Things to Do in Tustin

Gondoliers bedecked in striped shirts nurture romance while serenading guests during languid gondola rides along Huntington Harbour's lush waterways. Equipped with 13-foot oars, Sunset Gondola's imported Venetian vehicles stretch 37 feet from end to end. While some packages come with amenities such as chocolate-covered strawberries, guests are encouraged to bring along their own snacks and beverages. Gondola rides are also available for special occasions, including proposals, wedding ceremonies, and mustache debuts.

Devoted surfers, sailors, and wine connoisseurs Nate and Shane channel their passions for sea waves and sips into scenic beverage cruises offered by Corks Away. Together they pilot the vintage 1961 sailboat, Wildflower, which they refurbished themselves, and its sister vessel, the Sunflower, through the waters surrounding Long Beach. Though the content of the cruises varies by season, past voyages have included mimosa flights, wine tastings, and pairings of gourmet appetizers. The duo can even accommodate large groups with their 72-foot 1920s wooden schooner, the Dirigo II, which stays docked to board 25 passengers comfortably.

One way to get an exceptionally close look at picturesque Alamitos Bay is to ride atop its churning surf on one of Long Beach Hydrobikes's stable, pedal-powered water cycles. The company ensures that renters catch the bay's most noteworthy sights, providing them with a map detailing the location of a bird sanctuary as well as a cove where jellyfish delicately billow in certain months. Avid pedalers generally cruise at speeds of up to 7 miles per hour, exercising bodies with a workout that takes advantage of water resistance to jettison excess calories out to sea. As there is virtually no risk of capsizing, riders may wear anything from a bathing suit to a water-soluble prom dress. The hydrobikes come equipped with storage compartments, drink holders, and a wealth of extra space to invite pets along for the ride, free of charge.

For more than a decade, the kilns at Ocean Stained Glass have been firing and finishing glass pieces crafted by both veterans and first-timers. The stained glass play land leads classes that vary in content from fusing techniques and mosaic construction to the pure art of staining glass. It also encourages glassworkers to drop by during open-studio hours, thereby eliminating the need for budding artists to hurl paint buckets and cement blocks at the nearest storefront window. The studio’s resident artists craft custom designs as well, which vary in price based on the materials and complexity of a project.

Upon stepping inside Hi-Tech Archery’s facility, you might think you’ve accidentally entered a king's hunting lodge. However, the sheer number of bows, mounted buck heads, and colorful bull’s-eyes tip visitors off that this is not just one man’s arsenal, but an entire shop of brand-name archery equipment. The store's staff stocks equipment for hunting, target shooting, and pro archery, offering advice on what works best when aiming at a house fly. In addition to equipment, they offer lessons that help clients learn how to properly handle their bow, as well as youth leagues to help kids build their discipline and find a fun, healthy hobby.

Born and raised in a Canadian igloo, Mark Moore has always felt a deep connection to the outdoors. It’s this connection that brought him to act on his love for adventure and meeting new people through offering kitesurfing lessons. Certified by the International Kiteboarding Association, Mark funnels his experience conquering waves in Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean into hands-on kitesurfing instruction at home, where he helps his students master their own wakes. During lessons, he accommodates each protégé’s learning speed while emphasizing safety and fun.