Fullerton

Fullerton has undergone several transformations from its 1887 founding as a rural stop on the Santa Fe Railroad. A longtime agricultural powerhouse in fruit and nut trees and ranching, Fullerton's economy exploded in the early 1900s with the development of the petroleum industry, with many fine homes and civic buildings constructed with oil money into the 1920s. After World War II, manufacturing displaced oil drilling, dominated by companies like Hughes Aircraft and Val-Vita Foods (later Hunt-Wesson, of Hunt's Ketchup and Wesson Oil). By the 1960s, Fullerton was also a bedroom community for booming Los Angeles.
In the 21st century, Fullerton's economy has shifted again, this time to education (driven by California State University, Fullerton and Fullerton College) and healthcare (driven by St. Jude's Medical Center). Its historic downtown has been revitalized into a regional shopping and entertainment district. Fullerton has a thriving arts culture, home to several theatre companies as well as a vibrant music scene that has its roots with famous guitarmaker Leo Fender. Fender was the first company to mass-produce solid-body electric guitars in 1950 (nowadays that model is known as the Fender Telecaster), hence Fullerton has been considered the birthplace of the electric guitar.
Fullerton has a large ethnic Korean community, drawn to its excellent schools. Unlike Westminster's Little Saigon or Garden Grove's Little Seoul, however, is no single Koreatown. Instead, you will find Korean restaurants, bakeries, churches, and shops scattered in pockets throughout the city.

• Fullerton Visitors informationThis website provides information on downtown shopping, dining, and art. It also details parking and transportation.

By car

The usual way to get into and around Fullerton is by car. The city is close to Interstate 5, connecting it to Los Angeles and Santa Ana, and State Highways 91 and 57 run along its southern and eastern borders. Downtown Fullerton is a 15-minute drive north of Disneyland straight up Harbor Boulevard.

By plane

The closest commercial airports are John Wayne Airport (SNA) to the south and Long Beach Airport (LGB) to the west. The principal international airport serving the region is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). If you happen to have a pilot's license, you could fly right in to , Orange County's last strictly general aviation field, boasting a 3,121-foot (951 m) runway.

By train

Amtrak has a station at the Fullerton Transportation Center at 120 E. Santa Fe Avenue. It is served by the frequent Pacific Surfliner train between San Diego and Los Angeles and the daily long-distance Southwest Chief which runs between Los Angeles and Chicago through the Southwest. The regional Metrolink commuter rail service also serves the station with two different lines: the Orange County Line between Union Station in Downtown L.A. and Oceanside in San Diego County, and the 91 Line which runs between L.A. Union Station and Riverside.

By bus

The nearest intercity bus/coach service are Greyhound, Megabus and Tres Estrellas de Oro in the nearby Anaheim.

Fullerton, like most of Southern California, is overall a very car-centric city, but there are respites. The city's street address grid is centered at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue, in Fullerton's walkable downtown. Just down the street is the Fullerton Transportation Center, a major transfer point for OCTA buses.
Beyond downtown, Fullerton is criss-crossed with about 28 miles of public recreational trails for mountain bike, equestrian, or hiking use. It is possible to walk all the way across the city from Ralph B. Clark Regional Park in the west to Craig Regional Park in the east on these trails.

• Orange County Transit AuthorityFullterton is serviced by several OCTA lines.

• Fullerton Arboretum

  phone: +1 714 278-3407
  address: 1900 Associated Rd
  A collection of 4,000 plants from around the world on 26 acres. Of note is the 100' tall Ombu tree and the large collection of desert plants. On the grounds is Heritage House an Eastlake-style cottage built in 1894 by one of Fullerton's pioneers. The home and grounds have been restored to portray life in turn-of-the-century Fullerton.

• Fullerton Museum Center

  phone: +1 714 738-6545
  address: 301 N. Pomona Ave.

• Muckenthaler Cultural Center

  phone: +1 714 738-6595
  address: 1201 W. Malvern Ave.
  The former mansion of Walter and Adella Muckenthaler, “The Muck” is part art school, part performance space, and part gallery. A variety of music festivals, art shows, and other exhibits call it home; check the website calendar for details.

• Moped Museum at Myron's Mopeds

  phone: +1 714 992-5592
  address: 1879 W Commonwealth Ave, Unit L
  This is a collection of classic vintage mopeds from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. If you're looking for a unique place to visit in Orange County this is it.

• Air Combat USA

  phone: +1 714 525-7590
  address: 3815 W. Commonwealth Ave.
  Don't have a pilot's license? Never stepped foot on a plane? You can still be a fighter pilot for a day. Be transported from suburbia to aerial combat via single-engine plane, learning dogfighting tehcniques with ACUSA's skilled instructors.

• SkyThrills

  phone: +1 714 402-4888
  address: 3815 W. Commonwealth Ave.
  Take an aerobatic thrill ride in an open-cockpit biplane, or take a scenic aerial cruise over Catalina Island or downtown Los Angeles. No flying experience necessary, but call ahead; you may need to book several weeks in advance, especially for the romantic summertime sunset flights.

• Haunted Fullerton Walking Tours

  phone: +1 714 738-6545
  address: 301 N. Pomona Ave.
  A 2½ hour, 1½ mile (2.4 km) guided tour of haunted locations in downtown Fullerton. See the website for the exact dates. Note that the tour involves climbing stairs. Not recommended for children under 13.

• Cal State Fullerton

  phone: +1 714 278-2011
  address: 800 N. State College Blvd.
  CSUF is a 4-year university that offers 105 degree programs, including a doctorate in education. It is the largest unit of the California State University system by enrollment.

• Fullerton College

  phone: +1 714 992-7000
  address: 321 E. Chapman Ave.
  Fullerton College is a two-year college offering 90 Associate degree programs.

• Fullerton Market

  phone: +1 714 738-6545
  address: On Wilshire Ave., between Harbor and Pomona
  Street fair, craft and farmers market.

• Downtown Fullerton

  address: Harbor Blvd. / Commonwealth Ave.
  Historic Downtown Fullerton is North Orange County's destination for shopping, fine dining, and nightlife. Many family and community oriented events are held frequently at the Downtown Plaza, next to the Fullerton Museum Center.

• Fullerton Certified Farmers Market

  phone: +1 714 871-5304
  address: 801 W. Valencia Dr
  Fruit, eggs, honey, flowers, nuts, and fish make their way from around Southern California to Independence Park for the oldest farmers’ market in Orange County. Whereas the downtown Fullerton Market is more of a carnival, this small market is easier for actually buying produce, especially Asian vegetables.

• Buffalo Exchange

  phone: +1 714 870-6855
  address: 215 N. Harbor Blvd.
  Used clothing shop has excellent selection of alternative clothing and shoes. Most in good shape and for fair prices.

• Rutabegorz

  phone: +1 714 738-9339
  address: 211 N. Pomona Ave.
  A local landmark, Ruta's is known for their health-conscious, yet tasty— or should it be tasty, yet health-conscious?— offerings, from gigantic salads to lean deli meats to their famous cheesecake. The staff does not wear uniforms, but don't worry they'll make themselves known. Do: seat yourself (there are no hosts to seat you). Don't: order falafel, it's the one thing on the menu that everyone agrees is horrible.

• Kimmie's Coffee Cup

  phone: +1 714 449-1580
  address: 1605 W. Commonwealth Ave
  A classic American diner with a woman's touch. Independently owned, with just two locations, the Fullerton Kimmie's boasts an outdoor heated patio. It's only open until 2PM, so you have to come by for breakfast or lunch, but no matter what time you show up, you should order from the breakfast menu because that's where the goodies are. Banana-nut pancakes, build-your-own omelets, and the coffee, of course, you have to try the coffee. The waitresses are all smiles, and their aprons all handmade.

• Thai BBQ

  phone: +1 714 870-1333
  address: 211 East Orangethorpe Ave
  The best and most expensive Thai in Fullerton. There are cheaper options at nearly every shopping center but what you sacrifice in cost you also sacrifice in authenticity and variety. If you are just getting your monthly Pad Thai fix, then any place will do and you'll save a few bucks, but if you're looking for the quality of a home-cooked Thai meal, then hit up Thai BBQ, and ask your server for recommendations. Be adventurous. Drink the Thai tea, with or without boba

• Roman Cucina

  phone: +1 714 680-6000
  address: 211 N. Harbor Blvd
  Dark decor and fabulous dim lighting to set the mood. It's great to go with a date or a group of friends for an intimate dinner. Go Monday for Martini night, all menu martinis $5, or go on Wine Wednesdays when all bottles are 1/2 price. Their pasta dishes are hearty and delectable. They are only open for dinner.

• The Mulberry St. Ristorante

  phone: +1 714 525-1056
  address: 114 W. Wilshire Ave
  The Italian food is good, but go for the seafood. Ask your server for a good wine pairing. Go on the weekend when there is live entertainment. The entertainment won't be as good as the food, but it adds ambience to a night on the town. Monday night is Karaoke night. Open for lunch and dinner.

• The Cellar

  phone: +1 714 525-5682
  address: 305 N. Harbor Blvd
  Fine French cuisine underground. The restaurant is beneath the historic Villa Del Sol, a beautiful building and plaza in the heart of downtown. The wine list, as you may have guessed, is impressive and the menu is, well, French. Foie gras, escargot, and the like. A lovely experience for any day, but an excellent place to mark a special occasion.

• In-N-Out Burgers

  phone: +1-800-786-1000
  address: 1180 South Harbor Blvd
  Most television series based in California will pay homage to In-N-Out at some point. It's classic California. Californians can't resist the fresh-cut potato fries, the Grade A beef (never frozen), and the spread. The spread used to just come on the burgers but they had to start packaging the spread for easier distribution because their customers always ask for extra to smother their fries in. The menu is as simple and classic as their image, but there is "the secret menu" that any local, or even the cashier, can tell you about. If you want to pretend to be in the know, just Google it before you go.

• Taqueria de Anda

  phone: +1 714 871-4211
  address: 300 W. Valencia Dr
  Part of a Southern California chain. They make the most authentic tacos north of the border. Drive-thru is open 24-hours. Enough said.

Cafés

• 419 Veronese Cafe

  phone: +1 714 578-8265
  address: 419 West Commonwealth Ave

• McClain's

  phone: +1 714 525-5282
  address: 817 North Harbor Blvd

Bars

Downtown Fullerton is one of the biggest and most popular bar areas in Orange County. Offering over 20 bars and dozens of restaurants of all shapes and sizes. Most bars begin getting crowded by 9-10PM and go until 1:30-2AM. Parking is easily available and taxis are abundant at night.

• Back Alley

  phone: +1 714 526-3032
  address: 116 1/2 W Wilshire Ave

• Bourbon Street

  phone: +1 714 626-0050
  address: 110 E. Commonwealth Ave.

• Slide Bar

  phone: +1 714 871-2233
  address: 122 E Commonwealth Ave

• Fullerton Marriott at California State University

  phone: +1 714 738-7800
  address: 2701 East Nutwood Ave

• HI Hostel

  phone: +1 714 738-3721
  address: 1700 N Harbor Blvd.