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Southern California conjures up photographs of golden seashores, palm timber, blue skies, and surfers. And it’s all that, but additionally a lot extra.
We’ve visited a number of instances and most lately spent just a few months exploring each the coast and the desert. We found otherworldly landscapes, quirky artwork, gold mining historical past, stunning wineries and far more.
These are our picks for the very best issues to do in Southern California from San Diego to Santa Barbara. You’ll discover a map with all these SoCal sights on the finish of the submit.
Contents
Best Things to Do in Southern California: San Diego
In the far south of the state, San Diego is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Southern California with its delicate local weather, many seashores, and laidback surfer life-style.
These are our prime picks for the realm and you’ll see our information to the greatest outside actions in San Diego for extra concepts.
1) Hike the Coast at Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is our favorite place to hike in San Diego. It’s simple, stunning, and presents trails for all skills by the namesake pines and alongside the chiselled sandstone cliffs.
We love to do a 3-mile loop beginning up on the cliffs on the Razor Point and Yucca Trails for beautiful views after which head right down to the lengthy wild seaside (solely accessible at low tide).
Torrey Pines is in style so it’s greatest to start out early.
2) Beach Hop in San Diego
There are miles of sandy seashores to discover in San Diego County. Whether you need to surf, swim, play seaside volleyball, stroll, or sunbathe, you’ll discover a seaside for you.
Some of our favourites embrace Coronado (white sand and calmer ocean), La Jolla Cove (stroll alongside the coastal path to identify sea lions), Swami’s (legendary surf and nice for a stroll at low tide), and Moonlight Beach (an simply accessible all-rounder with loads of services).
See our submit on the greatest issues to do in Encinitas for extra seaside ideas on this surfer city simply north of San Diego.
3) Spot Sea Lions and Seals at La Jolla Cove
La Jolla is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go in San Diego to see wildlife.
On the half-mile stroll on the boardwalk from La Jolla Cove to Children’s Beach we noticed dozens of California sea lions, a flock of California Brown Pelicans, and some Pacific Harbor seals (generally you possibly can see much more).
We additionally tide pooled at Shell Beach and watched a tiny hermit crab altering its shell dwelling.
On our Southern California bucket record for subsequent time is a La Jolla kayaking and snorkelling tour for the prospect to see dolphins, turtles, and lots of fish together with the orange garibaldi.
4) Admire the View at Cabrillo National Monument
At the tip of Point Loma Peninsula, you’ll discover among the finest views of downtown San Diego, Coronado Island, and past to Mexico.
The Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the primary European to set foot on the West Coast. You can be taught extra within the customer centre, however our focus was on exploring the gorgeous surroundings on the Bayside Trail.
The 2.5-mile out and again path begins from the 1855 Old Point Loma Lighthouse and has attractive ocean views all through.
As with most Southern California hikes, begin early to keep away from the crowds and warmth.
Parking on the monument prices $20 or you need to use an America the Beautiful National Parks go.
5) Eat Apple Pie in Julian
It’s price dragging your self away from the coast and driving about an hour inland to the charming mountain city of Julian.
It was as soon as a bustling gold mining city and the principle avenue with its historic storefronts is a enjoyable place to wander.
The most important attraction, although, is the excellent apple pie you should buy from Julian Pie Company.
It was completely scrumptious with completely flaky pastry and flavourful juicy filling. We purchased a few slices to remove and later regretted we didn’t purchase an entire pie.
We stopped right here on the best way from San Diego to Borrego Springs (see the desert part under) and it’s the right place to interrupt up the journey.
In September and October, one other enjoyable Southern California exercise is to go apple choosing within the orchards round Julian.
What to Do in Southern California: Orange County and Los Angeles
Heading north up the Southern California coast on the legendary Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll discover much more golden seashores in Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
We haven’t spent as a lot time as we’d like in Orange County, however excessive on our record for our subsequent go to is Laguna Beach, dwelling to attractive seashores, cool art work, and the Crystal Cove State Park.
Huntington Beach and Newport Beach (the place The OC television present was set!) are additionally in style locations to go to within the space.
In LA our want record consists of Malibu and Topanga State Park.
6) Have a Fun-Filled Day at Disneyland
Our favorite Orange County attraction (solely half-hour south of LA) is Disneyland. The two theme parks right here (the unique Disneyland plus Disney California Adventure) are enjoyable for each adults and children.
Ideally, you’d allocate two days to the parks, however our itinerary exhibits it’s attainable to go to each Disneyland and California Adventure in in the future.
Highlights within the parks embrace the brand new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance expertise, the traditional Space, Splash and Thunder Mountain rides, Incredicoaster (for pure thrills), Soarin’ Around the World (a delicate hand glide over the world), Guardians of the Galaxy (for a terrifying drop!) and a lot extra.
7) People Watch on Venice Boardwalk
On our final journey to Los Angeles, we stayed in Venice Beach, a full of life, bohemian, and considerably gritty seaside city.
Strolling the Venice Boardwalk is without doubt one of the most iconic Southern California actions—it’s an actual scene.
The vast pedestrian pavement runs between cheesy memento outlets and the palm tree-lined sandy seaside. Expect to see loads of characters, odor weed (authorized in California), and listen to the sounds of a drum circle or skate boarders blasting their tunes.
There are beachside skate ramps, pickleball and basketball courts, and the Muscle Beach Gym the place Arnold Schwarzenegger as soon as labored out.
It’s loud, overwhelming, enjoyable, and so California.
8) Stroll the Venice Canals
Escape the chaos of the Boardwalk by strolling only a few minutes away to the Venice Canal Historic District. Designed in 1905 by Venice’s founder Abbott Kinney to be a miniature duplicate of its namesake in Italy, the canals are an surprising peaceable retreat.
It’s a fairly place to walk alongside the canal paths and over the bridges, however do be quiet and respect the residents’ privateness as the trail goes proper previous the flowery houses that line the canal.
After exploring the canals, head to Abbott Kinney Boulevard to buy on the upmarket boutiques and eat some glorious meals. We beloved the breakfast burrito at vegetarian Butcher’s Daughter and the raclette pizza and excellent kale salad at Gjelina Take Away.
For Mexican, head to Tocaya Organica nearer to the seaside—the vegan queso is wonderful.
9) Cycle the Coast from Venice to Santa Monica
One of our favorite experiences in LA was driving bikes alongside the boardwalk from Venice to Santa Monica. Cycling underneath the palm timber and deep blue sky subsequent to the ocean felt like quintessential SoCal.
The journey is just a few miles, however if you wish to journey additional, it’s a part of the 22-mile South Bay Bicycle Trail (often known as Marvin Braude Bike Trail) that stretches south to Torrance Beach by way of seashores which are acquainted from motion pictures and music—Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo.
In Santa Monica you possibly can stroll the well-known pier, journey the Ferris wheel, discover the amusement park, swing on the acrobatic rings and ropes on the authentic Muscle Beach Gym, and store on the outside Third Street Promenade.
Another Southern California oceanfront bike journey we beloved was round Coronado Island in San Diego.
10) Enjoy the Sunset on the Beach
Watching the sundown is a should do in Southern California and one thing you possibly can get pleasure from anyplace alongside the coast.
We particularly loved the sundown in Venice with its vibrant ambiance, palm tree silhouettes, and crashing waves on the breakwater.
11) Eat Ice Cream at Salt & Straw
We ate plenty of ice cream in California (take a look at our favourites in Encinitas), however none got here near Salt & Straw.
This is likely to be a controversial opinion as they’re initially from Oregon, however the ice cream is simply so good. Seasonal flavours are creative, the feel is completely creamy, they usually use solely the very best farm-sourced components.
I all the time must pay 50c further to get a cut up scoop as I can by no means resolve on only one flavour. They have an excellent vegan vary too.
There are Salt and Straw branches at numerous places in LA (together with Abbott Kinney in Venice), San Diego, and even at Disneyland.
Unique Things to Do in Southern California: The Desert
I didn’t suppose I beloved the desert till our newest journey to Southern California after we lastly ventured inland. We found unbelievable landscapes, quirky art work, and beautiful National and State Parks.
I like to recommend visiting the desert in winter or early spring earlier than it will get too scorching. In January and February, we had temperatures near freezing within the morning, nevertheless it rapidly warmed up and it was ultimate for mountaineering.
12) Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
I by no means anticipated how a lot I’d fall in love with Joshua Tree National Park. Just three hours from Los Angeles and San Diego, it looks like one other world with its quirky Joshua timber, tumbling piles of boulders, cacti gardens, lush palm oases, rugged mountains, and starlit skies.
We spent over every week mountaineering the paths from the straightforward 1-mile Hidden Valley (the right introduction to the park) to the more difficult Ryan Mountain (price it for the views).
See our detailed information to the greatest hikes in Joshua Tree together with recommendations on methods to keep away from the crowds, which entrance to make use of, and extra tricks to profit from your go to.
13) Head to the Wild West in Pioneertown
20 minutes from Joshua Tree is a Wild West-inspired city that looks like stepping again in time. In reality, Pioneertown was created in 1946 as a everlasting Eighteen Eighties city for filming Western motion pictures.
The pedestrian-only Mane Street is a enjoyable place to wander with its wood submit workplace, lodge, and storefronts—a lot of them are functioning outlets (most solely open on weekends).
There are additionally numerous locations to eat together with the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s, well-known for its BBQ and reside music.
Twice a month you possibly can catch the free Mane Street Stampede Wild West present.
Pioneertown is open day by day and is free to enter.
14) See Junk Art at Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum
Another attraction near Joshua Tree is the free outside artwork exhibition by Noah Purifoy.
In a distant desert setting, you’ll discover an eclectic assortment of large-scale sculptures created out of discarded supplies.
I can’t say I understood what I used to be , nevertheless it’s a singular, quirky place to discover.
15) Explore Gold Mining History
You can discover remnants of Southern California’s gold mining historical past in lots of locations.
In Joshua Tree National Park we loved the Wall Street Mill Trail, a 2.3-mile flat stroll to the ruins of an outdated gold processing mill inbuilt 1891. It ran till 1966 to course of gold present in close by mines.
On the Mastodon Peak Loop, we handed the stays of one of many gold mines from the Nineteen Thirties. Or go to Lost Horse Mine, which was one of the vital worthwhile in Joshua Tree.
You may also go to ghost cities, as soon as thriving cities created by the gold mining growth that emptied out when the mines went bust. They really feel like residing museums with a desolate magnificence.
Ghost cities in Southern California embrace Calico (an excellent cease between Joshua Tree and Death Valley) and Ballarat (on the sting of Death Valley). We didn’t make it to those however we did go to Rhyolite in neighbouring Nevada whereas visiting Death Valley National Park.
16) Hunt Desert Sculptures in Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs is without doubt one of the most fascinating and underrated locations to go to in Southern California.
We beloved our keep on this tranquil desert city each for the hikes in Anza Borrego State Park and for the distinctive metallic sculptures discovered throughout city.
The 130 items of artwork in Galleta Meadows have been created by artist Ricardo Breceda and we made it our mission to seek out as many as attainable. Some are proper subsequent to the street whereas others take some off-roading by the sand (or a protracted scorching stroll) to succeed in.
Many of the sculptures signify creatures that after roamed the desert such because the Camelops (a kind of camel) and Gomphothere (an elephant-like animal from 9 million years in the past). Others are extra fantastical just like the 350-foot-long serpent or the dinosaurs (which have been by no means discovered right here).
It’s an unbelievable place and free to go to. Read our detailed information to the Borrego Springs sculptures for recommendations on methods to discover all of them.
17) Squeeze Through a Slot Canyon
While Arizona is likely to be extra well-known for its slot canyons, yow will discover them in Southern California too.
The greatest one we hiked was the Slot Canyon Trail in Anza Borrego State Park. At 8am we had it to ourselves, which we have been glad of because it’s very slim in elements (we have been squeezing ourselves between the rocks), and we wouldn’t have wished to fulfill others popping out.
The Arch Rock space of Joshua Tree additionally has some enjoyable slot canyons to discover, though not on the identical scale.
You don’t even want to move into the desert as yow will discover a slot canyon in San Diego. Annie’s Canyon in Solana Beach is a slim sandstone canyon subsequent to San Elijo Lagoon.
There’s some scrambling and tight squeezes nevertheless it’s a enjoyable hike. See our submit on the greatest issues to do in Encinitas for particulars.
18) Hike to a Desert Oasis
There’s one thing magical about mountaineering by the desert, all arid ruggedness and craggy mountains, and coming upon a literal oasis of inexperienced, a refuge of water and shade.
Our favorite oasis was on the Borrego Palm Canyon path in Anza Borrego State Park. The 3-mile out and again path leads gently uphill into the canyon previous rocky mountains the place you would possibly spy bighorn sheep.
Eventually, you attain the picture-perfect oasis with an enormous stand of California fan palms and a beautiful stream. It’s a peaceable place to take a seat and take heed to the birds. As all the time it’s price beginning early to have it to your self.
We additionally hiked to 2 stunning oases in Joshua Tree National Park—Fortynine Palms and Cottonwood Spring—though they lacked water on our winter journey.
19) Relax in Palm Springs
The drive from Borrego Springs to Palm Springs was one of the vital stunning we’ve completed in California—previous vibrant desert mountains, date palm farms, and the immense, shockingly blue Salton Sea.
We solely spent an evening in Palm Springs nevertheless it was sufficient to make me need to return. The vibrant blue skies and sunshine (even in February), the numerous promised palm timber, and the low rise midcentury structure all add to a relaxed vibe.
It’s recognized for its golf, buying, eating, and artwork museums. There are loads of hikes within the surrounding desert (and Joshua Tree is about an hour away) and we loved the lovable assortment of cacti and agave at Moorten Botanical Garden.
For many, Palm Springs is only a excellent spot to chill out by the lodge pool and benefit from the winter solar.
You can positively splurge in Palm Springs (take a look at Ace Hotel or L’Horizon Resort), however Caliente Tropics Resort is an efficient price range possibility.
The rooms are motel fundamental however the heated pool is nice—I beloved swimming right here at evening underneath the celebs when the tiki torches have been lit up. There’s additionally a tiki bar and restaurant overlooking the pool.
20) See the Giant Cabazon Dinosaurs
If you’re searching for a fast enjoyable cease on the best way to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree, take a break on the Cabazon Dinosaurs.
This classic roadside attraction is foolish in the easiest way. The big T-Rex is adorned seasonally (as Santa on our December journey) and you’ll pay to go inside its mouth (we simply seemed round exterior). The Brontosaurus homes a present store.
21) Admire the Stark Beauty of Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is unbelievable—an immense National Park of rippled badlands, dramatic sand dunes, white salt flats, and golden canyons.
While there’s little or no vegetation, the desert panorama is surprisingly vibrant with minerals colouring the hills pink, inexperienced, and gold.
This is without doubt one of the lowest locations on earth with Badwater Basin at 282 ft under sea stage. And it’s scorching! Even in winter temperatures reached 90F within the afternoons. I don’t suggest visiting in summer time!
There’s an enormous quantity to do and see within the park. Highlights for us included mountaineering from Zabriskie Point to the Golden Canyon early within the morning, sundown at Dante’s View, and mountaineering the rim of the extinct volcano Ubehebe Crater.
See our detailed information to the greatest issues to do in Death Valley for all our ideas.
Fun Things to Do in Southern California: Santa Barbara
There’s some debate about whether or not Santa Barbara counts as Southern California or the Central Coast, however because it’s solely 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, I believe it counts and is nicely price a go to.
22) Wander Downtown Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is attractive—the prettiest metropolis we’ve visited in SoCal. Sandwiched between the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean it has a wonderful location and a beautiful downtown with red-roofed white stucco buildings that really feel such as you’re within the Mediterranean.
It’s a glitzy place for positive with upmarket boutiques and connoisseur eating places that add to its status because the American Riviera.
See our buddy Victoria’s information to the greatest issues to do in Santa Barbara together with seashores, meals, wineries, water sports activities, and the Old Mission.
23) Taste Wine within the Santa Ynez Valley
45 minutes north of Santa Barbara is the Santa Ynez Valley, among the finest locations for wine tasting in Southern California. It’s an exquisite space of rolling hills and charming cities with loads of wineries to find.
We did a tasting at upscale Firestone Winery which was featured within the film Sideways (the place we first heard concerning the area). Make positive to attempt some pinot noir!
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