Things to Do in Southern California
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Cabrillo National Park & Monument
Cabrillo National Monument memorializes Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's 1542 landing at San Diego Bay marking the first time a European expedition set foot on the west coast. The park offers a superb view of San Diego's harbor and skyline. At the highest point stands the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, a San Diego icon since 1854.
[ Back to Top ]San Diego Harbor Whale Watching
Embark on a narrated, 3 ½-hour whale watching adventure at Birch Aquarium that allows close-up views of the mammoth California Gray Whale, sea lions and dolphins. Approximately 20,000 gray whales pass San Diego on their annual migration from the Bering Sea to Baja California. Cruises also explore San Diego Harbor, so bring your camera on this trip of a lifetime.
[ Back to Top ]San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art
Highlighting work produced since 1950, this San Diego museum is hailed for its collection of contemporary art and thought-provoking exhibitions. MCASD comprises 3,000 works of painting, sculpture, drawings, prints, photography, video, and multimedia works. The holdings include every major art movement of the past half-century, with strong representation by California artists. Visit www.mcasd.org
[ Back to Top ]Torrey Pines State Reserve
This 2,000-acre state park is an unspoiled environment of stunning coastal overlooks, abundant plant life and lush, scenic views. Enjoy eight miles of peaceful hiking and walking trails, a visitor center and guided nature walks on weekends. This reserve is home to the rarest pine tree, and the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California.
[ Back to Top ]Balboa Park
America's largest urban park, Balboa Park's 1,200 acres feature over 85 cultural and recreational venues. It's home of the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Old Globe Theater, Japanese Friendship Garden, Mingei International Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Art Institute, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Natural History Museum, and Timken Museum of Art.
[ Back to Top ]Mission Bay/Mission Beach
. San Diego's Mission Bay is a beautiful destination with 4,000 acres of bay, 14 miles of bike paths, and beautiful parks. With 27 miles of pristine shoreline and miles of sandy beach, Mission Bay is a sailing, boating, waterskiing, surfing, and windsurfing, jet skiing, rowing, and swimming paradise. A local favorite for surfing, body boarding, swimming, kayaking, sunbathing, picnicking, and playing volleyball, Mission Beach spans 2 miles of ocean and beach. Sunbathers revel in the green grassy knolls, and the sports-minded can enjoy basketball, volleyball, and over-the-line games. The Mission Beach Boardwalk is a booming scene of bicycling, rollerblading, running, and skateboarding.
[ Back to Top ]Wild Animal Park
An extension of the San Diego Zoo, the 2,200-acre preserve protects endangered species of animals from around the world. Exhibit areas have been carved out of the dry, dusty canyons and mesas to represent the animals' natural habitats -North Africa, South Africa, East Africa, Heart of Africa, Australian Rain Forest, Asian Swamps, and Asian Plains. See these preserves on the 50-minute railway.
[ Back to Top ]Sea World San Diego
Take your family below the surface, above the waves and beyond your expectations at SeaWorld San Diego. One of the world's largest marine-life amusement parks, SeaWorld is spread over 189 tropically landscaped bay-front acres. Meet animals up close; see wondrous creatures, and walk-through inspiring marine environments and exhibits. Don't miss Shamu the killer whale and Journey to Atlantis.
[ Back to Top ]San Diego Zoo
The world-renowned San Diego Zoo presents more than 4,000 animals representing over 800 species, and is home to rare and endangered birds, mammals, reptiles, and 6,500 varieties of exotic plants. Enjoy attractions such as the Giant Panda Mei Sheng, the second cub to be born at the San Diego Zoo. Swing through Ituri Forest, cool off at Polar Bear Plunge or feed animals in the children's Zoo.
[ Back to Top ]Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego is considered the birthplace of California and the site of the first Spanish settlement in California. The park features 32 restaurants, 106 shops, 12 art galleries and historical sites.
Attractions include: Bazaar del Mundo, Heritage Park, County, Mormon Battalion Visitors Center, Old Town State Historic Park, Old Town Trolley Tours, Presidio Park, Sheriffs Museum, and The Theatre in Old Town.
[ Back to Top ]Balboa Island
Balboa Island is one of Southern California's most enchanting vacation destinations. Located off the coast of Newport Beach, in beautiful Newport Harbor, this quaint and charming island offers a variety of shopping, dining, entertainment, marinas, events, and glorious sunsets.
California's second largest city, San Diego boasts 70 miles of beautiful beach, gentle surf, scenic hiking and biking trails, amusement parks, championship golf courses, a world-class zoo, a Mediterranean climate and a vibrant Downtown nightlife that makes it the perfect California getaway.
Bordered by Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains, San Diego County's 4,200 square miles offer endless family fun.
[ Back to Top ]Santa Catalina Island
Just off the coast of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island is Southern California's oasis for scuba diving, ocean kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, rafting, parasailing, boat cruises, day tours and dinner cruises, and romantic getaways. A scenic wilderness of oak, cactus, and sage, the beautiful island offers secluded coves and beaches surrounded by ocean with lush kelp forests and abundant sea life. Cruise over by boat, high-speed catamaran or helicopter from San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point.
[ Back to Top ]Staples Center
The Staples Center is downtown Los Angeles' spectacular, major league sports and entertainment arena. Home to the LA Lakers, Clippers, and the NHL's Kings, Staples Center hosts exciting entertainment shows, top musical concerts, events, and competitions. You'll enjoy great entertainment and food - from hot dogs to lobster - at the Staples Center Arena Club. Visit www.staplescenter.com
[ Back to Top ]Six Flags Magic Mountain/Hurricane Harbor
This Southern California theme park features exciting thrill rides, world-class entertainment, shows, concerts, family adventure and the largest collection of extreme coasters on the planet. Hurricane Harbor is a family water park with aquatic rides, wild slides and activity pools for those LA summer days. Visit www.sixflags.com.
[ Back to Top ]Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm, America's oldest and twelfth most-visited amusement park, re-creates the atmosphere of the Old West in six themed areas including Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, Wild Water Wilderness, Indian Trails, The Boardwalk and Camp Snoopy. In all, Knott's Theme Park features 160 acres of wild rides, live shows and family attractions. Visit www.knotts.com.
[ Back to Top ]Disneyland Resort
From the charm of Main Street to Mickey's Toontown, your imagination soars in eight enchanted lands of delight and entertainment. At Disneyland Park in Anaheim, you'll experience a magical kingdom of 60 attractions, 50 shops and 30 restaurants. Experience thrill rides, such as Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Splash Mountain.
A 55-acre theme park next to Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure is a magical festival of shows, parades and attractions celebrating California's past and future. A hip entertainment, shopping and dining promenade, Downtown Disney is a fun way to relax after a day at the park.
[ Back to Top ]NBC Burbank Studio Tour
NBC's television studio in Burbank, California opens its doors to the creation of TV's most popular shows. Experience a guided tour of the NBC facilities in Burbank that gives you good insight into how television shows are produced. The tour includes a stop at the "Tonight Show" set where Jay Leno tapes his late night comedy, as well as visiting the set of the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives".
[ Back to Top ]Universal Studios Hollywood/City Walk
The magic of the movies comes to life at Universal Studios Hollywood, a Los Angeles theme park and working Hollywood Studio. Enjoy all the thrills, magic, stunts and special effects when you take part in your favorite blockbuster movies. Experience the glamour, action and entertainment of Hollywood at the world's largest movie studio and theme park. Finish your day with LA's coolest restaurants, clubs and fun at Universal City Walk. Www.universalstudios.com.
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