Vintage rocks! And there’s nowhere that rocks it better than Old Towne Orange. Take a walk with us starting at the city’s west end, and learn how the city that birthed the Sunkist brand keeps taking its classic American roots and reinventing them.
On this tour you will sample food from local eateries housed in historic buildings, stop at distinctive shops along the way, and learn about the rich culture of the area from the restaurant owners and managers themselves! The food tastings, both savory and sweet, will make you want to return time and time again.
Highlights Include:
Tours are limited to 15 people and often sell out!
On this tour you will sample food from local eateries housed in historic buildings, stop at distinctive shops along the way, and learn about the rich culture of the area from the restaurant owners and managers themselves! The food tastings, both savory and sweet, will make you want to return time and time again.
Highlights Include:
- Ruby's Diner & Streamliner Lounge where you will visit the newly restored 1930's Orange Depot and enjoy a breakfast tasting
- Chapman University Film School to get an exclusive glimpse of how Old Hollywood and Old Towne Orange connect
- Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market at the historic Villa Park Packing House
- A cooking demonstration by award winning chefs in the area
- A house specialty at each stop, including cinnamon french toast, specialty soup, old fashioned grinders, sweet potato fries, ethnic dishes and more!
- Meeting the owner or manager at each stop and learning about the history of each restaurant and how it came to do business in Old Towne Orange
Tours are limited to 15 people and often sell out!
What Is Not Included?
- Each participant will receive a bottle of water for the tour
- The food samples along the way are enough so that for most people, lunch afterward is not necessary.
Meeting Location
Ruby's Diner, Orange Depot Streamliner Lounge (Orange, CA)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Can I pay with cash?
- Due to the advanced preparation required for each tour, tickets must be purchased in advance. Tours often sell out quickly, so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible!
- If a tour is sold out can I get on a waiting list?
- You may email us to be put on a waiting list. We will contact you if space becomes available after you are placed on the list; however, cancellations are rare, so it is always best to choose another date and time if possible. Please click on "Contact OldTowneFood" to send us an email.
- What type of tickets are available for your tours and events?
- We sell tickets for $59 for all age groups. Children ages 5 and under are complimentary and can share tastings with an accompanying adult. However, please note that the tour is 4 hours long. Please take this into consideration when planning your child's participation in the tour. Furthermore, please also note that the streets in the Old Towne Orange Plaza area can be very busy. We will be crossing one or more of the Plaza streets during our tour. If you will be bringing a child, you will be solely responsible for their supervision. Orange Food Tours/Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tour will not be held liable for any accidents or injuries while on the tour. Please watch your step and keep your little ones close at all times.
- Is it customary to tip on a tour?
- Our tour guides work hard to make sure everyone is well cared for. If they succeeded, won't you let them know by leaving a generous tip? They'll certainly appreciate your appreciation!
- Are the foods on the tour appropriate for children?
- The food on this tour is generally child-friendly, but it will be up to parents to make that determination for their own children individually.
- Will I be at the Farmers Market the entire time?
- No, while we will spend significant amount of time inside the Farmers Market. We will also be visiting other cultural, historic, and food stops.
- Will the tour take place if it’s raining?
- The tour will take place in a light to moderate drizzle. If rain is heavy, the tour will likely be rescheduled. You will be notified of cancellation either by email one hour prior to the tour, or you may contact us directly to check on cancellation status (details will be provided upon purchasing your tickets). We understand some of our participants are on vacation here, and if this is the case and we cancel due to weather, we will refund you if rescheduling is not possible for you.
- What is your cancellation policy?
- We require a 72 hour notice of cancellation in order accomodate rescheduling plans. Our tours are often sold out and we have a waiting list. We will be able to reschedule you if you provide this notice.
- How should I dress during a tour?
- Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and walking shoes during the tour and bring a hat if you are sensitive to the sun. Over the duration of the tour, we will be walking about 1 1/4 miles, not including going in and out of restaurants. Please include sunscreen and on cool days a light sweater or jacket.
- Can I shop on this tour?
- Yes, although the tour must stay on schedule, the Famer's Market and retail shops welcome the opportunity. Enough time will be allowed for browsing and shopping, and of course, you're encouraged to come back after the tour if you need more time. The tour guide will have a portable rolling cart available for produce items that may be purchased on the tour.
- How many people can attend a tour?
- The maximum number of participants per tour is 15.
- How much food is served on the tours?
- Each restaurant will provide samples of their menu items for you to taste. Although each sample is generally a smaller portion, after visiting all of the establishments on the tour, the average person will end the tour very satisfied.
- What restaurants/shops or locations will we visit on the tour?
- Participating restaurants are subject to change. The tour also includes visits to local shops that will be a treat to you, as well as non-food cultural and history stops. Typically a tour consists of 3-4 savory tastings, 2-3 sweet tastings, 2-3 shop and cultural visits.
- What kind of foods will we be tasting?
- Food tastings are varied, but might include the following examples: American fare such as cinnamon french toast, turkey grinders, marinated chicken and sweet potato fries; tastings from the farmer's market vendors, including hummus and olive oils; lemonade and fresly baked scones, artisian bread, and desserts such as specialy cupcakes.
- Are there any beverages served on the tour?
- We supply everyone with a bottle of water at the start of the tour. Alcohol is not provided, however we will point out stops that our guests can enjoy directly after the tour.
- What if I have dietary restrictions or food allergies?
- If you have specific needs we will do our best to accommodate you if we know ahead of time; however, we cannot guarantee what the restaurants will have available. We strongly suggest you use your own best discretion when tasting samples, since you are the one who is the most knowledgeable about any food sensitivities that you may have.
- Will there be any places to sit?
- Yes, there are 3-4 sit down stops along the tour route, and reserved seats for the cooking demonstration at the farmer's market. There will be plenty of breaks between walking and the tour covers around 1 1/4 miles total. There will also be restrooms available for your use at various tasting locations.
- Are any of your walking tours wheelchair and/or stroller-accessible?
- Generally the restaurants on the tour are wheelchair accessible and the sidewalks are compatible for them. If you wish to participate and bring strollers, we strongly suggest a small stroller, which is easier to fold and store. Please keep in mind that at some stops you will have to take your child out of the stroller and carry them, or have them walk.
- May I bring my dog/pet on the tour?
- We understand your pet would love the tastings too; however, please do not bring your pet on the tour as it may take away from the experience for yourself and others.
- Does this tour have anything to offer locals?
- Yes! Many who participate in our tours live locally, and/or in California. Locals often attend to learn more about the neighborhood and the city and often want to share the city with their out-of-town visitors. We can’t think of a better way to do this.
- Where should I park?
- Public parking is free and plentiful and provided in either one of the Metro Link Parking areas located nearby. Further instructions will be provided to you upon purchasing tickets.
- Are gift certificates available?
- Gift Certificates are now available through Xperience Days. Please check the link icon on our website for more information.
- Can I book a private tour?
- Yes! Private tours are a great way to celebrate a birthday or special event, or as an add-on to business meetings. We encourage private tours and welcome them. We try to have 8 as the minimum requirement for a private tour, although we are always happy to work with you on your specific needs. If you are interested in a private tour, please click on the "Contact OldTowneFood" link.
- What Should I Bring on the tour?
- Please bring a little spending money and a bag if you'd like to purchase something at the shops or famer's market. The tour guide will have a rolling portable cart available to carry items for you as well.
Refund/Rescheduling Policy
- Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled.
- Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.
Other Policies
- Activity may be cancelled due to severe weather.
- The tour usually runs in light rain and moderate weather conditions, but the seller may cancel up to an hour before the start time in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. If the seller cancels the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule tickets (subject to availability) or receive credit for a future event. If rescheduling is not possible, refunds will be issued.
- Children 5 and under may attend for free and share tastings with an adult.
- Please take into consideration when planning your children's participation that the tour is about 3 hours long. The streets in the area can be very busy, and we will be crossing one or more of them during the tour. If you bring a small child, you will be solely responsible for their supervision, and Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tours will not be held liable for any accidents or injuries.
Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tours
Only 6 miles from Disneyland, in Orange County, California, Old Towne Orange is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is consistently voted "Best Downtown" in The Orange County Register's Best of Orange County.
About Old Towne Orange Food Tour Guides:
Deanna and Renee are Italian sisters raised with a love of food, family and friends. Growing up, they learned important family traditions such as wine-making, cooking fine Northern Italian food and putting on large family celebrations. As long time residents of Orange, they have created walking food tours based on their passion for their city and its culinary point-of-view.
About Renee:
Renee has a background in graphic design and marketing communications, working for several Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, and has served on the boards of non-profit organizations. An experienced public speaker, she loves passing on information and loves watching others have “Ah-ha!” moments.
About Deanna:
Deanna studied culinary arts and event management at UNLV and Ecole Hotelier in Lausanne, Switzerland. She has 20-plus years of experience in food management and has executed catering events for high profile clients in Orange County, including world dignitaries and film and television personalities. Deanna lived in Italy for several years and traveled through Europe, Asia and the United States on a quest for the latest in cuisine. Her interest in different cultures and love for meeting new people keep her energized.
About Old Towne Orange Food Tour Guides:
Deanna and Renee are Italian sisters raised with a love of food, family and friends. Growing up, they learned important family traditions such as wine-making, cooking fine Northern Italian food and putting on large family celebrations. As long time residents of Orange, they have created walking food tours based on their passion for their city and its culinary point-of-view.
About Renee:
Renee has a background in graphic design and marketing communications, working for several Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, and has served on the boards of non-profit organizations. An experienced public speaker, she loves passing on information and loves watching others have “Ah-ha!” moments.
About Deanna:
Deanna studied culinary arts and event management at UNLV and Ecole Hotelier in Lausanne, Switzerland. She has 20-plus years of experience in food management and has executed catering events for high profile clients in Orange County, including world dignitaries and film and television personalities. Deanna lived in Italy for several years and traveled through Europe, Asia and the United States on a quest for the latest in cuisine. Her interest in different cultures and love for meeting new people keep her energized.
for OldTowneFood
