Orange County Press Club Announces Return of Annual Awards Gala at Anaheim Hills Golf Club on June 17

The Orange County Press Club is thrilled to announce the return of its highly anticipated Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the beautiful Anaheim Hills Golf Club. Tickets are officially on sale now for the celebratory evening honoring outstanding journalism, media professionals, storytellers, and scholarship recipients from across Orange County and Southern California.

The annual gala serves as one of the region’s signature gatherings for journalists, editors, broadcasters, photographers, public relations professionals, students, and community leaders. Guests can expect an evening filled with meaningful recognition, networking, memorable moments, and celebration of the stories and storytellers shaping Orange County.

“This year’s gala is about coming together to celebrate the incredible talent, passion, and resilience within our media community,” said Destiny Torres, President of the Orange County Press Club. “As many in our industry continue navigating evolving challenges and financial pressures, the Board made the intentional decision to keep ticket prices unchanged this year to help ensure the event remains accessible and welcoming to our members and colleagues.”

The evening will include presentation of the Orange County Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards, scholarship recognitions supporting the next generation of journalists, a three-course dinner, and networking opportunities with professionals from across the media and communications industries. Award-winning journalist Gustavo Arellano is confirmed to serve as one of the evening’s emcees.

Gala attendees will enjoy a seated dinner at Anaheim Hills Golf Club with entrée selections and complimentary red and white wine at each table. Additional beverages will be available for purchase at the venue’s cash bar. Additional program details, scholarship recognitions, and event announcements will be shared in the coming weeks.

Tickets are available now at $75 per person and must be purchased by June 3. You can purchase your tickets here.

OC Press Club Scholarship Applications Now Open

Calling all aspiring journalists! The OC Press Club is excited to announce that scholarship applications are open for students passionate about pursuing a career in journalism.

To apply, send a cover letter explaining why journalism matters to you and why you want to be a journalist, along with your resume, and 3 to 5 samples of your work to ocpressclub@gmail.com. Please be sure to write “SCHOLARSHIP” in the subject line.

The deadline to apply is May 17. We look forward to supporting students on their journalism journeys!

OC Press Club election applications are now open!

It’s election season at the Orange County Press Club! We’re seeking passionate individuals to share their voices and ideas as members of the 2025–26 Board of Directors.

As part of the Board, you will:

  • Host networking and informational events for members
  • Work alongside groups throughout California to advocate for press freedom and other issues important to journalists in Orange County
  • Steward the next generation of journalists through scholarships and fellowships
  • Organize and host the annual press gala and award ceremony

If you’re interested, we encourage you to please apply by the deadline, Tuesday, Sept. 30. You can find the application link here.

For any questions, please reach out to our board member Carrie Freitas at carrie@ktmagency.com.

Buy Your Tickets to the 2025 Excellence in Journalism Gala

On June 18, join us for a night of celebrating excellence in O.C. media!

The Orange County Press Club’s annual Excellence in Journalism Gala is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 18 at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course, 6501 E. Nohl Ranch Road in Anaheim.

Parking is free, and there will be a cash bar.

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased via PayPal – here.