I don’t know about you, but the beginning of the new year brings the beginnings of plans for family vacations. If you’re plotting a trip to southern California this summer, take a tip from Josh and I. We both grew up in soCal, and when we made a quick jaunt back to our old stomping grounds last fall, these were our top picks for the best restaurants in Orange County for family vacations.

Bon Appetit!

Jack in the Box

16311 Beach Boulevard
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

and

17243 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

If you’re smart, you’ll find yourself a hotel right next door to a Jack in the Box. Because when your flight finally lands, you get your rental car, and you make it through the traffic to your room, you’ll want nothing more than to walk next door for deep fried tacos.

No, seriously. We stayed at two different hotels during our trip, and each one was right next to Jack in the Box. It wasn’t planned that way, but man did we appreciate it when we got there.

Sancho’s Tacos

602 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

One of the first places we ate at when we got to Huntington Beach was Sancho’s Tacos on PCH with our friends Jay and Elizabeth. Josh used to get lunch here all the time when he was working, and omg. Delicious.

Scholzistan

Unlisted Address

If you want really good Mexican food in a family dining atmosphere, advance token to the Scholz’s house. Sorry we can’t give you their address. But oh em gee nom nom nom.

If you’re plotting family travel, don’t forget to plan some dinners at friends houses to reconnect and give your kids a break from the rules and regulations of restaurant dining.

Cuca’s on State Street

527 East State Street
Redlands, CA 92373

There’s one thing you’ll take away from this list. Josh and I like Mexican food. A lot.

So much so, that Josh spent 70 dollars at Cuca’s buying nothing but bean and cheese burritos.

I’m not exaggerating, guys. Seventy dollars stocking up on burritos to eat during our weekend long visit with Uncle Donnie and Aunt Yvonne in Redlands. Every single one was like angels singing when you bit into it.

I know Cuca’s isn’t technically in Orange County. But if we’re traveling anywhere in a 100 mile radius of it, we’re making the mini road trip.

Park Bench Cafe

17732 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach California 92647

We had lunch at Park Bench Cafe in Huntington Beach to catch up with our buddies Rich and Nikole, and this is just one of my happy places.

This place is one of my top picks for best restaurants in Orange County for family vacations because of the setup. The entire restaurant is outside, right smack in the park. While you’re waiting for your table, or when you’re at your table waiting for food, send your kids to the grassy area to run around and blow off steam. While we were there, Phil and I played super heroes and ninja kicked a bunch of bad guys cleverly disguised as bushes.

They also cater to the folks who take their dogs everywhere, with a menu section just for dogs; your kids will totally enjoy the puppy-watching!

A photo posted by Hearts and Laserbeams (@hrtsnlaserbeams) on Aug 28, 2014 at 12:17pm PDT

Wings n Things

18302 Beach Boulevard
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Buffalo wings. Potato things. Super low key, and nice and noisy so your kids don’t have to worry about keeping it down a notch.

Don Ramon’s

16961 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA

Before we moved to Savannah, we ate dinner at Don Ramon’s almost every Thursday night with a bunch of friends from Josh’s work. Spoiler alert, it’s Mexican food.

And double spoiler alert, it’s delicious.

Disneyland Resort

1313 Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802

We actually weren’t planning on popping in to Disneyland during our trip, but our buddy Nikole surprised us with tickets so off we went!

Hot tip: Mickey Mouse ear ice cream. Eat it fast so it doesn’t fall off of the stick into the muhmuh’s hands, where it’ll melt quickly as your little boy picks at it slowly.

I won’t tell you how I know that.

Subway

801 Warner Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92649

Ok no seriously, staying at the Travelodge at PCH and Warner was one of the coolest things about the trip. It was reasonably priced for a hotel on the beach in Orange County, and it was steps away from the sand.

And when Phil needed something to eat, Subway sandwiches were within walking distance right across the street.

Chili’s

1411 West Katella Avenue
Orange, CA 92867

Another do not miss person that will always be on my must-see list when we hit up the OC, along with family, the Scholz’s, and our Huntington Beach Police friends is my buddy Chris Booke. I realized the other day that we’ve been friends for like 30 years.

Which makes us very old indeed.

But he’s older, guys. I just wanna make sure you know that.

But the Best Restaurants in Orange County for Family Vacations are Free. Or Almost.

If you’re planning family vacations, you already know this. The best restaurants in Orange County are the free ones. I’m talking continental breakfast at the hotel. Nothing quite compares to rolling out of bed in your jammies with your kids and sneaking down to the breakfast buffet at 6:30am.

Yeah. No sleeping in on vacation when you’ve got kids. But you already knew that.

And also, if your hotel has an ice cream vending machine like ours did… You have to try it.

Did we miss your picks for best restaurants in Orange County for family vacations?

There’s literally a bazillion places to eat in southern California, and we were there for such a short trip. We probably missed your pick for best restaurants in Orange County for family vacations – what is it? Tell us in the comments!