There are many tourist destinations throughout Southern California, including Santa Barbara, Disneyland and Los Angeles. While these are great spots to visit, you may be looking for something a little more exotic.
Channel Islands
We have been living in California for most of our lives. However, we somehow forgot to see these amazing islands which are now National Parks. As part of our weekend anniversary trip, we decided to take a boat ride from Oxnard to Anacapa Island.
You should be prepared for anything and have all the necessary supplies. You should be fit and adventurous to take this trip. The climb to reach the top of this small island is steep and requires 157 steps. Although I hate outhouses, the view of the rugged shoreline and massive cliffs with jagged peaks was worth the effort. With Inspiration Point as a reward, you can hike the entire island’s rim in a matter of hours.
In June, the island had a flurry of wildflowers and there were thousands upon thousands of sea gulls around. You should be careful of the protective mamas that will hover over you if they see too much.
A few years later, we returned to Santa Cruz Island and enjoyed a thrilling kayak tour through the historical sea caves. Two large schools and one whale were seen on our boat trip. Although the waters are sometimes rough, there were some amazing caves. It was an unforgettable experience.
Some people consider these islands desolate, but if you have an adventurous spirit and love nature, the Channell Islands are considered the Galápagos of North America.
Huntington Botanical Gardens
We have been missing this beautiful place for over a decade. This magnificent estate in Pasadena contains more than 12 stunning gardens that span 120 acres. It is difficult to choose the best garden, but I love the California Garden, Rose Garden and Japanese Garden.
Even though we were able to visit the galleries, it was too late. The Huntington Art Gallery houses British 18th and 19th century paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. It also includes the Blue Boy. We did not get to see The Huntington Library. It is the United States’ largest research library.
Next time.
Wine Trail in Ventura County
Napa gets all the attention. But my husband and me enjoyed sipping wine as we walked along the rolling hills of the coastal coast near Ventura. Two of nearly twenty wineries were visited by us.
One of the wine tours is available to book. But, instead of booking a tour, we chose to map our route and go on our way. We started in Ventura, at the intersection of Highway 1 & Highway 101. Then we took Highway 33 towards Ojai.
Surprising surprises await you on this charming, but lonely road. “USA’s Smallest Post Office”The last time anyone ever saw James Dean alive. Old Creek Winery was our favorite. It felt like we were returning to simpler times and a time when friendly people and dogs welcomed us. The Americana view was breathtaking and we were able to enjoy our newly purchased wine as well as a picnic on the tables outside.
Ventura and Ojai are both worth a stop. They have charming bed and breakfasts and luxurious spas. The Ventura Harbor Village, which hosts festivals and music weekends in the summertime is bustling with activity.
Laguna Beach
It is situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The beach offers everything you need, including surfing, paddle-boarding and snorkeling. You can also kayak, kayak, or go whale watching.
Be aware that the waves can sometimes be quite rough. When I was a teenager, I tried body surfing despite the rough waves and got swept out by a huge wave. (Remember Beach Boys’ hit: Heheheheheheheheeeee wipe oooout! The Beach Boys are to blame for my entire mess. They romanticized the whole surfing chick scene with songs like Surfer Girl. They are to blame.
The scenery is simply breathtaking. The scene is complete with chic shops, ultra-chic restaurants, and unusual art galleries. A Baby Boomer Club hosts Saturday Night Dances. Laguna Woodstock is a summer party where the baby boomers celebrate like it was 1969.
Heisler park is an excellent place to begin. It’s located north of the main beaches and offers a half-mile walk along a path that boasts stunning views of the coast and soothing sounds of crashing waves. One of the many paths leads to beaches or tide pools. You can take in the stunning views from benches, picnic tables and barbecues. Hubby, me and a friend had a wonderful picnic on the grass.
Treasure Island Park, which is located in the heart of Montage Laguna Beach’s five-star resort, is another wonderful spot. The easy to follow, winding path is beautifully landscaped with several benches that serve as lookout points. You can also walk down the ramps and stairs to reach the beach. At low tide you will find a place in the sand where you can sunbathe and access a large tidepool. You can also enjoy picnicking on the grassy areas. You can enjoy a romantic sunset with wine or cheese by bringing along some cheese and wine.
Big Bear Lake
My home is in the desert so Big Bear is close by. It’s a beautiful mountain retreat with its stunning lake and gorgeous forests. You can also go fishing or boating in this peaceful village.
My husband and I rode around Lake Ontario last summer. We enjoyed lunch, went on a bike ride, took turns driving go-karts at speeds of up to 30 MPH, and also rode the scenic skychair for stunning views. We were amazed at the people who used the chairlifts to ride down the trails.
Parasailing or ziplining can be enjoyed by those who are adventurous.
El Matador Beach
Are you looking for spectacular beaches with stunning cliffs, white sands and powerful waves in semi-hidden locations?
El Matador can be found north of Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway. The small brown sign that points to the parking area at the trailhead is easy to overlook, so be sure you look carefully between Broad Beach Road and Decker Canyon Road. With the aid of steep stairs, you will be able to descend a 150-foot bluff.
This is not recommended for children under 5 years old or people with disabilities. However, if you are able to climb the stairs you will be treated to breathtaking views. Locals may know of this beach, and there might be photo shoots taking places – that’s what we saw!
This beautiful stretch of sandy beach offers little else to do. Bring a picnic and some wine to find the perfect spot to have a romantic time.
Redondo Beach
You’ve likely noticed by now that I and my husband are both beach bums. While looking for an area to spend the night in before we leave LAX, our search led us to this beach.
Redondo Pier offers panoramic views of the ocean and water activities, including harbor cruises, whale watching, kayaks and paddleboards. Although we did not try them all, the sights from Tony’s Pier were amazing, and we also enjoyed happy hour at Tony’s!
Georgette the great white shark (16 feet) is located on the Pier. She can also be seen at Shark Attack On The Pier. You may like the semi-submersible yellow submarine for underwater viewing of local marine life.
If you are flying from Los Angeles to Los Angeles, there is no better option than staying in an airport hotel.
Catalina Island
Although this island is not as well-known as some others, it’s a personal favorite. It was where my husband and I honeymooned 40 years ago. Since then, we have returned many times. It is small and quiet, without any fast food outlets or stoplights. One typical traffic jam is made up of two golf carts, and one bicycle designed to fit two.
We rode our bikes all around Avalon and went horseback riding. Then we toured the casino and enjoyed a relaxing day on the beach. Two Harbors was the second village on Catalina Island. We took a bus from there. Other popular activities include parasailing and snorkeling.
We sailed the boat from Long Beach to Long Beach, decades later. It was a wild experience. For our open-water dives, my husband and the grown kids returned to the island with me. They were able to scuba-certify among the famed kelp forests that are surrounded by bright orange Garibaldi fish. The new zip-line is 600ft above the sea and has one 1,100ft long run with speeds of up to 30 M.p.h. Next time I’m in town, my husband and children will be trying it. Wheee!
Southern California is home to so many amazing places that it would be impossible to mention them all. This article should give you some inspiration to help you get started.