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…

top 10 things to do in southern california

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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
  • TONS of things to do
  • Easy day trip ideas

Tips For Visiting Southern California

hang gliding over the ocean

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

the mexican food is amazing in southern california

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

flower field 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

shopping at rodeo drive is one great thing to do in southern california

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:

If you’re more in search of a bargain or love outlet malls, check these out:

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

hot air balloon in southern california

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!

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 is Palm Springs. Located East of Los Angeles in the desert, Palm Springs is a resort town known for hot springs along with plenty of spas, hiking, shopping, and golf. It’s a great place to go if you want to slow down and relax.

8. Take A Hike

view of san diego from mt soledad

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

ferris wheel at disneyland

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:

6. Cool Down

two snowboarders walking through forest

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 depending on when you visit, enjoy the snow), listed below are a few destinations to check out. A few of the fun things to do include skiiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, zip-lining and more:

  • 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

exploring catalina island is one fun thing to do in southern california

A visit to one of southern California’s beautiful islands is a great way to really feel like you’re on vacation. Kick back, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and live the island life.

The stunning destination pictured above is Catalina Island, one of southern California’s channel islands. Only accessible by ferry, boat, or helicopter, it sits about 23 miles off the coastline in the Pacific. Known for great snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, and beautiful resorts it’s a can’t miss if you want to live the island life.

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

joshua tree national park

To really appreciate the beauty of southern California, spend some time outdoors! There are so many state parks to choose from! Ranging from coastal to desert, you’ll see unique and beautiful plants and wildlife. Here are a few to add to your southern California bucket list:

  • 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

pacific beach in san diego

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

hollywood sign in los angeles

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:

1. Santa Monica: Southern California’s Best

santa monica boardwalk at night

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:

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:

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