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City in California, United States
Photo: Traveler100, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Fullerton is an inland city in north Orange County in Southern California. Situated just north of Anaheim and its far better-known tourist attractions, Fullerton has a few surprises up her sleeve.
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A collection of 4,000 plants from around the world on 26 acres. Of note is the 100' tall Ombu tree and the large collection of desert plants. On the grounds is Heritage House an Eastlake-style cottage built in 1894 by one of Fullerton's pioneers. The home and grounds have been restored to portray life in turn-of-the-century Fullerton.
Museum and cultural center with different exhibits, events, galleries, and festivals. Street parking and garage parking nearby.
The former mansion of Walter and Adella Muckenthaler, “The Muck” is part art school, part performance space, and part gallery. A variety of music festivals, art shows, and other exhibits call it home; check the website calendar for details.
This is a collection of classic vintage mopeds from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. If you're looking for a unique place to visit in Orange County this is it.
Don't have a pilot's license? Never stepped foot on a plane? You can still be a fighter pilot for a day. Be transported from suburbia to aerial combat via single-engine plane, learning dogfighting tehcniques with ACUSA's skilled instructors.
Take an aerobatic thrill ride in an open-cockpit biplane, or take a scenic aerial cruise over Catalina Island or downtown Los Angeles. No flying experience necessary, but call ahead; you may need to book several weeks in advance, especially for the romantic summertime sunset flights.
A 2½-hour, 1½-mile (2.4 km) guided tour of haunted locations in downtown Fullerton. See the website for the exact dates. The tour involves climbing stairs. Not recommended for children under 13.
A local landmark, Ruta's is known for their health-conscious, yet tasty— or should it be tasty, yet health-conscious?— offerings, from gigantic salads to lean deli meats to their famous cheesecake. The staff does not wear uniforms, but don't worry they'll make themselves known. Do: seat yourself (there are no hosts to seat you). Don't: order falafel, it's the one thing on the menu that everyone agrees is horrible.
A classic American diner with a woman's touch. Independently owned, with just two locations, the Fullerton Kimmie's boasts an outdoor heated patio. It's only open until 2PM, so you have to come by for breakfast or lunch, but no matter what time you show up, you should order from the breakfast menu because that's where the goodies are. Banana-nut pancakes, build-your-own omelets, and the coffee, of course, you have to try the coffee. The waitresses are all smiles, and their aprons all handmade.
Dark decor and fabulous dim lighting to set the mood. It's great to go with a date or a group of friends for an intimate dinner. Go Monday for Martini night, all menu martinis $5, or go on Wine Wednesdays when all bottles are 1/2 price. Their pasta dishes are hearty and delectable. They are only open for dinner.
The Italian food is good, but go for the seafood. Ask your server for a good wine pairing. Go on the weekend when there is live entertainment. The entertainment won't be as good as the food, but it adds ambience to a night on the town. Monday night is Karaoke night. Open for lunch and dinner.
Fine French cuisine underground. The restaurant is beneath the historic Villa Del Sol, a beautiful building and plaza in the heart of downtown. The wine list, as you may have guessed, is impressive and the menu is, well, French. Foie gras, escargot, and the like. A lovely experience for any day, but an excellent place to mark a special occasion.
Most television series based in California will pay homage to In-N-Out at some point. It's classic California. Californians can't resist the fresh-cut potato fries, the Grade A beef (never frozen), and the spread. The spread used to just come on the burgers but they had to start packaging the spread for easier distribution because their customers always ask for extra to smother their fries in. The menu is as simple and classic as their image, but there is "the secret menu" that any local, or even the cashier, can tell you about. If you want to pretend to be in the know, just Google it before you go.
Part of a Southern California chain. They make the most authentic tacos north of the border. Drive-thru is open 24-hours. Enough said.
Bar and grill serving food and drink in downtown. There are nightly events including live music and sports.
Bar and nightclub in downtown Fullerton. Depending on the day, there's often themed nights week by week. Security can be pretty pushy.
Craft beer and whiskey bar, as the name would suggest. Loads of microbrews on the menu, as well as different cocktails, and food. Located inside a historical building, too.
Street fair, craft and farmers market.
Historic Downtown Fullerton is North Orange County's destination for shopping, fine dining, and nightlife. Many family and community oriented events are held frequently at the Downtown Plaza, next to the Fullerton Museum Center.
Fruit, eggs, honey, flowers, nuts, and fish make their way from around Southern California to Independence Park for the oldest farmers’ market in Orange County. Whereas the downtown Fullerton Market is more of a carnival, this small market is easier for actually buying produce, especially Asian vegetables.
Used clothing shop has excellent selection of alternative clothing and shoes. Most in good shape and for fair prices.
By plane
The closest commercial airports are John Wayne Airport (SNA) to the south and Long Beach Airport (LGB) to the west.
By train
Amtrak has a station at the Fullerton Transportation Center at 120 E. Santa Fe Avenue.
By bus
The nearest intercity bus/coach service are Greyhound, Megabus and Tres Estrellas de Oro in the nearby Anaheim.
Fullerton, like most of Southern California, is overall a very car-centric city, but there are respites.
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Long Beach · International · LGB
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