Where to go in Southern California?

Question

On an upcoming trip, we are starting in San Diego and then going to Anaheim to Disneyland. We have two extra days that we don't have planned and I am curious whether we should go to Los Angeles, the mountains for hiking, palm springs, or to the beach.

We are a 30-something couple who likes the outdoors as well as the city.

Any advice is welcome!

Answer 1

If you're interestedto be in the city, then here's some things you can do while you're in L.A..

Hollywood - go see the Star Walk of Fame along Hollywood Blvd, and the famous Mann Chinese Theather is also there. You can also walk aroun Hollywood & Highland, where there's shops and foods, plus by starbucks (next to California Pizza Kitchen) you'll be able to see a glance of the "Hollywood" sign! And the Kodak theather (where the academy award is hosted at), is also there.

Universal Studio Hollywood - largest entertainment in LA! if you don't have time to go to the themepark (it would need one full day) then just got to the Universal City Walk, it's nice going there at nightime. But if you do go to the theme park, make sure you go on the Studio Tour, that's something you can't miss!

Farmers Market at the Grove in LA - (cross street: fairfax and 3rd) it's also an outdoor shopping center, and at the Farmers Market, you can basically find any kind of food you want. There's japanase, chinese, mexican, french, american, middle-eastern, italian, brazilian, you name it :) Or you can always get out a little bit, there's always the famous Pink's Hotdog. (cross street: La Brea and Melrose), the line might be really long, but it's worth the wait :)

Getty Museum - the museum collects and exhibits classical sculpture and art, European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture, decorative arts, and photographs. but it's really nice, and there's also a nice garden where you can relax with a beautiful setting and a nice view of Los Angeles.

Beverly Hills - the famous Rodeo Drive, where you can go shopping, and sight-seeing!

Santa Monica - BEACH and has the Santa Monica Pier, which has Pacific Park where there are some carnival rides, and a very nice high-ferris-wheel, where you can see the view of the ocean, and the cities from up top, there's also a small arcade. Along the pier, there are some local entertainments and a direct access to the beach. There's also the Santa Monica 3rd St Promenade, and that is an outdoor shopping center, with nice entertainments on the sides.



A little bit outside the L.A area, there's always..
Anaheim - well, you're already going to Disneyland :)

Buena Park - Knott's Berry Farm, western style theme park with pretty good roller coaster rides.

Long Beach - Aquarium of the Pacific, it's pretty nice and neat, there's also The Queen Mary, and go a little bit to the other side of Long Beach, there will be Naples Island, it's like a little version of Italy, you can ride a Gondola there, which can be pretty romantic.

San Marino - visit the Huntington Library Park. It's a really really nice botanical garden, there's also art collections there. But the garden is nice, I love it there. And they have a very big and nice Japanese garden. It can be very romantic there too. Keep in mind that they close at 4:30.


Okay, I hope I somewhat helped :) Though it's more to the cities than it is to mountains and the beach, and just nature in general...

Answer 2

Well in my opinion i think you should see the mountains since your going to see the city. Or maybe both Palm Springs has a tram that takes you up into the mountains which is really neat (a big temperature change) although i advise go in the morning cause thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon. But you should be good if your down by around 2.00PM. An then after that you can go into the city of Palm Springs. Or you can go to the San Gabriel Mountains. And also the temperature change is about 30 degrees you might need a jacket just in case. Palm Springs 101 degrees, top of tram about 70.

Well this are just ideas hope you have a great trip.

Answer 3

The west side (north side) of Los Angeles is nice. It is where the movie industry is located. The beaches there are Santa Monica and Venice Beach. The sandy beaches are wide and the boardwalk stretches for miles with little shops and eateries along the way. From Santa Monica you can drive through Beverly Hills, UCLA, Hollywood, all the way to Burbank. It's a nice area of town. That be the place. Stop at all the little Mexican food stands along the way. The burritoes and tacos are so good. The food is nothing like Taco Bell. The oranges are always fresh, too, and taste ten times better than usual. Sometimes people stand at intersections and sell a bag to cars passing by. They are fresh picked oranges.

Answer 4

I lived in San Diego for 5 year (college) but have lived in Los Angeles for the majority of my life. There is so much to do in Los Angeles, but it depends on if you are looking to party, sightsee, or looking for some great places to hang out and have a nice meal. There's always Hollywood, Universal Citywalk, Santa Monica and Redondo Beach peirs, Buena Park (Knott's Berry Farm). The Santa Barbara area is nice during the day for the beach and then later on in the evening you can find somewhere to eat. You can also find some nice beach areas in LA. I wouldn't suggest Palm Springs, unless you just want to relax by the pool and then have a nice meal. Not too much to do other than shopping.

I hope you guys have a great time. Once you get here, you might not want to leave!!

Answer 5

There are many places that you could go in sounth CA.
San Diego:
http://www.kango.com/things_to_do_san_diego_ca_vacations_704955711.html
Santa Cruz:
http://www.kango.com/things_to_do_santa_cruz_ca_vacations_782638401.html
San Jose :
http://www.kango.com/things_to_do_san_jose_ca_vacations_207232997.html

You could see more:
http://www.kango.com/attractions.html

Answer 6

Go to: www.seemyla.com