In the case of California, there are numerous locations to select from, but when it’s your first time within the Golden State, you must begin in Southern California. The area has a number of the finest cities, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara, to call a number of. And that’s earlier than you even get to the pure magnificence. California has iconic street journeys, stunning surroundings, and well-known landmarks.
One of the simplest ways to see Southern California is to lease a automobile so you possibly can pull over and see all of the little nooks and crannies. Southern California has outside adventures the place you possibly can go to islands, discover sea caves and spot seals. Or you possibly can go to abandon sizzling springs, theme parks and wine tasting. It’s a really versatile area.
On this information, we’ll cowl the perfect issues to do in Southern California that can assist you plan your journey.
Having a Southern California bucket checklist is a should. There’s simply a lot to do and see within the area; you’ll need not less than per week to even start to understand it. Folks spend months touring simply the West Coast – and that’s with out even heading inland to spots like Dying Valley.
Earlier than you get into the meaty stuff, try our fast information on essentially the most unimaginable issues to do in Southern California.
Better of Southern California: A Fast Information
- Should See: Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, Alabama Hills, Santa Cruz Island, LA, and Dying Valley.
- The place to Keep: The Rumi ($), Tarantula Ranch Campground & Winery ($$), and Calamigos Visitor Ranch and Seashore Membership ($$$). Additionally, try these finest all-inclusive resorts in California.
- Enjoyable To Do: See the ocean lions at La Jolla, go to an amusement park in LA, go wine tasting in Santa Barbara, and go to Newport Seashore.
- Day Journeys: Head to Runyon Canyon Park, take a tour of LA and its well-known Hollywood signal, take a day journey to Las Vegas, and take a day journey to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
- Should strive Meals: California sushi roll, cobb salad, fish tacos, and something utilizing avocados.
Greatest Issues to Do in Southern California
You now have a short thought of how you can spend your time in Southern California. As you possibly can see, the area affords the proper alternative to expertise metropolis life and pure adventures. It has the perfect of each worlds.
It’s time for a definitive checklist, although. So, what are the perfect issues to do in SoCal? Let’s check out which prime 23 made the ultimate minimize.
1. San Diego
First up, San Diego. Visiting this metropolis is among the finest issues to do in SoCal. This large metropolis has nice climate, 252 days a 12 months of it. It’s the place to be for espresso strolls via stunning parks like Balboa Park and seashore days. Right here’s our information to the perfect San Diego seashores.
Downtown San Diego has the Gaslamp Quarter, all of the nightlife, and dive bars. The remainder of San Diego county has loads of preserves and seashores to benefit from good climate.
Insider Tip: Use the Japanese Friendship Backyard in Balboa Park.
Sensible Data: Many points of interest like Balboa Park and seashores are free. $20 a day for leisure.
2. Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is among the finest nationwide parks within the US. It cash its distinctive title from the bizarre-looking Joshua Bushes – they’ve spindly picket trunks and branches that seem like overgrown cacti. The timber had been named by Mormon immigrants within the mid-Nineteenth century, who named the strange-looking flora after Joshua within the bible.
Visiting this park is definitely probably the greatest issues to do in Southern California. The novelty of the timber, the variety of mountaineering trails, and the attractive darkish sky make it the proper addition to an itinerary.
You’ll love this nationwide park if you happen to love pure magnificence and exploring distant areas. It’s simple so as to add to a go to to LA or Laguna Seashore, one more reason we needed to embrace it on this checklist.
Insider Tip: Plan an in a single day journey to take advantage of the unimaginable darkish skies – you might have virtually zero gentle air pollution.
Sensible Info: The Customer Middle is open every day from 8:30 am to five pm. The park has a $15 per individual entrance charge.
3. Dying Valley Nationwide Park
We are able to’t focus on issues to do in Southern California with out mentioning Dying Valley Nationwide Park. Albeit named fairly morbidly, this park is among the most excessive and interesting locations of pure magnificence to go to within the area.
It has beforehand reached the very best temperature recorded on Earth – think about experiencing 134 levels Fahrenheit – and is the US’ hottest, driest, and lowest-elevation nationwide park.
You need to positively go to Zabriskie Level for dawn. Pure Bridge can be a fantastic hike to plan. There are numerous issues to do in Dying Valley, however this park earned its spot principally from its record-breaking extremities.
Insider Tip: For sure, you must keep away from visiting within the peak of summer season.
Sensible Info: The park frequently closes primarily based on climate situations and security issues, so control the web site. Entrance is $15 per individual.
4. Santa Monica Mountains
Mountain lovers, the Santa Monica Mountains are a gem of a coastal vary. You may even see the Pacific Ocean from a number of the summits. There is no such thing as a higher place for mountains, and it’s proper in LA.
There are numerous mountaineering trails within the Santa Monica Mountains, over 500 miles of them. The vary can be a key habitat for mountain lions and an amazing place to see wildlife. Get to the Santa Monica Mountains early to hit the paths earlier than noon warmth.
After you hike, head into the town. Within the metropolis you might have Santa Monica Seashore and Santa Monica Pier to hang around at.
Insider Tip: Convey binoculars so you are able to do some wildlife recognizing on the paths.
Sensible Info: Open 24/7 and no entrance charge.
5. Huntington Seashore
Simply south of LA sits Huntington Seashore, aka Surf Metropolis, in California’s Orange County. Visiting Huntington Seashore is an absolute should for any browsing fanatic. There’s all the things from longboard leases to the Worldwide Browsing Museum. You would spend a morning ripping waves in the perfect surf and a day studying concerning the metropolis’s browsing historical past and tradition.
Southern California has such a powerful browsing tradition, so we had so as to add this goldie to the checklist. It is a perfect single-day exercise, or for the surfing-obsessed, you can keep for per week or extra, profiting from the superb browsing situations.
Insider Tip: Benefit from the Browsing Stroll of Fame.
Sensible Info: Price range round $20 for sightseeing and upwards of $10 an hour for board leases.
6. Venice Seashore
Visiting Venice Seashore is among the most bucket checklist issues to do in Southern California – particularly if you happen to love bodybuilding. The Venice Seashore Gymnasium is the core of this coastal neighborhood and has seen the greats, together with Arnold Schwarzenegger, hit its weights.
Venice Seashore can be famed for its boho vibe. Right here, you possibly can embrace the salty-hair Californian aesthetic, stopping to select up takeout smoothies and watching the gifted road performers.
Venice Seashore can be a prime contender for budget-friendly issues to do in SoCal. This metropolis affords tons of free actions.
Insider Tip: E book a day move at Venice Seashore Gymnasium.
Sensible Info: Price range round $15 for a day of leisure in Venice Seashore.
7. Pacific Coast Freeway
Driving the Pacific Coast Freeway in SoCal is superb you probably have 4-5 days to do it. That is the last word street journey, 575 miles from simply north of San Francisco to San Diego. It’s the entire West Coast.
Alongside the way in which, you possibly can cease at Large Sur and iconic SoCal cities like LA, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Seashore. You’ll have ocean views and a number of the most stunning roads you’ll ever drive.
Search for viewpoints, particularly round stunning spots like Bixby Creek Bridge. The Pacific Coast is one thing to take your time with. Take your time and cease for loads of picture alternatives, seashores, and hikes.
Insider Tip: Plan to cease at loads of scenic bridges, particularly close to Carmel Highlands.
Sensible Info: Solely gas and lodging prices.
8. Los Angeles
After all, LA was at all times assured a spot on this checklist. It’s the residence of Hollywood – and with the well-known Hollywood signal, don’t you dare overlook it – and probably the most famed cities on the earth.
LA has the Stroll of Fame, Beverly Hills, and Common Studios, in addition to all its rides and theme park points of interest. You even have Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory. It uniquely blends celeb dwelling and nitty gritty US metropolis tradition. This implies you get bucket checklist points of interest in addition to cultural experiences.
LA is a should when visiting Southern California. Additionally it is the simplest place to fly into, so we’d counsel beginning your expertise in LA and branching out throughout the area.
Insider Tip: Don’t attempt to see all the things in LA in only a few days. Decide a few areas and prioritize close by points of interest.
Sensible Info: Price range round $100 a day on leisure when visiting LA – there’s simply a lot to do and see.
9. Channel Islands Nationwide Park
Fancy pushing the boat out, fairly actually? Try a few of Southern California’s most stunning islands. The Channel Islands Nationwide Park is a surprising archipelago of 5 islands with dramatic ridges and pristine seashores.
Within the park, you possibly can camp in a single day seasonally, go to on a tour, or simply take a day journey. In the event you’re fortunate, you’ll spot dolphins, sea lions, and even whales. On land, there are many bird-watching alternatives and a fantastic fox inhabitants.
You may’t beat this park for an island expertise. It’s adventurous to get to and completely overflowing with nature and animal encounters.
Insider Tip: Organize water actions like kayaking or scuba diving for the perfect expertise.
Sensible Info: Ferries have variable schedules, so verify particular person operator web sites. There’s no entrance charge, however price range as much as $100 for ferry charges.
10. Sequoia Nationwide Park
Sequoia Nationwide Park is gorgeous. It’s the only option in order for you an alternative choice to Redwood Nationwide Park in Northern California. Sequoias are large redwoods, and this nationwide park has over 400,000 acres.
It’s essential to go to the Common Sherman Tree, one of many largest timber on the earth. Driving via Sequoia Nationwide Park’s Tunnel Log can be nice enjoyable. There are many trails, just like the Redwood Canyon Path, that you would be able to additionally hike.
Enable not less than a full day to go to Sequoia Nationwide Park. In a super world, you’ll give your self not less than a number of days. Mountain climbing amongst these gigantic timber is definitely probably the greatest issues to do in Southern California.
Insider Tip: Plan to drive via a number of the tree tunnels for some further enjoyable.
Sensible Info: There’s an entrance charge of $20 per individual.
11. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is finest identified for its setting in Coachella Valley. In case you are heading right here in April, you must positively bag Coachella Pageant tickets – it’s probably the most well-known music festivals on the earth.
Nevertheless, visiting Palm Springs can be preferrred for getting a style of desert metropolis life. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs has loads of sizzling springs, mountaineering, and horseback using trails.
Once you aren’t having fun with the desert locale, you possibly can go to its artwork galleries and boutique shops. Palm Springs has an expensive, inventive ambiance.
Insider Tip: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for the perfect views.
Sensible Info: Price range $15 a day for leisure.
12. Crystal Cove State Park
Visiting this attractive state park is among the most enjoyable issues to do in Southern California. Crystal Cove State Park has over 3 miles of seashore to loosen up on, plus 2,400 acres of coastal terrain for mountaineering and biking. We love its coastal setting.
Crystal Cove State Park affords the perfect combine of out of doors journey and seashore day rest. Within the early morning, you possibly can hike to Moro Ridge Lookout. Then, you possibly can spot dolphins and sunbathe within the afternoon. Simply keep in mind water and solar cream as a result of each are fairly uncovered.
Insider Tip: Try the view from the Crystal Cove State Park Tunnel.
Sensible Info: $15 per car cost per day.
13. Yosemite Nationwide Park
Yosemite Nationwide Park is a sneaky addition to this information. It’s proper on the cusp of being classed as Northern California. Nonetheless, it’s so superb that we’ll embrace it as probably the greatest issues to do in Southern California.
Yosemite Nationwide Park is the proper storm of hanging granite landmarks and scenic mountaineering trails to waterfalls and towering redwoods. Concerning pure landmarks and sweetness, Yosemite has it in bucket hundreds. You may see why it’s so in style.
Enable not less than a full day to go to Yosemite, if not staying in a single day to hike a number of completely different trails. Half Dome and Yosemite Falls are the perfect hikes within the park. You may try our information on the park’s finest issues to do right here.
Insider Tip: Begin early to keep away from the crowds.
Sensible Info: $15 per individual entrance charge.
14. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is a fantastic spot simply 22 miles off the Southern California shoreline. You may simply attain it on a day journey by way of ferry, or you possibly can camp there in a single day and make it an much more adventurous factor to do.
Catalina Island has two tiny resort cities, Two Harbors and Avalon. You may guide scuba diving excursions, rent water gear like kayaks, and go wildlife recognizing on close by mountaineering trails.
Visiting Catalina Island is a fantastic strategy to embrace SoCal’s islands and get off the mainland. In the event you go to out-of-season, you’ll even get many trails to your self.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Cat Harbor Overlook Path.
Sensible Info: Price range round $100 for return transport by ferry.
15. Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a beautiful small metropolis on the Southern Californian shoreline. Town is sandwiched between the ocean and Los Padres Nationwide Forest, and the broader Santa Barbara County is thought for its wine manufacturing. Visiting this metropolis is among the prime issues to do in Southern California, and right here’s why.
Strolling round Santa Barbara is a deal with, with Spanish colonial structure all through its downtown space. You’ll need to enable loads of time to snap pictures of the Mediterranean-style white stucco structure. There’s additionally the Previous Mission Santa Barbara, launched in 1786 by Spanish colonizers.
You may hit the seashore whenever you aren’t wandering scenic streets and visiting non secular and historic points of interest. Santa Barbara has some stunning seashores, together with the centrally situated West Seashore and Leadbetter Seashore.
Insider Tip: Try the structure on the MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation
Sensible Info: Price range round $30 for leisure per day.
16. Lengthy Seashore
Lengthy Seashore is a coastal metropolis simply exterior the metropolis of LA and on the outskirts of Orange County. It’s the place to move for sophistication and marinas lined with fancy seafood eating places. It has an excellent buying scene and in addition a glitzy coastal ambiance – providing extra yachts and marinas than seashores.
Visiting Lengthy Seashore is a superb strategy to expertise a extra fancy, city facet of California’s coastal dwelling. To expertise coastal SoCal modernized, it’s the proper place for a time out. Hop between the museums, store, and dine out overlooking the marina and Pacific Ocean views.
Lengthy Seashore can be tremendous accessible from LA. You may drive from central LA to Lengthy Seashore in simply half-hour or hop on public transport, which takes an hour.
Insider Tip: E book a desk on the oceanfront patio at Parkers’ Lighthouse restaurant.
Sensible Info: Price range round $150 on leisure, together with a meal out and buying.
17. La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is technically shut sufficient to San Diego to fall underneath this metropolis’s class. Nevertheless, it’s such a preferred Southern California attraction that we’re giving it its personal part. La Jolla Cove is a tiny bay space most well-known for its tons of of resident sea lions.
In the event you’ve by no means seen a sea lion within the wild, head to Jolla Cove. There’s a lot to {photograph} from a distance and plenty of data boards detailing the animals and how you can safely see them.
In case you are even luckier, you may also spot whales throughout migration seasons. Visiting Jolla Cove is the perfect factor for any animal lover or conservation fanatic.
Insider Tip: Convey binoculars and a digicam with a long-ranging lens to see wildlife from a distance.
Sensible Info: Free and open 24/7.
18. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz won’t be one of many well-known trio in California – aka San Fran, LA, and San Diego – however it’s a good coastal metropolis to go to for a standard, enjoyable ambiance. Visiting Santa Cruz is among the most enjoyable issues to do in Southern California.
Santa Cruz has a vintage-style esplanade with an iconic amusement park. You may courageous its Haunted Fort, trip the Big Dipper, or bask in traditional beachfront treats like ice cream and sizzling canine. Who doesn’t desire a conventional seashore day when visiting Southern California? Santa Cruz is right in order for you extra amusement park than surfer vibes.
You may go to Santa Cruz for a day and revel in its conventional seashore leisure. Or you possibly can keep for a weekend or perhaps a entire week. Both means, a visit to Santa Cruz is among the most enjoyable issues to do in SoCal.
Insider Tip: Pattern the seafood on the Santa Cruz Wharf pier.
Sensible Info: Price range $30 a day for leisure.
19. San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum simply south of LA. It’s simply probably the greatest issues to do in Southern California, particularly if you happen to’re occupied with non secular historical past or structure.
The mission constructing was based over 2 hundred years in the past and as soon as tried to transform and promote the Christian religion. These days, this isn’t the case. It now paperwork the multi-cultural historical past of California and the event of religions over time.
San Juan Capistrano isn’t only a non secular constructing however a time capsule of the non secular dynamics that created California’s fashionable communities. It solely takes a number of hours to go to, however you’ll acquire a ton of information from the expertise.
Insider Tip: Cease by the close by Laguna Niguel Regional Park after visiting.
Sensible Info: It opens from 9 am till 5 pm on Tuesdays to Sundays and prices $18 per grownup.
20. Santa Ynez Valley
If wine tasting is in your Southern California bucket checklist, go to the Santa Ynez Valley. This attractive valley is most famed for its grape vines, and there are tons of of alternatives for wine tasting and winery excursions.
The valley is primarily identified for its Pinot Noir, chardonnay, and Syrah wines. And whenever you aren’t sampling these, you possibly can guide horseback using excursions or sizzling air balloon rides. Visiting Santa Ynez Valley is among the most romantic issues to do in Southern California. It’s a main romantic getaway within the US.
Make sure that to go to Sunstone Vineyard. This stunning vineyard has a French-style villa with wine caves and a surprising courtyard stuffed with lavender.
Insider Tip: Santa Ynez Valley can be famed for Danish bakeries – so make certain to pattern some baked items.
Sensible Info: Price range round $25-30 for a flight of 5 wines.
21. Laguna Seashore
Laguna Seashore is barely a small metropolis, but it surely packs a punch. Town is a serene mixture of artwork galleries and seashores. Guests can spend their mornings at Laguna Artwork A Honest or the Laguna Artwork Museum after which head to the seashore within the afternoon. You might be in luck, too, as Laguna Seashore has a number of the finest California seashores.
Laguna Seashore has a brilliant walkable metropolis middle and a splendidly laid-back ambiance. If you wish to expertise Southern Californian coastal tradition, that is the place to take action.
Town is right for these on a price range, with solely meals bills and gallery entrance charges to pay. You may loosen up on its seashores and stroll its boulevards the remainder of the time.
Insider Tip: Enable time to stroll the Laguna Boardwalk.
Sensible Info: Price range round $20 on leisure when visiting for a day.
22. Alabama Hills
Consider it or not, visiting the Alabama Hills is among the finest issues to do in Southern California. Regardless of its title, this stunning mountain vary is ready in inland California, subsequent to Sequoia Nationwide Park. The panorama is distinct, with sharp granite ridges and alpine meadows crammed with yellow flowers come spring.
If you wish to get off the overwhelmed monitor, mountaineering within the Alabama Hills is ridiculously scenic. There’s the Shark Fin Trailhead and Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead. You might be only a brief drive from Lone Pine and its Museum of Western Movie Historical past.
Insider Tip: Go to Lone Pine’s museum for fascinating memorabilia.
Sensible Info: Price range round $10 per day for leisure.
23. Pfeiffer Large Sur State Park
In the event you drive the Pacific Coast – which we talked about earlier – you’ll move the gorgeous Pfeiffer Large Sur State Park. However truthfully, it’s value visiting in its personal proper. Visiting Pfeiffer is among the prime issues to do in Southern California.
The 1,000-acre state park hugs the Pacific Ocean shoreline, with gorgeous seashores, dramatic coastal roads, and delightful hikes via surrounding redwood forests. Make sure that to take a look at McWay Falls and Partington Cove.
In case you have time, we’d counsel tenting for the last word expertise. This fashion, you possibly can catch some dawn viewpoints as effectively.
Insider Tip: Go to out of season to reduce crowds and get the perfect expertise.
Sensible Info: No entrance charge.
The place to Keep in Southern California
As soon as you recognize what you’d love to do and see in Southern California, you possibly can determine the place to remain. There are such a lot of lodging choices. You could find hostels, luxurious resorts, or mid-range boutique properties throughout the area.
We’d counsel initially basing your self in Los Angeles, because it’s the simplest place to achieve by aircraft and is centrally situated for onward journey round Southern California. You could find resort lodging in cities like San Diego and Palm Springs. Or you will discover distant luxurious bases close to the nationwide parks.
Listed below are a number of the finest accommodations in Southern California for all budgets:
- Luxurious: Calamigos Visitor Ranch and Seashore Membership: For luxurious lodging within the sleepy celeb spot of Malibu, the 5-star Calamigos Visitor Ranch and Seashore Membership is a high-quality alternative.
- Mid-Vary: Tarantula Ranch Campground & Winery: Tarantula Ranch Campground & Winery is a tremendous glamping property with tiny trailer homes exterior the Dying Valley boundaries.
- Price range: The Rumi: It doesn’t get rather more budget-friendly than The Rumi. This hostel is situated in Koreatown, Los Angeles, and affords low-rate dorm rooms.
Ideas and Info For Visiting Southern California
Earlier than you begin ticking off all these prime issues to do in Southern California, it is advisable get sensible. It’s fabulous figuring out which of the area’s well-known points of interest you need to go to. However this part will make these goals realities.
We’ll cowl all of the important bits of data, like seasonal concerns and how you can get round. Get able to make some notes.
Greatest Time To Go to
We’ll begin by saying that Southern California is gorgeous all 12 months spherical. You’ll discover enjoyable issues to do and good climate for 12 months of the 12 months.
Many individuals would say that summer season is the perfect time to go to, with essentially the most days of sunshine and the very best temperatures. Nevertheless, we recommend selecting the shoulder season, both June or October.
You continue to get the excessive temperatures in June or October, however you skip the summer season crowds. Equally, you possibly can go to the desert areas with out the chance of maximum temperatures. Do you know that areas like Dying Valley Nationwide Park can get so sizzling in summer season that there’s a danger to human life? You may deal with strolling Santa Monica Pier in hovering temperatures, however the desert, in all probability not. Sticking to-the-shoulder months will make your Southern California expertise rather more fulfilling from a crowd-avoiding and security perspective.
Getting There
The simplest strategy to attain Southern California is by flying into Los Angeles or San Diego’s airports, particularly if touring internationally. From right here, you possibly can simply entry trains, buses, and rental vehicles. You may also fly in after which use the foremost cities as launchpads to discover the remainder of the area.
In the event you’re touring domestically, you possibly can equally attain Southern California by practice. Amtrak connects main cities like Los Angeles with Northern California and close by states. You may guide snug seats and sleeper compartments, taking the scenic, most sustainable route.
You may also take buses like Greyhound if you happen to’re on a price range when touring domestically. You may also take a street journey to Southern California – simply try these superb US street journeys if you happen to want any extra convincing.
Getting Round
Getting round Southern California is straightforward. You may fly between many cities, however we suggest renting a automobile more often than not.
Southern California is supposed to be pushed. For metropolis breaks, you possibly can simply stroll and use public transportation. However if you happen to’re touring regionally throughout Southern California, you’ll must suppose once more. If you wish to go to its nationwide parks and distant areas of pure magnificence, you’ll want your individual wheels. Renting a automobile is essentially the most releasing strategy to get across the area. And also you received’t miss out on any of the perfect bits.
In the event you’re not heading to the nationwide parks – or keen to pay for group excursions with transfers included – you may also get round utilizing trains and buses. There’s a practice between San Diego and LA.
How A lot Time Do You Want
You would spend months in Southern California if you wish to do all the things in your bucket checklist. As a rule of thumb, give your self not less than two weeks to get essentially the most out of the world.
You want not less than 3-4 days per metropolis, which is per week in San Diego and LA. Then, give your self one other week to go to a number of the coastal cities and one of many two inland nationwide parks, Dying Valley and Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
After all, you probably have extra time, keep extra. With extra time, you possibly can go to the nationwide forests and get to a number of the extra off-the-beaten-path spots just like the Channel Islands Nationwide Park. The extra time you spend in southern California, the higher.
It’s simple to see why Southern California is so particular. Not solely do you might have a number of the most well-known cities on the earth to go to, however you even have a number of the most stunning pure areas. Southern California has all the things from cacti and pink rock desert landscapes to iconic boulevards in LA. It has a number of the most stunning and well-known points of interest on the earth.
Why We Love Southern California
When you’ve embraced all there’s to see in Southern California, head north to San Fran, Redwood Nationwide Park, and Yosemite Nationwide Park. Or you possibly can cross the border to go to Las Vegas or Utah and its mighty 5 nationwide parks. Southern California has a improbable assortment of issues to do. Nonetheless, it’s additionally ideally situated to enterprise into different areas of the US. Positively take advantage of your expertise.