Southern California's Orange County, which boasts sunshine and warmth nearly year-round, is a region that places a focus on health and wellness. People spend their mornings jogging along the area's many beaches and their weekends relaxing with a vigorous swim or a game of tennis. Orange County is an ideal place to search out fit and healthy activities to do with a girlfriend.
Go Organic at the Farmers' Market
Various cities in Orange County, from Costa Mesa inland to Huntington Beach along the Pacific Coast Highway, feature a weekly farmers' market. Local farmers bring fresh organic fruits and vegetables that are perfect for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The Laguna Beach farmers' market is a full-fledged morning of entertainment every Saturday starting from 8 a.m. to noon. Pick up some specialty cheeses and ripe organic fruits and walk over to Laguna Beach for a picnic lunch.
Hike, Snorkel and Scuba at Crystal Cove
Located in Newport Beach just slightly north of Laguna Beach is Crystal Cove State Park. Hike along the bluffs and follow Reef Point's 3 1/4-mile trail until you reach the Pacific Ocean. If you can't stay out of the water, bring along your snorkeling or scuba gear and dive into the 1,140-acre underwater park. For more romance, pack your camping gear and snuggle up in a tent overnight on the state campgrounds. Beachcomber Restaurant is on the beach, as well as a snack shop that's open during daylight hours.
Share a Healthy Meal of Sashimi and Seaweed
Sashimi, raw fish, is considered by many to be one of the healthier foods you can eat. And it's no secret that seaweed is now considered a "super food" by many nutrition and health experts. What better way to spend a romantic evening with a girlfriend than at one of Orange County's sushi restaurants. Kagura in Anaheim is consistently recommended by area locals; the prix fixe menu is usually an affordable, appetizing choice, offering an appetizer, entree and dessert for less than $30. The ambiance is romantic and cozy thanks to soft lighting and discreetly placed tables that allow for privacy. The owner makes sure her guests are happy; the head chef used to work at the now defunct, much pricier Abe in Newport Beach.
Keep Your Heart Healthy and Go Mediterranean
Doctors and nutrition experts have long extolled the heart-healthy benefits of eating a Mediterranean diet, which consists of foods rich in olive oil, fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood, all flavored with an abundance of herbs and spices instead of heavy doses of salt. Christakis Greek Cuisine, located in Tustin on Newport Avenue, is an Orange County favorite for Greek and Mediterranean food. The owner, Yanoula Christakis, has been serving her family dishes to Orange County since April 1996. Try the dolmades, stuffed grape leaves; the garlicky hummus; or the spanakopita—sauteed spinach, dill and leeks with feta wrapped in phyllo dough and baked. Opa!
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is for the fit couple who wants to challenge each other. If you're familiar with the terms "bouldering" and "belay," this could be the ultimate date for two. Rockreation Sport Climbing Center in Costa Mesa offers rock climbing for the experienced climber who's not afraid of heights up to 40 feet above the ground. There's also a harness-free boulder climbing area for novices, where the boulders are no higher than 7 feet, with mats to fall onto. Buy a day pass for $16 (as of June 2010), rent rock-climbing shoes and see which of you can make it to the top faster. Rockreation also offers daily lessons.
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