| In Southern California, or at least get some liberty in | | | | checking into the many Vietnamese gift shops, which |
| the southern part of the Golden State. And while | | | | offer exotic products. |
| everybody knows the famous attractions like | | | | Visitors to Orange County can take in some culture |
| Disneyland and Sea World, the region has much more | | | | at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The museum is |
| to offer than theme parks. | | | | located near the historic downtown in Santa Ana and |
| While Marines stationed out at the Twenty-nine | | | | showcases "collections in the areas of Native |
| Palms don't need to be told about Joshua Tree | | | | American art, pre-Columbian art, Asian art, art of the |
| National Park (it's directly across from the base), | | | | Pacific, art of Africa and Orange County history" as |
| those stationed down in San Diego may find it worth | | | | well as a full schedule of exhibits from around the |
| the trip. The park is an incredible mix of both high and | | | | globe. |
| low desert that offers camping, hiking, horseback | | | | Nobody needs to be told that San Diego is a tourist |
| riding and an up-close look at those strange yet | | | | Mecca, but what if theme parks, beaches and a |
| beautiful Joshua trees. The trip is about a three-hour | | | | world-class zoo isn't your thing? No problem, San |
| drive east of Los Angeles. | | | | Diego has much more to offer. |
| Just north of San Diego is Orange County, which until | | | | How about a professional baseball game for free? At |
| quite recently, still housed two Marine installations - | | | | the San Diego Padre's new downtown ball park, they |
| The El Toro Marine Corps Air Station and the Tustin | | | | have a center field picnic area that is free and open |
| Marine Corps Air Station - and now is home only to | | | | to the public. Not a die hard baseball fan, but curious |
| the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. Orange | | | | about what's going on? Just take your family to the |
| County is famous for Disneyland and Huntington | | | | picnic area for a bite to eat, and leave whenever you |
| Beach, but offers a whole lot more. | | | | want! |
| A visit to Orange County isn't complete without a | | | | Want to get a unique look at San Diego, without |
| stop at Mission San Juan Capistrano, which is known | | | | leaving the city? Take a drive out to Point Loma and |
| as the "Jewel of the Missions." The mission was | | | | visit the Cabrillo National Monument. The Monument is |
| founded in 1776 by Spanish Franciscans and is a great | | | | a nature area located on a peninsula that curves out |
| way to learn about California History. The Mission is | | | | into the Pacific Ocean and offers breathtaking views |
| also home to a troupe of swallows who return to | | | | of the city of San Diego. It's also a great way to see |
| their historic home each year around March 19. | | | | which Navy ships are retuning to port. |
| Orange County is also home to the largest | | | | Marines and Sailors can learn more about these |
| Vietnamese community in the world outside of | | | | attractions by looking them up on the Internet. |
| Vietnam. The community is known as "Little Saigon" | | | | Whether Southern California is your new duty station, |
| and is located in Westminster. A visit to Little Saigon | | | | or just a place you'll visit on you way to Japan or |
| is a great way to experience Vietnamese culture and | | | | Hawaii, you'll be sure to find a host of new and |
| enjoy Vietnamese food. You'll be sure to enjoy | | | | interesting places to visit. |