10 Day Itinerary – Finest Locations to Go to in Southern California (b…
In search of tips about the perfect locations to go to in Southern California?
Are you prepared for some SoCal journey on a West Coast highway journey? We’ve obtained you lined!
On this 10 day Southern California highway journey itinerary we’re speaking about out of doors adventures, scrumptious meals, beautiful surroundings, household enjoyable and sunny climate.
Simply so you’re clear, Southern California (SoCal) is usually the area from San Diego as much as San Luis Obispo (simply north of Santa Barbara).
Not solely does it embrace the beautiful shoreline, but additionally the rising wine area of Temecula, stunning mountain areas and desert areas like Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
There are such a lot of wonderful locations to go to in Southern California and it gives a unique expertise to Northern California.
SoCal is the proper vacation spot for a brief USA highway journey. Los Angeles is about in the course of Southern California with solely a three hour drive to the northern border and two to the southern.
If you consider Southern California points of interest, in fact Disneyland Resort involves thoughts. We didn’t do theme parks on this journey, however are going to Disneyland in September – keep tuned!
So this submit focuses on issues to do past Disney, and since so many worldwide vacationers fly into LA, it’s regular to need to discover this area extra in-depth.
We visited San Diego County, then Orange County and Ventura County on a paid marketing campaign with Go to California to share the wonderful Kidifornia Adventures on provide on this Golden State.
We thought we’d share with you our Southern California highway journey concepts, and all of the enjoyable issues to do in Southern California on this 10 day itinerary submit!
For you locals, be at liberty to interrupt this itinerary down and use it for day journeys in Southern California, or weekend getaways in California.
We had a incredible time on this California highway journey with youngsters. Our women beloved being again close to the seaside and the relaxed coastal vibe that California has.
I beloved how our Southern California highway journey was additionally fairly an academic journey for our children.
They realized lots about California historical past, AND at the moment are curious and impressed to go to Mexico, as a result of experiencing the Mexican affect within the area.
We love how journey can open up their worlds and assist them rejoice variations moderately than concern them.
Locations to Go to in Southern California
Days 1, 2 and three in San Diego
Fly into San Diego and choose up your rental automotive. You possibly can then drop the automotive off at Los Angeles Airport (LAX).
Or, alternatively, fly into LA and drive to San Diego. You possibly can then simply return your automotive to LAX and save your self cash. A method rental drop offs are all the time costlier.
(Try automotive leases right here from our companion, RentalCars.com)
In fact, you may change the order of this itinerary.
Maybe it could be higher so that you can head north to Ventura first after which end in Orange County.
Day 1 – Mission Seaside and Pacific Seaside
San Diego must be one of many finest locations to go to in Southern California for households.
Arrive and test into your lodging. Our advice for household lodging in San Diego is the Bahia Seaside Resort.
It’s a few blocks again from Mission seaside, however it’s on Mission Bay with its personal personal seaside and has pretty cabin model lodging with scrumptious meals within the restaurant.
Afternoon – Bike journey alongside San Diego boardwalk
You possibly can lease bikes from Motion Sport Leases on the resort and slip into San Diego model with a motorcycle journey alongside Mission Bay to the Catamaran Resort earlier than slicing again west to the Pacific Seaside Pier.
Journey again to the resort alongside the seaside boardwalk. Take your time to soak all of it in.
We suggest stopping for an area craft brew for you, a Squirt Mexican soda for the youngsters, and a plate of shredded beef nachos at South Draft Mission for a snack.
It’s proper on the beachfront close to Belmont Park and on the flip off to return to the resort.
6pm Dinner at Corvette Diner
For a unusual and retro dinner, head to Corvette Diner. It’s not like anywhere I’ve been earlier than.
Or, if you wish to keep at South Draft Mission, make it your fundamental meal, watch the solar go down after which take pleasure in a couple of rides at Belmont Amusement park subsequent door.
For those who go to Corvette, it’s possible you’ll not have time to get again to the seaside earlier than sundown. Sunsets in California are particular and fairly the nightly occasion.
Day 2 – La Jolla & Balboa Park
Fortunate for you, Bahia Resort has a scrumptious buffet breakfast or ala carte.
We additionally found Higher Buzz Espresso Roaster (due to a tip from our Instagram group), which was simply down the highway from Bahia which did nice espresso, smoothies and acai bowls.
Torrey Pines State Nationwide Reserve
Put your strolling sneakers on and head into Torrey State Pine Nationwide Reserve. It’s probably the greatest locations to go to in Southern California for coastal mountaineering.
Completely satisfied to tick that off our bucket record.
Goal to reach by 9am on the newest, and we suggest the Man Fleming Path for various panorama, seeing the Torrey Pines, and coastal vistas with a few of the finest views in Southern California!
When you’ve got time for an additional path, I might have beloved the Razor Level Path and climbing the Pink Butte.
11am – Time to Discover La Jolla.
La Jolla is without doubt one of the finest locations to go in Southern California to see seals.
Begin on the La Jolla Caves and stroll round to La Jolla Cove to see the resident seals. You can proceed strolling round to see extra seals on the Youngsters’s Pool. There’s additionally nice tide pooling right here.
When you’ve got extra time, and need to have extra of a soothing seaside day, La Jolla Shores is nice for households.
For espresso lovers, you may’t go previous Fowl Rock Espresso Roasters within the small city of Fowl Rock.
1pm – Tacos at Oscar’s Mexican Seafood
You possibly can’t go previous low-cost and scrumptious fish or shrimp tacos at native establishment Oscar’s Mexican Seafood.
This gap within the wall with shiny murals on its outdoors partitions is on the border of LA Jolla and Pacific Seaside.
2pm – Get Cultural at Balboa Park
Balboa Park is America’s largest city cultural park, and is ranked as probably the greatest parks on the earth. It is without doubt one of the most original issues to do in Southern California.
With 17 museums, all kinds of gardens, and the San Diego Zoo you would simply spend a day in Balboa Park. Plan for a day right here.
We suggest a go to to the Fleet Science Heart, the Spanish Village Artwork Heart and the Japanese Tea Gardens.
Dinner at Café Bahia
The meals at Café Bahia, which is located in your resort is scrumptious.
My advice is the ocean scallops with grilled corn diced chorizo and chili oil on a mattress of herb ricotta. It bursts with Southern California taste and is without doubt one of the most revolutionary dishes I’ve ever had.
Day three – Ocean Seaside, San Diego
Get pleasure from breakfast on the resort.
9am – Water actions on Mission Bay
Hire some kayaks and get up paddle boards from Lively Sports activities Leases on the Bahia Resort and have a soothing hour or so out on the water.
It’s calm and peaceable and a good way to attach to one another and Mom Earth.
It was one among my most enjoyable issues to do in southern California (really wherever!)
11am – Outdated City Historic Park
When you’ve got time, and need to expertise somewhat historical past and tradition then head to Outdated City State Historic Park, which is San Diego’s first “downtown,” and represents San Diego’s Hispanic heritage from 1821 to 1872 via museums, reside reenactments, and historic buildings.
It’s a reasonably space with a cute fiesta market and loads of Mexican eating places.
For those who’d moderately spend time on the seaside then head straight to Ocean Seaside and maybe go to Cabrillo Monument and the tidepools.
We ran out of time to suit this in however it got here extremely really useful by our group as a prime ten factor to do in San Diego.
1pm – Ocean Seaside
Ocean Seaside is a gritty, extra native really feel than the opposite San Diego seaside cities. It’s one among our favourite locations to go to in San Diego. It has extra of a cove seaside than the extensive sweeping Pacific.
They’ve good waves close to the pier, seaside volleyball is common and so is hanging out on the grassy strip hoola hooping, slacklining, and bongo jamming. Take part!
Lunch at Wonderland Ocean Pub
Tacos and guacamole with a view is what you’ve at Wonderland Ocean Pub, an upstairs bar and restaurant throughout from Ocean Seaside and the grassy strip.
You received’t be bored watching the OB life go by.
Discover Ocean Seaside
San Diego is thought to be probably the greatest locations within the US for craft beer and also you’ll discover a couple of breweries alongside the primary avenue (Newport Ave).
If you’re a craft brew lover then maybe pop in for a pattern as you wander the OB space.
We went to Belching Beaver Brewery. They’ve jenga, which saved our women completely satisfied whereas we tried an area brew earlier than going again out for market buying.
For those who go to on a Wednesday, be sure you take a look at the Ocean Seaside Farmer’s Market from four – 8pm in Predominant Avenue.
With meals stalls, reside music, and native artisan items its positively a enjoyable factor to do in Southern California. Seize some meals right here after which head to Sundown Cliffs for sundown.
Sundown at Sundown Cliffs
When you consider free issues to do in Southern California, it’s onerous to beat a well-known California sundown.
And Sundown Cliffs is without doubt one of the finest locations to go to in Southern California to watch the sundown.
When you’ve got youngsters like us, there’s a extensive open house for them to play on the rocks safely again from the cliff face, whilst you loosen up and watch the day shut out.
End with an ice cream
Seize an ice cream at Hammonds Gourmand Ice Cream in both Level Loma or again in Pacific Seaside. It’s listed as probably the greatest locations for ice cream in San Diego and we preferred it lots.
Can’t resolve on a taste? Pattern a bunch with the waffle cone flight.
Extra San Diego Suggestions:
Days four, 5, 6 in Orange County
I do know you’re unhappy to depart such a cool place like San Diego. However don’t be. You’re in for a deal with in Orange County – candy and refreshing, identical to the fruit.
Day four – Dana Level, San Juan Capistrano and Huntington Seaside
10am – Tour the Ocean Institute
For those who, or your youngsters, are ocean lovers, it’s possible you’ll want to cease at Dana Level Ocean Institute on the best way to Huntington Seaside to study extra about ocean life on a behind the scenes tour on the Ocean Institute.
Dana Level Harbor sits on the backside of the rugged cliff faces so is admittedly fairly. You might need to arrive earlier than 10am to stroll round and discover somewhat.
There’s a stunning calm swimming seaside right here as properly.
11am – Mission San Juan Capistrano
To not be missed is the birthplace of Orange County, Mission San Juan Capistrano.
With its crumbling sandstone partitions, it’s bell wall, bougainvillea draped pathways, and flowering gardens, it’s one of the crucial fascinating locations to go to in Southern California and a reasonably place to wander for an hour.
Whereas right here stroll across the Los Rios Historic district to get an inkling of life centuries in the past.
12pm – Cease for lunch at Ellie’s Desk
You’ll love Ellie’s Desk for a light-weight lunch located within the previous 1883 Decide Egan Home. My soup and quiche had been filling and scrumptious. Save room for a particular bakery deal with after it.
2pm – Head to Huntington Seaside
You’re now heading to our favourite place in Southern California, Huntington Seaside.
HB has the proper seaside life-style vibe for us Aussies – not too pretentious, or busy. It’s laid again with a contact of sophistication and has the surf and the seaside as the main target of life!
Test into the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort.
You’ll need a little bit of time to take pleasure in this resort if you test in. A room with an ocean view is a magic solution to begin the day. The Kimpton can be probably the greatest seaside inns in Southern California.
Head right down to the frequent courtyard space for 5pm wine social hour. You possibly can play ping pong and foosball, and sit across the hearth pit chatting to different visitors.
Return later when the solar has gone right down to roast s’mores together with your youngsters over the hearth earlier than mattress.
6pm – Dinner at Pacific Hideaway
To not be missed is dinner on the resort restaurant, Pacific Hideaway. It’s probably the greatest issues to do in Southern California from a foodie perspective.
The Southeast Asian or Latin American impressed meals and wine was simply as extraordinary as was the service and the funky décor.
P.S. Aussies, they’ve pavlova!
Sundown on the seaside
Duck on over to the seaside to catch the sundown after your dinner.
You should purchase some firewood and smore elements to roast smores on the communal seaside firepits after, or return to the Kimpton to do it of their courtyard.
Are you able to end a Southern California day in some other higher method?
Day 5 – Huntington Seaside
Breakfast at Pacific Hideaway!
Nice information! The breakfast at Pacific Hideaway is simply as scrumptious because the dinner. So replenish to your day exploring.
Morning – Discover Downtown HB and the Seaside
Take the morning at leisure to discover what makes Huntington Seaside so cool. Predominant Avenue is the place you’ll discover nice buying, particularly for surf manufacturers.
Alongside the Pacific Coast Freeway is the place you’ll discover Pacific Metropolis, a brand new trendy buying, eating and leisure house overlooking the seaside.
On Fridays, on the backside of the pier is an area artist’s market. And there may be the small, however cool Worldwide Browsing Museum.
You might even need to play on the seaside, go for a swim, or lease bikes to cruise alongside the seaside path.
Huntington State Seaside is without doubt one of the cleanest in California probably the greatest Southern California seashores for browsing!
Prime lunch choices embrace Wahoo Fish Tacos, Sugar Shack Café and Duke’s.
2pm – Tanaka Farm Tour
For those who’re up for it, drive to Irvine (30 minutes) for a tour of Tanaka Farms and a few strawberry selecting. California is not only about stunning seashores and vigorous tradition.
A few of the world’s finest meals developments are born from this state, which has lots to do with the great produce that’s grown in its numerous areas, together with many berry farms.
Discover a little bit of that at Tanaka Farms.
Not solely will you get to eat strawberries straight type the vine but additionally different produce rising like onions, and candy corn, which was essentially the most scrumptious corn I’ve ever tasted.
All of it’s grown organically and the youngsters will love touring round on the again of a farm truck. Our women thought it was one of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Southern California.
4pm – O.C Night time Market
For those who right here on a Friday evening, for an fascinating cultural expertise, contemplate the large O.C Night time Market.
It’s held on the state fairgrounds, that are lined with meals vans, merchandise, arts and leisure. Be sure you seize your large child bottle full of boba milk tea.
Alternatively, simply head again to Huntington to eat at one of many eating places and catch one other Southern California sundown.
Don’t neglect these smore’s once more!
Day 6 – Newport and Laguna Seaside
Probably essentially the most well-known locations to go to in Orange County are Newport and Laguna Seaside.
Newport is claimed to be California’s Riviera and Laguna Seaside is the inventive group full of stunning cove seashores. They make for a straightforward day journey from Huntington Seaside.
10am – Duffy Boat tour of Newport Harbor
A Duffy boat tour is an excellent solution to get to know the relaxed lifetime of Newport.
You’ll cruise previous many mansions on the totally different islands, together with Shirley Temple’s childhood residence, the seaside the place a few of Gilligan’s Island was filmed, and John Wayne’s previous lot.
12pm – Dine and Dock on the Lighthouse Café for lunch
Don’t miss their fish tacos!
When you’ve got time and have younger youngsters, it’s possible you’ll need to cease for a carousel journey at Enjoyable Zone after your Duffy boat, or at the very least an ice cream from Cowafornia.
You might need to add further time in Newport and go to Corona Del Mar Seaside or Newport Seaside “Again Bay,” which is a 135 acre park with mountaineering and biking trails.
2pm – Head to Laguna Seaside
The Laguna Seaside space has seven miles of coves and canyons, providing you loads of out of doors actions and Laguna Seaside seashores to take pleasure in.
Laguna has the primary seaside on the fringe of downtown, or a plethora of seashores to select from.
For tide swimming pools head to Shaws Cove, Picnic Seaside, and Treasure Island Seaside. Different seashores to take a look at embrace Victoria Seaside with the pure pirate tower, Treasure Island Seaside and 1,00zero Steps Seaside.
For artwork lovers, don’t miss the Laguna Artwork Museum, which solely collects California artwork.
Dinner at Las Brisas
Las Brisas got here extremely really useful to us for extraordinary views over Laguna Seaside and incredible Mexican meals.
They had been appropriate on each accounts!
It’s finest to order a desk if you wish to sit inside. In any other case, it’s first come first serve for the surface seats, which I believe is healthier.
Laguna Sundown Spots
We had a cloudy sundown once we visited Laguna so we will’t provide any private recommendation. However, we had been advised these seashores in Laguna are nice for sundown:
- Desk Rock Seaside
- Treasure Island Park,
- Crescent Bay Seaside
- Heisler Park, subsequent to Montage Laguna Seaside
Extra Suggestions for Orange County:
Days 7, eight, 9 in Ventura County
Ventura County, California is about an hour north of LA and 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara.
Be sure you go away your pretense and busyness on the freeway out of LA, as a result of it doesn’t belong in Ventura County.
Day 7 – Ventura
Plan for about three hours to your drive from Orange County to Ventura.
You possibly can cease in at Oxnard Harbor for lunch on the water in your method into Ventura. It’s about 15 minutes from downtown Ventura.
1pm – Test in to the Crowne Plaza Resort on Ventura Seaside
The Crowne Plaza Resort Ventura is strolling distance to downtown Ventura and proper beside the Ventura Pier and a well-liked browsing break. Most rooms have ocean views.
2pm Discover Downtown Ventura
We beloved downtown Ventura. It has a recent trendy classic vibe full of native boutique shops, thrift shops, used e-book retailers, and funky eating places, breweries and wine bars.
Don’t miss San Buenaventura Mission, Iron & Resin for the lads, and Passport Habits for journey lovers!
four:30 pm Foot Golf
Time for some household bonding with foot golf at River Ridge Golf Membership.
We’d by no means performed it earlier than both, however quickly found a enjoyable household journey. Foot golf is performed on the golf course, you’re simply kicking a soccer ball right into a a lot bigger gap.
6pm Dinner at The Annex
Go native on this enclave of eating places and specialty retailers which might be discovered on the Collective, a contemporary and new retail, eating and leisure house.
The Annex is a culinary centered, group minded market, which has world delicacies starting from burgers, Mexican, Italian, crepes, Vietnamese, Hawaiian Poke and Latin American Ceviche bowls, and even wholesome smoothies.
You possibly can’t beat a Vietnamese Pho and pineapple cider for dinner.
You are able to do a little bit of buying after, and even catch a film on the cinema.
Alternatively, head again into Ventura for dinner and a sundown stroll alongside the boardwalk and pier.
Day eight – Oxnard, Ventura Harbor
9am – Head into Oxnard for breakfast
Contemporary & Fabulous is a stunning native breakfast spot with typical breaky fare.
10am – Gondola Journey in Oxnard Harbor
Time to decelerate your physique and thoughts with a soothing and peaceable journey round Oxnard Harbor on a Venetian Gondola with Gondola Paradiso, minus the Venetian crowds.
12pm – Discover Ventura Harbor Village
Ventura Harbor Village is a gorgeous working fishing harbor, retail and eating house.
We suggest spending a couple of hours exploring Ventura Harbor and might suggest the next:
- Rent some pedal boats, kayaks or SUPs from Ventura Boat Leases to discover the harbor by water. You’ve gotten an ideal probability of seeing the resident seals resting on boats and the wharves. It is a great factor to do in Ventura on a heat, sunny afternoon.
- Go classic on the Arcade, play a couple of video games and win some prizes
- Have a seafood lunch with a view at Brophy Bros. Friday afternoon completely satisfied hour is an area’s favourite.
- Browse the totally different retailers just like the quirky hat store, socks store and my favourite boutique
- Seize a taiyaki fish ice cream cone from Coastal Cone.
- Pop over the highway to take a look at Surfer’s Knoll if you happen to really feel like somewhat seaside time.
6pm – Dinner at Lure Fish Home
Lure Fish Home is extra of an upscale seafood restaurant BUT you’re nonetheless welcome in your shorts and flip flops. Ventura at its finest!
That is the place for domestically sourced, sustainable seafood and natural produce. Good for households as properly.
Day 9 – Channel Islands Nationwide Park
You will be ending your Southern California journey with probably the greatest issues to do in Southern California – a sea cave kayaking journey on Santa Cruz Island.
Channel Islands Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the most stunning and distinctive locations to go to in Southern California for journey journey.
Learn our in-depth submit -> Day Journey to Channel Islands Nationwide Park
6pm – Mexican dinner at La Coscha
You and the youngsters could also be somewhat drained after your epic adventures on the Channel Islands.
We suggest sitting out the entrance of the Crowne Plaza Resort across the hearth pit together with your final Southern California Mexican meal from La Coscha, the restaurant contained in the Crowne Plaza.
The views overlooking the Channel Islands you simply returned from are particular, as is the sky when it turns pink to purple because the solar units.
There’s loads of house for the youngsters to run round alongside the seaside path ought to they nonetheless have infinite quantity of power.
I’m positive you’ll benefit from the serenity of a chilly glass of wine and informal dialog as you finish what’s little doubt a really memorable Southern Carolina highway journey with the youngsters.
Extra Suggestions for Ventura County:
Day 10: Again to Los Angeles
Be warned that site visitors might be hectic getting again to LA, so time your drive properly together with your departing flights. You might select to remain the evening in LA.
Gas up with a scrumptious and wholesome breakfast earlier than leaving Ventura at Harvest Café.
Drive again to LA at your leisure.
We’ll be visiting Disneyland in September, however under are posts that can assist you if you happen to intend to discover Los Angeles County:
If you wish to proceed the SoCal seaside vibe, we extremely suggest spending the day at Manhattan and Hermosa Seaside.
These two cities are our favourite locations to go to in LA and is the place we all the time go in LA.
Seize a Wolverine smoothie from SunLife Organics (it’s one among my favourite smoothies ever) and lunch at Lemonade in Manhattan Seaside.
Manhattan Seaside is the seaside volleyball capital of the U.S. so play a recreation, lease a motorcycle to journey between the 2 seashores, and even stroll it.
The primary seaside avenue at Hermosa has a whole lot of cool bars and eating places with completely satisfied hour offers for dinner.
Planning a Journey to California:
Lodging in California:
Reserving.com (affiliate companion) has over 15,00zero properties in California. You get free cancellation on most rooms and a finest worth assure.
Flights to California
Skyscanner (affiliate companion) is a comparability web site that searches hundreds of thousands of flights. As soon as you discover your finest deal, e-book immediately via the airline (no further charges).
Automobile Rental in California
RentalCars.com (affiliate companion) is the world’s greatest automotive rental reserving service that compares all the foremost manufacturers like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar.
Excursions of California
Viator (affiliate companion) is a Journey Advisor firm and gives small group excursions of California to the most well-liked locations and points of interest
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