Top 4 Things to Do in Fullerton, CA: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Dec 2

Fullerton At-A-Glance

    Population
    141,870
  
    Area
    22.44 mi²
  
    Best known for
    Downtown Fullerton nightlife
  
    Character
    As close to a college town as you can get in Orange County, but mostly suburban

Population	141,870
Area	22.44 mi²
Best known for	Downtown Fullerton nightlife
Character	As close to a college town as you can get in Orange County, but mostly suburban

Fullerton is one of the older cities in Orange County with many residential neighborhoods and colleges, including Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College.

Top 4 Things to Do in Fullerton

1. Downtown Fullerton

2. Fullerton Arboretum

3. Summit House Restaurant

4. Visit Cal State Fullerton

1. Downtown Fullerton

Downtown Fullerton has a large concentration of antique stores, coffee shops, and restaurants. On Thursday-Saturday nights, you’ll find packs of college students on the streets hopping from bar to bar.

Here are some of our favorites in Downtown Fullerton:

Dripp - Known for their Spanish lattes, Dripp is a charming coffee shop located in a historic building next to the Fox Fullerton Theatre. The outdoor patio also makes for a great place to catch up with friends.

Matador Cantina - A very popular spot for Taco Tuesdays. Gets packed on the Thurs-Sat nights.

Heroes Bar & Grill - This is a classic “bar and grill” type of place with an extensive local beer selection.

The Cellar - Probably the most famous restaurant in Fullerton. This is where Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor! Learn more here.

The Olde Ship - We included The Olde Ship on our list of the best unique bars in Orange County. If you come during the holidays, they string up lights everywhere which makes the place feel extra cozy. Stick with the theme and order the fish & chips entree with a pint of Guinness.

2. Fullerton Arboretum

The Fullerton Arboretum is a free attraction that spans 26 acres on the CSUF campus. You could easily spend an afternoon exploring the various gardens here.

3. Summit House Restaurant

Get ready to be transported back in time to an old world chalet that sits atop a hill with 360-degree views of the city—fireplace and live pianist included. We named Summit House one of Orange County’s Best Restaurants—the prime rib is a must and don’t forget to ask for refills on their famous cream corn.