There are many locations to select from when visiting California, but when it’s your first time in the Golden State, you could wish to begin in Southern California. The area is residence to a few of the finest 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 finest option to discover southern California is by renting a automotive so you possibly can pull off to view all its 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 head to abandon scorching springs, try theme parks, and do wine tasting. The area has some severe versatility.
In this information, we’ll cowl the most effective issues to do in Southern California that will help you plan your journey.
Having a Southern California bucket checklist is a should. There’s simply a lot to do and see in the area; you’ll need no less than per 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 essentially 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 finest 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 short thought of how you can spend your time in Southern California. As you possibly can see, the area affords the right alternative to expertise metropolis life and pure adventures. It has the most effective of each worlds.
It is time for a definitive checklist, although. So, what are the most effective issues to do in SoCal? Let’s check out which prime 23 made the ultimate lower.
1. San Diego
First up, now we have San Diego. Visiting this metropolis is definitely among the best issues to do in Southern California. This main metropolis has a status for wonderful climate, with round 252 sunny days a yr. It’s the place to be for espresso walks by way of stunning inexperienced areas like Balboa Park, and loads of seaside days. Here, you possibly can try our information on the finest San Diego seashores.
Downtown San Diego has the enduring Gaslamp Quarter, with all its nightlife and dive bars. While the broader San Diego county has loads of preserves for 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 advocate budgeting a mean of $20 on leisure per day.
2. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is likely one of the finest nationwide parks in the US. It cash its distinctive title from the bizarre-looking Joshua Trees – they’ve spindly wood trunks and branches that seem like overgrown cacti. The bushes 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 best issues to do in Southern California. The novelty of the bushes, the variety of climbing trails, and the gorgeous darkish sky make it the right addition to an itinerary.
You’ll love this nationwide park if you happen to love pure magnificence and exploring distant areas. It is simple so as to add to a go to to LA or Laguna Beach, 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 could have virtually zero gentle air pollution.
Practical Information: The Visitor Center is open each day from 8:30 am to five pm. The park has a $15 per particular person entrance price.
3. Death Valley National Park
We can’t talk about 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 very 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 be a ravishing 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, it is best to keep away from visiting in the height of summer time.
Practical Information: The park often closes based mostly on climate situations and security issues, so keep watch over 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 may even bag Pacific Ocean views from a few 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 climbing trails in the Santa Monica Mountains, with over 500 miles of trails. The vary can be important for mountain lion conservation and an interesting place to observe wildlife. Head to Santa Monica Mountains early to take advantage of the paths and beat noon temperatures.
Once you’ve loved your hikes, you possibly can enterprise down into town after. In town, there’s Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier to take pleasure in – you possibly can 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 price.
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 all the pieces from longboard leases to the International Surfing Museum. You might spend a morning ripping waves in the most effective surf and a day studying concerning the metropolis’s browsing historical past and tradition.
Southern California has such a robust 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 may keep for per week or extra, benefiting from the superb 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 checklist issues to do in Southern California – particularly if you happen to 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 be famed for its boho vibe. Here, you possibly can embrace the salty-hair Californian aesthetic, stopping to select up takeout smoothies and watching the gifted road performers.
Venice Beach can be a prime contender for budget-friendly issues to do in SoCal. This metropolis affords 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 you probably have 4-5 days to spare. This final highway journey covers 575 miles, heading from close to San Francisco all the way in which all the way down to San Diego. It covers virtually your complete West Coast.
Along the way in which, you possibly can try Big Sur and iconic Californian cities like LA, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Beach. You have beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and a few 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 picture 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 at all times assured a spot on this checklist. It is the house of Hollywood – and with the well-known Hollywood signal, don’t you dare overlook it – and some 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 checklist sights in addition to cultural experiences.
LA is a should when visiting Southern California. It can be the simplest 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 all the pieces in LA in only a few 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 possibly can 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 ravishing 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 the most effective expertise.
Practical Information: Ferries have variable schedules, so test particular person operator web sites. There’s no entrance price, however finances as much as $100 for ferry charges.
10. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is beautiful. It is the only option if you would like an alternative choice to Redwood National Park in Northern California. Sequoias are large redwoods, and this nationwide park has over 400,000 acres.
You should go to the General Sherman Tree, one of many largest bushes in the world. Driving by way of Sequoia National Park’s Tunnel Log can be nice enjoyable. There are loads of trails, just like the Redwood Canyon Trail, that you would be able to additionally hike.
Allow no less than a full day to go to Sequoia National Park. In a super world, you’ll give your self no less than a couple of days. Hiking amongst these gigantic bushes is definitely among the best issues to do in Southern California.
Insider Tip: Plan to drive by way of a few of the tree tunnels for some further enjoyable.
Practical Information: There’s an entrance price of $20 per particular person.
11. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is finest identified for its setting in Coachella Valley. If you’re heading right here in April, it is best to undoubtedly bag Coachella Festival tickets – it’s some of the well-known music festivals in the world.
However, visiting Palm Springs can be preferrred for getting a style of desert metropolis life. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs has loads of scorching springs, climbing, and horseback driving trails.
When you aren’t having fun with the desert locale, you possibly can go to its artwork galleries and boutique shops. Palm Springs has an opulent, inventive environment.
Insider Tip: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for the most effective 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 seaside to chill out on, plus 2,400 acres of coastal terrain for climbing and biking. We love its coastal setting.
Crystal Cove State Park affords the most effective combine of out of doors journey and seaside day rest. In the early morning, you possibly can hike to Moro Ridge Lookout. Then, you possibly can 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 true on the cusp of being classed as Northern California. Still, it’s so wonderful that we’ll embrace it as among the best issues to do in Southern California.
Yosemite National Park is the right storm of putting granite landmarks and scenic 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 in style.
Allow no less than a full day to go to Yosemite, if not staying in a single day to hike a couple of totally different trails. Half Dome and Yosemite Falls are the most effective hikes in the park. You can try our information on the park’s finest issues to do right here.
Insider Tip: Start early to keep away from the crowds.
Practical Information: $15 per particular person entrance price.
14. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is a ravishing spot simply 22 miles off the Southern California shoreline. You can 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 can ebook scuba diving excursions, rent water gear like kayaks, and go wildlife recognizing on close by climbing trails.
Visiting Catalina Island is a ravishing option 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 thought for its wine manufacturing. Visiting this metropolis is likely one of the prime 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 photographs 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 seaside once 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 exterior the metropolis of LA and on the outskirts of Orange County. It is the place to move for sophistication and marinas lined with fancy seafood eating places. It has an excellent purchasing scene and likewise a glitzy coastal environment – providing extra yachts and marinas than seashores.
Visiting Long Beach is a superb option to expertise a extra fancy, city facet of California’s coastal residing. To expertise coastal SoCal modernized, it’s the right place for a time out. Hop between the museums, store, and dine out overlooking the marina and Pacific Ocean views.
Long Beach can 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 purchasing.
17. La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is technically shut sufficient to San Diego to fall beneath 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 a lot to {photograph} from a distance and plenty of info boards detailing the animals and how you can safely see them.
If you’re even luckier, you can too spot whales throughout migration seasons. Visiting Jolla Cove is the most effective 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 sensible coastal metropolis to go to for a conventional, 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 basic beachfront treats like ice cream and scorching canines. Who doesn’t need a conventional seaside day when visiting Southern California? Santa Cruz is good if you would like extra amusement park than surfer vibes.
You can go to Santa Cruz for a day and revel in its conventional seaside leisure. Or you possibly can keep for a weekend or perhaps a entire week. Either manner, 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 best issues to do in Southern California, particularly if you happen to’re in spiritual 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. 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 couple 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 checklist, 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 identified for its Pinot Noir, chardonnay, and Syrah wines. And once you aren’t sampling these, you possibly can ebook 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 be famed for Danish bakeries – so make certain to pattern some baked items.
Practical Information: Budget round $25-30 for a flight of 5 wines.
21. Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is barely 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 seaside in the afternoon. You are in luck, too, as Laguna Beach has a few of the finest California seashores.
Laguna Beach has a brilliant walkable metropolis middle 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 chill out 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 finest 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, climbing in the Alabama Hills is ridiculously scenic. There’s the Shark Fin Trailhead and Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead. You are only a quick 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 beautiful Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. But actually, it’s price visiting in its personal proper. Visiting Pfeiffer is likely one of the prime issues to do in Southern California.
The 1,000-acre state park hugs the Pacific Ocean shoreline, with beautiful seashores, dramatic coastal roads, and delightful hikes by way of surrounding redwood forests. Make certain to take a look at McWay Falls and Partington Cove.
If you could have time, we’d recommend tenting for the final word expertise. This manner, you possibly can catch some dawn viewpoints as properly.
Insider Tip: Visit out of season to attenuate crowds and get the most effective expertise.
Practical Information: No entrance price.
Where to Stay in Southern California
Once you already know what you’d love to do and see in Southern California, you possibly can 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 simplest 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’ll find distant luxurious bases close to the nationwide parks.
Here are a few of the finest motels 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 a tremendous glamping property with tiny trailer homes exterior the Death Valley boundaries. Budget: The Rumi: It doesn’t get far more budget-friendly than The Rumi. This hostel is situated in Koreatown, Los Angeles, and affords low-rate dorm rooms.
Tips and Information For Visiting Southern California
Before you begin ticking off all these prime issues to do in Southern California, you’ll want to get sensible. It is fabulous understanding which of the area’s well-known sights you wish to go to. But this part will make these desires realities.
We’ll cowl all of the important bits of data, like seasonal issues and how you can 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 time is the most effective time to go to, with essentially the most days of sunshine and the very best temperatures. However, we propose selecting the shoulder season, both June or October.
You nonetheless get the excessive temperatures in June or October, however you skip the summer time crowds. Similarly, you possibly can go to the desert areas with out the danger of utmost temperatures. Did you already know that areas like Death Valley National Park can get so scorching in summer time that there’s a threat to human life? You may 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 far more pleasant from a crowd-avoiding and security perspective.
Getting There
The best option 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 automobiles. You also can fly in after which use the key cities as launchpads to discover the remainder of the area.
If 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 can ebook comfy seats and sleeper compartments, taking the scenic, most sustainable route.
You also can take buses like Greyhound if you happen to’re on a finances when touring domestically. You also can take a highway journey to Southern California – simply try these wonderful US highway journeys if you happen to want any extra convincing.
Getting Around
Getting round Southern California is equally simple. You can fly internally between many main cities, however we advocate organizing a automotive rental for essentially the most half.
Southern California is simply made to be pushed. For metropolis breaks, you possibly can typically simply stroll about and use inner-city transportation. But in case you are touring extra regionally throughout Southern California, you’ll have to suppose 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 automotive is essentially the most liberating option to get across the area. And this fashion, you received’t miss out on any of its finest 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 may 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 intensive your bucket checklist is. As a common rule, give your self no less than two weeks to get the most effective expertise doable in the area.
You ideally want no less than three to 4 days per metropolis, which is per week in San Diego and Los Angeles. Then, enable your self one other week to discover a few of the coastal cities and one among two inland nationwide parks, Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Park.
Of course, you probably have longer, keep longer. With extra time, you may 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 possibly can spend in the south of California, the higher your expertise will likely be.
It is simple to see how particular it’s to go to Southern California. Not solely do you could have a few of the most well-known cities in the world to sightsee, however you even have beautiful areas of pure magnificence. Southern California has all the pieces, from cacti and purple rock desert surroundings to iconic boulevards in Los Angeles. It has a few 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 possibly can 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.