• Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Sunnylands Center & Gardens ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Sunnylands Center & Gardens

2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism

3. Hearst Castle, California

Romantic Castles
© Courtesy of fannyes - Fotolia.com

4. Universal Studios Hollywood

© Courtesy of aharond - Fotolia.com

5. Disneyland, California

6. The Gamble House

© Courtesy of sayanphayom - Fotolia.com

7. Environmental Nature Center

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Steve Byland/stock.adobe.com

8. San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Lance/stock.adobe.com

9. La Brea Tar Pits

10. Balboa Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of f11 photo - Fotolia.com

11. Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© MISHELA/stock.adobe.com

12. Griffith Observatory

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© Courtesy of weber foto - Fotolia.com

13. Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© Courtesy of Ed-Ni Photo - Fotolia.com

14. SeaWorld San Diego

© Courtesy of desertsolitaire - Fotolia.com

15. Legoland California Resort

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Courtesy of wolcan - Fotolia.com

16. USS Midway Museum

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© Courtesy of f11 photo - Fotolia.com

17. Knott's Berry Farm

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of spiritofamerica - Fotolia.com

18. Manzanar National Historic Site

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

19. San Diego Zoo

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Courtesy of DAW - Fotolia.com

20. The Getty Villa

© Courtesy of blaccdynomite - Fotolia.com

21. California Science Center

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© California Science Center

22. Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, California

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Courtesy of Jillian - Fotolia.com

23. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Tours in the Area
© Courtesy of ivandancom - Fotolia.com

24. Norton Simon Museum

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© Norton Simon Museum

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Southern California includes the southernmost ten counties, including famous places like Los Angeles, Hollywood, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Southern California is famous for its beaches, beautiful parks, wineries, and year-round pleasant climate which makes it a great place to visit. If you are planning a vacation with many different things to do, family fun, hiking, as well as diverse history and art to discover and appreciate, then Southern California is the place to visit.

Map:


Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.