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Things To Do In Cypress

Originally incorporated in 1956, Cypress’ name is a bit of a mystery. But one thing is certain, like much of Orange County, the city comes from humble beginnings as an agriculture town. Originally nicknamed Waterville because of the presence of wells within city lines, Cypress took on the official name of Dairy City to keep developers off the land. After the influx of home buying post-World War II, Dairy City transitioned to Cypress. 

Cypress is a smaller city with a little under 50,000 in population and centrally located in Orange County. Even though it is small, there are still a few spots you won’t want to miss.

Things To Do In Cypress

Los Alamitos Race Track

Informal horse races at Vessels Ranch started in 1947 and turned into year-round quarter horse racing with purses coming in at over $20 million. Some of horse racing’s finest champions have circled the track here at Los Alamitos Race Course, starting with Go Man Go in 1955. Other legendary horses include Vandy’s Flash, KaweahBar, First Down Dash, Town Policy, and Corona Chick.

We know…horse racing is a controversial sport and the frequent death of race horses is a major concern. But visitors are welcome even when live racing is not happening, and it’s worth a trip to see one of Orange County’s popular landmarks. 4961 Katella Ave, Cypress, CA 90720


Navy Destroyer Golf Course

Sitting on 220-acres, the Navy Golf Course offers numerous amenities and 27-holes. Built in 1966, the Navy Golf Course has brought an outstanding experience to local golfers ever since. Offering an atmosphere that is rich in history, this military run course is a must if you’re looking to enjoy a day on the green. The course offers a pro shop, driving range, rentals, and a clubhouse. 

Initially designed for the military and by the military, the course until recently was only for military and their families and now offers deep discounts to active duty, veterans and their family members. The course touches Los Alamitos, Cypress, Garden Grove, and Seal Beach making it a wide stretching course with varying difficulty levels. This is also one of the courses where Tiger Woods learned his masterful skills and became a force to be reckoned with.

If golfing is your game, the Navy Destroyer Golf Course is a can’t miss course, even if you’re not part of the military. 5660 Orangewood Ave, Cypress, CA 90630

Navy Destroyer Golf Course, Cypress

Dominic’s Ristorante Italiano

Established in 1991, Dominic’s Ristorante Italiano is home to some of the best authentic Italian food in Orange County. Angela Cesario, who is originally from Sicily, bought Dominic’s from a friend and has been a success ever since. Her inspiration comes from her own upbringing and feeding exceptional cuisine to guests. 

Dominic’s offers curbside pick-up, family meal deals, pizza kits, take & bake catering trays, wine, beer, and cocktails for takeout. They also offer delivery through third-party services for those who need contact-less options such as DoorDash, GrubHub and PostMates.

The Italian restaurant serves pasta creations that are crafted for each person, delicious minestrone soup, and even breaded salmon. Whatever you’re craving, Dominic’s serves it in the most authentic way! 9921 Walker Street, Cypress CA 90630


Cypress Skate Park

While most lists don’t acknowledge skate parks, this one does because in a smaller town it can be hard to find something like this for your skater to enjoy close-by. Located in Veterans Park, the skate park offers elements for moderate level skaters and is tucked into a lush greenspace with a play area nearby for younger siblings. Cypress Skate Park features railings, stairs, and maintains a good flow. If you are looking to pick up a board, this is the place to be. 4554 Avenida Granada, Cypress, CA 90630


Mackay Park

If you’re a parent, you want to know the best play areas to take the kids. When all else fails, a good playground can save the day. Mackay Park is hands down the one you want to take your kids to when you want something different. This colorful playground is packed with bright, modern play elements, has shaded areas, includes on-site exercise course equipment for the adults, and there are restrooms so you can stay longer than an hour or two. 8732 Walker Street Cypress, CA 90630


Lexington Park

Lexington Park was built on a portion of what used to be Cypress Golf Club, where young Tiger Woods began his winning golf career. Thanks to a generous land donation from the Los Alamitos Race Course, the community will has access to new, lighted multi-use sports fields, sport court (Basketball, Pickleball & Volleyball) with natural and synthetic turf, unique and modern shaded play areas for kids of all ages, exercise stations, 8’ Wide Walking Path (1/3 Mile), and more. 4600 West Cerritos Street


El Zarape Mexican Restaurant

Since 1990, El Zarape has served up authentic and tasty Mexican food and is a can’t miss if you are craving a Cadillac margarita, Chimi Flautas or Chile Rellenos. Everything at El Zarape is hand-crafted and recipes are developed in-house by the family that brings Mexican food home to Cypress. 

Featuring their notable 6-foot burrito, this local joint is sure to please even the most seasoned Southern Californian Mexican food snob. The atmosphere here is also colorful and eclectic to really capture the feeling of getting authentic cuisine right from the kitchen. If you are itching for a great meal and craving Mexican food, be sure to check this place out, you won’t be disappointed! 4197 Ball Rd, Cypress, CA 90630


Dalton’s Cafe: American Diner

Named after the family’s youngest, Dalton’s is a great family owned American Diner in the heart of Cypress. Since 1996, this local eatery offers affordable all-American comfort food. Dalton’s has a large across the board menu with something for everyone from old school classics to home-baked treats like open faced sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, sloppy joes, and spaghetti. Their coffee and a giant cookie is a can’t miss when you come into Dalton’s. Come to Dalton’s for a much simpler atmosphere, good food that is also easy on your wallet. 5591 Lincoln Ave, Cypress, CA 90630


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Rebecca Radtke
Rebecca has an undeniable love of writing and graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in journalism. She enjoys watching hockey, scuba diving, swimming, and working out.