Today it serves as the backdrop for countless television shows and movies. But at one time, the small, local grocery store—a throwback to midcentury America—had almost seen its better days. “When we first took the place over in the early 1990s, the store was in pretty bad shape. It was like the worst house in the neighborhood type of thing; dirty, stinky, and the people who owned it were running it like a liquor store. It was in desperate need of a facelift,” says co-owner of Fields Market, Bill Rinck.

I lived in Orange County long before The OC and The Real Housewives franchise put it in the spotlight. Often out-of-towners ask me if those shows accurately portray life there. Well, I shrug, they embellish a little, but it is as charming in real life as it is on television. Practically any time of year you can swim in the ocean, sail in the harbor, or hike along picturesque trails. Some people prefer seasons, but in Southern California the temperature stays mild all year long. This suits us just fine. Whether you live in Dana Point or Irvine, here are…