From the beach to the mountains, southern California has too many beautiful destinations to count. Add in great food, tons of entertainment options, and a laid-back vibe… what more could you ask for? In this post, we’ll count down the 10 most epic things to do in southern California so you’re sure to have a phenomenal trip…
Have you heard the saying “west coast, best coast”?
Well, it’s time to find out for yourself if it’s true – or if us west coasters just like to brag!
Moving to San Diego several years ago, I was excited for a new adventure. Since then, I’ve made so many great memories here and feel incredibly blessed to live in such a beautiful place! No matter where I go, I’m always happy to come home.
There are so many great things to do in southern California, and I’m excited to share them with you. This post will be your guide! We’ll skip through the mediocre and focus on only the MOST amazing things to do on your trip.
I hope this list inspires you to visit southern California and see what it’s all about! Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:
- Best time to visit southern California
- Information on nearby airports
- Amazing places to shop
- Easy day trip ideas
- Where to hike, snowboard, and ski
- And more!
Tips For Visiting Southern California
First, a tip that makes travel planning half the work (easier is better, am I right?) The weather in southern California is mild almost year-round. Meaning you can travel here at any time of the year, any season, and have a blast.
Awesome, right? The average high temperature is 65-75 degrees in San Diego and 67-80 degrees in Los Angeles YEAR ROUND. Check out this quick read for more info about when to travel to southern California.
Another plus: if you’re flying here, you have seven major airports to choose from. You have lots of options for traveling in and out of southern California.
In addition, both Las Vegas and Phoneix are only 5-6 hours away if you want to extend your trip or take a road trip. Hawaii and San Francisco are also super easy to access from southern California as well.
What To Expect
You might be surprised by how much variety there is in southern California…
It’s true, we have a beautiful, warm coastline to enjoy (and I highly recommend it). But it’s so much more than just the beach…
But did you know that southern California has several different climates? In a span of three hours, you can trade in your shorts and flip flops for a winter coat and snow beneath your feet.
Tons of snow and winter sports? Check
Sunshine, beaches, and whale watching? Check
A glamorous night out with fantastic rooftop views? Check
Authentic, phenomenal Mexican food? Yessss bring on the tacos
If you’re curious for more, check out this fun list of quirky things to do in so cal.
Things To Do In Southern California
I’m excited to share with you all the fun things you can do on your trip to southern California! This list has LOTS of variety and detail, and you’re sure to find something (hopefully many things) to add to your trip itinerary.
We’re doing this countdown style!
Based on my personal experiences living in San Diego, I’ve ranked the top 10 best things to do in southern California. These are the things you definitely don’t want to miss out on – add them to your bucket list! Let’s count it down…
10. Shop Til You Drop
Southern California has endless opportunities for great shopping. Whether you want to explore beautiful outdoor shopping centers, spend the day at one-of-a-kind boutiques, or live large on Rodeo Drive, there’s no shortage of retail therapy.
Why not take advantage of the great weather and spend some time shopping outdoors? Here are a few of my favorite outdoor malls:
- South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA (largest and most visited shopping mall in the country)
- Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA
- Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA
- Westfield UTC in La Jolla, CA (absolutely stunning and upscale with lots of stores you don’t see often)
If you’re more in search of a bargain or love outlet malls, check these out:
- Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles, CA (one of
southern California’s largest factory store outlet malls) - Outlets at Orange in Orange, CA (near Disneyland)
- Carlsbad Premium Outlets in Carlsbad, CA
- See the FULL list here
For more of a unique shopping experience, here are a few recommendations:
- Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA (open air, tons of shops and restaurants, live music)
- Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, CA (luxury, high-end boutiques)
- The Grove in Los Angeles, CA (iconic, known for pop-up shops)
- North Park in San Diego, CA (eclectic and unique)
- Seaport Village in San Diego, CA (45 unique shops, waterfront, beautiful environment)
9. Relax and Unwind
There’s more to southern California than just city life…
Located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Temecula is a beautiful getaway from the city. It’s considered the wine center of southern California and the beautiful countryside is dotted with vineyards. You’ll have no shortage of wineries and vineyards to explore! Read more here.
If wine isn’t your thing, Temecula is also known for its hot air balloons. Get fantastic views of the rolling hills from above. Another fun thing to do in Temecula is step back in time by visiting Old Town. Filled with antique shops, restaurants, and a museum, you’ll get a taste of the old west and the history of the area.
Another southern California getaway
8. Take A Hike
Southern California is a fabulous place for hiking! The scenery and terrain are so varied so your hike can include mountains, canyons, desert scenes, and even ocean views! Here are a few trails to inspire you…
- See the Hollywood Sign (iconic, great views of the city)
- Challenge yourself at Mt. Baldy (the highest point in Los Angeles at 10,064 feet, tough hike)
- Visit a waterfall and hike to Sturtevant Falls in the Angeles National Forest
- For something unique, try Slot Canyon in Anza Borrego State Park (an adventurous hike)
- For amazing views and a tram ride, check out San Jacinto (near Palm Springs)
- For a beach hike with ocean views, visit Torrey Pines State Reserve
7. Act Like A Kid Again
Southern California is a great place to visit a theme park and feel like a kid again. From theme parks to water parks (even movie studio tours!)…. these will add a dose of playfulness to your trip.
Disneyland is my personal favorite! There’s just something magical about it. Here are your choices when it comes to theme parks:
- Disneyland (FYI there are two parks in Anaheim: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. They’re right next to each other and you can pick one or do a park hopper to see both) Save $26 on a 4-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper!
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Six Flags Magic Mountain (located about 40 miles north of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita)
- Knotts Berry Farm (a mixture of classic theme park staples and carnival-like attractions)
- Legoland (great for kids)
- Sea World (San Diego)
- For a list of water parks, click here
6. Cool Down
Hands down, one of the coolest things about southern California is the fact that you can surf and snowboard all in the same day! If you can’t decide between a warm, sunny vacation or a wintry one, you don’t have to choose.
To enjoy cooler temperatures (and
- Big Bear (located in the San Bernardino Mountains, two resorts to choose from)
- Wrightwood (in the San Gabriel Mountains, this one is the closest to Los Angeles)
- Snow Valley (great for beginners, less crowded)
- Mt. Baldy (more advanced and expert runs)
- Rim Nordic Ski Area (best for skiing, skating, and snowshoeing)
5. Island Life
A visit to one of
The stunning destination pictured above is Catalina Island, one of
There are eight channel islands off the coast of southern California. Five of them encompass Channel Islands National Park and have even been called the Galapagos of America! What you can expect to see is stunning, untouched natural beauty, tons of wildlife, and peaceful tranquility.
Another island you can visit is Coronado Island, located in the San Diego Bay. Easier to access than the channel islands, it has a quaint, small-town feel and is more populated than the channel islands. Coronado Island is best known for the Hotel Del Coronado and its beaches consistently rank in the top 10 in the U.S.
4. Enjoy Nature
To really appreciate the beauty of southern
- Anza-Borrego State Park (largest in southern California, tons of wilderness and hiking trails)
- Malibu Creek State Park (formerly a ranch used by movie studios! Lots of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking)
- Runyon Canyon (an urban hike, it’s located right in the middle of Hollywood)
- Crystal Cove State Park (lots of cliffs and bluffs overlooking the ocean)
- Joshua Tree National Park (pictured above, this park is where the Mojave Desert meets the Colorado Desert. There are rocks here over a billion years old!)
- Want more? Click here for a full list
3. Hit The Beach
On a southern California bucket list, it’s impossible to forget the beach! In my opinion, it’s one of the best things you can do. The coastline has tons of options to choose from, ranging from flat beaches to more rocky ones. Here’s the scoop:
- El Matador Beach (located in Malibu, secluded, lots of rock formations)
- Venice Beach (lively, lots of street performers, great for biking on the paved boardwalk)
- Huntington Beach (cute beach town, one of the longest piers in CA)
- Laguna Beach (cute beach town, family friendly with volleyball and basketball courts)
- La Jolla Cove (small and cozy, gorgeous views, great chance to see marine life)
- Coronado (on an island, great for swimming, pets allowed)
2. Visit Hollywood
No trip to southern California is complete without a visit to Hollywood. Take a studio tour, see iconic sites, and even catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two! Here are a few fun and iconic things to experience in Hollywood:
- Hollywood Walk of Fame (see the movie stars honored with a sidewalk star)
- Chinese Theatre’s Forecourt of the Stars (see celebrity hand and footprints dating back to the early 1900s)
- Hollywood studio tours (options and comparison here)
- Hollywood sign (click here for photography tips)
- Take a tour! (bus tours and guided walking tours are two good options)
- Be part of a studio audience or show taping
- Hollywood Bowl (iconic outdoor
ampitheater )
1. Santa Monica: Southern California’s Best
Santa Monica tops the list as the #1 thing to do in southern California!
Santa Monica is a phenomenal place to visit because it gives you the iconic So Cal experience all in one place. Mountain views, gorgeous beaches, a fantastic boardwalk and pier, great shopping… I could go on and on!
If you want to experience the best of southern California, look no further. Especially if your trip is limited by time, make this your #1 stop. You can see and do so much in Santa Monica, and it’s centrally located as well.
Here’s a small sampling of the fun and unique things you can do in Santa Monica:
- Take a bike ride on the boardwalk
- Go to trapeze school
- Ride on the first ever solar-powered ferris wheel
- Stand at the end of the famous Route 66
- See stunning ocean views at Palisades Park
- Work out at the original “muscle beach”
- Shop Third Street Promenade
Things To Do In Southern California
I hope you enjoyed this countdown of the top 10 best things to do in southern California. Which ones are you adding to your southern California bucket list? Comment below and let me know! And before you go, be sure to check out some of my other California posts:
- Is San Diego Worth Visiting? 30 Reasons To Consider in 2022
- Guide to Los Angeles: 5 Itineraries to Explore
- Travel Guide to Encinitas California
- Local’s Guide to La Jolla California
- Things To Do in Mission Bay San Diego
- 23 Unbeatable PCH Road Trip Stops (planner included!)
