Tips on doing Orange County from Playboy’s ‘real girls’

First of all, let’s get one thing straight. What you are reading is the product of a purely professional pursuit, and all about a couple of popular local girls’ favorite local tourist hot spots. We are all about trying to keep you abreast of the latest, after all.

So, when it was learned that Playboy magazine is featuring a bevy of Orange County models in the August issue (on newsstands July 7), we considered it our professional duty, to, at great personal sacrifice, track down two of them and query them about some of their favorite Orange County hangouts so that information could be relayed directly to you.

The magazine’s eagle-eyed talent scouts, according to publicists, combed the 42-miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline made famous by such television shows as “The O.C.,” “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” and “The Real Housewives of Orange County” in search of those who best embody the California spirit.

Among them are Kortnie O’Connor and Nicole Albright.

With publicist Theresa Hennessey listening in the entire time in order to keep the questioning on track, both models were asked about some of their favorite OC haunts, beaches, parks and night spots.

O’Connor, a resident of Newport Beach, is also a personal friend of Christine Smith (Miss December, 2005) proving once again it helps to know somebody.

“Omigod,” she says, when asked about her reaction to being chosen for the magazine shoot, “I just thought it was cool that my girlfriend would be thought of as a celebrity. That they would even want to bring me in (for a test shoot), was cool enough for me. So, when they called back and actually wanted to do something, I was so excited.”

A Ventura native, O’Connor has lived here the past five years for the same reasons Orange County is one of the Golden State’s most popular destinations – the weather.  Put “hanging out” at the beachnear the top of her list of recommendations.

Her tip on how to best enjoy the beach: “Just come and watch. Some of the hottest people I’ve ever seen are in Huntington and Newport.”

O’Connor’s favorite spot is a place near home called “Little Corona” which features a walkway down a cliff to the beach in Corona del Mar.

Favorite shopping haunt?

“Anywhere where I can spend my money, Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza.” She favors “little girlie boutiques” which can be anywhere. O’Connor is giving away no beachwear trade secrets however; all of hers are custom-made originals by an Orange County friend who she’s declining to identify

Nightlife?

As someone who used to work in downtown Huntington Beach, that area is a personal favorite. “All my friends are down there. I like Newport Beach of course, because I live there. Then there’s the Cantina in Newport and Sharkey’s is always fun.”

If O’Connor has her way, you’ll be reading about (and seeing) more of her in the months to come.  She’s done her “Playmate test” so “hopefully, someday you’ll see me… we’ll see.”

Albright’s story is 180 degrees opposite. She was at her hair salon on Huntington Beach (Medusa) and a girlfriend “pushed her into” the audition.  The Laguna Beachresident says things progressed rapidly after that.

“I was leery at first, but Playboy is an awesome magazine. I was flattered that anyone would even refer me to them.”

Albright describes the experience as “exciting” and cause for nervousness at first, but the folks from the magazine made her feel as if she were at home.

Speaking of home, the great weather, beaches and shopping are what keep her calling the O.C. home.

Playing beach volleyball is what keeps her fit.

“I love it in Laguna Beach,” she says. “There are a lot of little coves that go down the coast. You can find almost private coves where the water looks so beautiful. It looks like you’re in Hawaii.”

Her favorite “secret spot” is a place in Laguna called Victoria Beach. “It’s a very tiny cove in Laguna Beach. It’s the best. I love that one.”

Outdoors types might want to consider Bolsa Chica State Beach, a wetlands area. One might catch Albright on a jog there “You can ride your bike on the beach. The road snakes along the coast, go toward Newport. It’s a nice walk, wetland on one side, beach on the left. “

As people-watching is a favorite activity among beach-goers, Albright offers the following bit of advice

“I wouldn’t suggest staring or (dropping) your jaw,” she says. “If there’s a good-looking chick and guy wants to talk to her, I think you should go up and talk to her … start a conversation, invite her somewhere, maybe to play a game.”

Albright’s favorite shopping outing: to South Coast Plaza, in pajamas or sweats.

“I could spend the whole day there, five hours at least, shopping at Nordstrom’s or Dior’s, visiting Jimmy Choo’s.”

We close with a few of Albright’s favorite restaurants and nightclubs.

“Sutra (Lounge) in Costa Mesa is a great place to go,” she says. “The club there is called Temptations. They have sushi, a lot of clubs next door, steaks American food, pasta, lobster, fish dishes. Villa Nova is a great one as well in Newport Beach; they’re right on the water. If you have a boat, you can tie it up right there at the dock and head up to the restaurant.”

Don’t imagine Albright picks up too many dinner tabs. Good luck finding her alone anywhere, guys.

This one’s over for the time being. The things we suffer for our craft.