Orange County Map Tapestries

I moved to Southern California in 1999. I couldn't find a map of all of the communities and neighborhoods of Orange County. I set about making my own -- exploring the vast county on foot and mass transit. Along the way, I drew maps with ink and painted them in watercolors and oil paint -- or some combination (including correction fluid). As a lefty converted to a righty, my handwriting is terrible and my maps are sometimes hard to read when reproduced or reprinted -- and so I've made these clean, digital versions for people who prefer that sort of thing.

Orange County is often divided into just two regions, North and South County. South County is typified by gated, master-planned communities. North Orange County, on the other hand, is a collection of vibrant, highly diverse, post-World War II communities. I made this map and a primer of the region for my series, "California Fool's Gold." https://ericbrightwell.com/2012/12/05/california-fools-gold-a-north-orange-county-primer/

Orange County California Travel poster in a vintage style.

Orange is a city in North Orange County. Unlike most of Orange County, it boasts a variety of attractive homes built in several eras and architectural styles. It is particularly notable for its Eichler tracts. I explored it for my series, "California Fool's Gold," in 2010. https://ericbrightwell.com/2010/12/07/california-fools-gold-exploring-orange-orange-countys-plaza-city/

Fullerton is a suburb of North Orange County widely recognized as the birthplace of several major punk bands, including Social Distortion, Agent Orange, and the Adolescents. I explored for my series, "California Fool's Gold," in 2010. https://ericbrightwell.com/2010/10/25/california-fools-gold-exploring-fullerton-the-education-community/

Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County. It's known as "Orange County's Downtown" and is one of the few cities in that county that can truly be characterized, in part, as urban. I explored it for my series, "California Fool's Gold," in 2010. https://ericbrightwell.com/2010/08/11/california-fools-gold-exploring-santa-ana-downtown-orange-county/

I explored the North Orange County community for my series, "California Fool's Gold," in 2010. Among Costa Mesa's attractions are the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, an Isamu Noguchi sculpture garden, and a very popular shopping mall.

Huntington Beach is a coastal suburb in North Orange County. It's known for its surfing and is nicknamed "Surf City." I explored it for my series, "California Fool's Gold," in 2011. https://ericbrightwell.com/2011/07/09/california-fools-gold-exploring-huntington-beach/

Garden Grove is a suburban city in North Orange County. It's home to Little Seoul, part of Little Saigon, and Little Arabia. I explored it in 2010 for my series, "California Fool's Gold." https://ericbrightwell.com/2010/11/22/california-fools-gold-exploring-garden-grove-the-city-of-youth-and-ambition/

San Clemente is the southernmost suburb of South Orange County. At its core is a charming, Spanish Colonial Revival planned community that would be walkable were there more sidewalks -- which were intentionally left out in areas in order to help keep out riff-raff like me. I nevertheless mapped and explored it for my series, "California Fool's Gold," in 2013. https://ericbrightwell.com/2013/10/11/san-clemente-the-spanish-village-in-oc/

Irvine is a master-planned community in South Orange City. It is famous for being one of the safest cities in the country. It's less boring than one might expect, however, due to the presence of the University of California, Irvine. I explored in a borrowed car (there's zero emphasis on walkability) in 2013. https://ericbrightwell.com/2013/01/13/california-fools-gold-exploring-irvine-orange-countys-city-of-innovation/

Y'know, that one state they named a burrito after!

A whimsical cartoon map of Southern California – showcasing Los Angeles, Anaheim, Long Beach and San Diego as well as many other cities and most beaches. This detailed illustration is full of joy – a mermaid, surfer, killer whale, bull fighter and many playful beach characters and desert creatures, all warmed by the California sun who shines high above it all.

An oil paint map that I did of the regions of Los Angeles and Orange counties.

A whimsical cartoon map of Southern California – showcasing Los Angeles, Anaheim, Long Beach and San Diego as well as many other cities and most beaches. This detailed illustration is full of joy – a mermaid, surfer, killer whale, bull fighter and many playful beach characters and desert creatures, all warmed by the California sun who shines high above it all.

In 2014, I explored the Little Seoul neighborhood in Garden Grove. Although largely obscured by the much larger Koreatown of Los Angeles, Little Seoul is a vibrant Korean enclave with its own interesting history. I included the map in the entry of my series, "California Fool's Gold." https://ericbrightwell.com/2014/05/20/visiting-orange-countys-little-seoul-happy-asian-pacific-american-heritage-month/

You don't have to be a hipster to sport this trendy style. You just have to be hip.

An ink map of La Habra, a suburb in North Orange County that I explored for "California Fool's Gold" in 2019. https://ericbrightwell.com/2019/06/02/california-fools-gold-exploring-la-habra/

An ink and oil pain map I made of Yorba Linda for "California Fool's Gold." https://ericbrightwell.com/2016/07/07/california-fools-gold-exploring-yorba-linda-the-land-of-gracious-living/