Last week I hopped on a Virgin America flight (they’re lovely, affordable and highly recommended) to California to visit two friends who are recently engaged to be married. While most Cali-bound vacationers spend their time visiting the major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, I was concentrated in Orange County. There’s more to do there than just keep your eyes peeled for reality celebrities like Lauren Conrad and the Real Housewives. Aside from hunting for the perfect wedding site and celebrating Stephanie and Andrew’s engagement, here’s how I spent my week in The O.C.

Take in a baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim: Though the Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t too much farther of a drive away from Orange County, if you’re looking to catch a baseball game and avoid L.A. traffic, the Angels are a great second choice. The stadium is beautiful, with a very modern feel that includes a multitude of both classic ballpark food and more gourmet options. There isn’t a bad seat in the stadium and tickets are easy to get the day of the game.

Go shopping at the Irvine Spectrum Center or Fashion Island: If you’re not traveling on a budget and you’re visiting Orange County to live the high-life, consider taking a day to visit these two outdoor shopping malls, that offer department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and more. Both centers also have great restaurants and other shops like Free People, White House Black Markte and Apple Stores.

Eat as much dirty Mexican food as possible: Something I didn’t do nearly enough of this trip to California, but usually make a point of. If you love Mexican food, Southern California is the place to be for greasy, delicious, cheesy tacos, burritos, chips, enchiladas, guacamole and more. My first time in Southern California, I managed to eat four burritos in the span of two days. This time around I limited myself to chips, salsa and guac, a veggie burrito and a couple of tacos.

Go sailing: Try and find an affordable sailing excursion…or get lucky like me and know someone with a boat. Though we didn’t actually make it out of the harbor (the winds weren’t great), relaxing on a boat in the Dana Point Harbor of Orange County is a great way to relax, soak up some sun and catch up with old friends.

Spend a day at Laguna Beach: Yes, that Laguna Beach, the one made famous by MTV faux-reality. Though the locals now complain they’re full of tourists, the beaches of Orange County are still beautiful to visit and spend a day swimming and tanning. Finish off your day with a beachside fish taco at one of the many stands just off the main road from the beach.

Take a day trip up to Los Angeles or down to San Diego: Orange County is a great central point to make excursions up to L.A. or down to San Diego. Both cities are an hour away in either direction, though traffic can be rough if you don’t leave at precisely the right time. Leave early to make the most of your day and come back late. Some excursion ideas include Old Town San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, shopping and celebrity watching Rodeo Drive or visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Lucky for me, with the upcoming wedding of my two friends, I’ll be seeing at least two more trips there before this time next year. Though much of Orange County is residential and not your “typical” tourist spot, it’s quickly gaining notoriety as a vacation spot with beautiful people and beaches and easy access to the major cities in Southern California.