Things to Do in Southern California, California [Southern California Travel Guide ] - Attractions - Trip Advisor & Booking - Trip Advisor & Booking
Things to Do in Southern California, California [Southern California Travel Guide ] - Attractions - Trip Advisor & Booking - Trip Advisor & Booking
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00:00Year-round sunny weather, gorgeous beaches and an abundance of family-friendly attractions
00:16make Southern California one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.
00:22Encompassing the southern third of the Golden State, SoCal stretches west from the inland
00:26deserts and mountains to the temperate shores of the Pacific Ocean.
00:30Many of region's cities and communities have enough sights and activities to serve
00:34as a travel destination in their own right, but it would be a shame to visit the Southland
00:38without hitting the highlights.
00:41Today we share the top 10 best things to do in Southern California so you can plan a trip
00:45and experience all the exciting attractions and activities this beautiful city has to
00:50offer.
00:53Starting with number 10, Disneyland.
00:59Located in Anaheim, Disneyland is a world-famous amusement park where Walt Disney movies and
01:03characters all come to life in a magical, make-believe kingdom.
01:08The Disneyland Resort is divided into two separate theme parks, three hotels, and a
01:13shopping and entertainment district.
01:16The first park is the original Disney-themed Park Disneyland, which opened in 1955.
01:22Its sister park Disney California Adventure, which opened in 2001, is located across the
01:28Entry Plaza on the former site of Disneyland's parking lot.
01:33At number 9 is the Venice Beach.
01:40Tobacco magnate Abbott Kinney gets the credit for transforming a marshy stretch of shoreline
01:45south of Santa Monica into the Venice of America.
01:48In 1904, Kinney turned a series of drainage channels into scenic canals and constructed
01:54a Venetian-inspired arcade on the beach.
01:57While the canals remain one of the community's top attractions, most visitors head for the
02:01beach's world-famous boardwalk where eccentric street performers compete with shops, stalls,
02:07and food stands for attention.
02:09The beach's volleyball courts, skating plaza, and bodybuilding muscle beach area are crowd-pleasers
02:15as well.
02:16The pier at the southern end of Venice Beach is perfect for fishing.
02:24At number 8, San Diego.
02:31With miles of sandy beaches, a picturesque harbor and stellar luxury resorts, San Diego
02:36is the perfect destination for a fun in-the-sun weekend getaway.
02:41A host of cultural attractions, theme parks, historic sites, and a world-famous zoo make
02:46the city near the border of Mexico ideal for extended family vacations too.
02:51Known as the birthplace of California, San Diego offers opportunities to explore the
02:55Golden State's long history as well.
02:58In the Old Town's San Diego Historic District, visitors can tour the mission founded by Father
03:03Junipero Serra in 1769.
03:08At number 7, Hollywood.
03:15One of the most visited places in Southern California, Hollywood has been an international
03:19center for film and entertainment since the silent movie days of the 1920s.
03:24Many television studios are still based in Tinseltown, and visitors can book ahead to
03:29reserve tickets for TV show taping during their stay in Los Angeles.
03:35A stroll along the star-studded Walk of Fame leads past the historic Chinese Theater where
03:39footprints and handprints of famous movie stars are encased in cement on the sidewalk.
03:46At number 6 in our list, Santa Barbara.
03:53Santa Barbara is a coastal city less than 100 miles, 160 kilometers, from Los Angeles
03:59but differs vastly in pace from its huge neighbor to the south.
04:04Sometimes referred to as Riviera of the West, Santa Barbara is well-known for its beautiful
04:09beaches, mild temperatures and for the California mission-style architecture that is very common
04:14in this city.
04:16A long-standing local ordinance ensures that all commercial construction follows the mission
04:20theme which results in a plethora of red-tiled roofs and adobe supermarkets.
04:27At number 5, Universal Studios Hollywood.
04:34Home to one of the oldest still-operating film studios, Universal Studios Hollywood
04:38is a sprawling complex in the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles best known for
04:43its family-friendly theme park.
04:46Many of the park's rides and attractions are centered on blockbuster movies, offering an
04:50immersive experience for fans of films ranging from King Kong to Waterworld.
04:56Behind-the-scenes studio tours are available as well.
04:59The complex also includes Universal CityWalk, an outdoor shopping center where visitors
05:04can catch live performances, see a movie or watch celebrities.
05:12At number 4, Palm Springs.
05:19Situated 120 miles, 190 kilometers east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs has been a popular
05:26vacation destination since the 1920s when movie stars used the desert city as their
05:31winter playground.
05:34With its mid-century architecture, the city's Movie Colony District illustrates the lifestyle
05:39Hollywood's elite enjoyed.
05:42More than a dozen beautifully maintained golf courses lie within the bounds of the 100-square-mile
05:47city, which makes Palm Springs a golfer's dream, but the region's natural attractions
05:51are worth exploring too.
05:54A ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the 8,516-foot, 2,596-meter summit of Chino
06:02Canyon gives visitors a bird's-eye view of the desert landscapes.
06:09At number 3 in our list, Joshua Tree National Park.
06:16Situated in the Southern California desert area 140 miles, 225 kilometers east of Los
06:23Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is a popular destination for hikers, rock climbers, photography
06:30buffs and nature lovers.
06:34Named after the tree-like genus of yucca that grows in the park's northwestern section,
06:38Joshua Tree is an expansive park.
06:41It includes multiple overnight camping areas, natural springs, man-made reservoirs and more
06:47than 4,500 established rock climbing routes.
06:53Places of interest include an old cattle rustler's hideout, Native American rock art and Keysview,
06:58a sky-high natural overlook that offers views of the landlocked Salton Sea.
07:06At number 2, Santa Monica.
07:14Best known as the setting for the television show Baywatch, Santa Monica offers everything
07:18travelers want from a Southern California beach town, including great surfing and swimming,
07:23wide stretches of sand and plenty of sunshine.
07:28Developed as a seaside resort in the early 1900s, the city has grown into an upscale
07:33community filled with designer shops, tasty restaurants and unique art galleries.
07:39The old-fashioned amusement park at the Santa Monica Pier is home to the city's most recognizable
07:44landmark, a solar-powered Ferris wheel illuminated with LED lights.
07:52Check out the number one places in our list, Channel Islands National Park.
07:59The eight islands that lie off the coast of Southern California offer visitors a wealth
08:03of island adventures.
08:05Five of the islands are uninhabited, preserved for the public to enjoy as part of the Channel
08:10Islands National Park.
08:12Half-day and full-day excursions to Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa
08:18Barbara are available through several park-appointed boat concessionaires.
08:24Visitors can camp overnight on the island of their choice as well.
08:28Now it's time to hear from you what's your favorite things to do in Southern California.
08:33Is there something we missed let us know in the comments section below and don't forget
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