There are many locations to select from when visiting California, but when it’s your first time in the Golden State, it’s possible you’ll wish to begin in Southern California. The area is dwelling to a number of the greatest cities, together with Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. And that’s earlier than you even point out its areas of pure magnificence. The sunny state has iconic highway journeys, stunning nature, and well-known landmarks.
The greatest method to discover southern California is by renting a automobile so you may pull off to view all its little nooks and crannies. Southern California has out of doors adventures the place you may go to islands, discover sea caves, and spot seals. Or you may head to abandon scorching springs, try theme parks, and do wine tasting. The area has some critical versatility.
In this information, we’ll cowl one of the best issues to do in Southern California that can assist you plan your journey.
Having a Southern California bucket listing is a should. There’s simply a lot to do and see in the area; you’ll need a minimum of every week to even start to understand it. People spend months touring simply the West Coast – and that’s with out even heading inland to spots like Death Valley.
Before you get into the meaty stuff, try our fast information on probably the most unimaginable issues to do in Southern California.
Best of Southern California: A Quick Guide
Must See: Joshua Tree National Park, Alabama Hills, Santa Cruz Island, LA, and Death Valley. Where to Stay: The Rumi ($), Tarantula Ranch Campground & Vineyard ($$), and Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club ($$$). Also, try these greatest all-inclusive resorts in California. Fun 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 Beach. Day Trips: 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 National Park. Must attempt Foods: California sushi roll, cobb salad, fish tacos, and something utilizing avocados.
Best Things to Do in Southern California
You now have a quick concept of tips on how to spend your time in Southern California. As you may see, the area presents the proper alternative to expertise metropolis life and pure adventures. It has one of the best of each worlds.
It is time for a definitive listing, although. So, what are one of the best issues to do in SoCal? Let’s check out which high 23 made the ultimate minimize.
1. San Diego
First up, now we have San Diego. Visiting this metropolis is definitely among the finest issues to do in Southern California. This main metropolis has a fame for wonderful climate, with round 252 sunny days a yr. It’s the place to be for espresso walks by stunning inexperienced areas like Balboa Park, and loads of seashore days. Here, you may try our information on the greatest San Diego seashores.
Downtown San Diego has the long-lasting Gaslamp Quarter, with all its nightlife and dive bars. While the broader San Diego county has loads of preserves for mountain climbing and seashores to take advantage of good climate.
Insider Tip: Take benefit of the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
Practical Information: Many sights, like Balboa Park and its seashores, are free. We suggest budgeting a median of $20 on leisure per day.
2. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is likely one of the greatest nationwide parks in the US. It cash its distinctive title from the bizarre-looking Joshua Trees – they’ve spindly picket trunks and branches that seem like overgrown cacti. The timber have been named by Mormon immigrants in the mid-Nineteenth century, who named the strange-looking flora after Joshua in the bible.
Visiting this park is definitely among the finest issues to do in Southern California. The novelty of the timber, the variety of mountain climbing trails, and the gorgeous darkish sky make it the proper addition to an itinerary.
You’ll love this nationwide park should you love pure magnificence and exploring distant areas. It is simple so as to add to a go to to LA or Laguna Beach, another excuse we needed to embrace it on this listing.
Insider Tip: Plan an in a single day journey to take advantage of the unimaginable darkish skies – you will have nearly zero gentle air pollution.
Practical Information: The Visitor Center is open every day from 8:30 am to five pm. The park has a $15 per particular person entrance payment.
3. Death Valley National Park
We can’t focus on issues to do in Southern California with out mentioning Death Valley National Park. Albeit named fairly morbidly, this park is likely one of the most excessive and interesting locations of pure magnificence to go to in the area.
It has beforehand reached the best temperature recorded on Earth – think about experiencing 134 levels Fahrenheit – and is the US’ hottest, driest, and lowest-elevation nationwide park.
You ought to undoubtedly go to Zabriskie Point for dawn. Natural Bridge can also be a lovely hike to plan. There are many issues to do in Death Valley, however this park earned its spot largely from its record-breaking extremities.
Insider Tip: Needless to say, you need to keep away from visiting in the height of summer season.
Practical Information: The park commonly closes primarily based on climate situations and security considerations, so regulate the web site. Entrance is $15 per particular person.
4. Santa Monica Mountains
Mountain lovers, the Santa Monica Mountains are a shocking coastal vary. You would possibly even bag Pacific Ocean views from a number of the summits. There’s no higher location for a set of mountains, and it’s inside a straightforward drive of LA.
There are many scenic mountain climbing trails in the Santa Monica Mountains, with over 500 miles of trails. The vary can also be important for mountain lion conservation and an enchanting place to look at wildlife. Head to Santa Monica Mountains early to take advantage of the paths and beat noon temperatures.
Once you’ve loved your hikes, you may enterprise down into town after. In town, there’s Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier to get pleasure from – you may deal with your self to a day on the coast.
Insider Tip: Bring binoculars so you are able to do some wildlife recognizing on the paths.
Practical Information: Open 24/7 and no entrance payment.
5. Huntington Beach
Just south of LA sits Huntington Beach, aka Surf City, in California’s Orange County. Visiting Huntington Beach is an absolute should for any browsing fanatic. There’s the whole lot from longboard leases to the International Surfing Museum. You might spend a morning ripping waves in one of the best surf and a day studying in regards to 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 listing. It is a perfect single-day exercise, or for the surfing-obsessed, you possibly can keep for every week or extra, benefiting from the wonderful browsing situations.
Insider Tip: Take benefit of the Surfing Walk of Fame.
Practical Information: Budget round $20 for sightseeing and upwards of $10 an hour for board leases.
6. Venice Beach
Visiting Venice Beach is likely one of the most bucket listing issues to do in Southern California – particularly should you love bodybuilding. The Venice Beach Gym is the core of this coastal neighborhood and has seen the greats, together with Arnold Schwarzenegger, hit its weights.
Venice Beach can also be famed for its boho vibe. Here, you may embrace the salty-hair Californian aesthetic, stopping to select up takeout smoothies and watching the gifted avenue performers.
Venice Beach can also be a high contender for budget-friendly issues to do in SoCal. This metropolis presents tons of free actions.
Insider Tip: Book a day move at Venice Beach Gym.
Practical Information: Budget round $15 for a day of leisure in Venice Beach.
7. Pacific Coast Highway
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is terrific in SoCal if in case you have 4-5 days to spare. This final highway journey covers 575 miles, heading from close to San Francisco all the best way all the way down to San Diego. It covers nearly your complete West Coast.
Along the best way, you may try Big Sur and iconic Californian cities like LA, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Beach. You have gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and a number of the most dramatic roads you’ll ever drive.
Look 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 photograph alternatives, seashores, and hikes.
Insider Tip: Plan to cease at loads of scenic bridges, particularly close to Carmel Highlands.
Practical Information: Only gasoline and lodging prices.
8. Los Angeles
Of course, LA was all the time assured a spot on this listing. It is the house of Hollywood – and with the well-known Hollywood signal, don’t you dare overlook it – and one of the famed cities in the world.
LA has the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and Universal Studios with all its rides and theme park sights. You even have Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory. It uniquely blends celeb residing and nitty gritty US metropolis tradition. This means you get bucket listing sights in addition to cultural experiences.
LA is a should when visiting Southern California. It can also be the best place to fly into, so we’d recommend beginning your expertise in LA and branching out throughout the area.
Insider Tip: Don’t attempt to see the whole lot in LA in just some days. Pick a few areas and prioritize close by sights.
Practical Information: Budget round $100 a day on leisure when visiting LA – there’s simply a lot to do and see.
9. Channel Islands National Park
Fancy pushing the boat out, fairly actually? Check out a few of Southern California’s most stunning islands. The Channel Islands National Park is a shocking archipelago of 5 islands with dramatic ridges and pristine seashores.
In the park, you may camp in a single day seasonally, go to on a tour, or simply take a day journey. If you’re fortunate, you’ll spot dolphins, sea lions, and even whales. On land, there are many bird-watching alternatives and a lovely fox inhabitants.
You can’t beat this park for an island expertise. It is adventurous to get to and completely overflowing with nature and animal encounters.
Insider Tip: Arrange water actions like kayaking or scuba diving for one of the best expertise.
Practical Information: Ferries have variable schedules, so verify particular person operator web sites. There’s no entrance payment, however finances as much as $100 for ferry charges.
10. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is gorgeous. It is the only option if you’d like an alternative choice to Redwood National Park in Northern California. Sequoias are big redwoods, and this nationwide park has over 400,000 acres.
You should go to the General Sherman Tree, one of many largest timber in the world. Driving by Sequoia National Park’s Tunnel Log can also be nice enjoyable. There are loads of trails, just like the Redwood Canyon Trail, that you could additionally hike.
Allow a minimum of a full day to go to Sequoia National Park. In a super world, you’ll give your self a minimum of a number of days. Hiking amongst these gigantic timber is definitely among the finest issues to do in Southern California.
Insider Tip: Plan to drive by a number of the tree tunnels for some additional enjoyable.
Practical Information: There’s an entrance payment of $20 per particular person.
11. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is greatest recognized for its setting in Coachella Valley. If you’re heading right here in April, you need to undoubtedly bag Coachella Festival tickets – it’s one of the well-known music festivals in the world.
However, visiting Palm Springs can also be ultimate for getting a style of desert metropolis life. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs has loads of scorching springs, mountain climbing, and horseback driving trails.
When you aren’t having fun with the desert locale, you may go to its artwork galleries and boutique shops. Palm Springs has an expensive, artistic environment.
Insider Tip: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for one of the best views.
Practical Information: Budget $15 a day for leisure.
12. Crystal Cove State Park
Visiting this beautiful state park is likely one of 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 mountain climbing and biking. We love its coastal setting.
Crystal Cove State Park presents one of the best combine of out of doors journey and seashore day leisure. In the early morning, you may hike to Moro Ridge Lookout. Then, you may spot dolphins and sunbathe in the afternoon. Just bear in mind water and solar cream as a result of each are fairly uncovered.
Insider Tip: Check out the view from the Crystal Cove State Park Tunnel.
Practical Information: $15 per car cost per day.
13. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a sneaky addition to this information. It is correct on the cusp of being classed as Northern California. Still, it’s so wonderful that we’ll embrace it as among the finest issues to do in Southern California.
Yosemite National Park is the proper storm of putting granite landmarks and scenic mountain climbing trails to waterfalls and towering redwoods. Regarding pure landmarks and wonder, Yosemite has it in bucket hundreds. You can see why it’s so fashionable.
Allow a minimum of 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 one of the best hikes in the park. You can try our information on the park’s greatest issues to do right here.
Insider Tip: Start early to keep away from the crowds.
Practical Information: $15 per particular person entrance payment.
14. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is a lovely spot simply 22 miles off the Southern California shoreline. You can simply attain it on a day journey through ferry, or you may 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 can e book scuba diving excursions, rent water gear like kayaks, and go wildlife recognizing on close by mountain climbing trails.
Visiting Catalina Island is a lovely method to embrace SoCal’s islands and get off the mainland. If you go to out-of-season, you’ll even get many trails to your self.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Cat Harbor Overlook Trail.
Practical Information: Budget round $100 for return transport by ferry.
15. Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a beautiful small metropolis on the Southern Californian shoreline. The metropolis is sandwiched between the ocean and Los Padres National Forest, and the broader Santa Barbara County is understood for its wine manufacturing. Visiting this metropolis is likely one of the high issues to do in Southern California, and right here’s why.
Walking round Santa Barbara is a deal with, with Spanish colonial structure all through its downtown space. You’ll wish to enable loads of time to snap pictures of the Mediterranean-style white stucco structure. There’s additionally the Old Mission Santa Barbara, launched in 1786 by Spanish colonizers.
You can hit the seashore if you aren’t wandering scenic streets and visiting spiritual and historic sights. Santa Barbara has some stunning seashores, together with the centrally situated West Beach and Leadbetter Beach.
Insider Tip: Check out the structure on the MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation
Practical Information: Budget round $30 for leisure per day.
16. Long Beach
Long Beach is a coastal metropolis simply outdoors the metropolis of LA and on the outskirts of Orange County. It is the place to go for sophistication and marinas lined with fancy seafood eating places. It has a superb buying scene and in addition a glitzy coastal environment – providing extra yachts and marinas than seashores.
Visiting Long Beach is an excellent method to expertise a extra fancy, city facet of California’s coastal residing. 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.
Long Beach can also be tremendous accessible from LA. You can drive from central LA to Long Beach in simply half-hour or hop on public transport, which takes an hour.
Insider Tip: Book a desk on the oceanfront patio at Parkers’ Lighthouse restaurant.
Practical Information: Budget 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 below this metropolis’s class. However, 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 a whole bunch of resident sea lions.
If you’ve by no means seen a sea lion in the wild, head to Jolla Cove. There is loads to {photograph} from a distance and lots of info boards detailing the animals and tips on how to safely see them.
If you’re even luckier, it’s also possible to spot whales throughout migration seasons. Visiting Jolla Cove is one of the best factor for any animal lover or conservation fanatic.
Insider Tip: Bring binoculars and a digicam with a long-ranging lens to see wildlife from a distance.
Practical Information: Free and open 24/7.
18. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz may not 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 environment. Visiting Santa Cruz is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Southern California.
Santa Cruz has a vintage-style esplanade with an iconic amusement park. You can courageous its Haunted Castle, trip the Giant Dipper, or indulge in traditional beachfront treats like ice cream and scorching canines. Who doesn’t need a conventional seashore day when visiting Southern California? Santa Cruz is good if you’d like extra amusement park than surfer vibes.
You can go to Santa Cruz for a day and luxuriate in its conventional seashore leisure. Or you may keep for a weekend or perhaps a entire week. Either means, a visit to Santa Cruz is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in SoCal.
Insider Tip: Sample the seafood on the Santa Cruz Wharf pier.
Practical Information: Budget $30 a day for leisure.
19. San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum simply south of LA. It is definitely among the finest issues to do in Southern California, particularly should you’re in spiritual historical past or structure.
The mission constructing was based over 200 years in the past and as soon as tried to transform and promote the Christian religion. Nowadays, 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 spiritual constructing however a time capsule of the spiritual dynamics that created California’s fashionable communities. It solely takes a number of hours to go to, however you’ll acquire a ton of data from the expertise.
Insider Tip: Stop by the close by Laguna Niguel Regional Park after visiting.
Practical Information: 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 listing, go to the Santa Ynez Valley. This beautiful valley is most famed for its grape vines, and there are a whole bunch of alternatives for wine tasting and winery excursions.
The valley is primarily recognized for its Pinot Noir, chardonnay, and Syrah wines. And if you aren’t sampling these, you may e book horseback driving excursions or scorching air balloon rides. Visiting Santa Ynez Valley is likely one of the most romantic issues to do in Southern California. It is a number one romantic getaway in the US.
Make certain to go to Sunstone Winery. This stunning vineyard has a French-style villa with wine caves and a shocking courtyard stuffed with lavender.
Insider Tip: Santa Ynez Valley can also be famed for Danish bakeries – so be certain to pattern some baked items.
Practical Information: Budget round $25-30 for a flight of 5 wines.
21. Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is just a small metropolis, but it surely packs a punch. The metropolis is a serene mixture of artwork galleries and seashores. Visitors can spend their mornings at Laguna Art A Fair or the Laguna Art Museum after which head to the seashore in the afternoon. You are in luck, too, as Laguna Beach has a number of the greatest California seashores.
Laguna Beach has an excellent walkable metropolis heart and a splendidly laid-back environment. If you wish to expertise Southern Californian coastal tradition, that is the place to take action.
The metropolis is good for these on a finances, with solely meals bills and gallery entrance charges to pay. You can loosen up on its seashores and stroll its boulevards the remainder of the time.
Insider Tip: Allow time to stroll the Laguna Boardwalk.
Practical Information: Budget round $20 on leisure when visiting for a day.
22. Alabama Hills
Believe it or not, visiting the Alabama Hills is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Southern California. Despite its title, this stunning mountain vary is ready in inland California, subsequent to Sequoia National 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 crushed observe, mountain climbing in the Alabama Hills is ridiculously scenic. There’s the Shark Fin Trailhead and Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead. You are only a brief drive from Lone Pine and its Museum of Western Film History.
Insider Tip: Visit Lone Pine’s museum for fascinating memorabilia.
Practical Information: Budget round $10 per day for leisure.
23. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
If you drive the Pacific Coast – which we talked about earlier – you’ll move the gorgeous Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. But actually, it’s price visiting in its personal proper. Visiting Pfeiffer is likely one of the high 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 by surrounding redwood forests. Make certain to take a look at McWay Falls and Partington Cove.
If you will have time, we’d recommend tenting for the last word expertise. This means, you may catch some dawn viewpoints as properly.
Insider Tip: Visit out of season to reduce crowds and get one of the best expertise.
Practical Information: No entrance payment.
Where to Stay in Southern California
Once you realize what you’d love to do and see in Southern California, you may resolve the place to remain. There are so many lodging choices. You can discover hostels, luxurious resorts, or mid-range boutique properties throughout the area.
We’d recommend initially basing your self in Los Angeles, because it’s the best place to succeed in by aircraft and is centrally situated for onward journey round Southern California. You can discover resort lodging in cities like San Diego and Palm Springs. Or you will discover distant luxurious bases close to the nationwide parks.
Here are a number of the greatest inns in Southern California for all budgets:
Luxury: Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club: For luxurious lodging in the sleepy celeb spot of Malibu, the 5-star Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club is a high-quality alternative. Mid-Range: Tarantula Ranch Campground & Vineyard: Tarantula Ranch Campground & Vineyard is an incredible glamping property with tiny trailer homes outdoors the Death Valley boundaries. Budget: The Rumi: It doesn’t get rather more budget-friendly than The Rumi. This hostel is situated in Koreatown, Los Angeles, and presents low-rate dorm rooms.
Tips and Information For Visiting Southern California
Before you begin ticking off all these high issues to do in Southern California, you could get sensible. It is fabulous realizing which of the area’s well-known sights you wish to go to. But this part will make these goals realities.
We’ll cowl all of the important bits of knowledge, like seasonal concerns and tips on how to get round. Get able to make some notes.
Best Time To Visit
We’ll begin by saying that Southern California is gorgeous all yr spherical. You’ll discover enjoyable issues to do and good climate for 12 months of the yr.
Many individuals would say that summer season is one of the best time to go to, with probably the most days of sunshine and the best temperatures. However, we advise selecting the shoulder season, both June or October.
You nonetheless get the excessive temperatures in June or October, however you skip the summer season crowds. Similarly, you may go to the desert areas with out the chance of maximum temperatures. Did you realize that areas like Death Valley National Park can get so scorching in summer season that there’s a danger to human life? You would possibly deal with strolling Santa Monica Pier in hovering temperatures, however the desert, most likely 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 best method to attain Southern California is by flying into Los Angeles or San Diego’s airports, particularly if touring internationally. From right here, you may simply entry trains, buses, and rental automobiles. You also can fly in after which use the most important cities as launchpads to discover the remainder of the area.
If you’re touring domestically, you may equally attain Southern California by prepare. Amtrak connects main cities like Los Angeles with Northern California and close by states. You can e book comfy seats and sleeper compartments, taking the scenic, most sustainable route.
You also can take buses like Greyhound should you’re on a finances when touring domestically. You also can take a highway journey to Southern California – simply try these wonderful US highway journeys should you want any extra convincing.
Getting Around
Getting round Southern California is equally simple. You can fly internally between many main cities, however we suggest organizing a automobile rental for probably the most half.
Southern California is simply made to be pushed. For metropolis breaks, you may typically simply stroll about and use inner-city transportation. But in case you are touring extra regionally throughout Southern California, you’ll must assume once more. If you wish to go to its nationwide parks and distant areas of pure magnificence, you will have to have your individual wheels. Renting a automobile is probably the most liberating method to get across the area. And this fashion, you received’t miss out on any of its greatest sights.
If you aren’t heading as remotely because the nationwide parks – or are prepared to fork out on some group excursions with transfers included – you possibly can additionally get round utilizing trains and coaches. For occasion, there’s a rail connection between San Diego and Los Angeles.
How Much Time Do You Need
You might simply spend months in Southern California, relying on how in depth your bucket listing is. As a normal rule, give your self a minimum of two weeks to get one of the best expertise attainable in the area.
You ideally want a minimum of three to 4 days per metropolis, which is every week in San Diego and Los Angeles. Then, enable your self one other week to discover a number of the coastal cities and certainly one of two inland nationwide parks, Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Park.
Of course, if in case you have longer, keep longer. With extra time, you possibly can additionally go to the gorgeous nationwide forests and enterprise out to extra out-of-the-way spots just like the Channel Islands National Park. The extra time you may spend in the south of California, the higher your expertise can be.
It is simple to see how particular it’s to go to Southern California. Not solely do you will have a number of the most well-known cities in the world to sightsee, however you even have gorgeous areas of pure magnificence. Southern California has the whole lot, from cacti and crimson rock desert surroundings to iconic boulevards in Los Angeles. It has a number of the most stunning and well-known sights in the world.
Why We Love Southern California
Once you’ve embraced all there’s to see in Southern California, head north to San Fran, Redwood National Park, and Yosemite National Park. Or you may cross the border to go to Las Vegas or Utah and its mighty 5 nationwide parks. Southern California has a incredible assortment of issues to do. Still, it’s additionally ideally situated to enterprise into different areas of the US. Definitely take advantage of your expertise.