Looking for something fun to do for your birthday? Whether you’re planning a big celebration, a night out with friends, an Orange County adventure or a relaxing day to yourself, we’ve rounded up more than 100 birthday ideas for adults—from beaches and brunch to concerts, spas, day trips and memorable experiences.
Jump to: At Home | Orange County | Going Out | Adventure | Creative | Last Minute | Getaways | Solo | Luxury | Milestone Birthdays
Birthday Party Ideas at Home
Best Birthday Ideas in Orange County
Orange County makes it easy to plan a birthday around the coast, food, entertainment and outdoor activities. Popular options include a beach bonfire, Duffy boat ride, Catalina Island day trip, resort day pass, spa day, wine tasting, theme park visit, live music, brunch, a harbor activity or a brewery crawl.
- Plan a staycation pool party
- Host a board game night
- Hire a private chef for a dinner party
- Have a pajama party
- Sip tea with a fancy tea party
- Plan a backyard BBQ with lawn and outdoor games
- Throw a party with a food truck (or dessert truck)
- Have a friends and family get-together at home
- Host a make your own pizza party
- Plan a potluck party
- Have a murder mystery night
- Host a costume party with a theme
- Have a blind tasting party with wine, beer or liquor
- Play video games all day with friends
- Eat breakfast in bed
- Bring in an astrologer, psychic reader or magician
- Host a casino night
- Throw a Karaoke party at home
- Have a wine and cheese gathering with a sommelier
- Host an outdoor movie night
- Throw a luau, fiesta or decades party
- Bring a day spa to your home
- Have an ice cream party
Birthday Activities & Places to Celebrate
For a birthday out in Orange County or elsewhere in Southern California, choose an activity that fits your group—from beaches, dining and live entertainment to resorts, museums and day trips.
- Spend the day at the beach
- Shop, dine and enjoy entertainment at a local shopping center
- Plan a wine tasting day trip
- Attend a concert
- Sing the night away at a Karaoke bar
- Show off your knowledge at a trivia night
- Map out a progressive dinner
- Throw a beach bonfire party
- Laugh it up at a comedy or improv show
- Relax at a day spa with friends
- Play golf or even mini golf
- Go to a music festival
- Plan the perfect picnic at a park or beach
- Book a party bus, Sprinter van or limo to your favorite spot
- Go or learn how to country line dance
- Ride the day away at a theme park
- Taste wines from the barrel and blend your own wine
- Attend a theater show
- Rent a Duffy boat and tour the harbor
- Take a day trip to Catalina Island
- Visit an aquarium or zoo
- Relax at a resort with a hotel day pass
- Host a private movie screening
- Pub bike or brewery crawl
- Book a cabana at a local resort
- Go see a sports game
- Have lunch with friends on a farm
- Go to a fair, carnival, or festival
- Dance the night away at a club
- Slide on over to a water park
- See a live magic show
- Go to any place where there’s live music
- Go on a ghost tour
- Spend a day watching live horse racing
- Visit gardens or an arboretum
- Spend the day on a lake or river
- Go to a dinner show
- Try out the tourist things to do in your local area
- Have a nail or hair salon day with friends
- Tour a museum or check out the latest pop-up museum
- Have a picnic at the park and watch the sunset
- Go on a bird watching tour
- Go on a date with your spouse or significant other
- Take a local food, brewery or behind-the-scenes tour
- Ride a beach cruiser on the boardwalk
- Go axe throwing
- Book a party at an entertainment complex e.g. Dave & Buster’s
- Attend a concert or movie in the park
- Set up a shopping event at a boutique
- Road trip with friends or family
- Take a brewery or food tour
- Visit an artisan, farmer’s market, or u-pick farm.
- Book a private room at a restaurant
Adventurous Birthday Ideas
- Climb a mountain
- Try an adventurous activity with an established professional operator
- Take a trapeze lesson
- Try an indoor climbing gym or guided ropes course
- Go camping, glamping or RVing
- Go horseback riding
- Hit an ice skating rink
- Go on a hot air balloon ride
- Hike or mountain bike a new trail
- Take a helicopter tour
- Go paddle boarding
- Take a pole dancing or aerial silks class
- Try Topgolf
- Race with friends on a Go Kart
- Go ATV riding
- Learn to surf, kitesurf, windsurf, or sail
- Take a motorcycle on an adventure
- Try bodysurfing or bodyboarding
- Ski or snowboard the slopes
- Go for a ride at skateboard park or BMX track
- Run a 5K or marathon or attempt a triathlon
- Go scuba diving or snorkeling
- Go deep sea fishing
- Rent a paddle boat, jet ski or hydrofoil
- Hang out on zip lines or a rope course
- Go white water rafting
Creative Birthday Ideas
- Craft a masterpiece at a sip & paint
- Take a cooking, pottery, jewelry or another hobby class
- Take dancing lessons
- Start a new hobby
- Learn a new skill
- Dive into a new culture
- Do some DIY crafting
Last-Minute Birthday Ideas
- Attempt an escape room
- Go bowling
- Roller skating
- Karaoke your heart out
- See a movie
- Bake a birthday cake
- Bar hop until the morning
- Have a happy hour get-together at a local bar or restaurant
- Dine at a restaurant with friends and family
- Road trip to Vegas for the night
- Bottomless brunch and day drinking with friends
- Shoot pool and play darts at a local dive bar
- Go ice skating or rollerblading
Birthday Getaway & Vacation Ideas
- Go wine tasting in Napa, Santa Barbara, Temecula or right here in Orange County
- Go on a cruise
- Plan a golf vacation with friends
- Travel to your dream destination
- Plan a trip to see a friend
- Have fun girls/guys trip
- Take a best friends only trip
- Vacation abroad
- Have a weekend getaway at the lake, beach or mountains
- Attend a pool party and gamble the night away in Las Vegas
Solo Birthday Ideas
- Binge watch your favorite show/movie
- Treat yourself to a special gift
- Do a birthday photo shoot
- Donate to a charity or volunteer
- Get a piercing or a tattoo
- Get a psychic reading
- Indulge in your favorite meal
- Reread your favorite book
- Send flowers to yourself
- Drink your favorite bottle of wine or liquor
- Test drive your favorite car
- Wear a show-stopping outfit
- Write a letter to your future self
- Spend time with animals through a local shelter or volunteer program where permitted
- Avoid your least favorite chores
- Get active at a fitness class
- Redecorate your home or a room
- Enjoy your favorite foods without turning the day into a routine
- Take the day off work
- Indulge in a slice of cake
- Unplug for a day
- Try yoga or workout
- Find a treasure at a thrift store
- Check something off your bucket list
- Enjoy a nature walk
- Hike to a sunset
- Perform a random act of kindness
- Get your hair and/or makeup done
- Try a recipe you’ve always wanted to make
- Taste a food you’ve never tried before
- Visit a dog park with your best friend
- Rent your favorite luxury car
- Order in from your favorite restaurant
Luxury Birthday Party Ideas
- Party on a yacht
- Rent a mansion or a beach house
- Host a weekend getaway with friends and family
- Rent a private jet
- Throw a black & white ball
- Rent out a concert venue
- Book a luxurious stay at a resort
- Upgrade to VIP or suite access at an event
- Rent out a bar or restaurant for friends and family, an Elks Club bar or restaurant is cost-friendlier option
Tips for Planning a 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th Birthday Party
- Plan at least a month ahead
- Enlist party helpers or hire event staff
- Decide on your budget
- Choose a theme and stick to it
- Find the perfect place to celebrate
- Choose the entertainment
- Create a playlist
- Plan activities
- Focus on the food and drinks
- Serve one specialty cocktail
- Don’t forget the cake
- Purchase or make the décor
- Limit the guest list, but be prepared for a few extra guests
- Take party favors to the next level
- Capture the moments
- Book a photographer or videographer
- Have a photo booth, Instagrammable backdrops and/or props
- Create your party hashtag and share it
- Designate someone to be in charge during the party because…
- Prepare for the unexpected
Birthday Ideas by Budget
Free or low-cost: Spend the day at the beach, plan a picnic, hike, watch the sunset, host a game night, take a nature walk or explore a farmers market. Moderate: Try brunch, bowling, an escape room, a museum, wine tasting, a spa treatment or a concert. Splurge: Book a resort stay, yacht, private dining experience, luxury car, VIP event experience or weekend getaway.
Birthday Ideas by Group Size
Solo: Spa day, favorite meal, shopping, hiking or a personal getaway. Couples: Dinner, wine tasting, resort day pass or Catalina trip. Small groups: Duffy boat, escape room, brunch, brewery crawl or bonfire. Large groups: Private dining room, party venue, beach gathering, entertainment complex or catered party.
Birthday Ideas FAQ
What are fun things to do for your birthday?
Popular birthday ideas include a special dinner, beach day, concert, spa visit, brunch, day trip, theme park, outdoor adventure, game night or simply spending the day doing a favorite activity with friends or family.
What can adults do for their birthday in Orange County?
Orange County birthday ideas for adults include beach bonfires, harbor cruises and Duffy boats, resort day passes, spas, wine tasting, live music, breweries, theme parks, coastal dining and day trips to Catalina Island.
What can I do for my birthday without having a party?
Plan an experience instead, such as a day trip, favorite meal, spa treatment, hike, museum visit, beach day, class, concert or relaxing day at home.
What are inexpensive birthday ideas?
Low-cost birthday ideas include a picnic, beach day, hike, potluck, movie night, board game night, farmers market visit, sunset walk or homemade dinner with friends.
What can I do for my birthday alone?
Treat yourself to a favorite meal, take the day off, visit a spa or museum, shop, hike, see a movie, start a new hobby, take a class or plan a solo day trip.
What are good last-minute birthday ideas?
Easy last-minute options include dinner or happy hour, bowling, karaoke, an escape room, brunch, a movie, a beach picnic or inviting friends over for games and takeout.
Where can I celebrate a milestone birthday in Orange County?
For a 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th birthday, consider a private restaurant room, coastal resort, yacht or harbor cruise, spa, winery, beach gathering, live entertainment venue or weekend getaway.