Southern California stretches like a sun-drenched ribbon of contrasts, from quiet desert gardens to the electric joy of theme parks and the misty calm of coastal wetlands. I didn’t just move through the region...I let it move through me. Every stop had a different pace, a different temperature, a different kind of stillness or thrill. And somewhere between the mountains and the surf, the glamor and the grit, I found something unexpected: space to breathe, wonder, and feel awake again.
Best Things to Do in Southern California
Walking with presidents and peace at Sunnylands Center & Gardens
The Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage didn’t hit me like a museum or a monument—it was quieter than that, more meditative. I wandered beneath the towering palms and desert blooms, moving through symmetry and stillness that once hosted presidents, royalty, and artists. The estate felt like diplomacy in garden form—open, serene, intentional.
Inside the center, I watched archival footage of world leaders meeting on this very estate. I stood near a photo of Queen Elizabeth II on the grounds and thought, “They didn’t just come here for policy—they came here for clarity.” I lingered in the labyrinth of palo verde trees and golden barrel cacti, not rushing. It was a place to pause, to imagine what conversations had happened under those same clear skies.
Afterward, I stopped at Wilma & Frieda’s just down the road in Palm Desert. I ordered the short rib eggs benedict with a side of citrus-dressed arugula. It was rich, but balanced—the kind of brunch that made me feel like I was still lingering in elegance, but with a little more butter involved.
Where I Stayed: 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.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens At a Glance
- Location: 37977 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
- Vibe: Peaceful, refined, contemplative
- Highlights: 9 acres of desert gardens, rotating exhibitions, estate history
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon to avoid the desert heat
- Cost: Free for gardens and center; estate tours require advance booking
- Hours: Open Thursday–Sunday, 8:30am–4pm (seasonal closures in summer)
- Tip: Book estate tours well in advance—they sell out quickly, especially in winter
Rising into the clouds on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was more than a ride—it felt like an ascension. As the rotating tramcar climbed from the desert floor into the rugged San Jacinto Mountains, I watched the landscape shift from sunbaked rocks to alpine forest in a matter of minutes. It was like being lifted out of one reality and gently dropped into another.
I pressed my forehead to the glass, tracking the sharp edges of cliffs and the long drops below, and somewhere near the top, I thought, "Sometimes the fastest way to clear your head is straight up." At Mountain Station, I stepped into crisp pine air that felt like it belonged to a different state entirely. Trails stretched out in all directions, and I followed one that led to a quiet overlook—just me, the wind, and the wide sweep of Coachella Valley far below.
After the hike, hunger hit hard. I grabbed a window seat at Peaks Restaurant, perched at the top of the mountain. I ordered the grilled trout with lemon caper sauce and seasonal vegetables. Maybe it was the altitude, maybe the view—but it tasted like something earned. Every bite was slow and grounding, like reentry into earth after floating in sky.
Where I Stayed: 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.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway At a Glance
- Location: 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Vibe: Scenic, exhilarating, transformative
- Highlights: 10-minute rotating tram ride, hiking trails, mountaintop dining
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for golden light, but earlier if hiking
- Cost: $30 adults, $18.95 kids (round-trip)
- Hours: Varies seasonally; typically 10am–8pm
- Tip: Bring a jacket—even in summer, it’s 30° cooler at the top
El Segundo Museum of Art: Art as Experiment in a South Bay Town
Stepping into ESMoA felt like entering an art experiment more than a museum. The walls were high and white, skylights shifting light gently over installations that blurred the line between gallery and lab. I stood in the courtyard and thought, “This isn’t just art—you become part of it.”
Inside, the exhibits—called “Experiences”—were never the same twice. One room might host sculptures and video, the next a series themed around abstraction or identity. Labeling wasn’t linear. It invited curiosity, not quiet walking. I could smell fresh paint and hear distant murmurs where people paused and whispered or scribbled notes on iPads set out near each piece.
What I Loved Most: ESMoA felt alive—like it was as curious about me as I was about it. I didn’t feel like a visitor. I felt like a participant.
My highlights? I lingered in a gallery exploring abstraction, where sculpture met texture and the air smelled faintly of resin and wood. A volunteer walked me through an interactive grid on the floor—each number linked to a prompt or short film. It wasn’t just an exhibit—it was a conversation.
Plan your ESMoA visit:
- Location: El Segundo and surrounding South Bay area—now in a more mobile format, still rooted in the community
- Hours: Typically open Thurs–Sun, 10 am–5 pm; check ahead for current schedule
- Vibe: Experimental, approachable, creative
- Best For: Art lovers, curious travelers, families
- Nearby Eats: Local cafés and diners on Main Street
- Nearby Activities: El Segundo Beach, small shops, walking paths near the coast
- Best Time to Visit: Anytime during a new exhibit cycle—each one changes the entire feel
Sunset Stillness at Lorimar Vineyards and Winery
Lorimar Vineyards felt like it had been painted in warm light—amber fields, terracotta roofs, rows of vines humming in the breeze. I wandered past the tasting room and out toward the open patio, where soft music floated through the air and the hills stretched into a hazy blur. A horse grazed in the distance, and I thought, “This is the kind of quiet that makes you want to stay a while.”
What I Loved Most: Watching the sun dip behind the mountains, the sky turning soft orange as the vineyard lights blinked on one by one.
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.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from San Diego or Los Angeles: ~1.5–2 hours
- Vibe: Rustic elegance, sunset views, artistic touches
- Highlights: Vineyard paths, live music, tasting room, open-air dining
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon into evening for golden hour views
- Cost: Free to explore the grounds; food and experiences vary
- Hours: Daily, typically 11am–6pm; check for evening event hours
Stepping into wonder at Disneyland
I thought I knew what to expect from Disneyland. But walking through the gates into Main Street, U.S.A., I felt it—that little jolt of magic, like I’d crossed into someplace where everything is brighter, warmer, and a little more possible. Music swelled from unseen speakers, balloons bobbed overhead, and the smell of churros wrapped around me like a hug. By the time I reached Sleeping Beauty Castle, I thought, “No matter how old you are, this place knows exactly how to reach you.”
From the old-school charm of the Jungle Cruise to the edge-of-your-seat rush on Space Mountain, I let the park carry me. I waved at princesses, ate popcorn before lunch, and rode Pirates of the Caribbean twice just to hear that low accordion hum. As the sky turned rose gold and the castle lit up, I felt a lump in my throat that was half nostalgia, half awe.
Dinner was at Café Orleans in New Orleans Square. I ordered the famous Monte Cristo sandwich with a side of pommes frites. It was over-the-top delicious—cheesy, sweet, salty, perfectly fried—and somehow felt just right in a place where indulgence was part of the experience. I finished my meal just in time for fireworks, watching colors explode over the castle as I held my breath like a kid again.
Where I Stayed: I spent the night at the Disneyland Hotel. The headboard lit up with fiber-optic fireworks and played lullaby music at the touch of a button. It was a detail that shouldn’t have moved me—but it did.
Disneyland At a Glance
- Location: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
- Vibe: Whimsical, emotional, unforgettable
- Highlights: Sleeping Beauty Castle, Space Mountain, parades and fireworks
- Best Time to Visit: Midweek during off-season (late January or September)
- Cost: $104+ depending on date and tier; Park Hopper extra
- Hours: Usually 8am–11pm, varies by day
- Tip: Use Genie+ to skip long waits and mobile order meals to save time
Long Beach Antique Market
When I feel like shopping, I always stop at Long Beach Antique Market. This traditional flea market that draws visitors from afar to explore its variety of antiques, collectibles, and treasures.
Feeling grounded at the Environmental Nature Center
The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) in Newport Beach felt like stepping into a living classroom—but one that didn’t ask me to study, just to listen. I wandered through trails shaded by sycamores and coast live oaks, past butterfly gardens and bubbling creeks. Everything around me whispered quiet lessons. Somewhere near the redwood grove, I stopped and thought, “This is what learning feels like when it’s rooted in stillness.”
Kids were exploring the nature play area, their laughter mixing with the hum of bees. I followed the trail signs through 15 California native plant communities in a single loop—desert, chaparral, oak woodland—all coexisting in this little pocket of city. It was small, but the stillness expanded time. I sat for a while on a shaded bench, just breathing in eucalyptus and sun-warmed earth.
Afterward, I headed to Haute Cakes Caffe just a short drive away. I ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes with a side of bacon and an iced lavender latte. It was the kind of breakfast that felt earned after a walk with intention—sweet, floral, and quietly decadent.
Where I Stayed: I stayed nearby at the Lido House, a former city hall turned coastal-chic hotel. The rooftop views and sea breeze reminded me that nature here doesn’t end with the trails—it stretches into the way people live.
Environmental Nature Center At a Glance
- Location: 1601 E 16th St, Newport Beach, CA 92663
- Vibe: Reflective, earthy, educational
- Highlights: Native plant trails, butterfly garden, sustainable architecture
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for cooler air and bird activity
- Cost: Free (donations encouraged)
- Hours: Daily 8am–5pm
- Tip: Stop by the Nature Center building—it’s a model for green construction and calm design
Breathing with the tide at San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
San Elijo Lagoon didn’t announce itself loudly. It just opened up—wide sky, still water, and the hush of reeds in the breeze. As I stepped onto the trail, I felt like I’d found something most people drive right past. Great egrets stood frozen in the shallows, and mudflats stretched like quiet invitations. I walked slowly, letting the path narrow and widen around the marsh, and thought, “This is what it means to listen with your whole body.”
The reserve's loop trails wound through salt marsh and coastal sage scrub, shifting with every turn. I spotted shorebirds skimming low across the water and saw families with binoculars pointing toward a distant osprey nest. But mostly, I heard my own breath sync with the tide. For all the noise Southern California is known for, San Elijo was a soft exhale.
Afterward, I drove to The Roxy Encinitas, just ten minutes away. I ordered the roasted vegetable flatbread with goat cheese and a hibiscus lemonade. The patio was lively, the music mellow, and I sat there, still salty from the air, feeling like the ocean had followed me to lunch.
Where I Stayed: I booked a room at the Alila Marea Beach Resort in nearby Encinitas. Perched above the coastline, it was sleek but rooted—wood, glass, sea breeze, and views that didn’t need a filter.
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve At a Glance
- Location: 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff, CA 92007
- Vibe: Serene, wild, restorative
- Highlights: Coastal trails, birdwatching, native habitat restoration
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon for bird activity and cooler temperatures
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Trails open daily sunrise to sunset
- Tip: Start at the Nature Center to pick a trail and learn how the tides shape the landscape
Conclusion:
Southern California isn’t just one place—it’s a mosaic of moods. I hiked through high desert gardens and coastal wetlands, floated up mountains and into movie sets, wandered castles and nature centers alike. At every stop, I found contrast: motion and stillness, fantasy and reflection, ocean salt and desert bloom. It reminded me that travel doesn’t always need a long itinerary—it just needs enough space to feel something new. And here, I felt wonder, every single day.
Step Back in Time at the Murphy-Smith Historical Bungalow in Laguna Beach
I enjoyed my visit to Laguna Beach Historical Society where volunteer docents show you the memorabilia on display.
The New Children's Museum in San Diego
"The New Children’s Museum in San Diego is where creativity meets play through interactive art installations and hands-on experiences. "
The museum is designed to spark imagination. It brings families together through art, performance, and hands-on fun. I thought that it was lovely. I don't think you should skip this if you have curious kids.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Walking with presidents and peace at Sunnylands Center & Gardens
- • Rising into the clouds on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- • El Segundo Museum of Art: Art as Experiment in a South Bay Town
- • Sunset Stillness at Lorimar Vineyards and Winery
- • Stepping into wonder at Disneyland
- • Long Beach Antique Market
- • Feeling grounded at the Environmental Nature Center
- • Breathing with the tide at San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
- • Step Back in Time at the Murphy-Smith Historical Bungalow in Laguna Beach
- • The New Children's Museum in San Diego