Things to Do in Southern California
While Southern California is known worldwide for its glamorous cities and famous attractions, it also has plenty of hidden corners where you can slow down and soak in the laid-back charm. After crisscrossing the region on many trips, from the sun-drenched coastlines of Orange County to the high desert of Joshua Tree, I’ve discovered some incredible gems that go beyond the usual tourist trail.
Whether it’s tucked-away beach towns, scenic backroad drives, or boutique stays with a local touch, there are countless ways to experience a more unique and tranquil side of Southern California. Here's what I recommend.
1. Sunnylands Center & Gardens
I fell under the spell of Sunnylands, a desert retreat where modernist design, tranquil gardens, and mountain horizons meet. There’s an elegance here, but also a sense of openness, as if the desert air itself carries the history and stories of those who once gathered in this oasis.
Just a short drive from Palm Springs brought me to the estate, often called the “Camp David of the West,” where world leaders and cultural icons have walked the same pathways. I spent a day wandering the grounds and found myself both awed by its legacy and soothed by its calm desert beauty.
I explored the visitor center’s sleek pavilions, filled with art exhibits and a film on the Annenbergs who built the estate. The gardens, inspired by Impressionist paintings, were a highlight — geometric beds of desert succulents, blooming cacti, and pathways that frame views of the San Jacinto Mountains. I loved how it blended bold desert landscaping with moments of quiet reflection.
My highlights were walking the labyrinth in the gardens and sitting in the café courtyard.
I stayed nearby at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, where the desert met pools and palm trees. The evening light across the mountains felt like the day closing its eyes softly.
2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
I thought the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was one of the most breathtaking ways to experience California’s desert and mountains in one swoop and it's one of my favorite things to do in SoCal.
I was completely taken by the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. In just 10 minutes, we went from the warm desert floor up into the cool, pine-scented air of Mount San Jacinto State Park. The rotating tram cars gave us 360-degree views the whole way, so it felt like flying straight into another world.
Located just a few miles outside downtown Palm Springs, it was an easy drive and a total must-do while we were there.
The rotating tramcar — the largest of its kind in the world — gave me a 360-degree panorama as it climbed nearly 6,000 feet along the cliffs of Chino Canyon.
I stayed down the hill at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs. Rooftop pool, mountain views, and desert light pouring through the windows, it felt like the right place to land after such a literal and emotional lift.
My highlight was Mount San Jacinto State Park at the top. I found myself in a wilderness of alpine trails, crisp air, and vistas stretching across the Coachella Valley. It was hard to believe that just below lay desert heat and swaying palms.
3. El Segundo Museum of Art
Stepping into ESMoA felt like entering an art experiment more than a museum. The walls were high and white, skylights shifting light gently over.
Its walls aren’t just about displaying art; they’re about sparking questions, conversations, and wonder. Just minutes from LAX and tucked into the heart of El Segundo’s downtown, ESMoA reimagines what a museum can be. With no permanent collection, each exhibition is a new “experience,” often themed and layered with contemporary, historical, and experimental works. I loved how intimate it felt — you’re not a spectator here, you’re part of the dialogue.
I wandered through light-filled galleries where paintings, photographs, video installations, and interactive pieces coexisted. Docents encouraged me to share impressions and even write responses on a community wall. The atmosphere was playful and unpretentious, a place where art becomes approachable and alive. westdrift Manhattan Beach was a good choice for an overnight stay neaby and we had fun in the outdoor pool.
4. Lorimar Vineyards and Winery
I thought Lorimar Vineyards and Winery in Temecula was the kind of wine country escape that mixed rustic charm with a lively, welcoming vibe. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and framed by mountain views, the setting was pure Southern California beauty. Whether we were sipping a bold red on the patio or listening to live music at sunset, Lorimar made the whole experience feel easy, fun, and unforgettable.
Located right in Temecula Valley Wine Country, it was an easy drive from San Diego. We loved how the winery blended a Tuscan-inspired estate with laid-back California style. The tasting room spilled out onto a gorgeous patio, where live bands often set the mood. It was about enjoying the whole scene: the scenery, the music, the people, and of course, the food pairings that brought everything together.
My highlights? Dinner at the onsite restaurant, where I ordered a rosemary chicken panini, hot, herby, and pressed just enough to crisp the edges of the ciabatta. It came with garlic truffle fries, warm and fragrant, the kind you savor slowly. I ate under string lights with a view of the vines, the scent of lavender and crushed gravel in the air.
5. Disneyland
I felt the magic of Disneyland most vividly through my son’s eyes. From the moment we stepped onto Main Street, U.S.A. — the air filled with the scent of popcorn and churros, the distant sparkle of Sleeping Beauty Castle — his excitement made everything glow brighter.
Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Disneyland in Anaheim is the park Walt Disney himself envisioned back in 1955. The is undeniably enchanting. But the reality is that every ride, every treat, every show came with a line — sometimes an hour or more. My son didn’t seem to mind, bouncing with excitement and pointing out every detail in the themed queues. I, on the other hand, found myself watching the clock, wishing the magic came just a little faster.
We darted between Fantasyland’s spinning teacups and the swashbuckling caves of Pirates of the Caribbean, laughed our way through Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, and marveled at the life-size Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. What I loved most was how every land gave us a different world to explore — each one making us feel both playful and connected. Watching the fireworks together at the end of the night as definitely the highlight.
6. Long Beach Antique Market
I had a blast wandering the Long Beach Antique Market — a sprawling treasure hunt where every aisle promised something unexpected. My son came along, darting between booths and pointing out quirky finds, while I tried to keep up and not get lost in the sea of vintage wonders.
Held once a month at Veterans Stadium, this market is legendary in Southern California — more than 800 vendors set up shop, offering everything from mid-century modern furniture and vintage clothes to vinyl records, retro toys, and one-of-a-kind oddities. It felt like walking through a living museum where you could actually take the exhibits home.
I loved the thrill of the hunt: flipping through stacks of old postcards, running my hand across a weathered oak dresser, and spotting a collection of colorful Pyrex bowls that made me nostalgic. My son’s favorite? Digging through bins of old action figures and comic books — the kind of simple joy that made the morning fly by. We spent the night at Hampton Inn Long Beach Airport before our flight home.
7. Environmental Nature Center
This was one of the most peaceful natural escapes I’ve ever experienced — a lush pocket of native California wilderness right in the middle of Newport Beach. Wandering its trails felt like stepping into a living museum of ecosystems, each carefully restored and thriving, from oak woodlands to desert landscapes to serene coastal sage scrub. The air buzzed with bird calls and the rustle of leaves, and the whole place radiated a quiet, grounding energy.
I drove just a short distance from the bustle of Pacific Coast Highway to arrive at this 5-acre haven, where I spent the afternoon exploring shaded pathways, pausing at the butterfly house, and learning from interactive exhibits in the eco-friendly visitor center. It was the perfect mix of education and immersion in nature, with spots to sit, reflect, and soak in the beauty.
My favorite was the butterfly house (I circled around for the second time), where native butterflies flit among blooming flowers — magical and serene. We spend a night at Balboa Bay Resort
8. San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
This was one of the most enchanting coastal wetlands I’ve ever wandered through and definitely one of the best things to do in Southern California. The place is a dynamic meeting of land, sea, and sky that felt alive in every direction. The tidal waters shimmered with reflections of egrets and herons, the salt marshes hummed with life, and the trails carried me from lush riparian habitats to open coastal scrub with views stretching all the way to the Pacific.
I drove about 30 minutes north from San Diego to reach the lagoon, where I spent the day hiking its network of trails, pausing at overlooks to watch osprey dive for fish, and winding through boardwalks that skimmed the water’s edge. I stopped at the award-winning Nature Center, an airy, light-filled space with interactive exhibits that gave me a deeper sense of the lagoon’s role as both a wildlife sanctuary and a vital tidal estuary.
9. Murphy-Smith Historical Bungalow in Laguna Beach
This was one of the most charming glimpses into Laguna’s past I’ve ever experienced — stepping through the doors felt like traveling back a century to the early 1900s. The little Craftsman bungalow, with its wood-shingled exterior, inviting porch, and period furnishings, radiated a warmth that made me feel like I was visiting a family home rather than a museum.
I strolled just a few blocks from the beach and downtown art galleries to this historic gem, where I spent an hour exploring the rooms carefully preserved with artifacts, photographs, and stories of Laguna’s early settlers. The guides shared wonderful anecdotes about the Murphy and Smith families, as well as Laguna’s evolution from a quiet seaside village into the vibrant artist community it is today.
My highglight was the front porch and garden, perfect for imagining life in Laguna a century ago, a true local gem.
10. The New Children's Museum in San Diego
This was one of the most creative, joy-filled museums I’ve ever stepped into — a place where art, play, and imagination collided in the most colorful ways. From the moment I entered, I was surrounded by giant interactive installations, climbing structures, and whimsical art pieces that invited kids (and adults!) to touch, build, and explore. It felt less like a museum and more like stepping into a living, breathing piece of art.
I drove into downtown San Diego and spent the afternoon wandering through the museum’s three bright, airy levels, where each exhibit sparked curiosity and movement. I joined families painting in the messy art studio, watched children climb inside enormous sculptures, and even found quiet nooks for storytelling and reflection. The whole place pulsed with creativity and the spirit of discovery.
Conclusion:
What I love most about Southern California is the variety. One day I can be surfing in Malibu, the next I’m exploring the arts and food scene in Los Angeles, and then I’m hiking through the underrated desert landscapes of Joshua Tree. Each experience feels unique and makes me appreciate how this region truly has some of the best things to do in the country.
Southern California isn’t just one place, it’s a mosaic of moods.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
