• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Sunnylands Center & Gardens ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
© Sunnylands Center & Gardens

2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
© Courtesy of Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism

3. Hearst Castle, California

Romantic Castles
Hearst Castle, California
© Courtesy of fannyes - Fotolia.com

4. Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood
© Courtesy of aharond - Fotolia.com

5. Disneyland, California

Disneyland, California
© Disneyland

6. The Gamble House

The Gamble House
© Courtesy of sayanphayom - Fotolia.com

7. Environmental Nature Center

Category: Activities
Environmental Nature Center
© Steve Byland/stock.adobe.com

8. San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve

Category: Activities
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
© Lance/stock.adobe.com

9. La Brea Tar Pits

La Brea Tar Pits
© La Brea Tar Pits

10. Balboa Park

Category: Activities
Balboa Park
© Courtesy of f11 photo - Fotolia.com

11. Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Category: Attractions
Pacific Marine Mammal Center
© MISHELA/stock.adobe.com

12. Griffith Observatory

Category: Attractions
Griffith Observatory
© Courtesy of weber foto - Fotolia.com

13. Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Category: Museums & Culture
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
© Courtesy of Ed-Ni Photo - Fotolia.com

14. SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego
© Courtesy of desertsolitaire - Fotolia.com

15. Legoland California Resort

Category: Accommodations
Legoland California Resort
© Courtesy of wolcan - Fotolia.com

16. USS Midway Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
USS Midway Museum
© Courtesy of f11 photo - Fotolia.com

17. Knott's Berry Farm

Category: Activities
Knott's Berry Farm
© Courtesy of spiritofamerica - Fotolia.com

18. Manzanar National Historic Site

Category: Attractions
Manzanar National Historic Site
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

19. San Diego Zoo

Category: Kids & Family
San Diego Zoo
© Courtesy of DAW - Fotolia.com

20. The Getty Villa

The Getty Villa
© Courtesy of blaccdynomite - Fotolia.com

21. California Science Center

Category: Kids & Family
California Science Center
© California Science Center

22. Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, California

Category: Kids & Family
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, California
© Courtesy of Jillian - Fotolia.com

23. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Tours
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
© Courtesy of ivandancom - Fotolia.com

24. Norton Simon Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Norton Simon Museum
© 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.

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