Hi, I’m Jon, the OC Dad.

When I was six, I knew I was going to be a professional athlete. At seven, I was smart enough to realize I wasn’t nearly gifted enough to be one. So I found another way into the game. I became a television producer at ESPN, and later I was one of the founding producers at Golf Channel. After TV, I built a successful second career in sales.

But without a doubt, my greatest accomplishment is my wife and our six kids. I lucked into falling up in the best way possible.

I was born in Dublin, Ireland, and grew up in Pasadena, California. Today my family and I call Orange County home. The “OC” in OC Dad stands for Orange County, and it also stands for something else: Obsessively Curious. If there’s a new taco spot, a hidden trail, a weekend road trip or a local event worth checking out, I want to know about it. Then I want to try it, and then I want to tell everyone. That’s what this site is for.

OC Dad on the Road is about choosing fun. It’s about saying yes to adventure, finding the good stuff and sharing it with you. You’ll find my take on:

• Dining: restaurants, food spots and hidden gems worth the drive
• Adventures: things to do around Orange County, with or without kids
• Travel: road trips and getaways, planned by a guy who spent years fitting six kids into the plan
• Dad life: the real, funny, chaotic side of a big family, even after the kids are grown

I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life. The one thing I’ve never been wrong about is staying true to who I am and what I stand for: the Golden Rule, loyalty, honesty and integrity. That’s how I run this site too. You’ll always get my honest take.

Follow along on my YouTube channel. A podcast is on the way.

Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or a parent trying to get the family out of the house, I’m glad you’re here. Let’s go find something fun.

— Jon, the OC Dad