Before your vacation, make a checklist of things to do Southern California. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, this large span of land offers dozens of beaches, hundreds of cities and so many different attractions that the list can be seemingly never-ending. To better help you plan your next invigorating escape to this amazing destination, here are my picks for top ten Southern California tourist attractions and things to see and do when in the Sunshine State.
Things to Do Southern California
Hollywood Boulevard: Don't miss the Walk of Stars, where the most famous actors, actresses, film producers and directors have their very own star decorating this walkway. Other notable sites include the world famous Whiskey A Go Go - where Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix performed - the Viper Room, and hundreds of stores and shops that line this amazing, historical street; a must-see when you travel to Southern California.
Pacific Coast Highway: Is a few hundred mile stretch of highway that is one of the most famous and historical highways in the United States. The views that you will see when driving along the Pacific Coast Highway are second-to-none. Stop off at any of the dozens of beaches along the way to lie in the white sand and watch the tide roll in.
Universal Studios: One of the best things to do Southern California is this awesome amusement park; situated right next door to the studios where they film many Hollywood blockbuster movies. Experience rides that are themed off famous movies as you tour this immensely huge and fantastic amusement park.
Disney Land: Perhaps one of the best recognized and known landmarks in Southern California, and the entire state for that matter. Disneyland offers tons of rides, themed stores, restaurants that are onsite and even a signature hotel that affords patrons early entrance into the park. Don't forget to get a Fast Pass so you can bypass the hour long waits for popular rides.
San Diego Zoo: One of the largest and most amazing zoos in the entire world awaits you with more animals and exhibits than you will find almost anywhere else in the world. Make sure that you have a park map, sunscreen and some bottled water handy, as this park demands one or two days to really take it all in and see all of the sights.
Santa Monica Pier: This pier sits alongside Boston's and New York City's as one of the most famous piers in the entire country. The best time to visit it is at night, when the shops and the trademark Ferris wheel are all lit up brilliantly. One can easily spend hours of time walking from vendor to vendor, people watching, strolling along the beach, or visiting the many different attractions.
Newport Landing Whale Watching: There is no better place to go when you travel to Southern California than Newport Landing to watch the whales swim. Quite frequently they will brush their large tail fins above the water to show off. You can also take guided boat tours to get a better view of these monstrous mammoths.
Knott's Berry Farm: Not just the purveyors of fine jams and jellies, these guys happen to have a really cool amusement park in Southern California as well. Better priced than Disneyland or Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm offers many great rides, eats and attractions. You can also take a guided tour of the actual farms if you desire.
Movieland Wax Museum: Ever wanted to see what your favorite famous movie stars look like up close and personal? This is the place to go if you want to really get a closer look at the big screen Hollywood neophytes of film's sordid past. They really look real to life and are modeled precisely after their real life counterparts.
Sea World: One of the largest and most exclusive water parks in the world is the place to go if you want to catch one heck of show. Learn about exotic large fishes, and see some pretty fabulous shows. If you get lucky, you can even pet the bottlenose dolphins or offer them a tasty, fishy treat.
With so many exciting things to do, Southern California will keep you coming back year after year. You will never run out of activities and attractions to see on your vacation.
Visit often to learn more information from our updated Things to Do Southern California.
