There are many locations to select from when visiting California, but when it’s your first time in the Golden State, chances are you’ll wish to begin in Southern California. The area is dwelling to among 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 street journeys, stunning nature, and well-known landmarks.
The greatest approach to discover southern California is by renting a automobile 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, take a look at theme parks, and do wine tasting. The area has some critical versatility.
In this information, we’ll cowl the very best issues to do in Southern California that will help you plan your journey.
Having a Southern California bucket record is a should. There’s simply a lot to do and see in the area; you’ll need at the least 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, take a look at 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, take a look at 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 strive Foods: California sushi roll, cobb salad, fish tacos, and something utilizing avocados.
Best Things to Do in Southern California
You now have a short concept of how one can spend your time in Southern California. As you possibly can see, the area provides the right alternative to expertise metropolis life and pure adventures. It has the very best of each worlds.
It is time for a definitive record, although. So, what are the very best issues to do in SoCal? Let’s check out which prime 23 made the ultimate lower.
1. San Diego
First up, we now have San Diego. Visiting this metropolis is definitely top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California. This main metropolis has a repute for wonderful climate, with round 252 sunny days a 12 months. It’s the place to be for espresso walks by way of stunning inexperienced areas like Balboa Park, and loads of seashore days. Here, you possibly can take a look at our information on the greatest 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 mountaineering and seashores to profit from 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 mean 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 identify from the bizarre-looking Joshua Trees – they’ve spindly wood trunks and branches that appear to be 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 top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California. The novelty of the bushes, the variety of mountaineering trails, and the gorgeous darkish sky make it the right addition to an itinerary.
You’ll love this nationwide park should you love pure magnificence and exploring distant areas. It is straightforward so as to add to a go to to LA or Laguna Beach, one more reason we needed to embody it on this record.
Insider Tip: Plan an in a single day journey to profit from the unimaginable darkish skies – you could have nearly zero gentle air pollution.
Practical Information: The Visitor Center is open day by day from 8:30 am to five pm. The park has a $15 per particular person entrance charge.
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 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 positively go to Zabriskie Point for dawn. Natural Bridge can also be a phenomenal hike to plan. There are many issues to do in Death Valley, however this park earned its spot principally 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 frequently closes based mostly on climate circumstances and security considerations, so control 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 among 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 mountaineering 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 observe wildlife. Head to Santa Monica Mountains early to profit from the paths and beat noon temperatures.
Once you’ve loved your hikes, you possibly can enterprise down into the town after. In the town, there’s Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier to get pleasure from – 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 charge.
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 every little thing from longboard leases to the International Surfing Museum. You may spend a morning ripping waves in the very best 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 record. It is a perfect single-day exercise, or for the surfing-obsessed, you may keep for per week or extra, profiting from the superb browsing circumstances.
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 record 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 possibly can embrace the salty-hair Californian aesthetic, stopping to choose up takeout smoothies and watching the gifted road performers.
Venice Beach can also be a prime contender for budget-friendly issues to do in SoCal. This metropolis provides tons of free actions.
Insider Tip: Book a day cross 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 when you’ve got 4-5 days to spare. This final street journey covers 575 miles, heading from close to San Francisco all the way in which all the way down to San Diego. It covers nearly all the West Coast.
Along the way in which, you possibly can take a look at Big Sur and iconic Californian cities like LA, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Beach. You have beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and among 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 gas and lodging prices.
8. Los Angeles
Of course, LA was all the time assured a spot on this record. 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 record sights in addition to cultural experiences.
LA is a should when visiting Southern California. It can also be 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 every little thing 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 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 phenomenal 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 very best expertise.
Practical Information: Ferries have variable schedules, so examine particular person operator web sites. There’s no entrance charge, 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 a substitute for 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 also be nice enjoyable. There are loads of trails, just like the Redwood Canyon Trail, you could additionally hike.
Allow at the least a full day to go to Sequoia National Park. In a perfect world, you’ll give your self at the least a number of days. Hiking amongst these gigantic bushes is definitely top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California.
Insider Tip: Plan to drive by way of among the tree tunnels for some additional enjoyable.
Practical Information: There’s an entrance charge of $20 per particular person.
11. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is greatest recognized for its setting in Coachella Valley. If you might be heading right here in April, it is best to positively bag Coachella Festival tickets – it’s one of the well-known music festivals in the world.
However, visiting Palm Springs can also be very best for getting a style of desert metropolis life. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs has loads of scorching springs, mountaineering, 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 expensive, inventive environment.
Insider Tip: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for the very best views.
Practical Information: Budget $15 a day for leisure.
12. Crystal Cove State Park
Visiting this attractive 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 calm down on, plus 2,400 acres of coastal terrain for mountaineering and biking. We love its coastal setting.
Crystal Cove State Park provides the very best combine of outside journey and seashore 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 automobile 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 embody it as top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California.
Yosemite National Park is the right storm of placing granite landmarks and scenic mountaineering trails to waterfalls and towering redwoods. Regarding pure landmarks and wonder, Yosemite has it in bucket hundreds. You can see why it’s so widespread.
Allow at the least 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 very best hikes in the park. You can take a look at 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 charge.
14. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is a phenomenal 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 e book scuba diving excursions, rent water gear like kayaks, and go wildlife recognizing on close by mountaineering trails.
Visiting Catalina Island is a phenomenal approach 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 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 permit loads of time to snap images 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 non secular 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 go for sophistication and marinas lined with fancy seafood eating places. It has a superb buying scene and likewise a glitzy coastal environment – providing extra yachts and marinas than seashores.
Visiting Long Beach is a superb approach 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 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 well-liked Southern California attraction that we’re giving it its personal part. La Jolla Cove is a tiny bay space most well-known for its lots of 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 one can safely see them.
If you might be even luckier, you too can spot whales throughout migration seasons. Visiting Jolla Cove is the very best factor for any animal lover or conservation fanatic.
Insider Tip: Bring binoculars and a digital camera with a long-ranging lens to see wildlife from a distance.
Practical Information: 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 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, experience the Giant Dipper, or indulge in basic beachfront treats like ice cream and scorching canine. Who doesn’t desire a conventional seashore 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 seashore leisure. Or you possibly can keep for a weekend or perhaps a entire week. Either method, 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 top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California, particularly should you’re in 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. 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 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 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 record, go to the Santa Ynez Valley. This attractive valley is most famed for its grape vines, and there are lots of 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 possibly can 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 positive 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 make sure that 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, however it 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 among the greatest 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 calm down 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 identify, this stunning mountain vary is about in inland California, subsequent to Sequoia National Park. The panorama is distinct, with sharp granite ridges and alpine meadows stuffed with yellow flowers come spring.
If you wish to get off the overwhelmed observe, mountaineering 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 cross the beautiful Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. But truthfully, 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 exquisite hikes by way of surrounding redwood forests. Make positive to take a look at McWay Falls and Partington Cove.
If you could have time, we’d counsel tenting for the last word expertise. This method, you possibly can catch some dawn viewpoints as properly.
Insider Tip: Visit out of season to reduce crowds and get the very best expertise.
Practical Information: No entrance charge.
Where to Stay in Southern California
Once you recognize what you’d love to do and see in Southern California, you possibly can determine 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 counsel initially basing your self in Los Angeles, because it’s the simplest place to achieve by airplane 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 among the greatest resorts 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 selection. 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 rather more budget-friendly than The Rumi. This hostel is situated in Koreatown, Los Angeles, and provides 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 might want to 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 data, like seasonal concerns and how one can get round. Get able to make some notes.
Best Time To Visit
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 folks would say that summer time is the very best time to go to, with probably 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 chance of utmost temperatures. Did you recognize that areas like Death Valley National Park can get so scorching in summer time 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 approach 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 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 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 street journey to Southern California – simply take a look at these wonderful US street journeys should you want any extra convincing.
Getting Around
Getting round Southern California is equally easy. 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 possibly can usually simply stroll about and use inner-city transportation. But in case you are touring extra regionally throughout Southern California, you’ll have to assume once more. If you wish to go to its nationwide parks and distant areas of pure magnificence, you’ll need to have your personal wheels. Renting a automobile is probably the most liberating approach 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 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 may simply spend months in Southern California, relying on how in depth your bucket record is. As a basic rule, give your self at the least two weeks to get the very best expertise potential in the area.
You ideally want at the least three to 4 days per metropolis, which is per week in San Diego and Los Angeles. Then, permit your self one other week to discover among the coastal cities and one among two inland nationwide parks, Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Park.
Of course, when you’ve got 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 straightforward to see how particular it’s to go to Southern California. Not solely do you could have among the most well-known cities in the world to sightsee, however you even have beautiful areas of pure magnificence. Southern California has every little thing, from cacti and crimson rock desert surroundings to iconic boulevards in Los Angeles. It has among 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 improbable assortment of issues to do. Still, it’s additionally ideally situated to enterprise into different areas of the US. Definitely profit from your expertise.