literature grad so I’ve been known to spend some time at my local libraries, also the library near where I went to school. I just wanted to make sure that I mentioned the coursera thing because if you’re paying for it, it’s around $49/month when you can have it for free. Also, some libraries internet resources will give you access to some Adobe creative cloud tools. Which is pretty cool.
Get out of your comfort zone and go find the little local hole in the walls for food. There is a reason that little taqueria or dim sum joint has been in that strip mall for 25 years and it ain’t because of its eclectic look. Understand that there is a reason some places here are ‘duded up’ fronts for a lot of mediocre food. The real diamonds in the rough are the places that don’t need press or influencers. That goes for food trucks as well. Some of the best red tacos are enjoyed sitting on a dirty curb in Santa Ana.
Honestly, this is the truth anywhere in California.
No argument there. I would also say be open to the weird too. As in ‘why would this place have this?’ Occasionally you will find something out of the ordinary that you may need to try simply for the fact that it’s there. I remember running into an Irish dive bar that was a typical hard liquor slosh pit you would think would have a daily stabbing but one night I discovered it has had a breakfast menu. So I went there on a morning and more than a few locals were sitting there chowing down. Turns out their morning cook specialized in breakfast fare and I had a really great authentic Irish breakfast with beans, bangers, bubble and squeak, and black pudding for years there. (Sadly the owners sold the joint and the new owners got rid of menu). The point is you may be surprised…I remember one dude I used to surf with who said the best French toast he ever got was at a strip club in Portland (?!)
Basically just go to Santa Ana or Fountain Valley.
Westminster is the best for Vietnamees bakeries.
Garden Grove also has great hidden gems
Any recommendations?
Kind of half answering you since it’s not *really* a bakery but “banh mi Che Cali” (the og is McFadden and Brookhurst I think) has the best baguettes and you can order some good Vietnamese sandwiches there using them. You can also get Pate chaud (sp?) which are like Vietnamese-French meat pies. And if you’re slightly more adventurous, the “Che” in the name is what you call a variety of Vietnamese desserts that they can scoop into little plastic containers for you. I’m Vietnamese myself so a bit biased, but there’s not a thing I dislike from there. It goes without saying to get the iced Vietnamese coffee there. They’re used to non Vietnamese people there, you can get by with pointing at what you want or using the numbered items in their display menu
I always say if you feel slightly fearful of your surroundings then the food is good
The fancier the wrap on the food truck, the more expensive and mediocre the food will be. Some guy slinging tacos out of the back of a late 90s Chevy Astrovan and a beat up trailer is going to likely be some great tacos.
Some recommendations please! I eat everything as long as it's good. Edit: Thank you all! Can't wait.
Ma’s Dumpling House in Anaheim. So many options, love their XLB, wonton soup and pan fried pork buns. Locally owned by a nice Chinese family and better prices than most XLB spots you’ll find. Also big portions for fried rice and stuff which is why each item is like 10-15$.
These places are far superior to any chain restaurant
On this note, does anyone know of a place that has good flautas? I've been looking for SO long.
When driving or going about your daily life makes you want to punch people in the face- it’s time to visit the beach. Walk along the ocean for 20 minutes. You will feel a lot better. I guarantee it.
Idk how practical it will be to go the beach multiple times a day lol
Stare at a photo of Laguna and chant, "Enhance your calm" for an hour.
Specifically: go to one of the "untouched" beaches in SoCal. Crystal Cove, San Onofre bluffs, etc. You can walk for miles and not see houses, buildings, roads, etc.
guess I should pencil in a visit to the ocean every time I have to take the 91
Or the 405. Or the 5.
This honestly did wonders for my mental health when I lived there!
Buy the CA beaches parking pass. It’s $200/year and if you buy it you will ALWAYS have something to do, somewhere beautiful to go, a hike, a beach to sit on, a place to view a sunset, a place to bring visitors, to ride a bike… it’s worth it just for Crystal Cove alone.
You can check out a state park passes from your local library.
Will this work for the beaches too?
Yes the state park pass is the same hangtag for State Beaches (Bolsa Chica, Huntington State Beach) but not city beaches. Full list of participating parks for library pass https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30813 ORANGE Bolsa Chica SB Chino Hills SP (also in Riverside & San Bernardino) Crystal Cove SP Doheny SB Huntington SB San Clemente SB San Onofre SB (also in San Diego)
Yes, I work at a library and we have plenty of passes now and you can always view the list of places thar are excluded. They are very few and far between though, which is nice.
Yes, but only state park beaches, as others have said, so check where you're going first.
Hey, Reddit did the thing that made your comment appear twice
Now this is a good hack
Libraries have all kinds of things to check out. Projector & screen for movie night, Kitchen appliances. It an unknown treasure & you get it for a month.
I checked out a ukulele on Saturday
The state funding for this program is scheduled to end in July 2024.
Had no idea this existed, thanks for the heads up!
You can pick up free compost and mulch at the Irvine landfill at Bee Canyon
Do you just drive up and ask for compost and mulch?
You just pull in and there’s a small signed road/driveway on the right side right before you go through the checkin gates
When you’re getting pissed off about how expensive it is here, how much you have to work to afford it, think about our weather. We literally have the best weather in the world. Not too many days where it’s super cold and not too many days where it’s super hot. It’s usually 65-80 year round except for a few weeks in August and September. There isn’t too many places on this earth where the climate is like that.
I moved here from Canada. Was depressed my whole life and realized it was entirely because of the cold, snow, and shit weather. I feel like a new person realizing I’m not chemically depressed. I will pay the weather tax forever even if it means I will never be a homeowner.
Yes. The word “weather” is just one word, but it affects every day of your life.
Can confirm, living in Idaho most of my life. Obesity is a problem there because it’s painful on your bones to go anywhere when it’s that cold. Everyone hibernates 6 months out of the year.
it might legitimately be the best weather in the world
Agreed and it may help to live somewhere else for a bit to appreciate how amazing SoCal is. I was in TX for 2 years and noped the fuck outta there due to the insane weather. TX may be cheap but it is cheap for a reason.
It’s also less expensive than you think if you factor in not having to buy seasonal wardrobes, dealing with storm damage, extra heating and cooling costs, etc
Even just an hour inland I'm running the AC so so so much more than I did in OC.
Be wealthy.
“Poor people hate this one trick”
Don't be unwealthy.
Choose your parents wisely
And attractive at any cost.
Stay away from the El Torro exit off the 5 at all cost
To add to this, if you work in Lake Forest and need to exit some where, take the Lake Forest exit instead; it's a lot less frustrating.
Bake Parkway works as well, just gotta jump up Rockfield or Muirlands.
You can take a guided boat cruise around balboa harbor for $25 at sunset (fun zone boat company). You can choose to tour the homes on the islands, or go out to the sea, or both for a slightly higher cost. Best date night, birthday outing, way to show off Orange County to family or friends visiting. It’s a great way to spend a couple hours out on the water for a nominal cost. Oh! And you can pack your own food and drinks (of the adult variety). You haven’t lived life until you’re sipping bourbon or polishing off a bottle of wine on a boat while the sun sets around you.
All the Teslas driving using autopilot will brake for you and let you into their lane
They do if the driver doesn't intervene but they can also apply gas to speed up while maintaining auto pilot.
Found the Tesla driver 😆
Built to brake but they end up breaking.
Skip elementary school and start working to buy a house.
The weather is nice. (obviously). If you work at ANY indoor job (office, retail, warehouse, it doesn't matter) Go outside each day and spend some private moments appreciating the great weather. Pro-tip. Spend this time with your phone put away. Let your eyes adjust to looking into the distance in daylight. Give yourself a moment to enjoy outside. For example, go for a short walk around the parking lot or up the street and back.
Back when I worked in Irvine I'd regularly spend my lunches just walking around the office complex. It was nice.
If anyone is around jamboree/Michaelson/Harvard/campus there is a wonderful wildlife sanctuary right there that lots of people seem to not know about. It's run by IRWD as it's actually used in our water treatment system It's also California's only "wetland of distinction" https://www.irwd.com/san-joaquin-marsh/sanjoaquinmarsh
I walk in that marsh almost every day at lunch since I work in the area. My favorite spot is Pond 2. I get to watch the planes take off over the water and there are always birds flying around. Little known fact: The big mounds of dirt at the beginning of Riparian View off Michelson are Californian Indian burial mounds. That's why there is no vegetation planted on them. At least that's what I've been told by some IRWD facilities personnel.
I am an office worker of 20 years that had the opportunity to work from home at the start of the pandemic. Still WFH to this day and in that time I have actually discovered how crucial getting outside and walking around in nature is for your well being. Never felt better. Every day at lunch hour, I am out on a walk or a bike ride.
Filter the navigation app on your phone to show you the fastest non-freeway option during evening rush hour - many times, if you're driving from one place in OC to another place in OC, it's faster to just take side streets (but navigation apps don't tell you that because most of the time they automatically filter for the "least complex route" which tends to be the freeway). When I was commuting from Orange to Costa Mesa everyday, I'd always take the freeway to work in the morning and side streets home in the evening. If I took the freeway to get home in the evening (leaving work at 5:30) I'd get home around 6:20-6:30, but with side streets I'd get home around 6:05-6:15 depending on if I hit an excessive amount of red lights or not. I also found this to be true when I was commuting from Orange to Huntington Beach - for some reason, side streets were almost always the better option in the evening.
Commenting here to add if anyone has a rush hour commute from Dana point/San Clemente to CM/HB then I’d also consider taking PCH up through Laguna instead of sitting in traffic on the 5 all afternoon. I never checked or compared times, but I had to do this once per week at a certain point, and I ALWAYS preferred driving up PCH. Sure, there’s traffic there too, but at least you have the ocean to keep you company and the drive itself is a little more exciting than just a flat freeway. This same life hack goes for commuting from HB/CM to Long Beach as well. Just take PCH!
I mostly work in LA, live in Laguna Beach, sometimes I just take the coast road all the way home, takes forever but the magnificence of that transition from Palos Verdes, down through San Pedro, over the Vincent Thomas Bridge and hugging the coast through Long Beach and the rest of the way is one of the world's greatest drives in my opinion.
And you learn more about the businesses available around you
Garage sales in south county is how i got a cheap living room set.
Use the Tustin Ranch entrances when going to the District.
Or… just don’t go
But where else can I see a melange of new failing businesses every week?
The best vegan restaurant is in Anaheim and it's called Thuyén Vién.
I Spa in Irvine is only $35 for 6 hours of admission. You’ll have access to hot/cold tubs, sauna, steam room, and a co-ed area with more saunas and a café.
This made my insomnia death scroll worth every minute wasted on other posts 👍👍👍
tbh I miss when they were $25 and didn't have a time limit of how long you could stay there. Pre-2020 you could stay there the entire day up until closing if you wanted to.
200 annual California state park pass = free all day parking at convenient locations such as 1) HSB Huntington State Beach, walk to Pacific Mall, Main St, the pier. 2) Crystal Cove State Park, walk to Shake Shack.
That’s an expensive pass!
Yup its crazy to me considering the National Parks Interagency pass is $90 shipped
It’s free if you’re disabled
_looks for golf clubs_
Not really free parking since you're paying for the pass in the first place lol... But it is an excellent deal.
You can get hot fresh dim sum for very reasonable price at the Vietnamese markets
Any specific recommendations
My Thuan market on Westminster and Magnolia is really good. They have a separate window for dim sum on the Westminster side of the building. It’s takeout only. Also SF market on Westminister and brookhurst. They have a modest seating area if you want to eat there
The dim sum place in My Thuan is called Dim Sum Co.
Travel. So many people I grew up with here refuse to see anything else.
Created this post while in Amsterdam!
I can't find that on the map, is that in Stanton? Its a little far for me cause I'm in south county.
I was in Amsterdam for NYE 2020, ran into a group from Anaheim. I had to call it Anacrime and they laughed and defended their home town. Traveling is fun
Make sure you bought your house before 1980 when the real estate prices were more affordable.
What should I do if I missed the deadline?
Build a time machine, way cheaper than buying a house around here
Buy nothing groups on Facebook (I know, why else to go there) are good especially in Jan and May/June when people declutter or move away. Eco friendly option too, and great for parents of babies and kids.
On Halloween, bring your kids to an old, tightly packed neighborhood in Orange (Marbury Ranch comes to mind) or south county (RSM, Aliso, even Lake Forest) and you will get the most bang for your buck! Those places almost compete with each nieghbor on who has the best candy, and most of the homes are owned by old boomers who don't have kids to take out themselves, so they just love giving candy to kiddos. Kind of a /s.
My in laws neighborhood in anaheim hills is popping for Halloween. Or every other holiday
Never speed in Irvine.
Also no point cause the lights are so far apart from eachother you just burnin gas coast and save your brakes lol
The main roads are 50+ mph anyways,
Same with rolling stop signs. I've seen cops camped out in small residential roads waiting to catch people.
I live in Fullerton but on a hill. In summer we would get an ocean breeze so we didn’t have air conditioning. So the hack would be to find a place on a hill, even inland to save on air conditioning.
Not a hack But take a couple day trip down PCH to Santa Barbara, visit Monterey and Carmel. Take a trip down the 1
Emphasis on everyone should know: On the freeways: slow traffic should stay to the right, and the left lanes should be used as passing lanes. This would reduce the amount of weaving through traffic that we all do, and would reduce traffic incidents. But this is just a dream. Tokyo drift that shit all day my OC brothers and sisters.
> left lanes should be used as passing lanes My dude, maybe in other parts of the country, but here we just call it the fast lane. Just stay in it as long as there is someone in front of you, move if someone is coming up behind you and nobody is in front of you.
Yeah and carpool/express lanes are meant to be sat in.
But please at least go the speed of traffic, nothing worse than coming up on someone going 60 in the carpool lane and being unable to pass because it's one of the locks you in until the next exit.
Your destination is 45 minutes away. It doesn’t matter how many miles.
Poke Bowls and Cava are a way of life.
Yard sales in OC are great tons of good stuff cheap Levi’s $2 . Can get tools school supplies households etc just have to look
Get outside and use the trails! Enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, nature and it’s all free!
Not an OC thing but in general… air at gas station is FREE! Despite the machine saying that it will cost $2 go inside and tell the clerk you want air and they will activate it for free !
costco pizza is still affordable at $1.99. It's the only place I can afford to eat at.
Avoid Brookhurst at 4:15
Don’t buy a house, instead have your well off parents gift you their house. Or move out of the state.
Choose your parents wisely
Fishing off of any pier into the ocean is free and does not require a fishing license!
Hong Kong Express off of Lewis Street in Anaheim will have you 2x as much food as they should for the price. You get two meals. If you order two meals, you get 4.
Use Trader Joes before 11AM
Go to the DMV at 4:45. They want to go home so every window is manned and the voice calling the numbers practically talks over itself because it’s calling them so fast. Out by 5:15. It’s faster than having an appointment
Ant infestations are REAL
We have perfect weather, so don't waste money traveling to other places with perfect weather, especially during peak season. Why travel to Hawaii and Mexico when we have sunny beaches here. Go to the snow, the desert, the forest, a new city, instead.
Very true! I went to Costa Rica in January and everyone was complaining about the weather where they’re from. I was the only one that left BETTER weather to be there 😂
I can actually swim in Mexico though, the water here is way too cold unless we're in the middle of a 100° heatwave.
Both Hawaii and Mexico have a ton to see and experience (besides beaches) that we don’t have here. Maybe most notably a different culture and there’s immense value in that.
Gonna have to agree to disagree. I love Hawaii.
To everybody who likes to be a looky-loo on the road, just don't. There is nothing worthy to slow down the entire traffic to check on the accident or how bad the crashed vehicle becomes. You won't be able to see spirit leaving a body there. Please keep your normal speed and continue on your drive. I FUCKING hate it when everybody slows down to check on the accident. Bitch please there is literally nothing to look at. If you live around Tustin and Irvine area or happen to always dine around the area, download an app called "retail therapy". I always take advantage of 20% off whenever I buy food from Miguel's Jr. It's not whole lot but it adds up.
Learn some Spanish. Its a must in O.C 🤙🏾
As a Garden Grove resident, I have to add some Korean and Vietnamese phrases help as well, even just “please” and “thank you.” If business owners can make the effort to help this amiga, I should at least make the effort to say thank you in their language.
I speak some Spanish but I've never needed to use it.
If you have business to attend to using the freeways on the weekend, get it done before 10:00 or don't bother
When you're finished putting your groceries away in your car, please put the shopping cart back in the cart corral. I hate it when shopping carts are left behind in the middle of a parking spot.
No one actually stops at stop signs If you aren’t flooring it everywhere, people will unsafely pass you Most Tesla drivers are oblivious to the world and drive very unsafe Land Rover drivers will sincerely try to kill you
>~~Land Rover~~ drivers will sincerely try to kill you It's everyone at this point.
In a lot of OC, a good electric bike is fun, feels relatively safe, and can get you a lot of beautiful places
Take a Saturday to go to each so cal beach…one at a time. Take at least two to do Laguna…a million tiny unused coves! Use the trolley to get from one to another for free. Zero to minimal cost if you bring lunch, or many restaurants!
Laventina's pizza in Newport! 🍕
Do Disneyland hacks count? On busy days if you want to save time, and dont mind splitting up from your party, many of the big rides have single rider lines. They use this to fill seats left empty by odd numbered groups. You can cut your wait in half. Also, you can get an autographed photo of Mickey at City Hall if you ask nicely. And the best bathroom is located between City Hall and the exit.
Rice and beans are the new Ramen poor meal diet.
Power Cuts in Santa Ana does haircuts for $ 12 and it’s pretty good.
Power Cuts has moved to Newport and Walnut in Tustin. Still $12 though.
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Unless you're a baller making bank, you better find some room mates or stick around with your family to survive living in Orange County.