Cypress, CA

The area that eventually became the city of Cypress was originally inhabited by Gabrielinos Native Americans. When western settlers began to arrive in the area, it became part of a Spanish land grant. After the formation of Orange County in 1889, the area's population boomed and Cypress began to expand. The town's main production was agriculture and began to develop into a more residential area following World War II.

The community gears up for the annual Cypress Community Festival every summer. The festival offers fun for the whole family featuring events such as a photography contest, 5K and 10K runs, a coloring contest, amusement rides and more. Vendors sell unique artisan products, food and handicrafts.

A tantalizing combination of world cuisine with a unique touch of local flavors make dining in the Cypress area a treat. From the simple elegance of freshly cut sushi, to the bold flavors of Indian curry, you can find just about anything here.

Café Hiro dishes out a unique blend of Japanese and French cuisine. Be sure to order the signature dish ”uni” spaghetti which is spaghetti with sea urchin and toasted seaweed. For an appetizer, you can enjoy some crispy fried tofu or creamy crab cakes. For dessert, be sure to try the panna cotta, which is a soft and creamy pudding with fresh seasonal fruit. The home ambience and attentive service made Café Hiro a place worth coming back to.

The Sandwich House serves up fresh and hearty Vietnamese sandwich creations. Try the BBQ pork ban mi sandwich, loaded with crunchy onions, carrots, parsley and green peppers. Besides the usual sandwich fare, it also features noodle dishes such as the shrimp and rice noodle vermicelli. Receive a sweet iced tea and buttery baguette chips on the house with your meal.

Stop by Joe Schmoes for a heaping helping of all-American cuisine. Joe’s grills up some unique twists on classic American food like hot dogs, such as the signature bleu cheese slaw dog or Texas chili dog. If you’re feeling creative, you can build your own hot dog, choosing from the array of fresh ingredients for toppings. Accompany your hotdog with a side of gourmet hand-cut fries and a beer. Joe’s dessert menu features customized custards with ingredients such as cookie dough, gummy bears and snickers.

Cypress has a hip and lively nightlife scene featuring a wide array of bars and lounges. Chill out in Odyssey Hookah Lounge, or shoot a game of pool at Campus Billiards and Sports Bar. Head to Chain Reaction to enjoy some live music.

Swing in to Jeanie’s Dirty Martini if you’re looking for a good time. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are karaoke nights. Put your dancing shoes on and head out on the dance floor, or sit back with your friends and enjoy music from the live DJ.

Conveniently located off Interstate-605, Cypress is easily accessible to the rest of Orange County. The area is situated in the northeast corner of the county. It takes around 18 minutes to drive from Cypress to Anaheim via Valley View Street. Public parking ramps and on-street parking is available in the area.

There are a few public bus routes that cover the Cypress area. Norwalk Metro Link Station lies nearby, providing trains to the rest of the Orange County as well as to Los Angeles.

Cypress houses many bike trails that extend throughout the city along the main roads and a lot of the roads have bike lanes as well.

If you need to hail a cab, you can call or text Uber rideshare taxi service. You can also call nearby Night Yellow Taxi, which provides quick service to the area.

Get out and enjoy the sunny weather all year round when you visit Cypress’ pristine, well-maintained parks. The expansive Oak Knoll Park provides shaded picnic areas, BBQ grills, playgrounds, baseball fields, basketball courts and jogging trails. Bring the family for a cook out in the sun and let the kids enjoy the well-maintained playground as you kick back and relax. Get in shape when you visit the nearby Cypress Community Center, which houses various recreational equipment.

Take you canine companion to nearby Arbor Dog Park for some outdoor recreation. The park provides vast spaces of open area for your pets to run and make new friends.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the Cypress community costs about $1,320 per month, which is slightly higher than the average for the State of California.

Gas prices hover around 10 percent higher than the national average. The fare on an Orange County Transit bus costs $2. A pint of beer at a local bar runs about $5 to $6. The overall cost of living in Cypress ends up being slightly higher than the California state average.

Shopping in the Cypress area provides plenty of trendy upscale stores that stock unique products. Check out boutiques such as Fashion Friends, Fashion Avenue and New 2 You Consignment Boutique for the latest in vintage chic style. Fashion Avenue stocks classy dresses for going out, professional work wardrobe and stylish casual clothes for everyday wear. For your everyday needs, be sure to stop in to Costco, Target or Kohl's Department store. Locals pick up their groceries at stores such as Ralph's Grocery or Starter Bros Market. Keep it fresh when you head to nearby Cerritos Farmers' Market to pick up some organic local produce and unique handcrafted products. If all of that shopping has made you hungry, munch on some freshly prepared tamales, fish tacos or jalapeño hummus and pita bread.