Whatever you want, Southern California has got it. With dive bars, designer boutiques, and divine beaches, there is truly something for everyone here. San Diego, Santa Barbara, and beyond—there is so much to see in So Cal.
From luxe city escapes to ultra-chill beaches, you really can live the dream here. If you haven’t been to the Golden State yet, it is time to get over here!
Spend a week or a year exploring my favorite things to do in Southern California!
Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo
San Diego’s urban cultural park is home to renowned museums, theaters, and, of course, the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It’s easy to see why the San Diego Zoo was voted the number one zoo on the planet—it has more than 3,700 different animals and 650 unique species!
Camp Out On the Beach
This is the ultimate California beauty activity. Swim, fish, surf, and camp at one of So Cal’s great beaches—Crystal Cove State Park and El Capitan State Beach!
You need to spend at least one day wandering the powdery sand beach, exploring the caves and beachside cliffs, and appreciating the natural wonders of Crystal Cove State Park.
While El Capitan State Beach is an amazing place 365 days a year, you absolutely have to visit the beach during fall when Monarch butterflies come here to breed. After a long day out, watching the sunset over the crystal clear water is the best pastime!
Read More: The Top 10 Campsites in California
Explore State Street in Santa Barbara
Indulge in fresh California cuisine, browse the indie boutiques, and admire the stunning architecture of State Street in Santa Barbara. It’s the perfect place for a leisure stroll–find out why everyone adores this city at the heart of the American Riviera!
Read More: The Ultimate Santa Barbara Travel Guide
Griffith Observatory
There is no better place than Hollywood to admire the stars! Head to the Griffith Observatory to check out the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, get an up close and personal view of the Hollywood Sign, and look beyond this world to see some of the universe’s brightest stars.
Eat at In-N-Out Burger
Anyone who follows my Instagram, knows I’m a frequent visitor to this heavenly place. Founded in So Cal in 1948, In-N-Out gave us the world’s first drive-through hamburger restaurant, and they have been giving back to the world ever since.
Seriously, the best burgers ever.
Be sure to check out the “secret” menu, featuring greats like the grilled cheese sandwich or the famous animal-style burger.
Read More: In-N-Out Inspired Travel Nails
Kayak La Jolla Cove
One of San Diego’s best spots for diving, snorkeling, and kayaking, this calm oasis is the perfect place to splash around all day. There are secret sea caves around the cove that you can only access from the water, so kayaking is a must!
When you’re done, grab an ice cream cone and people-watch or enjoy browsing the shops around the cove.
Hit the Trails
Home to amazing hikes ranging from easy to advanced difficulties, Southern California has something for everyone. Some of my favorite hikes are The Slot in Anza Borrego, Bridge to Nowhere, and of course, the Hollywood Sign.
If you want something a bit easier, take a stroll through Torrey Pines Reserve in San Diego—ocean views and sea breezes!
Wine Tasting in Temecula
Welcome to my hometown of Temecula! Did you know that the illustrious Temecula Valley grows grapes for more than 50 different types of wine?
I didn’t appreciate my hometown much growing up, but now I’d highly recommend that you come thirsty, book a bed and breakfast, and see why American wine really is something to rave about.
Escape to Palm Springs
The Californian desert city of Palm Springs has been one of the hottest getaway destinations for those looking for a little break from the big cities for over half a century.
The city is within easy reach of Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Bernardino, and is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. The desert climate makes Palm Springs an ideal vacation destination year-round and is the perfect spot for a weekend escape with your girlfriends.
Read More: Girlfriend Getaway Guide to Palm Springs
Spend a Day at Disneylamd California Adventure
As a girl born and raised in So Cal, I believe that Disneyland really is worth the hype. The newer park, California Adventure, shows off the Golden State’s style and combines the magic of Disney with the best that California has to offer.
A Park-Hopper ticket will get you into both parks, and you’ll get the best of both worlds!
Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Disneyland with a Toddler
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is probably one of the busiest piers on the West Coast, but you’ll find restaurants, food carts, specialty shops, and amusements galore!
Hit the boardwalk, enjoy an ice cream cone, and take a spin on the roller coaster.
See a Concert at the Hollywood Bowl
Carved into the Hollywood Hills, this iconic amphitheater hosts hundreds of concerts each year. It is the ideal outdoor venue, perfect for the warm summer nights!
Drive Pacific Coast Highway
Take Route 1 starting in the sleepy beach town of Dana Point, through the luxe Laguna Beach, the glittering lights of Los Angeles, and up through glam Santa Barbara and into the lush wine country. The more time you have to appreciate the Pacific Coast Highway, the better.
My tip: Keep going up toward San Francisco for the ultimate Californian road trip.
Paraglide Torrey Pines
Ever wonder what So Cal looked like when the first settlers came? You can explore the lush 2,000 acres of Torrey Pines and see exactly what the first Californians saw. I highly suggest planning some time for tandem paragliding at Torrey Pines. It’s one of the coolest things you can do in San Diego!
Read More: Paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla
Chill Out in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert and overlooks the Coachella Valley. It is home to a handful of eclectic towns in the middle of a vast wilderness.
Named after the native yucca brevifolia, the beautiful desert will amaze you with its serene beauty!
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Joshua Tree in a Weekend
Visit Museums
Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western US and attracts nearly a million visitors annually. It holds more than 150,000 works spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present–it’s the perfect spot to hit to feel the creative vibes of Los Angeles.
Great post! We just did a cross country road trip from DC to California and have since moved to Cali. We got a chance to check out some of the places on your list as we drove North from San Diego to Napa. There’s so much to see!
Awesome!! Sounds like a great road trip 😉
I’ve really only traveled Northern California & LA so I definitely want to check out a lot of things on this list! Santa Monica pier was one of my favorite things I did when I was in LA 🙂