Old Towne Orange   

Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue
Orange, CA 92866
714-538-3581
www.oldtowneorange.net

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From its old-fashioned plaza to a real-deal soda fountain, downtown Orange is everything that Orange County is not supposed to be. And it loves every bit of it. Dubbed the antique capital of California, the City of Orange was founded in 1888. Orange's appreciation for all things old separates it from its oh-so modern and over-developed neighbors. Its quaint downtown is lined with historic buildings. The Old Towne district, which is one perfect square mile in size, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Even the Starbucks, housed in the grandiose Wells Fargo Building, produces feelings of nostalgia. Old Towne is packed with 40 antique shops, tearooms and outdoor cafes. Some stores try to lure you in by placing their wares on the sidewalk. A local favorite is Felix Cuban Cafe, where you can watch the bustle of antique hunters. It also has a view of the circular plaza, which is smack dab in the middle of Old Town. The plaza was recently renovated to its 1930s' splendor, with a tiled fountain and a rose garden. It's a perfect spot to sit on a bench with a malt and cheeseburger from Watson Drug Store across the street. Chapman University, just three blocks from Old Towne, adds to Orange's charm with its Greek revival architecture, the Guggenheim Gallery and romantic Dogwood trees. Take a stroll through the campus and the nearby Craftsman homes. Although Old Towne is confined to a small area, it still takes a full day to feel like you've checked it out with due diligence. Advice for antique novices: Don't let the number of shops overwhelm you. If you skip a few, it's OK. Just don't miss Tony's Architectural Salvage, where you'll find hundreds of stained-glass windows, enormous oak doors and ornate moldings plucked from old homes. There are even claw foot tubs, sinks and, yes, toilets. Chapman Avenue and Glassell Streets are the two main fairways. Don't miss Old Town's Art Walk on the second Thursday of every month from 6-9PM. The shops and galleries stay open later. There is also the Annual Antique Faire, which is held for three days on President's Day Weekend. -- Gillian Flynn