Within an
hours' drive of Los Angeles, beyond the halting traffic, the landscape
becomes rugged and refreshing. This area of Southern California has gorgeous
unspoiled beaches and a sunny Mediterranean climate, similar to the French
Riviera, year-round, giving the impression of an endless summer. Take a
one-hour drive to the upscale oceanfront community of Malibu, where sunbathers
bask on sandy beaches, and surfers ride the impressive waves. Drive about one
and a half hours to arrive at the quintessential So-Cal town of Laguna Beach,
the fun-loving seaside village of Balboa Island, or the picturesque coastal
city of Oxnard. To really get away from it all, sail to idyllic Santa Catalina
Island, an hour ferry ride away from several cities near L.A. Families with
kids will want to visit Disneyland, which is conveniently located only 30 miles
away. Several places on this list are two-and-a-half to three-hours' drive away
but are worth the extra journey: the sophisticated beach town of Santa
Barbara, the fashionable wintertime oasis of Palm Springs, the
unique California desert of Joshua Tree, and the inspiring nature
retreat of Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains.
1 Santa
Catalina Island:
Santa
Catalina Island has been luring visitors since the 1920s, when it was used as a
location for Hollywood films. Today, tourists can take the hour-long ferry ride
from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, or Newport Beach to the island's port
of Avalon or Two Harbors. The moment after stepping off the ferry, the island's
idyllic atmosphere becomes obvious. Slow down to the leisurely pace, soak up
the sunshine, admire the ocean waves, and just relax, or take advantage of the
island's recreational activities. Hiking, cycling, sailing, sunbathing, and
picnicking are all popular activities.
The
picturesque town of Avalon is the largest community on Catalina
Island. As a top tourist destination, the town has a great selection of hotels,
shops, and restaurants. Beach lovers will appreciate Avalon's sandy,
palm-fringed beaches. All the beaches have gentle, crystal-clear waters, and
most are ideal for swimming. Descanso
Beach is a private beach with a beach club,
but the admission is only a few dollars, and it's a great place for snorkeling,
kayaking, and swimming.Descanso Beach Club offers restrooms, dressing rooms,
outdoor showers, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and cabana rentals, as well a
restaurant with outdoor seating. South
Beach has lifeguards on duty during summer
and is within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Another pleasant
seaside town is Two Harbors, named for the ports that
are separated by a strip of land. On both sides of the Two Harbors pier are
unspoiled sandy beaches with swaying palm trees. One of the beaches has a sand
volleyball court. Nearby are places for snorkeling, kayaking, and
paddleboarding.
2 Disneyland:
Most
families with kids will already have Disneyland on their list of places to go.
Often it's a destination in itself, however Disneyland is an easy day trip from
Los Angeles, less than 30 miles away. This world-famous amusement park is a
"Magical Kingdom" that delights children of all ages. Little kids
love the charming rides like the oversized Caterpillar cars of Alice in
Wonderland; the big-eared planes of Dumbo the Flying Elephant; the Mad Tea
Party, with its giant spinning teacups; and the musical boat ride of It's a
Small World. Older kids enjoy exciting attractions like the Matterhorn's
bobsleds that careen through a scene of the Swiss Alps, the drama of
Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Indiana Jones Adventure that features
thrilling rides, a cliffhanging journey, and a "cursed" temple.
Parents will appreciate that Disneyland also has good restaurants and shops.
3 Santa
Barbara:
Known
as the "American Riviera," this balmy beach town, 100 miles north of
Los Angeles, is a popular getaway destination for Hollywood movie stars.
However, almost everyone would agree that Santa Barbara is a lovely place to
visit. Handsome, historic Spanish-style buildings; towering palm trees; and
miles of sandy shores beckon visitors to take a leisurely sightseeing stroll or
just sit back and soak up the sun. The top tourist attraction is Mission
Santa Barbara, one of the most well-preserved of the mission churches. This
beautiful 19th-century landmark is surrounded by a lush 12-acre garden,
the Huerta Historic Garden, which may be viewed on a docent-led tour. An
interesting fact is that the garden's olive, citrus, peach, pomegranate, and
peach trees were planted from cuttings of plant remnants found at original
mission sites. While discovering the town's impressive architecture, be sure to
visit the Santa Barbara County Courthouse,which combines architectural
styles including Spanish, Moorish, Islamic, Romanesque, and Byzantine elements.
Other sightseeing highlights are the Santa Barbara Museum of Art,
the botanic garden,and the 30-acre Zoo.
4 Palm
Springs:
Synonymous
with Old Hollywood glamour, Palm Springs became a legendary winter resort in
the 1930s, when movie stars like Frank Sinatra and Marlene Dietrich came here
to relax in style. Many people still flock to this fashionable desert oasis (
107 miles from Los Angeles) during wintertime to bask in the sunshine and take
part in recreational activities such as swimming, tennis, and golf. Palm
Springs' dry desert climate is ideal from January until April, but can be unbearably
hot during the summer. For those who want to explore the desert landscape, the
best place to go is Palm Canyon, six miles from downtown Palm Springs.
This rugged canyon has a small oasis with a creek and waterfalls. A variety of
wilderness trails range from easy walks to longer hikes. Another magnificent
nature site is Mount San Jacinto, a 10,000-foot, snow-dusted mountain that
can be ascended by an aerial tram. From the 8,500-foot drop-off point, the
views of the desert floor are spectacular. To balance the outdoorsy activities
with cultural attractions, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum that
displays interesting modern art as well as Native American art.
5 Joshua
Tree National Park:
Joshua
Tree National Park was named after the distinctive yucca trees that are found
here in abundance. The Joshua Tree, known scientifically as "yucca
brevifolia," is a member of the agave family and only grows in the Mojave
Desert, an extreme ecosystem that includes Death Valley. Native Americans
appreciated the tree for its practical uses: the fibrous leaves were woven into
baskets, and the edible flower buds and seeds were a nutritious addition to the
diet. In the 19th-century, Mormon pioneers named the tree after Joshua, the
biblical figure, because they thought the twisted spiky branches resembled
outstretched arms leading them to the Promised Land.
Since the park
is 131 miles from Los Angeles (about a two-hour and 45-minute drive away),
those visiting Joshua Tree National Park just for the day will want to try one
of the shorter hikes or walks. The 49
Palms Oasis trail is a moderately strenuous
three-mile roundtrip hike that features strands of fan palm trees and
refreshing pools of water. For a short and easy walk, take the one-mile
(two-miles round-trip)Cottonwood Spring trail that leads past an oasis to dry
falls, which rush with water during wet years. Bighorn sheep often visit the
freshwater springs, and the birdlife also draws birdwatchers throughout the
year. The Hidden Valley trail is another moderate nature walk
that would appeal to day trippers. The one-mile (round-trip) loop travels
through a valley enclosed by rocks and includes a picnic area.
6 Laguna
Beach:
A
Quintessential So-Cal Town.About 55 miles south of Los Angeles, this
quintessential Southern California beach town has a dreamy, carefree ambience.
The sunny town is blessed with a mild climate year-round, an average of 281
days of sunshine, and seven miles of sandy shoreline. Sunbathers and nature
enthusiasts come for the spectacular scenery, and surfers come for the great
waves. During spring and summer, tourists can take a whale-watching and dolphin
cruise and get incredibly close to these amazing marine mammals.
More
than just a place to sunbathe and surf, Laguna Beach also has lavish gardens, wonderful
hiking trails in the rolling hills, as well as art galleries and cultural
events. The JoAnne Artman Gallery (326 North Coast Hwy) displays a
collection of award-winning art that has been in museums or private
collections. The Laguna
Art Museum (307 Cliff Drive) focuses on
California art and hosts Laguna
Beach Live! that entertains visitors with
classical, jazz, and world music performances on the second Thursday of every
month. Another lively event is Jazz
Wednesdays at the Ranch at Laguna Beach in August. The Festival of Arts takes place the last two weeks in
August and features artwork by more than 100 local artists from Orange County.
7 Malibu's
Beautiful Beaches:
This
famous beach town, about 33 miles from Los Angeles, is known for its gorgeous
21-mile coastline and celebrity residents. Many Hollywood movie stars have
opulent oceanfront homes, and the paparazzi are known to lurk around the
beaches in hopes of spotting stars. Although the affluent town is known for its
glamour and exclusivity, anyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Malibu. Nestled
in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area with dramatic coastal bluffs,
Malibu has several excellent public beaches. The beaches have strong waves
ideal for surfing but not for swimming. The Malibu Lagoon State Beach is known as one of the best surfing
beaches; it's also a stunning nature site that has picnic tables and a
saltwater marsh with amazing birdlife. Zuma
Beach is a wonderful public beach, with a
wide shoreline of fine white sand. El
Matador Beach is another beautiful sandy beach but
also has interesting sea caves.
8 Oxnard:
Oxnard
is a lovely waterfront city with plenty of recreation and entertainment to draw
in visitors. It's worth taking the 60-mile drive from Los Angeles to enjoy the
town's relaxing atmosphere, fresh air, and outdoor activities. Tennis, hiking,
cycling, and golf are popular. Oxnard has miles of pristine white-sand beaches,
ideal for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, sailing, and kayaking. Sunsets at the
beach are incomparable, with the glimmering Pacific Ocean waves and the glowing
afternoon light reflected on the Channel Islands in the distance. In addition
to the natural attractions, Oxnard is known for its excellent restaurants,
shopping, community performances, and concerts. Spring and summer are packed
with a schedule of outdoor events and festivals. Oxnard's enticing California
Strawberry Festival is in May, and the energetic Salsa Festival is in July. In
January, the International Restaurant Week showcases the city's superb
selection of international restaurants.
9 Big
Bear Lake:
Hiking, Water
Sports, and Relaxation.At Big Bear Lake, visitors can escape to a stunning
nature site 97 miles from Los Angeles. Big Bear Lake offers fresh mountain air
and invigorating alpine scenery. Surrounded by pine forests, the lake has
sparkling crystal-clear waters that are ideal for fishing. The lake is also
popular for summertime recreation, especially swimming, jet skiing, canoeing,
and kayaking. Other favorite activities in the area are hiking, horseback
riding, and golfing. Many visitors enjoy having picnics and BBQs on warm days.
For a more luxurious meal, try one of the mountainside or lakefront restaurants
with splendid views. During winter, Big Bear Lake is a great place for
cross-country skiing.
10 Balboa
Island:
Balboa
Island is a tiny island within Beacon Bay of Newport Beach, about 45 miles from
Los Angeles. Visitors may arrive by ferry, which drops off near a colorful Ferris wheel. With its sunny vacation
ambience, this quaint seaside town invites relaxation. Take a leisurely stroll
down Marine Avenue, a pleasant street lined
with enticing restaurants and shops. Learn how to sail, jet-ski, or
paddleboard, or just spend time at the marina watching others participate in
water sports. The town also has a sandy, palm-fringed beach with gentle waves.
During wintertime, whale-watching is a popular activity. Another attractive
beach town, Corona del Mar, is just two miles away
from Balboa Island.
11 San
Gabriel Mountains National Monument/Angeles National Forest:
Travelers
can escape from the Los Angeles metropolitan area by taking a 50-mile drive to
the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument/Angeles National Forest, a pristine
and peaceful wilderness environment. During the summer and fall season,
advanced hikers can take on the challenge of ascending Mount San Antonio,
affectionately known as "Mount Baldy" because of its barren
landscape. During winter and spring, the mountain is usually covered in snow,
and mountaineers approach it with ice boots, crampons, and ice axes. The
10,000-foot peak is the highest in the San Gabriel Mountain Range as well as
the highest point in Los Angeles County.
Looking for a
less extreme adventure? The area has many easy and moderate hikes as well as
campgrounds, picnic sites, and swimming areas. A variety of hiking trails wind
through the forest, and some trails accommodate mountain bikers and horseback
riders. Hiking Tip: Watch out for "Poodle-Dog Bush," a shrub
with bell-shaped lavender flowers that can cause skin irritation and blisters
similar to a reaction from poison ivy.
