Fountain Valley, CA

Fountain Valley was incorporated into Orange County in 1957. The city was an agriculture town at the time, but it quickly grew after that with the building of residential areas and business centers.

A great way to spend the day in Fountain Valley is to head over to The Reptile Zoo. For only five dollars you can look, and in some cases hold, many different types of reptiles. Feed the turtles while looking at the snake slithering in his case. Bring the family for a great day of fun.

You can also spend a day at the Fountain Valley Car Show in June; this annual event grows every year. Admission is free, and if you have a fancy car to show off bring it along. Local bands play music and booths serve up some great food.

Fountain Valley has no shortage of great restaurants to choose from when hungry.

Inka Cantina stands above the rest because it makes you feel like you are in another world the second you walk into the restaurant. The heritage of Peru adorns the walls and fills the air, but the food is the real treat. Start off with the ceviche. The fresh fish covered in lime juice will have you begging for more. If you like stir-fry try the lomo saltado, a staple of Peruvian cuisine.

Kech Cafe is a hidden gem that adds a satisfied customer every day. The small cafe is located in a Shell gas station, but don't let that deter you. Kech Cafe boasts fresh food. Each sandwich comes with two sides, and you'll be pleased by the Mediterranean salad selection and well as the hummus and carrots. The Mediterranean cheese pizza is a local favorite, and the cafe is open for breakfast as well.

If you want to eat some great Japanese food, Shin-sen-Gumi Robata & Yakitori brings the tastes of Japan to Fountain Valley. Here you can experience real Japanese yakitori, like cartilage, gizzard, and many other parts of the chicken that you may have never tried before. This place fills up quick so get there early.

If you're looking for dance clubs, you have to leave to neighboring Huntington Beach or head to Costa Mesa. Finding locals bar to drink at, however, isn't a problem. Spend the night drinking at Ozzie's Lounge while singing karaoke. This little gem is inside a bowling alley so you can always to bowl a game or two inbetween songs. For those looking for live music head on over to Silky Sullivan's, a local Irish bar that provides live music and a lively atmosphere. You can expect to have an entertaining night at this charming establishment.

Fountain Valley's spacious streets makes driving a pleasure and the most convenient way to get around. There are wide bike lanes in the streets if you want to ride, but most people get around in a car.

The bus system, run by OCTA, gets you anywhere you need to go. Ticket prices range around $2.00, while daily, weekly and monthly passes are also sold.

Keep the number to a taxi on you because you cannot hail one down in this town. But call one up and they will pick you up in no time.

Uber has not made its way to Fountain Valley. The city does though boast spacious parking lots in all places of business in the city though. Parking on the street is metered around Mile Square Park.

Fountain Valley isn't a great city to walk in because it's very spread out. Having a car is very convenient because the 405 freeway runs through the city, and once on the 405 you can go anywhere in California.

Mile Square Regional Park has something for everybody. You can play basketball on one of their many courts, play tennis, practice your archery or even fish in one of the two ponds.

This beautiful park is a part of the community where family and friends spend many weekends grilling and throwing the football around. If you don't like intense activities, take a stroll on one of the trails, which will take you to parts of the park that make you forget the busy streets just a few feet away.

Mile Square Park has a great summer concert series that goes on Thursday nights. Stop by and listen to great music while enjoying the night's breeze. Like to golf? You're in luck because there are two 18-hole courses for you to play. Play a different course each day of the weekend and never get bored.

This park is the gem of the city because it is the center of everything. Park your car, walk into the park and let it direct you to a good time. Chances are you'll end up doing an activity that is good for your health. The best part is this park is free for the community to enjoy.

Bring your dogs (on a leash) and your kids because they will have a great time in this family-friendly park.

Fountain Valley is a great option for living in Orange County. It's not as expensive as some of its surrounding cities, but Fountain Valley offers a great community and accessibility to the beach.

The average rent for a one bedroom apartment in Fountain Valley is $1,500 per month. Stop by the local bar to catch a game and you'll pay around $5.00 for a beer. But also expect to pay 10 percent more than the national average for a gallon of gas. If you need to get to Los Angeles from Fountain Valley, it will take a little less than an hour by car.

Not known for its shopping malls, Fountain Valley does have little gems dotting the city.

Avenue, for example, carries all the latest street wear. Pick out a hat, or a backpack so you can cruise the city in style. For those who like to skateboard, Avenue carries the newest boards on the market. After you shop head next door to a great Japanese restaurant named EBISU which has a amazing ramen lunch special.

For ladies looking for great beauty products, Be Pretty is an elegant boutique that will leave you speechless. Its motto is to bring the best products to Fountain Valley, and they continue to succeed. Find brands such as Tokyo Milk and Jane Iredale, and let the expert salespeople guide you to choosing the perfect product. Be Pretty has a wonderful website where you can also do all of your shopping from the comfort of home. Just click, pay and let your products come to you.

Head over to Mile Square Park on Thursday evenings where the parking lot on the Brookhurst side transforms into a farmer's market. Fresh vegetables and fruit have made this a local favorite to shop. Grab a bag of kettle corn and enjoy a stroll through the market while you check out the local artists selling their crafts. It can get busy quickly so get there early and grab a nice parking space.

Spread throughout the city you can find many grocery stores. Fresh & Easy is a popular choice among locals, as well as the classics such as Albertson's, Stater Bros. and Ralph's.