People usually flock to Anaheim to visit the Disney Resort,  with amusement parks, shopping, restaurants, and hotels.
But Anaheim has much more to offer like parks, hiking trails, entertainment, ethnic food from around the world, flight simulators, spectator sports, golf, and tennis.

I live in Anaheim and experienced it all. So here is a guide to some of my favorite places in and around Anaheim.

At the end of this page, read a brief history of Anaheim.

Dinsey of course

A guide to Anaheim is not complete without talking about the Disney Resort. You can read the detailed Disney guide here.

 The resort area includes the two parks Disneyland and California Adventure, several hotels, and Downtown Disney.  

Downtown Disney is a hub of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues that connects the resort's other properties. 

You can visit downtown Disney without purchasing tickets to the parks. While here, enjoy a movie, dinner at an upscale restaurant like Catal and La Brea Bakery Café, watch street performers or bands, shop for Disney merchandise, or visit the Lego store and Build-A-Bear Workshop.  

Read the detailed Disney guide here.

Anaheim Downtown 

Downtown Anaheim, also known as CtrCity, is a revitalized section of town with housing, shops, restaurants, breweries, and entertainment. 
On Center Street, you will find places like Pour Vida Latin restaurant, Hummus Bean Mediterranean restaurant, Muzeo Museum, and Cultural Center, and The Rinks Anaheim ICE.

Every Thursday, Center street turns into a pedestrian-only walkway with a Farmers Market where you can find sweet treats, lots of fresh produce,  and unique gift items.

A few blocks away, on West Santa Ana street, you can find the Packing District, featuring a brewery, Park, and vendors selling snacks like crêpes and Mexican street food. 

Across the street, the modern MAKE building draws a hip crowd for beer, wine, and BBQ. 

Pearson Park

This Family-friendly Park offers picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, and ponds. 

The Amphitheater features concerts and special events. It was built in 1927, replicating the eloquent Spanish-style architecture with terra-cotta roof tiles; Wisteria and Bougainvillea-shaded column-supported arbors; and a towering Mexican Fan Palms landscape.

The Park also has a public pool and tennis courts. 

Parking can be difficult during events, so use alternate transportation. 

Yorba Regional Park

Yorba Regional Park is located in the east end of Anaheim. It is one of the largest parks in the area, with acres of turf, trees, lakes, and streams.

It also has multiple playgrounds for kids of all ages, a very long bike trail, volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, two baseball diamonds, and a physical fitness course.

Bike and paddleboat rentals are available at the Park.

The lakes are stocked with fish – so you can do some fishing. A variety of duck and goose species make this Park their home.  

Bring some birdseed or bread to feed the ducks – or you can buy some from the concession store. Read more about the Park here.  

Oak Canyon Nature Center

Oak Canyon Nature Center is located in the Anaheim Hills area. It is a hidden nature sanctuary in the middle of urban development.

The center has many hiking trails with varying difficulties. They range from easy to moderate. A year-round stream meanders through the Park and crosses many of the trails.

Check out more details and directions at www.anaheim.net/ocnc.

Look for "Outreach Programs" - Those are basically interpreted nature walks. A park ranger will guide you through some of the trails while providing useful information on various topics. Those walks are a hit with the kids, especially the "Insects and other Amazing Arthropods" program. Read more here.

The Garden Walk

The Garden Walk is a shopping, dining, and entertainment center a few blocks away from Disneyland Main Gate.

Take a break from the Disney Resort and catch a movie at the AMC Theater, go Bowling at Bowlmor Lanes, spend time on a flight simulator at Flightdeck, listen to live music, and dance at House of Blues and Heat Ultra Lounge. 

For great dining experiences, visit Fire+Ice for Mongolian fusion cuisine, PF Chang's for fusion Chinese, or the Cheesecake Factory for amazing cheesecakes and an eclectic selection of dishes. 

See the complete Disney area dining guide here.

Little Arabia

The area around Brookhurst and Ball streets evolved into a haven for middle-eastern shops and restaurants. It does not have an official designation from the city planners yet, but it is a well-known destination if you are looking for some great Arabic and Mideterenean eats. 

So what can find in this district? 

You can enjoy ethnic markets, restaurants, cafes, hookah lounges, clothing stores, hair salons, and much more.
My favorite restaurants are El Mahroosa Cafe, Alwadee Bakery & Restaurant, Zait & Zaatar, Olive Tree restaurant, and Zankou Chicken.

For ethnic groceries, visit Altayebat and Super King. Super King rivals major grocery stores with its large space and huge selection.

Visit the Little Arabia website for a complete directory.

Dining

Fire+Ice – Gardenwalk  

This Mongolian fusion style all-you-can-eat buffet lets you fill a bowl with your favorite ingredients then cocks the mix on a huge grill right in front of you. You pick the sauce and the spices to make it your own creation.  

Even though it is a Mongolian grill, you can still design dishes with a Mexican or Italian flare.

They also offer a well-stocked salad bar, but my advice is to minimize your salad and go back for more grilled creations.

Some of the ingredients available are beef, shrimp, scallops, fish, cauliflower, and broccoli.

The drinks were excellent too. We tried the Pinicolada and the Mai-Tei.

After your meal and drinks, you can spend time exploring the shops at the Gardenwalk.

400 Disney Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

PF Chang’s

My list of special dining places usually avoids chain restaurants, but I can’t skip this fusion Asian with inventive dishes and extended happy hour.

If you like Asian food, you love the variety and quality of selection. During our last visit, we started with the Letus Wraps, Shrimp Dumplings, and the Kung Pao Dragon Roll.

For the main course, we picked Mongolian Beef, Crispy Honey Shrimp, and Stir-Fried Eggplant. Everything was delicious, and the portions were just right.

For dessert, we had two helpings of the Banana Spring Rolls – because one is never enough.

The drinks are also exceptional. Every cocktail on the menu tastes just right; we especially like the Coconut Mohito and the Mei Tei.

My favorite location is at the Garden Walk in Anaheim. After our meals, we can browse through the stores or walk to Down Town Disney for more fun.

321 W Katella Ave Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92802

Roy's @ Garden Walk

Dining at Roy's is like taking a culinary safari across the Pacific Rim. This fusion cuisine restaurant offers seafood dishes like Hibachi Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi, or my favorite the Shellfish Sampler.

If you prefer items from the land, try their Braised Short Ribs of Beef, or Katsu Chicken.

For starters, you can try their selection of Sushi rolls, Poke, or Shrimp Tempura. 

The wine list and the mixed drinks are just right. On a recent visit, we tried their Mango Mojito and the 1988 Martini. Both were excellent.

Leaving the best for last, for dessert, we tried both of their creations. The Pineapple Upside Cake and the Chocolate Suflet were a good end to our meal. 

The only drawback is the prices. On the plus side, the Garden Walk Roy's has a very nice patio seating with Hawaiian-style torches. 

Tamba 30 (Indian)

This Indian cuisine gen is hidden in a small strip mall in downtown Anaheim. This restaurant offers delicious authentic Indian dishes and lunch Buffett. 

During our last visit, we started with an assortment of appetizers. Our favorites were the Veggie Samosa and the Paneer Pakora.

For our main dishes, we shared the chicken Teka Masala and the Lamb Curry. Both were very tasty and the portions were large. We had lots of leftovers.

We ended our meal with "Gulab Jamun" - a very sweet milk-solid-based balls of joy. 

30 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

Nearby

Anaheim is centrally located in Orange County, with many destinations and adventures close by. 

Some of the best beaches can be found a few miles away in Huntington Beach. Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. 

From Newport Beach, you can take a Whale and Dolphin watch cruise or a trip to Catalina Island.

In neighboring Buena Park, you can visit Knott's Berry Farm for thrilling rides and popular restaurants. Also in Buena Park, you can find a beautiful Ralph B. Clark regional park with ponds and hiking trails.

Fullerton offers many hiking and biking trails, lakes, botanical gardens, and the Mock Museum. 
In the city of Orange, you can visit the Outlets of Orange shopping mall  with a large 31-theater movie complex. 
Orange is also home to Irvine Regional Park, with plenty of trails, lakes, and a Zoo.

History and more

Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California, south of Los Angeles. Anaheim is one of the largest and most populous cities in Orange County and is known for being the home of the Disneyland Resort, the Anaheim Convention Center, and two major sports teams: the Anaheim Ducks ice hockey club and the Los Angeles Angels baseball team.

The city was founded by fifty German families in 1857 and incorporated as the second city in Los Angeles County on March 18, 1876, and later became part of Orange County. 

Anaheim changed from largely agricultural when Disneyland opened in 1955, which led to several hotels and motels around the area, with residential districts soon following. 

The city also developed into an industrial center, producing electronics, aircraft parts, and canned fruit. Anaheim is a charter city.
Before the German families moved in, the Tongva people inhabited the area since 3500 BCE. The Tongva village at Anaheim was called Hutuukuga.

Before the Tongva, Anaheim, Placentia and Fullerton's area was part of the Rancho San Juan Cajón de Santa Ana, a Mexican-era rancho grant given to Juan Pacífico Ontiveros in 1837 by Juan Bautista Alvarado, then Governor of Alta California.
Read more at Wikipedia.

Big Bear Valley is well known for its winter sports fun. But after the snow melts and the skiers flee the area, a whole new adventure awaits you.

During the summer months, the ski resorts offer more adventures like scenic chairlift rides, slides, and hiking trails.

The valley and mountains around it are full of hiking and biking trails waiting to be explored. Many trails start near the “Big Bear Discovery Center”. 

Highlights

Big Bear, CA, is known for winter sports

You can Ski, Snowboard, Snowshoe, or Snow Tube, or just stroll along the frozen lake

Summertime fun includes boating, hiking, ziplining, bobsledding, Stargazing, and dining

Outside the Yosemite valley, you can go on long hikes, visit the Giant Sequoia trees, or go whitewater rafting

Big Bear Discovery Center offers maps, passes, a café, a souvenir shop (Adventure Outpost), and expert advice from the on-duty rangers.

Big Bear Discovery Center

Located adjacent to Big Bear Lake on highway 38, the center offers maps, passes, a café, a souvenir shop (Adventure Outpost), and expert advice from the on-duty rangers. You can also join educational Naturalist-led interpretive programs and events.

​From the balcony of the discovery center, you can enjoy a great view of the Lake nestled in the middle of the San Bernardino Forest - a perfect photo opportunity.

The trail to the Lake

We decided we want to enjoy a hike close to the lake, so we started by talking to the rangers. They were very friendly and helpful. They gave us a map of the area showing all the trails. They showed us how to walk from the Discovery Center to the Alpine Pedal Path - which runs adjacent to the lake.

The best way to find this trail from the Discovery Center is to look for signs to the “Cougar Crest Trail” then turn left towards the lake. 

The trail is paved asphalt, which makes it popular with bikers too. It meanders through forests and meadows with many views of the lake. Along the trail, you can find many shady benches to catch your breath and admire nature. Close to the shoreline you can find picnic tables and barbeques (closed during fire season).

The trail is about 3.5 miles long and considered very easy. It is easily accessible for hikers, skaters, joggers, and even strollers and wheelchairs.

Nature Trail Loop

This short - .5-mile loop is great for families with kids. It is a very easy hike in the middle of the forest.

You can do this hike on your own or you can go with a volunteer naturist on a guided tour. As you walk, learn about the local plant life, wildlife, and some interesting historical facts.

Cougar Crest Trail (Bertha Peak Trail)

For a more strenuous hike, take this trail to Bertha Peak for a commanding view of Big Bear Lake. The hike is about 7 miles round trip and may take up to 4 hours to finish. It is considered moderate difficulty.

It starts from Cougar Crest trailhead near the Discovery Center. If you park at the trailhead, you will need an adventure pass. Alternately, you can take advantage of the free parking at the center and walk to the trailhead. This will add a 1-mile to your hike.

The hike is a steady climb while you gain about 1400-feet of elevation. It gets harder towards the top due to rough-rocky terrain. But you can start enjoying great views of the lake and the snow-covered mountains around the 2-mile marker.

The Cougar Crest trail joins the Pacific Crest Trail at the 2.5-mile point and takes you the rest of the way to Bertha Peak.

At the Peak, you have an unobstructed view of the mountains, valley, and lake below. Take a picnic, relax and enjoy the view.

Pine Knot Trail

For another great view of Big Bear Lake, take this 7.5-mile trail to Grand View Point. With an elevation gain of over 1000 feet, it is not an easy hike – but very rewarding.

Along the way, enjoy the wildflowers, oaks, and pines and an occasional view of the lake. At the top, you can see the San Gorgonio wilderness and Catalina Island.

For quick gratification, you can skip most of the hike and find directions to Grand View Point via Skyline Drive.

Other summer activities

If you are not into hiking, you can still have fun in the summer with activities like ziplining, bobsledding or just taking a scenic chairlift ride.

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain

During the summer months take a ride on the chairlift to the top then come down on the bobsleds or a water slide. If you prefer you can try the go-karts and the miniature golf.

In the winter months slide down the snow-covered slopes on an innertube.  

Snow Play

Winter is here and the kids are screaming for you to take them to the snow. Where would you take them?

You have several options:

You can stop along the way to Big Bear and find a good spot for sliding. But be warned, those spots are rare and parking places are almost impossible to find. Many popular spots are actually off-limits – but people use them anyway. Bring your own inner tube or slid.

You can try one of the official snow play areas. In my opinion, they are the safest places to have fun in the snow, but they are usually expensive.

Expect to pay around $35 per person. Everyone in your group has to pay – whether they are sliding or not.

Alpine Slide snow play has the advantage of offering an escalator to the top – so you can avoid the long and exhausting climb. Inner tubes are provided.

Alternatively, you can go to Big Bear Lake and find a more peaceful and safe area – for free. Try any picnic area or campground. My favorite is next to Serrano Campground (this is also close to the Discovery Center). This place doesn’t have steep hills, but it has lots of snow. It also overlooks the frozen lake - offering great views of the lake and the mountains.

Dining

Although Big Bear is a mountain resort city, it is big enough to have many dining options from Fast Food chains to fancy restaurants. Over the years we tried many of those establishments. Here are my favorites:

The Pines Lakefront

This restaurant made it my list primarily for the view overlooking the lake. The food is ok, and the service is excellent.

On the last visit, we started with Tempora fantail shrimp and Jalapeno Poppers. For the main course, we tried the Tilapia dinner on mashed potatoes and the St. Louis Ribs. The fish was excellent, but the ribs were just OK.

The wine list is extensive with great selections. The open bar can make any drink you desire.
All in all, it was a very pleasant experience.

Teddy Bear Restaurant

An excellent place for breakfast. The portions are large and tasty. We ordered the Veggie and Cheddar omelet and the Teddy Bear Benedict. Both were extra delicious and satisfying. We had leftovers for the next day.

The place gets very crowded in the morning so expect to wait for your table. They also only accept cash.

Himalayan Restaurant

For classic Indian cuisine, go to the Himalayan. You can’t go wrong with traditional dishes like Curry, Tandoori, or Masala. For something unique, try their butter chicken and the mellow momo appetizers (dumplings). Vegetarians will be pleased with the large selection of veggie-only dishes.

Laguna Grill Restaurant

To satisfy your Mexican food cravings, visit this restaurant on the lake. They offer traditional Mexican dishes plus a daily happy hour and $1 Taco Tuesdays. If you have someone in your group that does not like Mexican food, they can find a few items like a club sandwich and a French dip sandwich.

Oakside

Oakside restaurant serves American dishes with beers and cocktails – with nice outdoor seating. Some outdoor tables have a fire pit. The menu has items to satisfy any taste. From appetizers to share to sandwiches to full entrée items.

While visiting for lunch, we tried the fish and chips with roasted Brussel sprouts and the Lobster pizza. There basil and berry cocktail is a must.

Fast food and chains

If you are in a hurry or want to visit something familiar, you can find places like Burger King, Taco Bell, and McDonald's or casual dining places like Sizzler.

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Big Bear Discovery Center

40971 North Shore Drive (Highway 38)

Fawnskin, CA 92333

(909) 382-2843

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain

Snow play, Alpine Slide, Go-carts, Waterslide

800 Wildrose Lane

Big Bear Lake, Ca 92315

Pine Knot Marina

Boat rentals, boat tours, Jet Skiis, Parasailing

439 Pine Knot Blvd

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

(909) 866-7766

Scenic Sky Chair Rides – at snow summit

Take the sky chair to the top of the mountain. Enjoy the views, hike or bike down to the base. Enjoy a BBQ at the top. This is not available during Ski season.

880 Summit Blvd

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

909-866-5766

California is known for the gold rush, which caused many prospectors to head west to strike it rich. But California also experienced a black gold rush when oil (petrol) was discovered.

Brea started as a village for oil field workers, but when the oil boom became the oil bust, Brea became a citrus producer with orange and lemon fields instead of drilling fields.

You can still see some oil drills on the hills above Brea, but they are dwindling. 

Over the years, Brea turned into an important retail center because of the large Brea Mall, several mini-malls, and the recently redeveloped Brea Downtown. 

Read more about Brea's history here.  

Main Attractions

Brea Downtown

Brea's downtown area underwent a major revitalization project in the 2000s and became a meeting place for Brea residents and visitors for the food and the entertainment.

You can enjoy a movie at Edwards Theaters, or catch a comedy show at the Improve or just take a stroll between the shops and restaurants.

Downtown has a large variety of cuisine to satisfy every taste.

Some of the amazing restaurants that I love here are Bruxie, Elbows Mac n' Cheese and Roll Em Up Taquitos, Cha cha's Latin kitchen and Bruno's Italian kitchen, TAPS fish house, Yard house, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, and Izakaya. 

There's also ample parking, whether on the street or in the parking structures.

Not Another Escape Room

If you love the challenge of escape rooms, you will love this one where your objective is not to escape - but to find the clues, solve the puzzles, and complete the objective before time runs out.

And if you love science fiction, pick the Time Machine Room. When you enter, you are informed that the time machine's inventor went missing.

Your mission is to investigate this disappearance, locate the missing scientist and prove once and for all if time travel is even possible.

Brea Improv

Who doesn’t like to laugh? If you love comedy, the Brea Improv is a good place to bust your gut.

I recently went with my wife to watch a specific comedian, but we were surprised by the long lineup of acts – both local and visiting.

The Brea Improv has a 500-seat showroom with a nice theater for the performers. The back wall is electronic and can adapt based on the show.

Read more about the Improv here.

Shopping

Shopping, of course! With the Brea Mall occupying more than a million square feet and full of major stores like Macy's and Nordstrom, you must spend some time here. 

Besides the big-name store, you can find plenty of boutique shops, electronics, games, and restaurants.

A large food court offers a sampling of world foods for every taste.

The Outdoors

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy several parks like Sports Park, Arovista Park, Craig Regional Park, Tri-City Park. Close to the city, you can visit Carbon Canyon and Chino Hills parks. 

Brea Sports Park

This is a large park with a play area, ball fields, walking, and hiking trails. The play area is divided for children 2-5 years of age and 5-12 years. 

It is the perfect park for kids who love slides, climbing steps, climb-up poles, and walls. The ground is made from foamy cushion rubber, protecting kids from most falls. 

There is a lot of shade on the playground and the parking lot.
Note: The field use is prioritized for Brea-based organizations through arrangements with the Community Services Department.

Arovista Park

Arovista is another large park in Brea Featuring play areas, barbecues, picnic tables, restrooms, baseball diamond, soccer fields, volleyball court, amphitheater, concession stand, football field, and basketball courts. It is lighted so that you can enjoy night games.

Giant Birch trees help keep this park shaded for more enjoyable hot days. The park also has a lot of room for walking and jogging.

Craig Regional Park

This park is managed by Orange County and is characterized by rolling hills, a large variety of trees, a small lake, three year-round creeks, and a rose garden. 

The park offers many walkways, playgrounds, picnic tables and park benches, bicycling, and hiking/walking trails.

A three-acre lake is visited by many annual migratory birds - and Fishing is allowed with a License. You can also launch model radio-controlled sailboats.

Six picnic shelters and two group areas provide shade with tables and barbecues. In addition, there are picnic tables and barbeques scattered throughout the facility.

The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including three softball fields, one baseball field, jogging trails, and a sports complex with basketball, volleyball, racquetball/handball courts and horseshoe pits. 

Tri-City Park

The park is officially in the city of Placentia, but it borders Brea and Yorba Linda. 

A variety of recreational opportunities, including bicycling, walking, model sailboating, Fishing, and playgrounds, are available.  

An 8-acre lake gives the park a natural beauty and attracts many migratory birds along with the ducks and geese. 

Fishing for catfish and bluegill is allowed with a California Fish and Game License. Launching of model radio-controlled sailboats is also permitted.

When I used to work in Brea, I used to bring my bag lunch here and enjoy a peaceful and relaxing meal on the lake before going back to the grind of work.

Dining

Yes, you can eat in Brea Downtown or at the Brea Mall, but the dining scene in Brea is not limited to those places. Some of my favorite restaurants are scattered around town.

Cheesecake Factory

This one is on the Brea Mall grounds but detached. At the factory, we come for the cheesecake, but we stay for the great food and drinks. 

This is by far my favorite restaurant chain, and the menu is so huge it requires some studying before ordering.

They offer sandwiches, steak and seafood, flatbread and pizza, and pasta dishes.

The dessert menu is phenomenal. You can start with the traditional cheesecake, but be adventurous and try oreo® dream extreme, cinnabon®, cinnamon swirl, or even the low carb cheesecake.

El Torito Grill

Before you even order, they bring you freshly cooked tortilla or chips with three different types of salsa and sweet butter. 

Their margaritas are excellent too, but if you prefer something different, they have a selection of cocktails. 

Some of my favorite dishes here are the Fajita, Shrimp Enchiladas, and any of their combos.     

For dessert, you can pick deep-fried ice cream, berry tostada, or Mexican flan.

The beautiful park (its Spanish translation) is a small city on the edge of Orange County and bordering LA county.

It is primarily a residential area with single-family homes, but its claim to fame is the entertainment zone that includes Knott’s Berry Farm amusement parks, Pirates Dinner Adventure, Medieval Times, and a few upscale restaurants.

Let’s start with Buena Park’s E-Zone.

The Entertainment Zone

Knott’s Berry Farm

It all started as a berries stand next to a family farm in Orange County, CA. Soon the Knott family added preserves and pies, then the famous Mrs. Knott’s chicken restaurant. To keep customers waiting to be seated entertained, the Knott’s added shops and attractions and later built a ghost town.

Now the property is owned by a major entertainment company and has grown into a major theme park with several themed towns and many rides to satisfy every taste.

On our recent visit to Knott’s, the kids and I had a blast. We went on a Friday, and we were lucky that the park was not crowded. We went on many rides, and we could ride more than once on some of the popular ones. 

The most popular rides are Bigfoot Rapids, Pony Express, Ghost Rider, and the Silver Bullet. 

There is also an area dedicated to the younger kids.

You can read the whole Knott’s guide here. 

8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 

Pirates Dinner Adventure

The name says it all—a great place to watch a pirate show and enjoy dinner. 

The show was excellent and performed mostly on a huge 18th-century Spanish galleon anchored in a 250,000-gallon indoor lagoon.

It was also interactive, with my wife and two kids selected to participate in one of the races. Many other children were chosen from other activities, and they were thrilled to be pirates for a day.

The three-course meal served with the show was very good and filling.
You can read more about Pirates Dinner Adventure here  

7600 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA

Medieval Times

Going to Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament feels like stepping back in time to an age of castles, kings, knights and stallions, battles of honor and chivalry, and great duels to the death. 

If you enjoy movies like The Sword in the Stone or shows like Merlin, then you will feel at home in this medieval 11th-century castle. 

The show is a big production with as many as 75 actors, 20 horses, a lot of weapons, and a large arena. 

During the tournament, you witness awesome sword fights, jousting matches, and falconer showing off the grace and obedience of her Falcon. 

As for the food, when we decided to visit Medieval Times, we weren’t expecting a gourmet meal, but we were pleasantly surprised with a good and filling meal.

Read more about Medieval Times here.

7662 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 

Outdoor Recreation

The city of Buena Park has several open spaces for outdoor activities, including the Ralph B. Clark regional park – a large space with lakes, picnic areas, playgrounds, and hiking trails.

Ralph B. Clark regional park 

The parklands range from large open grass areas to gently rolling hills of native plants to sheer sandstone cliffs to the north.

For sports enthusiasts, the park offers sand volleyball courts, three softball fields, and a baseball diamond and tennis courts.

The park also has an interactive center that allows the visitor to explore the prehistoric history of Orange County through displays, programs, and guided tours.

More about the park here.

8800 Rosecrans Ave, Buena Park, CA

Dining

Dining in Buena Park is an adventure where you can discover cuisines from around the world. You can enjoy dinner and show, upscale restaurants, hole-in-the-wall places, and of course, fast food if that is your desire.

Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong (Korean Bbq)

Orange County is full of Korean Bbq restaurants, so it is hard to decide where to go. 

But I think I found the perfect place to try Korean Bbq. 

Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong is located inside a mostly Korean strip mall in Buena Park.

Every table in this place has a grill in middle. As you are seated, you will notice that the table is already full of appetizers and condiments around the grill. 

The best way to experience this place is to order a combo of meats for the whole table. 

For the two of us, we order the beef combo, which came with Thinly Sliced Brisket, Prime Marinated Beef, Prime Boneless Short Rib, Soybean Paste, and Kimchi Stew.

The best thing about this experience is that the waiter will grill the meat for you to perfection. Of course, you can do the grilling yourself if you are so inclined.

We devoured our beef with a large selection of sides including kimchi, boiled potato slicked with sugar and soy, fish cake noodles, sheets of rice paper, and a bean sprout salad.

The meal was satisfying, the service excellent, and the price very reasonable.

The restaurant we visited is in Buena Park, but they also have a location in Los Angeles.

5171 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621

Ozen Sushi

A little shack in a residential area is hard to miss, but if you love Sushi, you must stop here.

Ozen offers a large selection of rolls, Sushi, Sashimi, and hand-rolls – ala-cart and all-you-can-eat. Everything is fresh and tasty.

We usually get the all-you-can-eat option and try new things along with our favorites. During our last visit, we tried the Ozen roll, Crunch roll, rainbow roll, and salmon and tuna sushi. We also had crunch and spicy tuna hand-rolls. All came out as expected and mouth-watering.

For dessert, we enjoyed several flavors of their ice cream macarons. Our favorites were green tea and mango.

While visiting, you can also try their selection of Japanese beers and Saki.

If you prefer you can order from the extensive menu with Bento boxes and non-sushi items. All bento boxes come with rolls, tempura, and miso soup.

7185 Lincoln Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620

Outback Steakhouse

Steak lovers can’t miss this American Cuisine restaurant. The steaks are cooked just right and the service is excellent.

For starters, we ordered their famous bloomin’ onion and coconut shrimp. Both were very tasty.

For our main courses, we tried steak with unlimited shrimp, baby-back ribs, halibut, and the Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

We completed our meal with the “Chocolate Thunder from Down Under” – a delight of pecan brownie topped, vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.

7575 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Claim Jumper

If you love traditional American cuisine and especially steak and potato, this place is for you.

It used to be difficult to find a table here due to long waits, but recently they started to take reservations. 

Some of the delicious selections here are classic cheeseburger, chicken pot pie, meatloaf & mashed potatoes, bbq baby back ribs, and prime center-cut filet.

On a recent visit, we tried the ribs, chicken Pot Pie, and the Country Fried Steak. We loved every choice.

The service was also excellent. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. He made us feel welcome.

We ended our meal with a scrumptious Berry Butter Cake.

School Food

Usually whenever I hear “School Food” I cringe. It mostly brings back bad memories. But this Korean restaurant changed my mind. I wonder if Korean kids actually eat this food at school.

The place offers tasty dishes like Spicy Ramen, Soup Topokki, Spam Rolls, Kimchi Fried Rice, and Mari Special Roll. If you are very hungry or ordering for a group, try the Combo Roll.

This restaurant is located on the 3^rd floor of the newest mall in OC – The Source.

6940 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621

 

Shopping

Until recently, the Buena Park mall was the only shopping area worth mentioning. But several new hot spots opened up with unique shopping and entertainment offerings.

Buena Park Mall and Krikorian Theaters

This place used to be the hob of shopping and fun in Buena Park and still offers a lot of great places.

You have the two main anchor stores, Sears and Walmart, with many unique shops in between. 

Several restaurants are located inside the mall and around, offering many dining options. 

In the mall, you can visit Buffalo Wild Wings, Aburi Sushi, and John’s Incredible Pizza (and arcade).

Around the mall, you can dine and places like Olive Garden, Chillies, and Asia Buffet.

Krikorian Multiplex, with 18 theaters, is always showing the latest movies and comfortable reclining seats, and great sound.

8390 La Palma Ave, Buena Park, CA

The Source

The source is the newest addition to Buena Park’s shopping experience. The multilevel mall is full of shops and restaurants with a primarily Korean feel. They even have a K-Pop music store with album sales and merchandise.

CGV cinema shows the latest mainstream movies along with foreign films. You can enjoy some movies while experiencing 4DX. 

The 4DX experience allows films to be augmented with various practical effects, including motion seats, wind, strobe lights, simulated snow, and scents.

6940 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA

Beach Galleria Mall

This mini-mall has a unique collection of stores and restaurants. If you love Japanese and Korean cuisine and merchandise, you must visit this place.

Some of the great places here are 85-degree bakery, Baekjeong Korean Bbq, Sup Noodle Bar, H Mart, and Daiso Japan (Variety).

Note: South La Mirada rd splits the mall into two sections. The stores mentioned here are in the north section.

5171 County Hwy N8, Buena Park, CA 

Wherever I go, I am always on the lookout for new adventures. From the tame to the wild: skiing; 4wheeling (Off-road/ATV); surfing; Air Combat; Glider Rides; Canyoneering; just to name a few. This section will provide information about all of those activities and more.

Here is a list of my favorite adventure activities and places in California. You may have to drive an hour or more to get to some of those locations, but they are worth the time and effort. See the specific pages for more details about those places.

4wheeling (Off-road/ATV)

• ATV rental - Palm Springs area (Ocotillo Wells) 
• Off-Road - Hummer or Jeep 
• Joshua Tree National Park Jeep Adventure
• San Andreas Fault Small-Group Jeep Tour from Palm Springs.

Books about adventures in California

• Anza-borrego Desert Region: A Guide to State Park & Adjacent Areas of the Western Colorado Desert
• Fodor's Southern California 2009: with Central Coast, Yosemite, Los Angeles, and San Diego (Fodor's Gold Guides)
• Southern California SUV Trails: A Rough-road Guide to Thirty-two Interesting Four-wheeling
• Excursions in the Western Mojave Desert
• Where to Go Really 4 Wheeling in California

Wild Adventures

Scenic Zeppelin Flight in Monterey

If you've ever sat on a bench by the ocean, enjoying the salty air, watching the birds wheeling above and wishing you could join them, then our Monterey Bay coastal Zeppelin flight is the experience for you! Fly high above Monterey Bay, Pebble Beach, Carmel by the Sea and more on this scenic zeppelin ride in Northern CA! 

Zipline Catalina

A short boat ride away you can visit Avalon in Catalina and try the Eco Zipline Tour. It is a thrilling experience with breathtaking views. Read about it here.

Air Combat

Experience what it's like to be engaged in real aerial combat. What a fun thing to do, flying over sunny California in a retro fighter aircraft - or over the Nevada desert. Three locations: Fullerton, San Diego and Las Vegas. 

ATV and Dirt Bikes

Be a daredevil for a day and experience the California desert like never before. Choose from a variety of ATVs or Dirt Bikes. You can also find ATVs for the young ones. See the detailed article about My favorite places for ATV fun:

• Ocotillo Wells
• Oceano Dunes
• Palm Springs

Airplane Tours

Relax in your seat and enjoy an aerial view of the most famous landmarks, cities and beaches. Your expert tour guide will tell you everything you want to know about the views. 

Balloon Rides

This is a must in my opinion. Nothing beats the feeling of floating up slowly and watching the land recede under you. The excitement grows as you gain altitude and your horizon expands. 

Bike Tours

If you are willing to drive a little away from Anaheim, you get to choose from several guided tours in the San Diego area. Some tours are geared towards families with young children and others are more adventurous. My favorite is the La Jolla Plunge Bike Tour (mostly downhill).

Bungee Jumping Off Bridge To Nowhere

Imagine standing on the edge of a bridge with steep canyon walls rising above you. Looking down at the raging water ten stories below, you hear the encouragement of your friends standing next to you as the countdown begins. This is the ultimate thrill of bungee jumping in Southern California.

Canyoneering

Imagine hiking up a mountain trail that parallels a deep canyon, where down below you hear water flowing over the rocky canyon bottom. You reach a point where the trail crosses the stream. After donning your repelling gear, you begin descent alongside the waterfall and down to the canyon. You may have to swim or wade through streams.  

Glider Flights

After you go soarin' over California at California Adventure, you may want to experience the real thing. Here is your chance to soar over San Diego County. Set, relax and enjoy your quiet  

Helicopter Tours

Here is another way to experience Southern California from the air. Take off from downtown LA and head towards Hollywood or enjoy a bird's eye view of the coast. If you are really adventurous, ask for your turn to fly the bird.  

Indoor Skydiving

Ever wanted to jump out of a high flying airplane and experience the sensation of falling? Well, now you can experience most of the thrill of skydiving without the risks. You first take a quick skydiving lesson, then you get outfitted with your gear, then you jump into the vertical wind tunnel. The wind pushes upwards giving you the feeling of flying. Instructors are on hand to help achieve your flight. This is a family-friendly adventure. Bring the kids to enjoy their first flight. Read more here.

Jet Skis

It is like riding a motorcycle or an ATV but on water. On hot summer days, being on the water might much more attractive than the desert. 

Paragliding:

This is the ultimate in human flight. You get to wear your wings, give yourself a running start, then jump and soar using the wind as your only motor. This adventure is dependent on weather conditions, so call ahead to confirm that your flight is on. 

Snorkeling

Step into an alien world and get close and personal with the creatures that live under the sea. Seaworld in San Diego is a great way to get introduced to sea life, but if you want real interaction take a snorkeling guided tour. One of the best places for Snorkelling is Catalina Island.

Surfing

Learn surfing from the pros. Take a private class, group class or join a surf camp. Many locations to pick from including the world famous Huntington Beach. For beginner waves, head to Dana Point or San Clemente.

Rock Climbing

Another adventure that can be enjoyed by the whole family. You can start by taking a class at an indoor climbing facility. Then head to one of the most popular rock climbing spots in the world: Joshua Tree National Park. 

Ocean Fishing

Going ocean fishing is not easy when you don't have the right equipment. So leave to the pros to set you up with your gear and find the right location for you. Some of the best fishing can be had around Catalina Island, Newport Beach and Dana Point.

Catalina Island is a short boat ride from Los Angeles or Orange counties, but very far off in ambiance and charm. You can very easily forget you are in California and let your imagination take you to a Mediterranean Island. 

Visiting the island today, it is hard to believe that it was established as a home for Native American tribes and later as a beef ranch. The development of Catalina into its current status as a tourist destination happened in waves. The person with the biggest influence on the island’s development was the chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. He purchased the majority of the island around 1919 and got to work improving it. 

In 1975 Wrigley’s son Phillip handed his shares of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, which now owns 88% of the island and is in charge of Catalina’s conservation, education, and recreation.
For a more detailed history of the islands go to Wikipedia.

Catalina’s climate is considered very mild. The temperatures vary between 64 and 75 Fahrenheit throughout the year – with some cold spells in winter and warmer highs in the summer.

Catalina Lore: The last time it snowed in Catalina was in 1949. 

Getting There

The most affordable way to get to the Island is by boat service from several ports. You can take the Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer for about $75 round trip.

A more expensive way is to hire a Helicopter for around $250 round trip. The rich and famous can fly into the Airport in the Sky or use their own boats and yachts.  

On my most recent trip, I went with Catalina Express from Long Beach. They also have service from San Pedro and Dana Point. The long beach terminal is very nice with convenient multilevel parking. The trip on their boats takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. See more here.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun. The boat departs slowly from the Long Beach Landing with great views of the Long Beach skyline, Shoreline Aquatic Park and Shoreline Village. Then you will pass by the Queen Mary and might catch a glimpse of a cruise ship preparing for departure.

The boat then heads to Catalina at full speed. During the trip, you can get some refreshments and snacks from the fully stocked bar.
For an additional $15, one way, you can enjoy priority boarding and the Commodore lounge with complimentary drinks and leather-trimmed seating.

As you approach Catalina you will first notice the cloud-covered mountains – and as you get closer you will see the city of Avalon with its famous landmarks. The most iconic is the round Casino building that never had any gambling.

To the left side of Avalon, you can spot the Wrigley mansion where William lived with his wife Ada in the early 1930s. Straight ahead you can see the beaches and the Green Pleasure Pier.

Cabrillo Mole pier is usually your starting point for your visit. When you first disembark from your ferry, the first thing you will see is a lot of fishermen.

You should also notice the Catalina Adventure Tours sign on your way out. If you haven’t already planned your stay on the island, you can stop at this tour operator and book a Glass Bottom Boat tour, a Submarine tour, or an inland adventure.
 Another major outfitter on the Island is the Santa Catalina Island Company. They have many ticket booths throughout the town and offer great adventures. More about the adventures and attractions later.

Where to stay

Although you can visit Catalina just for a day, to really explore the island you will need to spend several days.

Many lodging options are available. You can stay at one of the hotels right on the main street on the beachfront. This main thoroughfare is called Crescent Street and is mainly a pedestrian walkway. The hotels there are very convenient for beachgoers and families with kids. If your goal is to relax and enjoy the town and the beach, then those hotels are for you. 

Another option is to stay at one of the Bed and Breakfast Inns sprinkled around town.
For the adventurers who are planning to get close and personal with nature, several campgrounds are available throughout the island.

My favorite way to relax and enjoy the island is to stay at a vacation rental away from the busy downtown.

Hamilton Cove Villas

We recently stayed at Hamilton Cove Villas and loved every minute of our stay. The villas are a luxury gated community that is located about 1.5 miles from the heart of Avalon. Each villa comes with a complimentary golf cart to help you get around during your stay.

Our villa had 2 bedrooms, 1.75 bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. 

The master bedroom was very large with an attached office/lounge area and a master bathroom with a luxurious bathtub. The villas also had a washer and dryer, BBQs, and flat-screen TVs.
The kitchen had a large refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, and dishwasher. It was well stocked with utensils, pots, pans, and dishes.

The best part for me was the stunning ocean views from every window and from the large balcony surrounding the property. The balcony had a table and chairs which we used to enjoy breakfast while admiring the scenery around us.

The property also offers a shared spa, pool, and tennis courts.

Unlike hotels, maid service is not included automatically in your reservations. This is not an issue for short stays, but be prepared to do your own laundry and clean up after yourself for longer stays. If you can't live without maid service, you can request it for an additional fee.

Although you can walk down to the center of town, it is not recommended. The villas are situated on the slopes around Hamilton Cove, so climbing back up would be very strenuous and time-consuming.
Hamilton Cove is managed by Catalina Island Vacation Rentals (CIVR). You can view available properties and book your villa here.

Things to do in Catalina

Take a walk through Avalon

Avalon’s waterfront is full of shops and restaurants. Depending on your preference, you can spend hours enjoying the views, browsing through the shops, or dining on the beach.

This walk starts from Cabrillo Mole pier and follows the curve of Avalon Bay all the way to Descanso Beach. The seawall along the beach (aka Serpent Wall) shows beautiful murals depicting life in Catalina and telling tall tales about the sea. 

The main track is called Crescent Street. Along the way, you will pass by activity outfitters like bike rentals and parasailing. Then you will see families enjoying a day at the beach. The first beach has a pontoon that kids can swim to and jump off.

Next on your walk is the Green Pleasure Pier. The pier is your launch point for many water activities like paddle boats, kayaking, and glass-bottom boats. It is also home to several casual restaurants.

On the left side, you can browse through the many boutique shops offering resort fashion, artwork, and souvenirs. You also pass by Island Spa where you can get a massage, soak in a pool or get a hot sand therapy.

Crescent connects to Casino way through the famous “Via Casino Arch“. Continue your walk along Casino Way enjoying the commanding view of the round building. The casino was just a gathering place and was never used for gambling. It has a large ballroom on the second floor and a movie theater. It is also home to the Catalina Museum.

 The casino facade showcases 3 large murals and the interior walls have the original Art Deco murals by John Gabriel Beckman. A guided tour is available for a fee and runs 3 times starting at 11:45 am. The 40-minute tour costs $12. 

After your visit to the Casino, continue on to Descanso beach club. The club is a private business that offers water activities, cabanas, bars, and restaurants. But the beach itself is open to the public. If you rent one of their cabanas or beach chairs you can also enjoy drinks and food delivered to the sand. Because it is a private facility, alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach. 

Descanso Beach is also the starting point of one of Catalina’s most exciting adventures: Zip-lines. More about the Zip-Line adventure later.

Discover Avalon Tour

If you are visiting Catalina Island for the first time, consider going on the Discover Catalina tour. This tour takes you to the most popular spots in and around Avalon. Many of those points of interest offer stunning views of the town below, the ocean, and the distant mainland shore.

Some of the tour highlights: are Hillside Homes, Zipline Tour entrance, Beautiful Wrigley Home, Mt. Ada, and wildlife along the route.

Our driver, Carlos, was Friendly, funny and Knowledgeable about Avalon and Local History. 

Taste of Catalina Food Tour

Another great way to explore Avalon is to take this 3-hour foodie tour. You get to try good food and drinks and learn about Catalina's history and culture.

We met our guide, Lili, at the waterfront in front of Steve’s Steakhouse. Lili gave us a quick introduction to the various people who called the island home and the founding of Avalon. 

We started our culinary experience at Steve’s Steakhouse where we enjoyed a savory tomato soup, coconut shrimp, and a tender marinated steak.

During the tour, we enjoyed 5 more tastes and a ton of information. Lili was very informative and entertaining. 

My favorites were: The coconut shrimp at Steve’s; The orange chicken at Ning’s Chinese Garden; The Dark Chocolate/Pistachios bars; Clam Chowder and exclusive beer at Bluewater Avalon; and the Salted Carmel Ice Cream float at C.C. Gallagher.

Towards the end of the tour we were so full, that we had to ration our tasting. We just couldn’t eat everything that was offered.

At Ning’s Chinese Garden, we played the Fortune Cookie game with Lili. Each person had to say their fortune while adding “ … in bed” at the end. Needless to say, there were a lot of comical situations.

We were so impressed with Bluewater’s food and location we went back the following day for lunch. 

In future visits, we are planning to go back to CC Gallagher to enjoy their Sushi and Artwork. We will also have a full meal at Ning’s Chinese Garden.

The tour costs $89 for adults and is worth every penny. They also offer a happy hour tour for $69. Get more info here.

Rent a bike

Another way to enjoy Catalina is by bike. You can rent a bike from several shops in Avalon and ride your bike around town. The town is mostly on level ground until you get to the surrounding hills. If you want to explore up those hills, consider getting an eclectic bike or a Golf Cart.

If you are planning to do some biking through the wildlands you can contact Bike Catalina and get a shuttle ride to the airport. Then you can bike back to Avalon. The trails are mostly downhill with several steep inclines – especially towards the beginning of the trip. Go here for details.

Water activities

If you are looking for something more adventurous than a day on the beach, then try parasailing, kayaking, paddle boats, scuba, and snuba diving.

A lot of those activities can be booked and started from the green pleasure pier. You can just rent the equipment and have fun on your own, or you can join a guided tour for Kayaking or scuba diving. Kayak tours can last several hours and lets you explore hard-to-reach beaches and coves. 

If you want to scuba dive on your own, Avalon city set aside an area next to the Casino for this purpose – called the Underwater Park. Concrete steps take you down all the way into the water for a convenient start.

Snorkeling is very popular in Catalina due to the calm clear waters around the Island. You can rent snorkeling equipment and go exploring on your own or you can join a guided snorkel tour and get some useful information and instructions from the experts.
One of the highly-rated outfitters is Catalina Snorkel & Scuba. Check out their info, ratings, and review at Trip Advisor.

Zipline adventure

 A great way to get your adrenaline going without venturing too far into Catalina wildlands.
The adventure is run by the Santa Catalina Island Company and starts behind Descanso Beach.

After checking in, you get outfitted with your equipment and you get a quick lesson on zip-lining. If you need to store belongings before the tour, plenty of free lockers are available. A shuttle then takes you up a winding road through the hills to the highest platform of the ride.

There are 5 Zip-lines between 6 wooden platforms going all the way from the top hill down to the beach. Each Zipline has a different personality. Some are short and fast and other are long with great views. One of the runs took us close to 40 miles per hour – what a rush!

The guides were excellent. Mike and Deny were very friendly and informative. They filled our experience with jokes and tidbits about the area. The tour is billed as an Eco tour, which means you are supposed to get a lot of information about the environment, animals, and plants. Thankfully, the guides asked us how much “Eco” we wanted during the tour and tailored the tour according to our wishes.

If you are not the adventurous type, stay away from this ride. You will basically be suspended from a steel wire and propelled from one platform to the next by the force of gravity. If on the other hand, you decided to take the plunge then you need to trust the equipment and the guides.

The harness and Carabiner used are in excellent shape and can hold a lot of weight. The guides kept double-checking and tightening the harness before every run.

Once you overcome your fears and take the first leap you will relax and enjoy the views. From the platform or while sliding down the line you can see the beach far below and the Casino building in the distance. You will probably also spot some kayaks, speed boats, and parasails.

The Zip-line tour takes around 2 hours and costs around $109. Look for discounts at their website here.

East End adventure

This is a great way to get introduced to Catalina Island. It is a tour on dirt roads through the hills surrounding Avalon - riding an open Hummers. The tour is operated by Santa Catalina Island Company and starts from Tour Plaza - a few blocks from the beaches.

I arrived early and waited in the covered seats while enjoying the most delicious ice cream from Lloyd's of Avalon Confectionery. Several tours and activities start from this tour plaza.  

A few minutes before the tour we climbed on the huge hummer and were handed cold water bottles and blankets. The blankets may be needed at the higher elevations due to wind and colder weather.

Our adventure started by driving through narrow Avalon streets and with a continuous stream of information about Catalina. Our guide was really knowledgeable about the history and the environment. He pointed out some important landmarks like The Wrigley Mansion; which is now called the Inn on Mt. Ada; Green Pleasure Pier; The Tuna Club – a fishing club; Cabrillo Pier – where the ferry’s land; The main port where Catalina gets most of its supplies.

Along the way, we saw the only gas station in Catalina with shocking gas prices approaching $8 a gallon.
Heading up higher we left the main road and started on the dirt road through the wilderness. Most of Catalina Island is considered wildlands and it is protected by the Catalina Conservancy. The Conservancy owns close to 88% of the land and is responsible for keeping it pristine and protecting the flora and fauna.  

As we climbed higher we started to notice the breathtaking views of the ocean from almost every direction. At one of the stops, we were able to see Avalon from a high vantage point. It was a great place to pose for photos.
It is a good thing we were in a hummer. The road is very steep and bumpy at times, but it is worth every minute.

Along the way, we caught glimpses of red-tailed hawks, Catalina (midget) foxes, a lot of squirrels, and bald eagles. The foxes are especially cute. They looked like a cross between cats and dogs.

Catalina Lore: Catalina is famous for its Bison (aka Buffalo). The North American Bison was brought to the island in 1920 as a prop for a Hollywood movie. When filming was done, it was cheaper to leave the Bison roaming the island.

On the way back we passed by some of the popular hiking trails like Hermit Gulch and Garden to Sky Hike. Those hikes start from Avalon and cross the dirt roads at the top. More about hiking later.
We also passed by several campgrounds, the Conservancy’s headquarters, and the water reservoir which is protected with the largest pool cover I have ever seen.

After 2 hours full of excitement and adventure we returned to the Tour Plaza and thanked our guide for a great trip. I will definitely be returning to try more adventures with the Santa Catalina Island Company. See tour details here http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/activities-adventures/land/east-end-adventure.

Hiking Catalina

I love hiking and Catalina is a haven for hikers from every level. You can find easy hikes from less than a mile long to very strenuous hikes that are 37 miles long.

Some of the hikes start from Avalon but the majority require some kind of transportation inland or to the other side of the Island. 

One way to get to the hikes on the windward (west) side of the island is to take the Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro directly to Two Harbors.

Here is a list of the most popular hikes.

Hermit Gulch

This hike starts from the Hermit Gulch Campground in Avalon. You can walk up Avalon Canyon Road to get to the trailhead at the campground.

The trail is around 1.7 miles but it is a steep climb 1200 feet high. Your effort is rewarded with amazing views of Avalon and the ocean. Once you reach the top - at East Road - turn left and continue for a little while on East Road. Look to the right. You will be rewarded with a great view of the west end (windward).

This part of the trail climbs gradually up to 1600 feet with commanding views of the ocean from both sides. At this point, you can turn back to retrace your steps or turn left to start climbing down back to Avalon. The turn left will take by the Inn at Mt. Ada (the old Wrigley Mansion). The full loop is close to 12 miles long.

Garden to Sky Hike

This is an easy hike and it starts from the Wrigley botanical gardens. You can start by hiking to the gardens – a 20 to 40-minute hike from Avalon depending on your pace – and spend some time at the botanical gardens.

You will need to buy a ticket for around $7 general admission.
While there you can also walk up a flight of stairs to visit the Wrigley Memorial.

The trailhead to the hike starts from the gardens – but if you prefer to avoid paying for the entrance fee, you can take the Hermit Gulch trail around it. The sky trailhead is hidden behind the stairs to the memorial.

Tips: You will need to obtain a free hiking permit from the Catalina Conservancy. Permits are available online, at the gardens ticket booth and at many locations throughout Avalon.

The hike to the top is 1.2 miles and takes you to a viewpoint from which you can see the ocean from both sides of the island. At this point, you can backtrack through the garden and to Avalon or you can continue on a 4-mile loop with more breathtaking views.

Trans-Catalina Trail

This hike is not for the casual hiker. It will take several days to complete and will take you through 37 miles of rough terrain. The East End is also accessible to bikers.

You can start your trek from the Hermit Gulch trail or from Renton Mine Road. The trail has 5 main nodes:

• Node 1: Avalon to Black Jack 
• Node 2: Black Jack to Little Harbor 
• Node 3: Little Harbors to Two Harbors 
• Node 4: Two Harbors to Parsons Landing 
• Node 5: Parsons Landing to Starlight Beach.

Read full details at the conservancy’s website here.

Guided Hikes

A great way to explore Catalina hiking trails is with an expert. Those hikes are offered during the summer by the Catalina Conservancy. Check schedules here.

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Some images were contributed by the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce.

Some images were contributed by the Santa Catalina Company.

Some images were contributed by Catalina Food Tours.

One of the newest additions to the State Parks system, Crystal cove, spans 3900 acres of hills, canyons, trails, and beaches.

The park is a haven for people wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of civilization in Orange County, California.

Visitors can spend a day at the beach, go for day hikes, ride their mountain bikes, enjoy backpacking, primitive wilderness camping, and Tent and RV camping.

At the newest addition to the park, the Moro campground, nature lovers can enjoy the restroom and shower facilities for a more relaxed camping experience.

The campground has tent and RV sites, connects to the beach via a tunnel, and offers direct access to the hiking trails.

Whether you are camping or just here for a day visit, you can try one of the 18-mile hiking trails through the canyons and Shaparal hills.

Start by getting a (map) of the park online or at the ranger station. There are too many trails to pick from and lots of chances to get lost.

​Read more about the trails here. 

The beaches can be accessed via several parking lots along Pacific Coast Highway.

Tip: Once you get a parking ticket, it is good for any State Park parking lot for the whole day.

​The beaches here are great for surfing, body surfing, rock climbing, and sea life exploration at the tide pools.

Read more about the beaches here. 

If you prefer a more active day at the beach but you don’t feel like going on a strenuous hike, you can take the pedestrian and bike trail overlooking the ocean. The trail has excellent views of the ocean and the beach below the bluffs.

As if the beaches and wilderness areas are not enough, the state park extends into the ocean with the Underwater Forest. A 1000-acre kelp forest offering divers amazing views of sea life.

Read more about the Underwater Forest here.

PCH Entrance

8471 N. Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-3539

Coastal Peak Park Entrance

20403 E Coastal Peak

Newport Coast, CA 92657

Dana Point is a small beach town in southern Orange County, California. It has one of the few harbors along the Orange County coast, with easy access via Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

The city is a popular destination for surfing, watersports, kayaking, swimming, hiking, and whale watching.
The Dana Point harbor is a busy place with many specialty shopping and dining experiences and the launching pad for many seafaring adventures. 

The harbor is also home to Baby Beach, with clam waters ideal for small children. While watching the kids play in the sand and the water, enjoy stunning cliffside panoramic views. 

Visitors can take to the harbor's waters in several ways, including private yacht and sailboat charters, sailing and diving lessons, parasailing trips, kayaks, Jetskiis, and watercraft rentals. 

The famed Catalina Express starts its regular service to the nearby resort area of Catalina Island. 

Special events hosted at the harbor throughout the year include a Festival of Whales, a Tall Ships Festival, and a Holiday Boat Parade.

The harbor also hosts the Ocean Institute, an ocean education organization offering ocean science and maritime history programs for K–12 students and their teachers. It is also open to the public and operates ocean discovery cruises.

Near the harbor, the rolling hills of Dana Point rise in all directions, with multimillion-dollar homes interspersed with hiking trails.  

The city was named after the headland of Dana Point, which was named after Richard Henry Dana, Jr., author of Two Years Before the Mast, which included a description of the area. 

Dana described the locale, including neighboring San Juan Capistrano, as "the only romantic spot on the coast".

The whole area is designated California Historical Landmark.

Dana Point Headlands

The headlands are what gave the city its name. The headlands are prominent hill jutting into the ocean and offering amazing views of the harbor and beaches below. 

The area is now a protected preserve with a nature interpretive center and hiking trails. 

The Center is small but informative, with historical, cultural, and natural history exhibits. 

A visit to the restrooms at the Center is a must because there are no facilities along the trails. 

The Interpretive Center is FREE and used to be open to the public between 10 am and 4 pm (every day except Monday).  

The main trail starts from the Center and winds through the headlands, with several viewpoints along the way. 
The trail is marked clearly with wire cable with warning signs about the protected area. Stay on the trail until it exits through an iron gate into a residential area. 

Don't be tricked like me into thinking that the trail ends at that gate. Keep going down the sloping road (Dana Strands Rd) and after you pass the houses, look for the trail to pick up to the left.

The trail then winds down a hill and into Strands Beach. You can turn back at that point or keep going and connect to the trail along Salt Creek Beach.

While walking through the headlands, take advantage of one of the viewpoints and try to spot whales and dolphins. 

The only restaurant on the headlands, Charter House, overlooks the harbor and offers excellent views of the ocean and a delicious meal.

The Ocean Institute

It is an ocean education organization offering ocean science and maritime history programs for K–12 students and their teachers. 

The Institute hosts many exhibits, aquariums, and hands-on exploration areas for kids of all ages to learn about marine life and the environment.

For me, the highlight was a cruise on the R/V Sea Explorer, a 70-foot marine science research vessel, to visit the dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. 

The exploration cruise was planned for 10 am, but early arrivals attended an educational talk about the trip by Captain Mike. Mike is also a biologist who studied Gray whales in Baja, California, and spent most of his life on the water. Read more about the cruise here.  

Salt Creek Beach

Salt Creek Park is located in the city of Dana Point, about 40 minutes from Anaheim. This beach is unique for several reasons: It is a long stretch of beaches (around 18 acres); It borders one of the luxury resorts (Ritz Carlton); It has a beautifully landscaped hill overlooking the beach – with picnic areas; It has a very good food stand, and it has an easy hiking trail.

You can enjoy this beach in any season. During colder days, take your breakfast/lunch with you, stake out a picnic area on the grass (or one of the marble tables) and enjoy your meal with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and surfers. Once you are done with your meal, you can take a leisurely hike on the sand or on the paved trail.

Read more here

Doheny State Beach

This State Beach is protected in the state park system of California, located in Dana Point. 

The beach located at the mouth of San Juan Creek, which flows from the Santa Ana Mountains southwest to the beach, where it forms a fresh-water lagoon.

The beach covers an area of 62 acres (25 ha) and includes a day-use surfing beach at the northern end, as well as campgrounds in its southern area. 

The beach has tide pools and a visitor center with several aquariums.

Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale-Watching Safaris

The waters of Southern California are full of Dolphins and Whales year-round, but springtime is the best time to visit them. The weather is beautiful, and you have the added bonus of spotting a few whales during their migration north to Alaska.

For our latest sea adventure, we went to Captain Dave’s Dolphin Safari off Dana Point. Captain Dave operates a smaller catamaran from Dana Point Harbor with a net bottom up front and two glass underwater observation pods.

Read more here

Catalina Express

The Catalina Express ferries operate from several Southern California locations, including Dana Point harbor. 
They offer fast regular trips to Avalon and Two Harbors on Catalina Island.

To learn more about our trips to Catalina, go here

Better known as Surf City, it boasts the longest uninterrupted stretch of beach on the West Coast. The city has a lot of attractions, parks, theaters, malls, and restaurants – but let’s faces it: the main attraction will always be the beach.

There are several beaches to choose from, each one with its own personality. Some of them are managed by the city and others are part of the State Park system.

Beaches

Huntington City Beach (and Pier)

The Pier @ Main Street is the most popular beach in HB. It is usually bustling – and for a good reason. A wide sandy beach, spotless with fire pits and barbeques. Excellent surf most days of the year and plenty of surfers making the best of it. 

If you love beach volleyball, you can either jump in and play a few games or watch various teams beating the ball around the net. 

On some days, it gets too crowded on this stretch of beach because of surfing or volleyball competitions. You can check out the calendar before you make your way here. 

Another reason why this area is so popular is that two concision stands on both sides of the pier. You can rent your beach equipment or find a tasty snack at Dwight's or Zack's. 

My favorite place is Zack’s because they have a large selection of bikes, surfboards, and bodyboards. They also have a good selection of snacks and sandwiches for the hungry. 

If you don’t feel like fast food, you can walk a few steps to several good restaurants. Two of them are right on the beach. Others are on Main Street.

Parking can be a challenge, especially on the weekend. If you get here early enough, you might be lucky to find a parking spot right on the beach. Otherwise, head to one of the parking structures around Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway - or part at Pacific City Mall.

Huntington Dog Beach

A paradise for dogs and dog lovers. It is located along Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint Ave and 21st Street, under a cliff. 

Even if you don’t own a dog, you can come here to watch dogs training their owners how to catch a Frisbee or a ball.

Bolsa Chica State Beach

One of the best beaches for swimmers and beginner surfers. The shallow waters prevent the waves from getting too high, making it ideal for families with smaller children. 

This beach is located along Pacific Coast Highway between Warner Avenue and Seapoint Street – to the north of the pier. 

Across the street, you can find Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve. A protected wetlands area with a large variety of birds, small animals, and plants. Read more here

Huntington State Beach

This is another great beach for swimming and bodyboarding. Surfing is limited to designated areas, giving swimmers more room to have fun.

At this beach, you will find a lot of fire rings, Barbeques, restrooms, and showers. It is also wheelchair accessible – with ramps and designated accessible parking areas. 

This is located along Pacific Coast Highway, between Beach Boulevard and Brookhurst Street – to the south of the Pier.

Biking

Huntington Beach has one of the best beach bike trails in Orange County. It is paved, safe, and very long. The trail starts from the Santa Ana River at the south end of the state beach and runs through the city of HB, then continues north through Bolsa Chica state beach. It runs for 8 miles of mostly level and paved ground. 

You can extend your ride by continuing north to Sunset Beach or south toward Newport Beach. 

You don't have to bring your own bike. You can rent one at Zack's. 

Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass

The Pier

The pier stretches 1850 feet into the Pacific Ocean and is considered one of the longest on the west coast. It sits high above the surf with commanding views of the beach and the town. 

Cars and bikes are not allowed on the pier so you can enjoy a peaceful stroll on the pier. You will also find a few shops offering souvenirs and kites. 

A new shop opened close to the pier's tip that offers fishing supplies and rentals. You can grab everything you need to start fishing.

Towards the end of the pier, you will find Ruby’s restaurant. The food is acceptable, but the views are amazing. 

When you reach Ruby’s, this is not the end of the Pier. Keep going around it to get to the very tip of the pier and enjoy an unobstructed view of the ocean. 

Pacific City Mall

This is the latest addition to the busy downtown Huntington Beach area. An open-plan mall with many shops and restaurants overlooking the beach. 

The mall has anchor stores like H&M and Tommy Bahama and unique boutiques like Chico Hats and Molly Brown's Swimwear.

You can also find some great restaurants like Ola Mexican Kitchen, which serves tasty Mexican fare with amazing ocean views. 

Another good choice for dinner is the Old Crow Smokehouse which serves a variety of barbequed meats and fish. 

Related Books:

• Sun, Sand & Surf: The Ultimate Guide To Orange County Beaches
• Afoot & Afield Orange County: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide
• Huntington Beach - Then and Now

Dining

Ola Mexican Kitchen

Ola is on the second floor of Pacific City Mall in Huntington Beach, with a commanding view overlooking Pacific Coast Highway, HB Pier, and the Ocean.

The food and service are excellent. We especially like Lobster and Shrimp Enchiladas, Fish Tacos, and Ribeye Fajitas.

The complimentary chips and salsa are more than enough for starters, but you can choose a more filling appetizer from the extensive menu.

The complete this delicious meal, we always order the Tres Leches, a traditional Mexican butter cake made with three kinds of milk.

21040 Pacific Coast Hwy F200, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Bluegold

Bluegold is another restaurant with a great view at the Pacific City Mall in Huntington Beach. This one offers new American cuisine with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. Menu items vary depending on availability. 

We recently tried their breakfast while admiring views of the beach and the pier from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

We ordered scrambled eggs and an omelet. They were both fluffy and tasty. The dishes come with salad, but if you prefer, you can order your favorite style of potatoes. 

If you are an early riser, this place is not for you. They open for breakfast at 9 am.

During another visit, we went for dinner and drinks. While waiting for our table to be ready, we ordered The Perfect Storm (a rum drink) from the bar. We enjoyed a few sips of this delicious cocktail before we were whisked away to our table overlooking beautiful ocean views. 

We tried the Lamb Shank with asparagus risotto for dinner and had an El Chapo margarita.

Both food and drinks were above expectations. 

We couldn't resist trying Pumpkin Spice and Mocha Crunch cakes for dessert. Both were very tasty, but the Pumpkin Spice was exceptional. 

21016 Pacific Coast Hwy d200, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Pacific Hideaway

Tucked inside the Kimpton Shorebreak resort, this restaurant offers delicious California Faire with a great view from the balcony.

On a recent visit, we sat on the balcony and enjoyed our brunch while gazing at the pier and the surf. 

We tried the SoCal Breakfast Burrito and the Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos. Both were very tasty and filling. I especially liked the burrito which was stuffed with Eggs, Onion, Bacon, Red Pepper, Cheese, Fries, and Avocado.

The finalie was a baked cookie with bread pudding and vanilla ice cream. 

500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 

Pete's Sunset Grille

We found this place inside the Hyatt Resort. Although it does not have a great view of the ocean, it is a few steps from the bridge connecting the hotel to the beach. 

It is an excellent place to grab a bite before walking to the beach. We enjoyed our lunch while enjoying the beautiful California weather out on the patio.

We tried the Cali Rueben and the Fish Tacos. They were both good but not exceptional. The service, drinks, and dessert were worth the visit. We loved the Mallory's Triple Layer Torte.

21500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA

The Boardwalk at Hilton

This newer restaurant opened its doors in 2018 as part of the Waterfront Beach Resort expansion. This sit-down restaurant offers a diverse menu inspired by the coastal flavors of Southern California.

During our visit, we chose to sit outdoors right next to the pool, with great views of the ocean and the beautiful California weather. 

We tried the Short Ribs Rigatoni and the Vegetable Curry. They were both tasty and filling.

While waiting for our dinner, we sipped on the Huntington Margarita, Passion Fruit Manhattan, and Bacardi Silver. The drinks were ok, but not the best we had, but the dessert made up for it. We ended our meal with an Apple Pie Ala Mod. 

21100 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA

Events

Huntington Beach hosts many popular events throughout the year. Check their calendar here to up-to-date info.

Here are some of the events worth mentioning:

The Great Pacific Air Show

The air show is a big event with three jet teams from three countries and more than two million people attending the three-day event. Every year a different group of flyer teams is assembled to provide an amazing spectacle for millions of viewers. 

The event can last up to 4 hours each day and is mostly free to attend. You can claim a spot on the beach to enjoy the show. But if you prefer, you can pay from $30 to $1600 for a reserved viewing area. You can get more details here. 

Art-A-Faire: 

Every Friday, 10 am to 7 pm. Arts, crafts, and handmade gifts. Sometimes extended into the weekend.

Surf City Nights: 

Every week on Tuesday from 5 pm to 9 pm. Farmer's market, bounce house, street performers (musical and non-musical acts), restaurant samplings, sidewalk sales, and specials from local restaurants

Surf City Blues, Brews & BBQ: 

At the microbrewery "Brew Bakers," every 3rd Saturday.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands and Mesa Tour: 

Every third Sunday of every month (10 a.m.)

4th of July Parade

A 2-hour parade that starts from PCH and Main with a firework show at 9 PM.

Huntington Beach, CA
300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-536-5281

Surf City website

Official city website

Attributions:

Some photos are from Wikipedia

The Irvine Spectrum is an entertainment and shopping complex in Irvine, considered one of the best places to live in the US.

The center has grown over the years from its humble beginnings in 1995 until the latest expansion in 2020.

It now features stores like Nordstrom, Sephora, Apple, and Target, a Ferris wheel, and a Regal Cinemas 21-screen movie theater.

It also has an eclectic selection of restaurants and snack outlets. 

The little ones can enjoy a Merry-go-round, the ferris wheel, and a new children's playground. They also love running through ground fountains and colorful steam.

Here is a list of my favorite places at the spectrum

Fun

Walking around and admiring the Morrocan architecture with lots of trees and fountains is a treat, but you can do much more.

You can spend some time at Dave & Buster's for video games, VR games, billiards, simulator rides, and dining. 

The game selection here is impressive and includes group and arcade games. With classics like Skee-Bal, you can earn tickets redeemable at the store. Get more information about D&B here

Or you can join an escape room game at the Escape Game. This place has six escape rooms to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty. Check escape rooms and times here

Or go to the 21-theater Regal movie complex to catch the latest movie on their IMAX, 4DX, or standard theaters. 

Feel like a laugh? Then head to the Improve comedy club to enjoy some standup comedy and a meal. 

How about something new? Go to Cakemix, where you can express your artistic talents and design your own cake. 

For the kids in your group, try the giant wheel, carousel, and Spectrum Climber. The latter is a three-dimensional climbing sculpture standing 18 feet tall and 49 feet wide, with 75 platforms. 

Dining

The array of dining options at the spectrum is refreshing. You can find styles and cuisines to satisfy every taste. 

Some of my favorites here are The Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang, Fogo de Chao, Javier's Cantina & Grill, and Silverlake Ramen.

You can also enjoy a quick snack or drink at places like 85°C Bakery Cafe, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Cold Stone Creamery, Häagen-Dazs, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, or Starbucks Coffee.

PF Chang’s

My list of special dining places usually avoids chain restaurants, but I can’t skip this fusion Asian with inventive dishes and extended happy hour.

If you like Asian food, you love the variety and quality of selection. During our last visit, we started with the Letus Wraps, Shrimp Dumplings, and the Kung Pao Dragon Roll.

For the main course, we picked Mongolian Beef, Crispy Honey Shrimp, and Stir-Fried Eggplant. Everything was delicious, and the portions were just right.

For dessert, we had two helpings of the Banana Spring Rolls – because one is never enough.

The drinks are also exceptional. Every cocktail on the menu tastes just right; we especially like the Coconut Mohito and the Mei Tei.

My favorite location is at the Garden Walk in Anaheim. After our meals, we can browse through the stores or walk to Down Town Disney for more fun.

Javier's Restaurant

Javier's is one of the newest additions to the ever-expanding Irvine Spectrum. It is located near well-established eateries like The Cheese Cake Factory, PF Chang, and Cucina, so why dine here?

Well, the food of course. It is just delicious! Bus also the ambiance and the service were excellent.

We started with some chips and salsa. The salsa was great but too spicy, so we ordered the guac to balance it out.

We then tried the two of their combo plates: the Enchilada with Taco, and the trio of Enchilada, Taco, and Chille Relleno. 

The food was delicious and plentiful. We had a lot of leftovers. 

We also tried two of their margaritas, the Guava and Pineapple. I personally preferred the Guava Rita.

For a great end to the meal, we had the tres leches and the Corn Bread Pudding, and they were so tasty, we didn't have any leftovers. 

The Cheesecake Factory

We come for the cheesecake, and we stay for the great food and drinks. This is by far my favorite restaurant chain. The menu is so huge it requires some studying before ordering.

They offer sandwiches, steak and seafood, flatbread and pizza and pasta dishes.

The dessert menu is phenomenal. You can start with the traditional cheesecake, but be adventures and try oreo® dream extreme, cinnabon® cinnamon swirl, or even the low carb cheesecake.

Shopping

I am not into shopping too much, but my wife and daughters love to browse boutique shops and the name brands like Nordstrom, the Body Shop, Hollister, or American Eagle.

And, of course, everyone has to stop the Barnes & Nobel or the Apple store. 

For a complete list of stores at the spectrum go here https://www.irvinespectrumcenter.com/shopping/stores.

 

Laguna Beach is a seaside resort city that is much more than a beach town. The city is nestled amongst rolling hills and valleys overlooking the shoreline with great beaches, shops, restaurants, and art galleries - giving it a distinct French Riviera allure.

Laguna Beach is a great destination for a family looking to escape the heat of the inland cities or for couples looking for a romantic stroll on the beach.

Along with great beaches, hiking trails, and tide pool explorations, the city is famous for its artist community with plenty of art galleries and festivals.

During the summer months, make sure to visit the “Pageant of the Masters and Festival of the Arts” or the “Sawdust Art Festival” – or both.  

The “Festival of the Arts” is an art show that gathers over 150 artists from Orange County to show off their handiwork. At night you can enjoy a concert while having a picnic.

At the same location, the Pageant of the Masters starts around 8:30 with local models bringing famous works of art to life.

The “Sawdust Art Festival” is an artist village that gets rebuilt every year from the ground up and features art exhibits, family entertainment, workshops, and food.

When you are not visiting the festivals and art galleries try walking along Cliff Drive, visiting Sunset Beach or going to the Top of the World.  See more details below.

Things to do

Walk around town

Just park your car and stroll around downtown and enjoy the many shops, restaurants, and landmarks. 

Laguna Beach has a lot of hidden gems, you just have to know where to look. You can stop at the visitor center on Forest street to get some maps and info.

Another way to discover those gems and learn about Laguna's history is to join the Free Walking Tour. Recently we went with David on this 2-hour tour and learned a lot of interesting facts while enjoying the scenery. Go here to book this free tour (and pay as you wish).

One of the amazing discoveries that David pointed out is the "Dawson Cole Sculpture Garden". A serene place with fountains and beautiful sculptures of dancers. This is a great place for a break from your walk around town.  

Heisler Park, Main Beach to Arch Cove

375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

One of the best ways to enjoy Laguna Beach is to walk through Heisler Park, down to Main Beach, and on to Arch Cove. This is a long walk but you can always relax on the beach and enjoy the views.

This walk starts from the south end of “Heisler Park” on Cliff Dr. around High dr. or Maple St. Once you park, make your way to the footpath along the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Tip: Parking is very hard to find around this park. Try parking on one of the side streets leading to Cliff dr. You might need to go further away from the park. Another alternative is to park in one of the city parking areas around Broadway st (HWY 133) or Ocean then walk back to Cliff drive.

The Park itself is wonderful and worth a visit. It is clean and well maintained with good restrooms, picnic tables, and Barbeques. The park is also home to a large variety of shade trees, cactus, sagebrush, palms, and flowers.

After enjoying the park, continue your stroll along the path that commands the best views of the ocean from any Southern California beach town.  It is perched high up the bluffs, with several pathways leading to small secluded coves and beaches. 

Towards the south end of Heisler Park, Cliff drive veers left into shops and residences and crosses PCH. You want to stay to the right where you can find a gazebo overlooking the ocean with a spectacular 360-degree view.

Right on that corner, you will also find one of my favorite restaurants, Las Brisas, where you can enjoy Mexican cuisine with a great view. They also offer a great Sunday brunch. The patio, with a full bar, is first come first serve.  

Between the Gazebo and the restaurant, there is a footpath going down to “Main Beach”. Once you reach the bottom of the path, you are at one of the most popular and busiest beaches in SoCal. 

Continue your walk along the boardwalk and then take your shoes off and stroll on the sand as far as your feet can take you. I personally love to walk through the surf and get my feet wet. 

Tip: If you decide to visit Main Beach, keep in mind that it is one of the busiest beaches in OC. No parking at the beach, but you can park in town across Pacific Coast Highway.

On your right, you can watch the waves and the surfers. On the left, you will see lots of hotels and restaurants. 

One of my favorites is the “Ocean View Bar & Grill”. The balcony is right on the sand with great views in every direction. The best time to visit is during breakfast hours when it is less crowded. If you visit at lunch or dinner reservations are recommended. 

If you continue your walk south on the sand, you may come across some rocky formations. During high tides, your path might be totally blocked.

You can try to scale those obstacles, but be careful. They could be slippery and rough on your feet.

If you prefer to play it safe, climb one of the stairways back to the street level and go down the next stairs. 

Toward the end of this walk, you come to Arch Cove at Pearl Street beach. The beach is famous for its Arch, which you can walk through at low tide. If you prefer not to walk all the way to this point, you can get to it from street level at 1791 Ocean Way. See Thousand Steps beach below.

Tip: At any point during this fun walk, if you get tired, just go to PCH and hop on the free shuttle.

On the way back you can retrace your steps or you can hike back on PCH to enjoy the shops. 

Thousand Steps Beach

Pearl Street, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Another secluded beach in Laguna, Thousand Steps Beach, is named for the length of the beach. The beach is at the bottom of a long stairway with around 250 steps. Going back up the steps probably feels like 1000 steps too. The official name is Pearl Beach because it is located on Pearl Street. 

At the south end of this beach, there is a natural formation Arch called Keyhole. You can actually walk through the arch during low tides which leads you to another nice beach called Woods Cove beach. At high tides, you will have to wade or swim through it. 

The beach is also famous for its blowhole. Water rushes through the blowhole with every wave, then recedes. Adventurous swimmers dive into it and swim under the rocks through a little underwater cave. Watch these videos to get an idea: https://youtu.be/GmgVl31gRvk. or https://youtu.be/g0q5OHQEc9s. 

Sunset Beach at Montage Resort

Wesley Dr. at PCH, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

This beautiful and leisurely walk is located at the south end of Laguna Beach. It is famous for the tastefully landscaped walkways and great views of the sunset. 

This walk starts at the intersection of Wesley dr. and PCH. You can park at the free underground parking or at the Montage resort.  

Heading north along the path you will find beautiful flower gardens, palm trees and the occasional bench overlooking the beach below. On the right, you will come across a great blue mural and some nicely maintained restrooms.

Towards the end of the concrete path, you will reach a dirt path with several benches – a nice place to rest before you turn back. It is also the prime spot to relax and enjoy the sunset. 

Several paths along the way will lead you down to the beach where you can enjoy the sand and surf.   

Top of the World

W Ridge, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

At the highest point in the Laguna Beach hills, you will find this nicely appointed park with an amazing view. The park itself is a nice place to have a picnic or play tennis, but most people come for the views and the extensive hiking trails. 

Park your car in the free parking lot or on Alta Laguna road, then walk through a small wooden bridge and up a short trail to get to the beginning of the viewing area. From that vantage point, you can feast your eyes on a panoramic view of the ocean. On a clear day, you can see Catalina Island and the Channel  Islands in the distance. Closer by you can gaze at the multi-million dollar homes of Laguna Beach.

If your goal is to hike, there are a lot of hiking trails starting at this point. A sign at the entrance shows a map of Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness trails. You can spend a couple of hours or a full day hiking in this area.

One of my favorite hikes is called the Car Wreck trail. It is so-called because there is a wrecked car at the bottom of the ravine. No one knows how the car ended so far down - away from any road.

The hike is strenuous due to the steep trail, rocky path, and deep grooves from flash floods. You can make it a little easier by going down to the car wreck and looping around another trail for the climb back up. 

Tip: Please remember to take lots of water with you, especially on warm days.  

Start at West Ridge trail (off the viewing area). Turn right onto Mathis trail. Turn right again into the Car Wreck trail. This is where it gets very difficult. Towards the bottom of that trail, you will see the wrecked car nestled in the trees. 

As you descend beyond the car wreck the landscape changes around you into a wooded area with nice shade trees, a stream, and some benches to rest your feet. 

You will be starting your return trip on the “Oak Grove” trail. After a nice stroll, you will turn left and start climbing back on Mathis trail. This climb is more gradual but it is long. Keep going until you hit the West Ridge trail again, then turn left to the main viewing area. You just completed a 7-mile hike. 

Pageant of the Masters and Festival of the Arts

This summer-long event is a haven for art lovers. You can start your visit to this open-air gallery by strolling through the art exhibits showcasing the work of local artists.

You can find artistic photography, oil paintings, sculptures, and handmade jewelry. There is also a section dedicated to junior artists. 

Grab a drink from one of the bars, then sit in the garden and enjoy the day's musical performance. You can also enjoy your drink while browsing the exhibits.

If you prefer a full sit-down meal, visit the Teraa Laguna restaurant and enjoy your meal under the open sky. Unfortunately, I couldn't say under the stars, because in Laguna Beach most summer nights are cloudy. The restaurant is not top-notch, but it is convenient as there are no other restaurants close by. 

The highlight of the evening is Pageant of the Masters which starts at 8:30. In a large open-air theater, popular art comes alive with the help of an orchestra and a cast of volunteer models. 

The show changes every year. In 2021 the show is "Made in America" - a celebration of all the great American artists and their creations. 

The show extends beyond the stage. Wherever you are seated, you will catch performances all around you on the surrounding hills. For the best view, try to find a seat in the middle section "S". If you are too close to the stage, you will miss some of the action.

Dining in Laguna Beach

Sapphire - Laguna Beach

Although this restaurant is not right on the sand, it has a great view of the ocean from across the Pacific Coast Highway. The large porch seating area has plenty of tables with amazing views.

Sit back and enjoy a delicious meal for lunch or dinner. On weekends, you can also enjoy their brunch menu. 

We happened to visit in-between lunch and dinner on a Friday. They have a reduced menu for that period. Although the items on the menu were few, they were all good choices. We tried to Mama's Fish Tacos and the Kobe Beef Havarti Cheeseburger - both were tasty and filling.

The drinks were excellent too. We tried the Sapphire Squeeze, Lychee Mojito, and The Perfect Storm. 

This place is also a good spot to study or work while enjoying the view. They offer good free WiFi. 

Parking is behind the restaurant in underground-covered parking. Remember to take a token from the restaurant reception before you leave. 

1200 S Coast Hwy #105B, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Las Brisas

From the top of a cliff overlooking the beaches of Laguna, this Mexican/American restaurant offers Mexican Fusion dishes, an ocean breeze, and a grand view. The prices are on the high end, and the place can get overcrowded, but you are here for the view.

One way to enjoy this restaurant is to get the weekend brunch. It is not a buffet, but a 4-course Prix Fixe menu for $45. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with their tacos, prime rib, and lamb chops.

During our last visit, we ordered the Oysters and Salamon Tostadas for starters. The main courses were Asparagus Omelet and Baked Eggs. We ended our meal with Sorbet and Flan. All the dishes were delicious, and the meal pace was excellent.  

After a leisurely meal, you can walk along the cliff in Heisler Park or down to Main Beach. Heisler Park extends for several blocks with commanding views of the ocean and beaches below. Read more here.

361 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Splashes  

This hidden gem is inside the Sand and Surf Resort in Laguna Beach. The restaurant is right on the sand with seating indoor and on the patio. Both options afford great views of the ocean and the sounds of surf breaking on the beach.

The food is delightful too. We like to go for breakfast before a brisk walk on the beach. During our last visit, we had Strawberry & Cream Pancakes and the Wild Mushroom Benedicts.

If you don’t prefer those items, they have a large selection of pastries, omelets, bagels with salmon, fruits, and even steak and eggs.

The resort itself is a great place to spend a few days, especially during the warm months, to explore Laguna Beach and Orange County.

1555 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

The Beachcomber Cafe

Enjoy delicious creations right on the sand at Crystal Cove state beach. The location, inside the historic district and in between cottages that were built in the 1920s adds to the ambiance.

As you sit and enjoy your drinks and meal, you will love the view, with lots of beachgoers, the ocean breeze, and the surf in the distance.

During our last visit, we shared a “Tonga lei for 2”, a huge glass of rum cocktail for sharing. For starters, we ordered Tiny Ahi Tacos and Artichoke dip.

Our main course was Maine Lobster Club, Ahi Ahi Tacos, and a Tuna melt. I especially enjoyed my Lobster Club. For dessert, we shared Beignets and a Bread pudding.

It is important to note that there is no parking next to the café. You have to park at the State Park parking lot ( Los Trancos Parking lot) across the street. You can take a beautiful hike down to the beach or ride the shuttle for $1.50 per person.

15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657

C'est La Vie

A french restaurant right at Main Beach in Laguna. Sitting on the porch and listening to the surf while sipping our coffee and enjoying some French pastries is a nice start to our morning. The restaurant also serves full breakfast and brunch. They have a selection of Crepes and Omelets. 

This place is a bakery and a full-service restaurant. Passers-by on Pacific Coast Highway stop to order croissants, macaroons, or french doughnuts filled with custard. But if you stop for dinner, you can order specialties like  Grilled Riviera Octopus, Ahi Tartare Napoleon, or Cotes D' agneau (Lamb) - or enjoy a dinner Crepe. 

373 S Coast Hwy #2111, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

South of Nick's

The restaurant is part of the hotel Compass with indoor and outdoor dining. The balcony seating has the best view of the ocean.

They serve traditional Mexican dishes along with seafood specials. 

During our visit, we tried the Lobster Enchiladas and the Filet Mingon Fajita. Both were very tasty and filling. 

For dessert, we tried their Helado Con Churros. Don't let the name "Churros" deceive you. This is a unique moist and flavorful concoction topped with ice cream.

540 S Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA

Harvest at the Ranch

The Ranch Resort is a hotel and golf court hidden in a quiet valley in South Laguna Beach. The Harvest restaurant overlooks the golf course with great views of the hills. 

Sitting outdoors on a summer weekend is a great way to relax and enjoy a delicious meal. 

The menu is seasonal and always made with fresh organic ingredients. During our last visit, we enjoyed a Harvest Dry Aged Burger, Black Bean and Mushroom Burger, and a Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. 

For dessert, we shared a slice of Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream. 

We loved the food, the view, and the service. We will be going back to try their breakfast menu.

The Ranch at 31106, S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA

The Promenade on Forest

This pedestrian-only section of Forest deserves its own mention. On each side of this street, you can find great eateries - most with outdoor patio seating. Some of my favorites are Brussels Bistro, Alessa, MOULIN, and 230 Forest Avenue.

Brussels Bistro

Forest Street is now closed for cars allowing restaurants to offer outdoor seating. We decided to try Brussels Bistro, located at the corner of Forest and PCH - and we were pleasantly surprised. 

The food and drinks were excellent. We tried their Trout Almondine and the Beet Salad. Both were delicious. The trout was cooked just right and the mashed potatoes were perfect.

My wife and I had the Zombie in the Park and we both loved it. We had seconds. 

For dessert, we order the Crepes Flambee. It wasn't the best dessert we had. The crepes were ok, but they were smothered with the sauce. 

I would still recommend this restaurant for their great-tasting dishes.

222 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA

Alessa

Alessa is an upscale Italian restaurant with tasty creations that please the pallet and the eye - and the service is excellent.

On our last visit, we tried two ravioli dishes. We started with Zucca, a butternut squash ravioli with ricotta cheese. We then tried the Nonna Titina ravioli with cheese and spinach. 

We enjoyed our meal with delicious drinks. I had the house Merlot which had a hint of plum and cherry flavors. My wife enjoyed a strawberry and basil mojito. 

234 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA

230 Forest Avenue

There is a reason why this restaurant won several awards - excellent food and service.

We stumbled upon this place by chance as the restaurant we had reservations for was closed. So we walked along our favorite Frest avenue promenade and decided to give it a try.

The place was crowded but the receptionist was able to fit us in. 

We enjoyed a few cocktails, a cheeseburger, a kale salad, and the fisherman chowder. The cheeseburger and salad were delicious - the chowder, not so much.

For the drinks, we loved their fig Margarita and the mango martini. 

If you are really hungry, try their hearty meals like Togarashi seared ahi, seafood arrabiata pasta, maple brined pork chop.

230 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Lake Arrowhead, also known as "The Alps of Southern California," is a town in the San Bernardino mountains. 

The beautiful lake is an artificial reservoir built as part of a failed commercial venture. Now it is a major tourist attraction and a recreational area. 

When visiting Lake Arrowed, you will probably end up at the Village – a retail and entertainment complex overlooking the lake. 

You can buy clothes and trinkets in the Village or even groceries. Or you can enjoy Belgian Waffles, Pizza, wine tasting, sandwiches, tea, and coffee. 

For an inexpensive meal, Mcdonald's has a large restaurant with a great view from a terrace overlooking the lake.

On summer nights, you can also catch a free summer concert. 

The area offers many recreational activities every season of the year.

Located nearby, you'll find skiing at Snow Valley, Snow Summit, and Mountain High. 

At the community of Blue Jay at Lake Arrowhead, try out ice skating at the Ice Castle. In summer, go hiking around the lake, swim in the refreshing water, or rent a boat to explore the lake. 

You can also take a tour on the Lake Arrowhead Queen Paddleboat or rent a bicycle to go mountain biking.

A visit to the nearby Wildhaven Ranch will give you a chance to see wildlife indigenous to the area.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Heaps Peak Arboretum with gardens, hiking trails, and interpretive information.

One of the best ways to enjoy Lake Arrowhead is by staying at a resort or renting a cabin for a few days. 

From your basecamp, you can explore Arrowhead and the natural wonders surrounding it.  

Long Beach (LB) is one of the larger cities in California with its own ports, shopping centers, and beaches.

It is located at the southern end of Los Angeles county – bordering Orange county.

The city is known for its waterfront attractions, including the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Cruise Terminal, and the Catalina Boat Terminal.

Long Beach also hosts the Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Long Beach Pride Festival and Parade, and

California State University, Long Beach. Read more at Wikipedia.

The city also has its own Airport, convenient for domestic flights, and less crowded than the nearby LAX.

Over the years, I enjoyed many of those places and attractions, including visiting the Aquarium, going on a cruise to Mexico, boarding a boat to Catalina Island, a harbor cruise from Rainbow Harbor, dining at Shoreline Village, attending New Year's party at the Queen Mary – and much more.

Here is a recap of my favorite places in Long Beach:

Rainbow Harbor and Shoreline Village

This hub of activity is a walking distance from Downtown LB and connects several main attractions. You can visit the Aquarium, the Pike Outlets, the convention center, harbor cruises, and many restaurants with great views in the area.

You can find several parking structures in the vicinity or park at the large parking building at the Pike.

Head to the Marina and the boardwalk connecting Shoreline Village to Shoreline Park. Along the way, enjoy great views of the harbor, sample the snacks or souvenirs offered by the street vendors, or dine at one of the marina-front restaurants.

You can extend your walk by visiting the Shoreline Aquatic Park with a grassy hill and a lighthouse. From the hill, you will have a commanding view of the harbor and the Queen Mary.

Make it an even longer stroll by following the pedestrian walkway to the Catalina Express Terminal.

Connecting Rainbow Harbor and the Shoreline Village side, there is an observation tower overlooking the harbor. If you go up the stairs, you will find a walkway connecting to the Convention Center. Even if you are not visiting the convention center, take the walkway for great views of the area.

Looking down from the convention center walkway, you will see the lake at the Rainbow Lagoon Park – with swan boats floating around. The kids love to paddle those swans around the lake.

What else can you do here? Rent bikes, go on a whale watching tour, visit the Aquarium, rent a boat, ride on the Ferris Wheel nearby.

If you feel up to a longer walk or bike ride, keep going past Shoreline Village towards the Yacht Club marina and Alamitos Beach. This trail extends for 5-miles from the Shoreline Aquatic Park to the edge of Belmont Shore.

301 E. Ocean Blvd, Suite 1900
Long Beach, CA 90802

Aquarium of the Pacific

When my kids were young, we visited a lot of zoos and aquariums. The Long Beach aquarium was one of our favorites. It was a short drive from our home, and although not the biggest, it was surprisingly entertaining and educational.

The Aquarium had many indoor exhibits and a lovely outdoor area.

Indoor at the Southern California & Baja Gallery, you can find the large 3-story Blue Cavern Tank, which houses sea creatures that live in the waters surrounding nearby Catalina Island. Next door, you will find an exhibit featuring the giant kelp forests and all the species that like to live around them.

At the Northern Pacific Gallery, you can find exhibits for the Sea Otter, the giant Pacific octopus, Japanese spider crabs, jellyfish, and sea anemones.

Before you head outdoor for more exhibits, visit the 4D theater with a huge 180-degree screen for an educational nature film.

Outdoor, you can visit the Sharks and Manta Rays and the penguin habitats.

One of my favorite outdoor activities is to walk through the Lorkit Forest – an aviary that houses five subspecies of rainbow lorikeet as well as the violet-necked lory.

Don't forget to get some free nectar to feed the birds.

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

The Pike

The Pike is a sprawling factory outlet mall - with breathtaking harbor views and more than 30 retailers.

The mall is also home to many restaurants, cinemas, comedy clubs, hotels, plus an iconic carousel & Ferris wheel.

Before it became a mall, the Pike was well-known as an amusement park and pier. For some history, go to Wikipedia.

Some of the anchor stores are Converse, Forever 21, Gap, Levi's, Nike, and H & M.

The mall has many restaurants and snack shops like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., California Pizza Kitchen, Gladstone's, P.F. Chang's, Waba Grill, and Cold Stone Creamery.

For fun and entertainment, you can go on the Ferris Wheel, the carousel, catch a movie at Cinemark, or watch a comedy show at the laugh factory.

Mother's Beach

Long Beach has many beaches for aquatic fun, but mother's beach (Marine Park) has the distinction of being inland, away from the big ocean surf. This makes it ideal for families with small children.

The beach is a small strip on Alamitos Bay on Naples Island. Kids love to splash around in the shallow water or play in the sand. Parents can relax and let their children have fun.

A section of this beach is a launching pad for kayakers. The calm waters make it easier to get on the kayak.

The beach has a lot of shade trees so that you can find a spot on the grass under the trees.

Dining

Whether you are walking along Rainbow Harbor, Shoreline Village, or shopping at the Pike, you can always find a good restaurant. Here are some of my favorites:

Gladstone's

I always have a great time at Gladstone's. The view from the patio is great, and the food and service are excellent.

One of my favorite dishes at Gladstone's is the Seafood Linguini with crab. Other plates we tried and loved: Hawaiian Mahi Mahi, Swordfish, Baby Back Ribs, and fish and chips.

Parker's Lighthouse

Parker's lighthouse is also a great seafood restaurant. It sits at the tip of shoreline village with three stories of seating and a beautiful outdoor patio. Sitting on the patio, you can see the lighthouse at Shoreline Aquatic Park, Queen Mary, cruise ships, and all kinds of boats cruising in and out of the Marina.

The food and service are exemplary. During our last visit, we tried their Fish and Chips and the Arugula & Strawberry Fields Salad.

With the meal, we enjoyed the Mango Mojito and Beachwood Foam Top Blonde craft beer – made locally in Long Beach.

For a tasty end to this lunch, we had the Butter Cake with Vanella Ice Cream.

Other Restaurants

We also tried Tequila Jack's Restaurant and Cantina and Islands Restaurant. Tequila Jack's offers great margaritas and above-average Mexican dishes. Island is a gourmet burger place.

If you don’t feel like a big meal or a fancy restaurant, you can grab a snack from places like WaBa Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Bamboo Bistro, Starbucks, or Cold Stone Creamery.  

Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolitan area with an amazing array of attractions and activities. The area is infamous for its long grids of streets and freeways and until recently it wasn’t very friendly to public transit.

But things are changing for the better. It is now possible to visit many of the iconic places in LA by rail or by express bus. So, get your backpack, phone, and camera ready and follow me on this exploration tour.

But be warned: There is so much to see and do, you will probably need several days to complete this itinerary.

Union Station

If you are coming to LA by train, then most probably you will have to stop at Union Station. This is the central hub of all trains, metro light rail and busses – even bikes.

The station was built in 1939 as a consolation of several terminals and is considered the largest station in the West. Its main building is registered as National Historic Place.

As you arrive at Union Station, you will disembark from your train and end up in a long hallway connecting the West and East portals. Follow the signs to your next ride. The metro rail lines are underground. The connecting trains are on the upper level.

But before you jump on the next tram, you may want to take a break and have a meal at one of the restaurants or snack shops – located at either East or West portals.

You can also grab a bike from the “Bike Share” program and explore the city at your leisure. Pricing for bike rentals is $3.50/30 minutes but you can get a discount if you buy a monthly or annual pass.

Tip: If you are planning on several trips on the metro system, buy a 1-day or 7-day pass that works for all rail lines and buses.

See a useful station map here.

El Pueblo de Los Angeles

Before you start your adventure on LA’s subway, you should consider a visit to the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. It is a short walk away from Union Station.

Tip: Make sure to exit from the Alameda street exit. The monument and adjacent Olvera street are right across the street from Alameda.

This historic district was first established in 1781 and used to be the center of Los Angeles during the Spanish and Mexican rule. It is home to many historic buildings and statues and home to the famous Olvera Street (Calle Olvera).

At Olvera Street, you can stroll along a narrow street and enjoy shopping at the colorful street vendors or grab a bite of authentic Mexican food. During my visit, I had lunch at El Paseo Inn. I enjoyed some very tasty enchiladas while watching people from their patio overlooking Olvera street. The service was excellent and friendly.

There is a Plaza at the center of this district that hosts many events throughout the year. For a listing of events go here.

On a side alley from Olvera street, you will see a sign for Avila Adobe – the longest-standing structure in LA. Adobe was built in 1818 and is open to the public. The tour is free of charge and takes you through the various rooms in the house and has a well-kept cactus garden in the courtyard.

Tip: Olvera street open at 10 am, so if you arrive early at Union Station, come back to this lively place for lunch or dinner.

Little Tokyo

Lille Tokyo is another historic district in downtown LA with a large population of Japanese Americans. It is only a 14-minute walk or 7-minute ride on the Gold Metro line from Union Station.

While here, you can just stroll around and enjoy the architecture and statues or you can visit the Japanese American National Museum, James Irvine Japanese Garden, two Buddhist Temples or the Japanese Village Plaza.

The area is also full of Japanese restaurants and shops. The all-you-can-eat buffet at Oiwake Restaurant offers a large variety of Japanese cuisine or you can sample great Sushi and Saki at Tenno Sushi.

You can find some useful information and a directory of businesses at the Little Tokyo Community Council site.

Civic Center / Grand Park

The LA Civic Center / Grand Park is your first stop on the Red and Purple lines from Union Station.

Tip: Red and Purple lines take the same route from Union Station to Wilshire/Vermont station.

 From this station, you can walk to places like Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles City Hall, or just spend some time at Grand Park.

The park is an oasis in the center of the city with beautiful fountains, pink-colored benches, and snack shops. During the summer months, free music and events are held here. Kids especially love the interactive splash pads and the new play area. The park welcomes visitors with a sign in almost every world language.

Tip: If you bring your kids to play here, make sure they have a change of clothes. They will definitely get wet.

The park is basically a long promenade that connects The Music Center on one end and the historic LA City Hall building on the other end.

LA city hall was built in 1928 and is still in use by the city government to this day. It was featured in many TV shows and movies like Superman, Dragnet, and V (the series).

Pershing Square

You can keep walking from Civic Center station to reach your next destination, but if you prefer to save your energy, just hop back on the Red/Purple Line and go to Pershing Square Station.

As you exit the station, stay on 5^th ave and walk to Oue Skyspace observation tower. It is located at the top of the tallest building in LA and offers a breathtaking view of the city and surrounding area.

From this vantage point, you can see the Hollywood sign and the snow-capped mountains behind it. In the opposite direction, you can see all the way to the ocean. And in between, you can gaze down at the other tall buildings and Pershing Square.

The observation tower also has a glass slide that could be thrilling to try, but it is very short. I don’t think it is worth the extra ticket.

Note: The observation deck is permenantly closed as of October 26, 2020. It is now home to Vista Patio restaurant.

There is no time limit to your visit. You can zip through the 360-degree view or you can relax on the lounge chairs strategically located on both levels.

Pershing Square Park itself is worth visiting. It was renovated recently with modern art and fountains. There is always something happening here. In the winter months, an Ice Rink is set up for some winter skating.

A few steps away from the park you will find a very interesting place called “The Last Bookstore”. Even if you are not a book lover, this place is worth a visit. The store has a huge collection of books in every category. The second floor has more books and some art and craft shops. Sofas and benches are available everywhere so can visit with an interesting book.

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is located in the middle between Civic Center and Pershing Square stations, so you can get to it by walking from either station. It is the only museum dedicated to modern art from 1940 and later. Right outside the museum, you can find a big metal sculpture made out of old airplanes.

If you are hungry for breakfast, there is a very nice restaurant right next to MOCA. The Grand Café at the Omni hotel serves a delicious breakfast buffet with a made-to-order omelet station. It is a little pricey, but worth every bite.

FigAt7th, LA Live and Staples Center

You can take the Red Line to 7^th street station, or you can just walk to this next destination.

The FigAt7th mall is one of the newest shopping centers in downtown. You can find stores like H&M, Victoria's Secret, or Target. You can also find a food court with dining places like California Pizza Kitchen, George's Greek Grill, and Starbucks.

A few blocks from the station you can find LA Live and the Grammy Museum.

LA Live is an entertainment complex with several live music venues, movie theaters, and restaurants. It is also home to the Grammy Museum. If you like watching the music awards, then you must visit this place to learn about the history and winners of the Grammys.

And while you are here, you can’t miss the Staples Center - home of the Lakers and Clippers – and many touring concerts and events.

7^th Street Metro Hub

7^th street metro station is also a hub for several rail lines branching in different directions. From here, you can take the Purple like to go to Wilshire Center and Korea Town.

Or you can take the Expo like to connect to USC, The Science Center and other museums, Culver City, and Santa Monica.

The red line continues on to Wet and North Hollywood and Universal Studios.

The blue line heads south towards downtown Long Beach. This line also connects to the green line to take you to Los Angeles Airport.

You can find a very informative map here.

Koreatown

The purple line stops at 3 stations in this business and residential district: Wilshire/Vermont, Wilshire/Normandie, and Wilshire/Western. Shops and restaurants extend through several city blocks, but the center is around 8^th and Western. Venture into side streets to discover some interesting gyms.

Koreatown can surprise with it specialty shops and entertainment venues. You can find unique toy shops or restaurant supplies, Karaoke bars, and places of worship.

Some of the must-visit places are:

Sing your heart out at The Shrine Karaoke bar with its Egyptian-themed interior and great-tasting Korean dishes.

Sample L.A.'s best biryani at Bangla Bazar & Restaurant – an out-of-place Little Bangladesh strip mall.

In the market for stationary? Go to Daiso – a Japanese chain store.

Stock up for your projects at Top’s Art Supplies – a family-owned business with interesting displays.

To get your fill of Korean BBQ, try Sun Ha Jang – famous for their BBA duck.

If you love K-pop music and culture, you can find the latest music and trends at the Music Plaza in Koreatown. Lots of CDs, accessories, and posters to choose from.

On the edge of Koreatown (on S. Western Ave), you can catch the latest Hollywood movies or a Korean flick at the CGV Cinemas Theaters. Right next to the theater you enjoy a Japanese meal at the Curry House.

LA Convention Center

From the 7^th street station, take the Expo Line and disembark at the Pico station. A short walk takes you to the Convention Center where big shows and conferences are held.

The LA Auto Show is held here every year with a huge display of the latest models from all manufacturers. At this show, many carmakers unveil their concept futuristic cars.

Other shows and conferences include LA Fitness, Classic Auto Show, America's Got Talent Auditions, and US Naturalization Ceremonies.

Exposition Park and Science Center

The next stop on the Expo Line is the Expo/USC station. As you leave the station, you can cross the street to the north to visit the University of Southern California (USC) or go to the south to visit several museums, including the Science Center.

USC is a private research university that was established in 1880. Walking through the mostly pedestrian campus, you can enjoy the largest collection of Romanesque Revival buildings and beautiful gardens and fountains.

To learn more about the campus and various buildings you can take a self-guided tour. See details here.

The California Science Center is a premier science museum with several permanent exhibits and a few touring exhibits.

It is the final resting place for the Shuttle Endeavour. After making several trips to space and then traveling through the streets of LA, the shuttle is on display for all curious minds to gawk at. You can read a full article about the Science Center here.

Tip: if you are entering the Science Center from the Expo/USC station, then you are not going through the main entrance. You should go through Exposition Park, through the gates, through the ground floor and out the other gate to get to the main entrance plaza and the box office.

At the center, you can catch an IMAX film with a scientific twist. Some of the recent IMAX films playing here are Journey to Space 3D, A Beautiful Planet 3D, and Secret Ocean 3D.

Also in Exposition Park, you can find the Museum of Natural History. You can take a trip through 4.5 million years of history told by specimens, fossils, and dioramas. An abundance of interactive exhibits makes this museum fun for kids and adults alike. Read more about it here.

Finally, the park itself is famous for its rose gardens. As you pass through, enjoy the sights and smells of the multicolored roses.

Hollywood

Back at the 7^th street hub (or starting from Union Station), take the red line to Hollywood. Existing at Hollywood and Highland station, you will find yourself right in the middle of the action.

The metro station is located right under the shopping center with the same name. The center is also home to the iconic Dolby Theatre and Chinese Theatre. The Oscars are handed out for best films every year at the Dolby theater.

Also at this center, you can find department stores like Forever 21, Guess, Gap, Hot Topic, and fun centers like Dave & Busters and Lucky Strike Live. For lunch or dinner, visit places like Cabo Wabo Cantina, Cho Oishi, Hard Rock Cafe, or Trastevere Ristorante.

Tip: The famous Hollywood sign is very prominent from several locations in this mall. It is a golden opportunity for some amazing photos.

Existing Hollywood and Highland center, you will be on one of the busiest streets in the US. People from across the globe come here to stroll along Hollywood Blvd. to look for their favorite celebrities on the Walk of Fame.

Tip: as you walk around on Hollywood Blvd., you will notice a lot of movie characters walking around or acting up – like Spiderman, Batman, etc.. Be aware that if you ask to pose with them for a photo, you are expected to pay a tip.

A few blocks away you can find entertainment places like Madame Tussauds, Wax Museum, and Guinness World Records Museum.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and La Brea Tar Pits

It is not on any rail line route, but you can’t miss this attraction during your visit to LA.

From the Hollywood and Highland area (or most of Hollywood Blvd.) you can take the 217 bus all the way to the museum at Fairfax / 6^th street intersection.

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western USA. It holds more than 150,000 pieces of art filling 9 buildings on the sprawling campus. Go here for a map.

The museum’s collections cover periods from ancient to modern and cultures like South East Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Ancient Egypt.

Next to this museum, you will find the La Brea Tar Pits. Bubbling asphalt has been seeping from the ground for tens of thousands of years. Many unlucky animals got trapped in those tar pits and left their bones for future scientists to study.

To learn more about the Tar Pits, you can visit the museum that was built around them.

The Grove and Farmers Market

Bus route 217 will also take you to this high-end shopping center with stores like Nordstrom, Tommy Bahama, Apple, and Nike.

While visiting, you can catch a movie at Pacific Theaters or dine at one of the fine dining restaurants. Some of the distinguished eateries here are Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, Maggiano´s Little Italy, and Morels French Steakhouse.

But for a real treat, go to the LA Farmers Market adjacent to the Grove. The market is famous for fresh produce and lots of food vendors. At the food court. You can find all kinds of cuisines like Chinese, Japanese, American Grill, Greek, and Middle Eastern. See all the vendors here.

Tip: It is hard to find an empty table during busy lunch or dinner times - but there is an upper-level seating area that many people miss.

Heading back

After a day of fun, take the 217 bus back to Hollywood, hop on the Red Line and head back to Union Station. Make sure to get on the one going to Union Station and not to North Hollywood – unless you are planning to venture to Universal Studios.

Tip: From any of the destination mentioned in this article you can get back to Union Station by taking a combination of buses and rail lines. Use Google Maps and select the public transit option to find the fastest route.

Universal Studios

You will need at least a full day to explore Universal Studios and the adjacent City Walk. You can get to the studios by riding the Red Line from Union Station or from Downtown LA.

Universal Studios Hollywood is the longest-running still active movie studio in the world. It has many shows and rides based on popular movies. The newest addition to the studios “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” opened recently and provides Harry Potter fans with lots of new attractions.

For a full article about Universal Studios, go here.

The City Walk is right outside the park gates with a 3-block of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.

Some of the venues here are Wolfgang Puck Bistro, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Hot Topic, Fossil, Sketchers, and IFLY Indoor Skydiving.

Further Away

If you have time, you can explore other great destinations in Southern California by rail.

Take the Metrolink Orange County line to Anaheim to visit the Disney Resort with 2 parks, Downtown Disney district, and several hotels. Read more about Disneyland and California Adventure.

You can take the Pacific Surfliner from Union Station to San Diego and visit Seaworld and many other attractions in this beautiful city.

Or you can use the Pacific Surfliner going north to Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo. At Pismo Beach, you can enjoy some 4-wheeling adventures at Oceano Dunes.

Are you looking for a gorgeous little downtown to spend the evening, with stunning sunsets on a clean beach, great restaurants, safe and happy vibe?

Manhattan Beach is the place! This coastal town sits between Hermosa Beach to the south and Los Angles to the north, with a busy downtown district and great beach activities.  

My favorite thing to do when visiting is to walk along the Strand – a long walkway connecting Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach.

Pedestrians and cyclists use this path, but in Manhattan Beach, the bike trail splits away from the main trail making for a more pleasant and safe walk. As you walk the Strand, you can admire the multi-million dollar homes terraced on a gentle slope.

The separate bike trail is actually part of the longer Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which runs along the Santa Monica Bay.

For a different view, walk on the pier and watch families playing on the sand, surfers waiting for the right wave, and fishermen.

After a long walk or bike ride, we head to the restaurants in downtown. Some of the restaurants have great views of the beach – some from rooftops.

 My favorites are Simmzy’s, Petros, Nick’s, and Magiamo.

We had dinner at Magiamo Ristorante during a recent visit – an Italian restaurant with a patio overlooking the ocean. The food, drinks, and dessert were excellent.

For starters, we had the Ahi Tuna Tartar Stack – an artful creation of Poke. Our main meals were the Potato crusted Halibut and the Skillet Braised Oxtail. Both were delicious and filling. For dessert, we tried the Butter cake and the Tiramisu. They were so tasty we wanted seconds.

This restaurant is on the pricy side, but it is worth it for the food and the view.

Mount Baldy, AKA Mount San Antonio, is the highest peak (10,069ft) in the San Gabriel mountains northeast of Los Angeles. 

The snow-capped peak offers a great backdrop to the LA skyline and can be seen from Orange and San Bernardino counties. 

Mount Baldy is also a winter sports recreational area with hiking trails, skiing, tubing, and cabins for rent.

Whether planning a snowy adventure or just hiking or sightseeing, the first chair lift will take you on a scenic ride to the Top of the Notch. 

Scenic Chairlift Ride

The 15-minute ride on the Sugar Pine chairlift from the parking lot to the Top of the Notch is an adventure in its own right. 

As we ascended, we soared above the trees in the canyon below us, and up ahead, we could see the lodge and chairlift house. On the way down, we admired the valley sights below. 

This chairlift operates all year round and offers quick access to summer hikes and winter fun. The scenic ride costs from $20 to $30, depending on the day of the week. 

Mt Baldy Lodge and Restaurant 

The lodge offers six cabins for rent with a swimming pool, full-size sand volleyball court, basketball, cornhole, ping pong, and horseshoe courts.

The attached restaurant serves American pub-style cuisine with friendly service, pool tables, a full bar, and a large dining room that is kept warm as a refuge from the cold weather. The patio offers great views of the valley while you enjoy your meal.

Adjacent to the lodge, you will find the Ski rental shop. Mt Baldy resort management advises you to book your rentals with your chairlift tickets because supplies run out fast.

Snow Play

Mt Baldy is one of the most accessible snow play areas in Southern California. Just a 15-minute chairlift ride away to start your sliding and tubing fun.

The $79 ticket allows for a full day of snow play and includes the chairlift round-trip. 

Note: the ticket price varies slightly depending on the day of the week, and the lowest price is mid-week.

Skiing

Although it is a small ski resort, it is considered one of the best in Southern California and the most affordable. Depending on the day, you can get an all-day chairlift ticket for $60-$90.

It offers over 4000 acres of skiable area with 26 runs on three mountains with four chairlifts. You can enjoy those runs whether you are a beginner or an expert. 

Of Course, there is also enough space for beginners. Group Ski and Snowboard lessons are available daily (the website currently is not showing any lesson packages – call to find out). 

The only disadvantage is that fresh snow at this location is not always available. 

Interesting fact: The vertical drop from the summit to the base is 2100 ft. making it one of the longest runs in the USA. 

Hiking to the summit

Devil backbone is the most popular trail to the Mt Baldy summit. You will enjoy great views along the trail, but at the top and on a clear day, you will have a stunning view from the ocean to the desert.

You can start your hike from Top of the Notch after riding the Sugar Pine chairlift. 

If you feel like challenging yourself, you can forego the lift and hike along a service road from Manker Campground, Mt Baldy, CA, 91759, USA.

Warning: It is not advisable to hike this trail when it is covered in snow. It is perilous. Check Mt Baldy weather report here before you go.

This hike is about three and a half miles one way with a gain of 2200 feet in elevation. 

Read the turn-by-turn hiking guide at hikingguy.com. This guide takes you back on a different trail that bypasses the ski area, so if you prefer, you can turn back on the same trail.
 

Newport Beach is a bustling coastal town in Orange County, California – full of sandy beaches, piers, bike paths, malls, and restaurants.

The beaches in Newport are known for surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, swimming, and fishing.

So if you are not at the beach engaging in those fun activities, what else can you do in Newport?

You can go walking on the beach, bike riding, visiting the shops and restaurants at the pier, spend time with the kids at the fun zone, or go on a Dolphin and Whale watching tour.

You can also rent boats or jet skis and ride leisurely in the bay or venture out to the ocean.

And if you love shopping, you can spend a great deal of money at the Fashion Island mall. Fashion Island also has two food courts and many high-end restaurants.

Balboa Peninsula

Balboa is a long stretch of land that juts into the ocean and protects the harbor from the surf. It is mostly a quiet residential area with a few hotspots of activity.

The beaches on both sides are open to the public, but the trick is to find a parking spot and get to the beach.

The main attraction for beachgoers is at Newport Pier – where you can find some parking and lots of shops and restaurants. Here you can also find bike rentals and surf shops.

For a more subdued experience, head to the second pier -Balboa Pier – for more parking spaces and fewer crowds. Across the street from this large parking lot, you can have some fun with the family at the Fun Zone.

Fun Zone

If you are looking for some fun activities in and out of the water, you can find it here. Kids of all ages can enjoy rides on the Ferris Wheel, play arcade games, Bungee jump, slide inside a giant transparent plastic sphere, or enjoy snacks at the food court.

The fun zone is also home to several casual dining restaurants with great views of the bay.

Newport Landing

This port serves as a gateway for water activities. You can go on a bay cruise, whale and dolphin watching, or board the Catalina Flyer to Catalina Island. You can also rent boats and jet skis here.

Dolphin and Whale watching

Davey's Locker runs several Whale and Dolphin watching tours. The boats will take you through the bay waterway and into the ocean.

The captain tries his best to find dolphins or whales, but if you happen to be on one of the rare trips with no sightings, they will give you a deeply discounted voucher for a return trip.

Read about my trip with Davey's Locker here.

Balboa Island and Ferry

The ferry takes pedestrians, bikes and cars from the peninsula to Balboa Island and back.

You can also get to the island through a bridge over the South Bay, but parking on the island is almost impossible. 

The island is a quiet neighborhood with multi-million houses. You can walk through many narrow alleys and discover some hidden gems - but the main walking path is a pedestrian-only boardwalk that surrounds the island. 

Most businesses and restaurants are located along Marine ave, but you can find a few right at the ferry terminal.   

If you are biking through Newport Beach, you can take your bike on the ferry but the main walking path around the island is closed to bikes. 

Biking

I love riding my bike through Newport Beach, especially along the Balboa Peninsula. My favorite route starts from the edge of Newport on Seashore dr. You can park along this street or inside the residential park and head into the peninsula.

The trail first continues on Seashore dr, but when you reach 36^th street intersection, veer right into Ocean Front Way –a paved bike and pedestrian trail. This trail will take you into Newport Pier and the busy shopping and dining area.

After you cross this bustling area, you can continue biking on Ocean Front until you reach Balboa Pier. But just before the pier, ocean Front will turn into Newport Balboa Bike Trail.

Right after Balboa Pier, you are at the thinnest part of the peninsula. You can cross Balboa Blvd to peek at the bayside of this peninsula. You will have to switch to Balboa Blvd anyway to continue your trek because the bike trail ends around E Street.

Your bike trip is not over yet. You can continue on Balboa blvd until you dead-end into West Jetty View Park and a popular beach with the locals.

This bike ride is about 5 miles, but it can be extended in several directions for a longer or a more challenging ride.     

You can start from Huntington Beach for a 10-mile ride or from Seal Beach for a 17-mile ride. Alternatively, you can reverse direction, start from West Jetty View Park, head to the Santa Ana River Trail for a much longer ride.

Hiking

Yes, you can still hike in Newport Beach. A few pristine wilderness areas were preserved for nature lovers. Most notable are the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Buck Gulley.

Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Newport Bay extends inland to form the back bay and the upper bay - a 1000-acre area of bluffs and waterways.

The surrounding bluffs were set aside to preserve animal, bird, and plant species. Biking and hiking trails crisscross the preserve providing vantage points to admire nature and observer wildlife.

Close by, Newport Dunes resort provide a great place to camp and a launching pad for upper bay adventures.

Buck Gully

If you feel like a nice easy hike close by, Buck Gully in Newport Beach is an excellent choice. Just a few steps away from the beach, and in the middle of million-dollar homes, you can find this hidden oasis of lush wilderness and running water. 

Read more about this hike here

Crystal Cove

This State Park sits between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. The park has about 17 miles of trails to pick from – some with stunning ocean views. Read more here.

Dining

Newport Beach is a big city with a lot of dining options. Around Newport Pier, you can find several upscale restaurants like 21 Oceanfront, Rocken Baja Lobster, and Urban Corner - and plenty of Pizza, snacks, and dessert shops.

If you are at Balboa Pier or the Fun Zone, you can also find two restaurants with excellent views, Harborside and Newport Landing restaurants -  and lots of smaller food vendors.  

On the other side of the bay – close to Pacific Coast Highway – you will find high-end restaurants like Rusty Pelican or Billy's at the Beach. You can also grab a delicious meal at restaurants inside beach resorts like A&O Kitchen + Bar at Balboa Bay Resort.

After a refreshing hike at Buck Gulley, you can grab a meal at SideDoor.

21 Oceanfront

One of my favorite restaurants in Newport Beach, this place offers Prime Steak and Seafood with an international flair.

The dining hall is grand with great views of the beach and strict attire requirements: Business Casual, No Beach Attire, No Baseball Caps, No Beanies. The outdoor patio seating is more relaxed.

During our last visit, we tried the Wedge Burger and the Prawn Linguini. Both were excellent with large portions. But before our main course, we enjoyed a Lobster Bisque and a Clam Chowder.  

To finish this delicious lunch, we shared a Banana Bread Pudding, with extra Vanilla Ice Cream, and a Blueberry Lemon Drop.

After our meal, we walked on the pier for a little exercise and to enjoy the views.

Newport Landing

Newport Landing is an upscale but casual restaurant next to the Fun Zone. Balcony seats are especially scenic with a panoramic view of Newport Harbor, Balboa Island, Newport Center, and Saddleback's distant peaks.

As you enjoy your meal, you can watch the ferry going back and forth and the many water fun activities.

The restaurant offers an eclectic menu of seafood and Italian dishes. Some of my favorites are the Half and Half – basically, fish and chips with coconut shrimp; Shrimp Linguini; or the catch of the day.

For dessert, you can't go wrong with the Mud Pie or the Crème Brulee.  

Orange County is a sprawling metropolitan area and part of the much larger Southen California urban jungle.

This expanse of 50 cities and unincorporated communities is full of Attractions, Theme Parks, restaurants, and unique dining experiences. This article explores the unique dining experiences and exceptional finds in the OC.

The views

Orange Hill Restaurant

Nothing out of the ordinary about the food served on the hill, but the view is to die for. After driving up a steep hill and handing your car to the valet, you will be amazed at the view overlooking Orange County.

The view is especially beautiful at night with the city lights twinkling while you are enjoying drinks and dinner. If you time your dinner right, you will also be treated to the Disneyland fireworks show.

You will need to make a reservation ahead of time and make sure to request indoor or outdoor seating. The outdoor balcony with fire pits has the best views.

The menu offers modern American fare with a long list of appetizers, steak, and seafood choices. Prices are high – you are paying for the view. The best deal is their 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu. You will get a starter, a dessert, and a choice from three main entries.

On our last visit, we tried the Lamb Chops, Filet Mingon, and the New Your Steak. All were cooked perfectly. The toffee pudding dessert was to die for.

My only complaint is about the service. It was slow at times, and they kept bringing items at the wrong times.

6410 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92869

Las Brisas

From the top of a cliff overlooking the beaches of Laguna, this Mexican/American restaurant offers Mexican Fusion dishes, an ocean breeze, and a grand view. The prices are on the high end, and the place can get overcrowded, but you are here for the view.

One way to enjoy this restaurant is to get the weekend brunch. It is not a buffet, but a 4-course Prix Fixe menu for $45. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with their tacos, prime rib, and lamb chops.

During our last visit, we ordered the Oysters and Salamon Tostadas for starters. The main courses were Asparagus Omelet and Baked Eggs. We ended our meal with Sorbet and Flan. All the dishes were delicious, and the meal pace was excellent.  

After a leisurely meal, you can walk along the cliff in Heisler Park or down to Main Beach. Heisler Park extends for several blocks with commanding views of the ocean and beaches below. Read more here.

361 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Splashes  

This hidden gem is inside the Sand and Surf Resort in Laguna Beach. The restaurant is right on the sand with seating indoors and on the patio. Both options afford great views of the ocean and the sounds of surf breaking on the beach.

The food is delightful too. We like to go for breakfast before a brisk walk on the beach. During our last visit, we had Strawberry & Cream Pancakes and the Wild Mushroom Benedicts.

If you don’t prefer those items, they have a large selection of pastries, omelets, bagels with salmon, fruits, and even steak and eggs.

The resort itself is a great place to spend a few days, especially during the warm months, to explore Laguna Beach and Orange County.

1555 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Raya at The Ritz-Carlton  

Another restaurant with a great view, but this one also offers inventive and delicious dishes to go with the view. Each dish is a unique creation of flavor and artistic presentation.

We came here after an educational Dolphin Watch cruise from Dana Harbor, ordered some drinks, and shared two excellent dishes. Both the Thai Curry Buddha Bowl and the Achiote Salmon were excellent. The Bowl was a new experience for us, with quinoa, black bean, broccolini, avocado, corn, sweet potato, and a soft egg – with curry. What an interesting mix.

After our lunch, we climbed down for a nice walk on the beach. The Ritz is located at the edge of Salt Creek Beach, so we enjoyed a long stroll before returning to our car.

1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629

Ola Mexican Kitchen

Ola is on the second floor of Pacific City Mall in Huntington Beach with a commanding view overlooking Pacific Coast Highway, HB Pier, and the Ocean.

The food and service are excellent. We especially like their Lobster and Shrimp Enchiladas, Fish Tacos, and Ribeye Fajitas.

The complimentary chips and salsa are more than enough for starters, but you can choose a more filling appetizer from the extensive menu.

The complete this delicious meal, we always order the Tres Leches, a traditional Mexican butter cake made with three kinds of milk.

21040 Pacific Coast Hwy F200, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

The Beachcomber Cafe

Enjoy delicious creations right on the sand at Crystal Cove state beach. The location, inside the historic district and in between cottages that were built in the 1920s adds to the ambiance.

As you sit and enjoy your drinks and meal, you will love the view, with lots of beachgoers, the ocean breeze, and the surf in the distance.

During our last visit, we shared a “Tonga lei for 2”, a huge glass of rum cocktail for sharing. For starters, we ordered Tiny Ahi Tacos and Artichoke dip.

Our main course was Maine Lobster Club, Ahi Ahi Tacos, and a Tuna melt. I especially enjoyed my Lobster Club. For dessert, we shared Beignets and a Bread pudding.

It is important to note that there is no parking next to the café. You have to park at the State Park parking lot ( Los Trancos Parking lot) across the street. You can take a beautiful hike down to the beach or ride the shuttle for $1.50 per person.

15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657

C'est La Vie

A french restaurant right at Main Beach in Laguna. Sitting at the porch and listening to the surf while sipping our coffee and enjoying some French pastries is a nice start to our morning. The restaurant also serves full breakfast and brunch. They have a selection of Crepes and Omelets. 

This place is a bakery and a full-service restaurant. Passers-by on Pacific Coast Highway stop to order croissants, macaroons, or french doughnuts filled with custard. But if you stop for dinner, you can order specialties like  Grilled Riviera Octopus, Ahi Tartare Napoleon, or Cotes D' Agneau (Lamb) - or enjoy a dinner Crepe. 

373 S Coast Hwy #2111, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Bluegold

Bluegold is another restaurant with a great view of the Pacific City Mall in Huntington Beach. This one offers new American cuisine with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Menu items vary depending on availability. 

We recently tried their breakfast while admiring views of the beach and the pier from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

We ordered scrambled eggs and an omelet. They were both fluffy and tasty. The dishes come with salad, but if you prefer you can order your favorite style of potatoes. 

If you are an early riser though, then this place is not for you. They open for breakfast at 9 am.

During another visit, we went for dinner and drinks. While waiting for our table to be ready, we ordered The Perfect Storm from (a rum drink) the bar. We enjoyed a few sips of this delicious cocktail before we were whisked away to our table overlooking beautiful ocean views. 

For dinner, we tried the Lamb Shank with asparagus risotto and had an El Chapo margarita.

Both food and drinks were above expectations. 

For dessert, we couldn't resist trying Pumpkin Spice and Mocha Crunch cakes. Both were very tasty, but the Pumpkin Spice was exceptional. 

21016 Pacific Coast Hwy d200, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Sapphire - Laguna Beach

Although this restaurant is not right on the sand, it has a great view of the ocean from across the Pacific Coast Highway. The large porch seating area has plenty of tables with amazing views.

Sit back and enjoy a delicious meal for lunch or dinner. On weekends, you can also enjoy their brunch menu. 

We happened to visit in-between lunch and dinner on a Friday. They have a reduced menu for that period. Although the items on the menu were few, they were all good choices. We tried the  Mama's Fish Tacos and the Kobe Beef Havarti Cheeseburger - both were tasty and filling.

The drinks were excellent too. We tried the Sapphire Squeeze, Lychee Mojito, and The Perfect Storm. 

This place is also a good spot to study or work while enjoying the view. They offer good free WiFi. 

Parking is behind the restaurant in underground-covered parking. Remember to take a token from the restaurant reception before you leave. 

1200 S Coast Hwy #105B, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

The Boardwalk at Hilton

This newer restaurant opened its doors in 2018 as part of the Waterfront Beach Resort expansion. This sit-down restaurant offers a diverse menu inspired by the coastal flavors of Southern California.

During our visit, we chose to sit outdoors right next to the pool, with great views of the ocean and the beautiful California weather. 

We tried the Short Ribs Rigatoni and the Vegetable Curry. They were both tasty and filling.

While waiting for our dinner, we sipped on the Huntington Margarita, Passion Fruit Manhattan, and Bacardi Silver. The drinks were ok, but not the best we had, but the dessert made up for it. We ended our meal with an Apple Pie Ala Mod. 

21100 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA

The Experience

Fire+Ice – Gardenwalk  

This Mongolian fusion style all-you-can-eat buffet lets you fill a bowl with your favorite ingredients then cocks the mix on a huge grill right in front of you. You pick the sauce and the spices to make it your own creation.  

Even though it is a Mongolian grill, you can still design dishes with a Mexican or Italian flare.

They also offer a well-stocked salad bar, but my advice is to minimize your salad and go back for more grilled creations.

Some of the ingredients available are beef, shrimp, scallops, fish, cauliflower, and broccoli.

The drinks were excellent too. We tried the Pinicolada and the Mai-Tei.

After your meal and drinks, you can spend time exploring the shops at the Gardenwalk.

400 Disney Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

School Food

Usually whenever I hear “School Food” I cringe. It mostly brings back bad memories. But this Korean restaurant changed my mind. I wonder if Korean kids actually eat this food at school.

The place offers tasty dishes like Spicy Ramen, Soup Topokki, Spam Rolls, Kimchi Fried Rice, and Mari Special Roll. If you are very hungry or ordering for a group, try the Combo Roll.

This restaurant is located on the 3^rd floor of the newest mall in OC – The Source.

6940 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621

Pirates Dinner Adventure

It is always fun to watch a show while enjoying a good dinner. The show full of pirates and gunfights was very entertaining and the food was not bad at all.

We enjoyed a three-course meal starting with soup or salad, a choice of roasted half chicken or ham, and ended it with Apple Cobbler ala mode.

You can read the full review here.

Medieval Times

Step back in time to witness a tournament and enjoy a feast. The competition is full of sword fights, jousting, and horsemanship.

The food is about average. You get soup, rotisserie chicken, potato, corn, bread, and a pound cake for dessert.

With general admission, you may end up at the higher rows, but you can upgrade and get a guaranteed seat on the first 2 rows.

Read more about Medieval Times here.

Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong (Korean Bbq)

Orange County is full of Korean Bbq restaurants, so it is hard to decide where to go. 

But I think I found the perfect place to try Korean Bbq. 

Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong is located inside a mostly Korean strip mall in Buena Park.

Every table in this place has a grill in middle. As you are seated, you will notice that the table is already full of appetizers and condiments around the grill. 

The best way to experience this place is to order a combo of meats for the whole table. 

For the two of us, we order the beef combo, which came with Thinly Sliced Brisket, Prime Marinated Beef, Prime Boneless Short Rib, Soybean Paste, and Kimchi Stew.

The best thing about this experience is that the waiter will grill the meat for you to perfection. Of course, you can do the grilling yourself if you are so inclined.

We devoured our beef with a large selection of sides including kimchi, boiled potato slicked with sugar and soy, fish cake noodles, sheets of rice paper, and a bean sprout salad.

The meal was satisfying, the service excellent, and the price very reasonable.

The restaurant we visited is in Buena Park, but they also have a location in Los Angeles.

5171 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621

Nova Kitchen and Bar

Nova Kitchen restaurant bills itself as a place to engage and tantalize the five senses of taste, smell, sight, touch, and sound. The result? An ethereal and magical experience. 

I wouldn't go as far as ethereal and magical, but it was a delightful experience. 

The decor is elegant and the music exciting, with excellent service and exquisite food. 

The restaurant is part of the Hyatt Regency hotel complex in Anaheim. It offers Asian Fusion cuisine and a great selection of cocktails and wines. 

During our visit, we ordered the rainbow, spicy tuna with mango salsa, and a shrimp tempura roll. They came out quickly and were very tasty.

For drinks, we tried the Hibiscus Zest, Lights out Tokyo, and the Sunrise Tokyo - all were just right.

Our dessert was the recommended Chocolate Ganache Cake which came with ice cream - very delicious.

The prices were on the high side but expected at a high-end place like this one.

12361 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840

The Food

SAVOR Stone Hearth Pizza & Wine

SAVOR at the Anaheim Sheraton Convention Center became my instant favorite for the exceptional pizza and great service.

We went for dinner, and as soon as we were seated, we were treated to a homemade soup and a charcuterie of regional cheeses and meats. The selection was delicious, but I caution you, don't indulge too much. Leave room for the real treat.

Meanwhile, the check was busy cooking up some unique wood-fired pizzas for our main course. 

The wait staff kept bringing pizzas with weird names like Honey Bear, Cherry Bomb, The P, B&J, The Gladiator, Farmers Market, and The Shroom, and we kept eating.

Every pizza was tasty, and the break was perfect, but we had to stop the train because we were too full.

The meal ended with delicious dessert pizzas. 

I would defiantly come back for more but maybe starve myself all day first.

1855 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 

Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet

Open Buffets are dangerous for me, especially when the food is so delicious. This place is right on the edge of OC, in Cerritos, but deserves mention here. 

Dimassi's is a chain that started in Texas and finally made it to California. The restaurants offer a big spread of authentic Mediterranean dishes, starting with a selection of salads, three flavors of hummus, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and pita chips.

The main dishes include several rice varieties, some with lamb and others with beef or veggies. 

Of course, you can't have Mediterranean food without a selection of meat like gyro, kafta, kabob, lamb shank, or fried chicken. 

There isn't enough room to list all the savory selections, so head to the menu for more enticing details.

12727 Towne Center Dr, Cerritos, CA

Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen

Desi means the Indian subcontinent region, but it is also the cuisine of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.

Khan Saab is the perfect place to experience the Halal flavors of this region with a California twist.

During our visit, we tried the Classic Chicken Curry, the Lamb Rogan Josh, and the Aloo Gobi. They are all curry dishes, but the Aloo Gobi is a vegetarian dish with potato, cauliflower, and tomato sauce. All were flavorful and mildly spicy.

The main dishes do not come with sides; you must order them. So we ordered basmati rice and garlic Naan bread. 

Since this is a Halal place, you can't order alcoholic drinks, so the restaurant offers a mocktail drinks menu. We tried the Mango Mojito and the Mango Mimosa. Both were delicious, but I enjoyed the mimosa more.

For dessert, we tried their recommended Chocolate Samosa. It came with vanilla ice cream and was very tasty.

The service was excellent. Our waiter was friendly and kept checking on us. 

Located in the busy downtown Fullerton district 

229 E Commonwealth Ave Unit A, Fullerton, CA 

Harley Laguna Beach

Harley is a few steps from the beach but hidden away on a side street. You don't come here for the view or the beach - you are here for the food and the elegant decor - and excellent service.

It is a casual restaurant focused on creative, seasonal menus with fresh catches of the day.

I found it very interesting that the menu changes every day and highlights the catch of the day, including the name of the fisherman and location. It can't get any fresher than this.

On our last visit, we ordered the "Rod and Reel caught local Dorado Mahi Mahi" and the "Santa Maria Wood-Grilled Pachamama Pork Chops". 

Other than the long and sexy names, what is so special about those dishes? In a word - delicious!

Both came with a great presentation and the right sides to complement the taste. Both are also very low-carb.

To go with this tasty food, we ordered the Funkasaurus (with rum) and the Hibiscus Martini. 

370 Glenneyre St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Javier's Restaurant

Javier's is one of the newest additions to the ever-expanding Irvine Spectrum. It is located near well-established eateries like The Cheese Cake Factory, PF Chang, and Cucina, so why dine here?

Well, the food of course. It is just delicious! Bus also the ambiance and the service were excellent.

We started with some chips and salsa. The salsa was great but too spicy, so we ordered the guac to balance it out.

We then tried the two of their combo plates: the Enchilada with Taco, and the trio of Enchilada, Taco, and Chille Relleno. 

The food was delicious and plentiful. We had a lot of leftovers. 

We also tried two of their margaritas, the Guava and Pineapple. I personally preferred the Guava Rita.

For a great end to the meal, we had the tres leches and the Corn Bread Pudding, and they were so tasty, we didn't have any leftovers. 

536 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA. 

PF Chang’s

My list of special dining places usually avoids chain restaurants, but I can’t skip this fusion Asian with inventive dishes and extended happy hour.

If you like Asian food, you love the variety and quality of selection. During our last visit, we started with the Letus Wraps, Shrimp Dumplings, and the Kung Pao Dragon Roll.

For the main course, we picked Mongolian Beef, Crispy Honey Shrimp, and Stir-Fried Eggplant. Everything was delicious, and the portions were just right.

For dessert, we had two helpings of the Banana Spring Rolls – because one is never enough.

The drinks are also exceptional. Every cocktail on the menu tastes just right; we especially like the Coconut Mohito and the Mei Tei.

My favorite location is at the Garden Walk in Anaheim. After our meals, we can browse through the stores or walk to Down Town Disney for more fun.

321 W Katella Ave Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92802

Alessa

Alessa is an upscale Italian restaurant with tasty creations that please the pallet and the eye - and the service is excellent.

On our last visit, we tried two ravioli dishes. We started with Zucca, a butternut squash ravioli with ricotta cheese. We then tried the Nonna Titina ravioli with cheese and spinach. 

We enjoyed our meal with delicious drinks. I had the house Merlot which had a hint of plum and cherry flavors. My wife enjoyed a strawberry and basil mojito. 

234 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA

Ozen Sushi

A little shack in a residential area is hard to miss, but if you love Sushi, you must stop here.

Ozen offers a large selection of rolls, Sushi, Sashimi, and hand-rolls – ala-cart and all-you-can-eat. Everything is fresh and tasty.

We usually get the all-you-can-eat option and try new things along with our favorites. During our last visit, we tried the Ozen roll, Crunch roll, rainbow roll, and salmon and tuna sushi. We also had crunch and spicy tuna hand-rolls. All came out as expected and mouth-watering.

For dessert, we enjoyed several flavors of their ice cream macarons. Our favorites were green tea and mango.

While visiting, you can also try their selection of Japanese beers and Saki.

If you prefer you can order from the extensive menu with Bento boxes and non-sushi items. All bento boxes come with rolls, tempura, and miso soup.

7185 Lincoln Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620

RA Sushi

A delight for the eye and the pallet, RA Sushi is located in the District in Tustin with both indoor and outdoor seating. 

On our last visit, we enjoyed several rolls, hand rolls, and sashimi dishes. My favorites were the Viva Las Vegas and the Crunchy Shrimp Tempura rolls. 

For dessert, we tried their coconut cream brulle and the Cinamon Tempura Ice Cream. both were delicious. 

Roy's @ Garden Walk

Dining at Roy's is like taking a culinary safari across the Pacific Rim. This fusion cuisine restaurant offers seafood dishes like Hibachi Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi, or my favorite the Shellfish Sampler.

If you prefer items from the land, try their Braised Short Ribs of Beef, or Katsu Chicken.

For starters, you can try their selection of Sushi rolls, Poke, or Shrimp Tempura. 

The wine list and the mixed drinks are just right. On a recent visit, we tried their Mango Mojito and the 1988 Martini. Both were excellent.

Leaving the best for last, for dessert, we tried both of their creations. The Pineapple Upside Cake and the Chocolate Suflet were a good end to our meal. 

The only drawback is the prices. On the plus side, the Garden Walk Roy's has a very nice patio seating with Hawaiian-style torches. 

Outback Steakhouse

Steak lovers can’t miss this American Cuisine restaurant. The steaks are cooked just right and the service is excellent.

For starters, we ordered their famous bloomin’ onion and coconut shrimp. Both were very tasty.

For our main courses, we tried steak with unlimited shrimp, baby-back ribs, halibut, and the Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

We completed our meal with the “Chocolate Thunder from Down Under” – a delight of pecan brownie topped, vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.

7575 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Fire Lake Grillhouse

Many hidden gems are located inside hotels and this one is inside the Radisson Blu Anaheim. 

The hotel has several restaurants and bars, each with its unique atmosphere and food selection. 

We visited Fire Lake on Thanksgiving day and tried their Thanksgiving feast. 

The feast is a 3-course meal, with each course priced separately, so you can decide how much to eat - and pay.

The meal started with a Squash Soup made with brown butter sage crème fraiche.

The main course was Smoked BBQ Spiced Turkey Breast, gravy, cranberry hibiscus sauce, yucca stuffing. The meal was delicious and satisfying.

You get to pick a side out of the available 4 options. We picked the mashed potatoes with cheddar and the Brown Butter Okinawa Sweet Potatoes Casserole. 

The mashed potatoes were ordinary, but the sweet potato casserole was out of this world.

Of course, you can't have a Thanksgiving feast without pumping pie. We tried theirs and it was very tasty.

If you are not here for a special occasion like Thanksgiving, you can try their signature dishes like Fig & Venison Flatbread, Roasted Skuna Bay Salmon, or Bone-In Prime Filet.

1601 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

Tamba 30 (Indian)

This Indian cuisine gen is hidden in a small strip mall in downtown Anaheim. This restaurant offers delicious authentic Indian dishes and lunch Buffett. 

During our last visit, we started with an assortment of appetizers. Our favorites were the Veggie Samosa and the Paneer Pakora.

For our main dishes, we shared the chicken Teka Masala and the Lamb Curry. Both were very tasty and the portions were large. We had lots of leftovers.

We ended our meal with "Gulab Jamun" - a very sweet milk-solid-based ball of joy. 

30 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

Brussels Bistro

Forest Street is now closed for cars allowing restaurants to offer outdoor seating. We decided to try Brussels Bistro, located at the corner of Forest and PCH - and we were pleasantly surprised. 

The food and drinks were excellent. We tried their Trout Almondine and the Beet Salad. Both were delicious. The trout was cooked just right and the mashed potatoes were perfect.

My wife and I had the Zombie in the Park and we both loved it. We had seconds. 

For dessert, we order the Crepes Flambee. It wasn't the best dessert we had. The crepes were ok, but they were smothered with the sauce. 

I would still recommend this restaurant for their great-tasting dishes.

222 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA

Latte Ristorante

A delightful Italian restaurant in a strip mall located in Anaheim Hills. There is nothing special about the location, but the food was perfect. We enjoyed every bite and we ended up with a lot of leftovers.

For starters, we tried the Mozzarella Capres and the Garlic Bread. For our main meal we ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana, Pollo Parmigiana, and Capellini Gamberi (shrimp). Everything came out just right and was very tasty.

My wife tried their Riesling wine. She liked it so much, we ordered a bottle to go. They offer a $10 discount on the bottle with a meal.

We finish our diner with the dessert of the day and a tiramisu. The dessert of the day was an orange stuffed with delicious orange sorbet. 

The service was also exemplary. Our main waiter and others were always around in case we needed something. 

Advice: if you have a choice, don't dine in their outdoor tent. There is too much noise from the parking lot and neighboring establishments. 

751 S Weir Canyon Rd # 151, Anaheim, CA 

Claim Jumper

If you love traditional American cuisine and especially steak and potato, this place is for you.

It used to be difficult to find a table here due to long waits, but recently they started to take reservations. 

Some of the delicious selections here are classic cheeseburger, chicken pot pie, meatloaf & mashed potatoes, bbq baby back ribs, and prime center-cut filet.

On a recent visit, we tried the ribs, chicken Pot Pie, and the Country Fried Steak. We loved every choice.

The service was also excellent. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. He made us feel welcome.

We ended our meal with a scrumptious Berry Butter Cake.

Craft by Smoke and Fire

This unexpected gem is on Anaheim's Center Street Promenade and is famous for smoked briskets, BBQ, Steak, and Craft cocktails.

The place is spacious, with outdoor seating and live music. 

On a recent visit, we chose to sit outside to enjoy the California weather and watch people on the promenade. 

We ordered brisket tacos, a brisket burrito, and a smash burger. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. 

For dessert, we tried their bread pudding, it wasn't the best pudding we had, but it was a nice end to our meal.

Hanagi at the Majestic

Hangai is a hidden gem for Sushi lovers. It is inside the Anaheim Majestic Hotel near Disneyland and offers unique Nigiri and Rolls along with other Japanese dishes. 

We went for the Sushi, but they do have other cooked dishes to satisfy all tastes. 

We wanted to taste several of the chef's creations, so we ordered the Chef’s omakase nigiri 12 pieces. The plate was full of nigiri samples and was fulfilling on its own, but we also decided to try the double shrimp tempura roll - both were exceptionally tasty.

I also enjoyed the attentive service at Hanagi. The waiters continuously asked if we needed something, recommended dishes, and refilled our drinks.  

I would definitely return to this place to try their other Sushi offerings.

Hoshi Sushi and Lounge

This Japanese cuisine restaurant is in Amerige Heights Town Center, Fullerton, and offers a large selection of dishes and rolls.

The food was delicious, and we were pleasantly surprised by the prices. The restaurant offers a 40% discount on the total check and free ice cream.

On our most recent visit, we ordered Crazy Roll, Double Crunch Roll, Rose Roll, and Salmon with Mango Roll.

We enjoyed every bite, and the rolls were more than enough for three adults. 

1889-2291 W Malvern Ave, Fullerton, CA

With extreme weather that can reach 110 F in the summer and freezing temperatures in winter, why would anyone want to spend any time in this desolate desert town?

In spite of the desert conditions, Palm Springs attracted many people throughout its history for various reasons. 

First, the Cahuilla Indian tribes made this area home and called it Se-Khi, which means boiling water, for the hot springs bubbling from the sand. 

Then people with some medical conditions started flocking to the area to take advantage of the dry and hot weather.

In the early 1900s, several hotels and resorts were built to attract the rich and famous. 

Read more about Palm Spring’s history at Wikipedia.

Now the area has many permanent residents along visitors enjoying all kinds of events and activities. 

As a visitor, you can just chill at one of the resorts and enjoy dining, water activities, golf, tennis, nightclubs or just along the main drag “Palm Canyon”. 

The more adventurous can take the Aerial Tramway to a height of 8500 ft, enjoy the cooler weather and hike through the San Jacinto State Park. 

Or you can rent an ATV (quad) and speed through the sand dunes.

If you are a party animal, try to catch one of the festivals like Festival of Lights Parade, Splash House Pool Party, Village Fest, Spring Break or, Gay Pride.

Read About it:

• Insiders' Guide to Palm Springs, 2nd Edition
• Palm Springs Paradise

Fun around town

Walk around

Most major hotels and resorts are within walking distance from the main street “Palm Canyon”. So leave your car behind and take a walk along this busy street. You will find lots of unique shops and restaurants. Statues and monuments celebrating famous people and native American culture are almost on every corner. A few of those statues are for people like Sonny Bono, Lucille Ball and Gene Autry. Towards the west, you enjoy the views of the stark mountains that cast a long shadow on Palm Springs. 

Palm Canyon at night has a festive personality with brilliant lights and loud music blaring from restaurants and bars. 

Also within walking distance are Regal Cinemas. If you have some time to kill during the heat of the afternoon it is a good place to catch a movie.

Fun Nearby

Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs right below the San Jacinto mountains. So to escape the desert heat, take the Aerial Tramway to a height of 8500 ft and enjoy a much cooler climate and some stunning views.

Before you start on your trip, explore around desert station. There is a nice waterfall outside with a nice view of ascending cars.

The tram ride is part of the fun. The cars rotated 360 degrees giving every passenger the chance to see in all directions. As you climb to your destination you can see the desert below and the mountain up ahead.

Tip: Try to travel light. The car will be cramped. One backpack should be enough for your trip.

The cars are standing room only and they really packed with people. The car holds up to 80 passengers with their gear. 

Tip: If you are afraid of heights, you can get a place away from the windows and avoid looking down. 

Once you make it to the mountain station, you can start exploring. 

At the station, you can look to the east side for amazing desert views and the tiny city of Palm Springs down below. On the west side, you can enjoy the forest of San Jacinto State Park. 

Once you are done exploring the mountain station, you can descend down a winding path to the State Park and take a short hike. 

The nature trail around the station is easy with designated viewing points called “Notches” – numbered from 1 to 5. From those vantage points, you can admire various desert views. 

For the more adventures, there are plenty of wilderness trails, but you need a special permit to go on one of those.

Tip: Remember that winding path going down? Now you have to take it back up to the station. That is the most difficult part of this hike.

Once you make it back to the top, it is time for lunch. There are 2 dining choices at the mountain station. You can get a snack from the Cafeteria style restaurant or you can dine in style at Peaks Restaurant.

We recently tried the Peaks and really enjoying our lunch. The food was pretty good but expensive. What really enjoyed is the panoramic view of the desert below. When eating at The Peaks you're mostly paying for the view, not the food.

All-in-all, our trip on the Aerial Tramway was exciting and worth the money. We enjoyed breathtaking views, had some workout on our hike and enjoyed a good meal. I highly recommend this adventure to everyone.

Tickets are $24 for adults. If you are planning to come often for hiking or skiing, then an annual pass for $160 makes sense. They also have a summer pass for $75.

Read another Aerial Tramway review here.

Off Road Rentals

It is always fun to ride on a 4-wheel ATV and speed around on the sand dunes. Usually, you would need to specially designated vehicular activity areas to enjoy the dunes. Off-road rentals on the outskirts of Palm Springs offer you a convenient alternative. 

This is a privately owned area with plenty of sand dunes to fulfill your need for thrills. You can rent an ATV for $40 for about 40 minutes of fun. 

Tip: Make sure to bring sunscreen and sunglasses. 

You start by entering a cave-like building to view a safety and instructions video. You really need to pay attention to the instructions, especially if it was your first time. 

Then you go to a friendly attendant who collects your payment and directs you to where you get your helmet and goggles. Goggles are required for kids under 18. Adults can wear their own glasses. This is to protect you from sand during your ride.

At the starting line, the attendants will match you with the right ATV for your size and weight and provide you with your final instructions. 

Tip: You can pay by credit card, but be prepared to leave the card with the staff while you ride. They run it through while you are having fun.

The tracks start on level ground to help you get used to your ATV. Once you feel confident, you can start climbing some dunes at varying heights. If you stay at the bottom, you can still have lots of fun going fast, doing doughnuts or spinning down sinkholes. 

If you go up the hill be prepared to stall or get stuck. But don’t worry, if you do get stuck and attend will help you get unstuck. You will also learn the trick very quickly. 

The ride was exhilarating and felt very long, even though it was only 45 minutes. The staff were very friendly and helpful. 

At the end of your ride, you are offered some cold drinks while you drop off the equipment. 

Where to eat 

Lulu California Bistro

On our last day at Palm Springs, we went to Lulu’s Cafe for breakfast.  They had a variety of choices from southwestern to crepes to make your own omelets to a traditional breakfast. For those that don't really enjoy breakfast Chicken quesadillas presented themselves on the menu and saved the day. The coffee was excellent and the view of the mountains was wonderful and relaxing.  

Maracas Cantina 

The restaurant stays open quite late as we sat down at 9:00 PM. The majority of restaurants had already closed by that time so we were happy to have located it.  As a family that frequently dines at El Torito Grill, we were extremely pleased by the authenticity of Maracas. El Torito does not compare. The Chili Relleno was doused with a creamy heartwarming cheese and a breading that tickled your tongue. The chili did not take much effort to cut and made eating it so much more enjoyable. 

Where to stay

The city has many hotels, motels and resorts to satisfy every taste and budget. You can get very good deals at motel chains like Extended Stay America, Renaissance Palm Springs, Best Western Inn and Comfort Inn.

If you prefer to live in luxury, try one of the high-end hotels like The Westin, L’Horizon, Hard Rock or La Quinta. 

Tip: Choose your hotel wisely. Some hotels are party hotels and others are geared toward families. If you are looking for the party atmosphere, look for places like Hard Rock hotel, Palm Springs Rendezvous or Avanti Hotel. But if you have kids then try places like Marriott's Desert Springs, Omni Rancho Las Palmas or Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa.

Were recently stayed at the Hard Rock hotel and our experience was mixed. We enjoyed the comfort, service and Rock music theme, but we did not enjoy the noise level. Read the full review below.

Hard Rock Hotel

If you love Rock n’ Roll, then this is the hotel for you. The rooms are elegantly designed with photos of Rock and Roll legends. 

The beds were firm but comfortable with soft or hard pillows, your choice. The room comes with a coffee maker and a mini fridge packed up with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You also get a shelve with a choice of snacks. 

Tip: Be warned! The snack shelve and the fridge are weight sensitive. If you remove any of the items, you will get charged for it automatically. The prices are very high. You will end up paying $4 for a can of soda and up to $95 for a bottle of Champaign. 

The best feature of the hotel is the location. It is one block off Palm Canyon Road with all the shops and restaurants. You are also within walking distance to other venues like movie theaters.

The staff are very friendly and helpful. They answer calls right away and provide directions when asked.

The pools area is large with cabanas, a Jacuzzi and a full bar. Towels and lounge chairs are provided. The only problem is that it is overcrowded with standing room only. There is no room for real swimming or playing in the water. 

The rooms at night were very noisy with drunk people running around and screaming. The staff responded to our complaints after midnight and talked to the offenders, but our night was already ruined.  

I recommend this hotel for Hard Rock lovers and party animals, but not for families with kids or for relaxation.

 

The city of San Diego and the greater San Diego County are home to beautiful beaches, popular attractions, hiking trails and many more adventures.

Many people come to the city to enjoy SeaWorld’s exhibits and shows or the world-famous San Diego Zoo, but there is much more to explore around town. 

You can spend days visiting the museums at Balboa Park, take a sunset dinner cruise in the harbor, or climb aboard an Aircraft Carrier. 

Or if you prefer, you can visit the Cabrillo National Monument, hike through Torrey Pines State Park or go on the Sunset Cliffs trail for stunning views of the ocean.

And if you have more time you can drive away from the city to enjoy San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido or Lego Land in Carlsbad.

Plan your visit to San Diego at the official website here.  

A brief history

Even though some Native American tribes lived in the area for thousands of years, San Diego has the distinction of being the first area of California to be discovered by Europeans. 

Since the first discovery by Juan Cabrillo in 1542, the area changed hands several times. First, it was a Spanish territory. Then it was claimed by Mexico after Mexican independence from Spain. Finally, it became a US territory in 1848 after the American Victory in the Mexican–American War. 

The city started to flourish when the US Navy became interested in its great natural harbor and its location.

Interesting Facts: The top employer in the city is the United States Navy.

Read more about San Diego’s history at Wikipedia.  

Where to stay

Your decision on where to stay depends on many factors like what are you planning to do, your budget, and your arrival time. 

If you are planning to mainly explore downtown, then you should consider one of the hotels right in the Gaslamp Quarter or downtown waterfront. Some of the best choices are the Marriott Marquis Marina, Hilton Bayfront, and Grand Hyatt. For a budget hotel in or close to downtown, you can try Porto Vista, Wyndham Bayside, or Westin. 

If your main goal is to visit SeaWorld, then try the Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Masson Bay or the Bahia Resort. For budget choices, try places like Holiday Inn Express, Wyndham Garden, or Travel Lodge SeaWorld.

Read more about where to stay here.

Things to do in San Diego

There is plenty to explore without leaving town. You can take a stroll in the Gaslamp Quarter with plenty of shops and restaurants, rent a bike and ride along the bayfront, visit SeaWorld, go on a cruise or spend a day at Balboa Park.  

Build your own discounted San Diego Go Card Here - Multi-attraction Pass.

Gaslamp Quarter

One of the best ways to get to know a city is just to get out and walk around. And one of the best walks in San Diego is in the Gaslamp Quarter.

This is an area of about 16 city blocks with a major shopping mall anchoring one corner. 

You can start your walk at the Westfield Horton Plaza mall. The mall itself is a destination for shoppers and gawkers alike due to its unique architecture. 

Right outside the mall, there is a small park with a nice fountain and statues of the San Diego founding fathers.

The quarter streets are named by letters and numbers. You can explore any of the streets, but the main thoroughfare is 5th avenue. This street is the longest stretch and has the most shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. 

Interesting Facts: Did you know that San Diego was home to everyone’s favorite wacky children’s author, Ted Geisel – more frequently referred to as Dr. Seuss?

The quarter is especially beautiful at night when all the Gaslamps are let and the streets are bustling with people and the music is blaring from the nightclubs.

Tip: The best way to enjoy San Diego attractions is by getting a go-city card. Build your own here.

If you plan to dine at the quarter, try La Puerta Mexican restaurant, Greystone the Steak House, or Meze Greek Fusion. 

La Puerta is famous for its street tacos. They also have a great surf & turf burrito. Happy hour is very busy and loud but you can expect good prices. 

At Greystone, you can’t go wrong with any of the meats. Try the New York Steak or Filet Mignon. If you are hungry, try the short ribs tacos for starters. The place is a little pricey, but if you go during happy hour, you will get to try different cuts at reduced prices.

My favorite is Meze Greek Fusion on Sixth Street. This restaurant offers authentic Greek cuisine with a California flair. Meze means small plates, but the menu offers full meals for every appetite. For starters, you must try the Lentil Soup, Baba Ghanosh, Dolma or Fiery Fetta Dip. For the main meal try the Lamb Chops or traditional Greek favorites like Falafel or Gyro plates. And finally, don’t skip the Baklava for dessert.

For Japanese cuisine lovers, stop at Ramaki on the edge of the Gaslamp Quarter where you can get some great Raman, Poke, and Sushi. 

For a dessert or a snack, you must try Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. Their ice-cream flavors on waffle cones are to die for. Once you are done with your dessert, you can go shopping for a collection of chocolates for your family and friends – or indulge yourself. 

If you keep walking down 5th avenue you will reach the waterfront where you will find the Convention Center, some of San Diego’s iconic hotels, Seaport Village and the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier. 

Seaport Village

Seaport village is about a 20-minute walk from the Gaslamp Quarter. Close enough to include it in the same walk. 

The village resembles an old harborside town with its unique shops and casual dining places. You can also enjoy fine dining at 4 waterfront restaurants. 

Seaport also hosts some unique events like Surfin Santa Arrival and Busker Festival. Many restaurants book live music events. My favorite is the Bit of Greece at the Greek Islands Café.

One caution! The village is a tourist trap. Shop at your own risk. 

Interesting Facts: San Diego has the most ideal climate with temperatures averaging 70 all year long

In spite of that warning, you can still have lots of fun. Browse through the shops. Try a few things like flying a kite or face painting. Enjoy the street performers.

The Headquarters are right across the street from Seaport Village. It is a new plaza with more boutique shops and dining options. You can find known places like the Cheese Cake Factory, Starbucks, or Sunglass Hut. Or discover new places like Gelato Paradiso, Geppetto’s Toys, and Lori L. Fine Art Gallery. 

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier

A few steps away from the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, or the Cruise terminal, you will find this must-see attraction – a real Aircraft carrier!

The USS Midway was the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier – active from 1945 to 1992. After its long military service, it is now berthed in San Diego harbor and opened to the public since 2004.  

Before you even get on this magnificent ship, you will be amazed by its size and design. As you approach its berth, you will be wondering how this behemoth could float – let alone carry crew and airplanes. 

After you get your tickets ($20 adult), you will climb some steep stairs to reach the hanger deck. This is where the aircraft were stored and maintained before launching. The deck was huge with many types of fighters on display. 

The hanger deck also has a row of flight simulators. There are 2 types to choose from Air Combat and Flight avionics. It is a neat way to pretend you are on a mission launched from the carrier.

The admission price includes a free audio tour. If you decide to use it, you will get 2-minute audio clips about various marked locations throughout the ship. You don’t really need the audio. There are a lot of volunteers at the important spots with a lot of valuable information. Many of the volunteers are retired navy sailors. 

From the hanger deck, you can go up to the flight deck where the planes launch or land. More planes and helicopters were on display. You can inside some of them and explore. 

From the flight deck, you also have a great view of San Diego and the Bay. On the port (left) side, you can see a nice statue of the famous sailor kissing a nurse at the end of WWII. 

If you go down from the hanger deck you will come across the galley where food is prepared, the mess deck – where the enlisted eat, the laundry, sickbay, the brig, and a fire station. 

Tip: If you are claustrophobic you may want to avoid the lower decks. It is very cramped and stuffy in places. 

If you have more time, you can watch videos about the carrier, try your hand with knot-tying, climb on some bunks, get inside cockpits, go to jail or take one of the guided tours. See more adventures here.

Balboa Park

This is a sprawling 1200-acre park full of open spaces, gardens, hiking trails, and lots of museums. The park is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. 

In 1915, the parklands were used to host the San Diego Panama-Pacific International Exposition which celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal and lasted for 2 years. Later many of the park's buildings were recommissioned as museums.  

You can spend a day just walking around and exploring the history and architecture, picnicking in the green zones, riding a mini train, going on a carousel, or visiting the International Village. 

But you will need several days to experience the variety of museums. The park has an amazing collection of museums like "Air and Space", "Science Center", "Natural History" and "Museum of Art".

Read the full review here.

Downtown Historic Trolley Tour

One of the best ways to explore the city of San Diego is by taking the historic old town trolley. You can jump on and off the trolley at any of the 10 stops throughout the day.

Interesting Facts: The first drive-in restaurant in the United States was opened in San Diego by the man who later founded Jack in the Box in 1951.

Along the way, the driver will share with you interesting San Diego history and tips about places to see and things to do.

You can start your tour at any of the 10 stops along the route, but the main starting point is at Old Town San Diego. 

Some of the other important stops are the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado Island, and Balboa Park. 

Read the full review here.

Waterfront Park

Twelve acres of land were set aside for this beautiful waterfront park. The park offers picnic areas, clean bathrooms, and a small water park where kids can get wet and have a blast. 

When the kids get tired of water play they can have more fun in the modern playground.

If you did not bring your own picnic, they have a small cafe where you can get some snacks and drinks. 

The park is right across from the Embarcadero and behind the County Center building in Little Italy.

The water park opens from 11 am to 7 pm while the main park has longer hours.

After the park, the whole family can walk to Little Italy on India street, do some shopping or dine at one of the restaurants.

Cabrillo National Monument

At the tip of Point Loma Peninsula, the monument commemorates the explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who was the first to set foot on the west coast of North America. 

This park has a museum, movie theater, tide-pool exploration and a stunning view of San Diego harbor and downtown skyline from a high vantage point. 

If you are interested in the tide pools, make sure to check the low tide schedule. See official website for more details. 

Also at the highest point of the park, you will find the Point Loma Lighthouse. It was closed down in 1891 because it was always shrouded in fog due to its height. A newer one was built at a lower elevation.

The park is also close to the "Maritime Museum of San Diego", so you can make a side trip to visit the museum.

SeaWorld 

Sea World is the only park in which you can get up close and personal with sea creatures and get an education while having fun. You can meet Shamu the killer whale, watch the Dolphins play their tricks, visit the sharks in their natural habitat, go to the North Pole on an icy safari and peek at the Penguins – and you get all that fun for a bargain.

San Diego Go Card

Shows that you shouldn’t miss are Orca Encounter; Sea Lions Live; Dolphin Days; A trip to Wild Arctic; Shark encounter. For thrill-seekers, try one of the rides: Journey To Atlantis; Manta; Shipwreck Rapids, and Wild Arctic (the ride).

Read the full SeaWorld review here.

Outside of Town

On the outskirts of the city of San Diego or further inland, you can find many more attractions and adventures. Visit the beaches at La Jolla, go to Lego Land and the flower fields in Carlsbad, or go on a Safari in Escondido. 

For even more activities, go mine for gold, hike, camp, or picnic in the mountains at Julian.

Interesting Facts: San Diego County is home to the most missions in the country. Take the mission trail to visit Mission San Diego de Alcala, Mission San Luis Rey, Mission San Antonio de Pala and Mission Santa Ysabel. 

Build your own discounted San Diego Go Card Here - Multi-attraction Pass.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located in San Diego County close to the city of Escondido. It spans 1800 acres of land and is stocked with 2600 animals from 300 species. It is also home to thousands of plant species – some of them in a protected preserve. 

The main attraction is a vast open area with free-ranging animals that vary from the fierce lions to the tame Giraffes. The only way to enjoy this vast flora and fauna is to join a Safari. More the on Safari options later.

Read the full SD Zoo Safari Park article here

La Jolla – Beaches and Hiking

La Jolla is a little town on the outskirts of San Diego with nice beaches, hotels, golf courses, a state park and the famous University of California, San Diego. 

No one knows for sure where the name originated, but some say it means the place with holes – referring to the many caves and coves on the shoreline. Others say it means the Jewel. In either case, is a jewel on the beach and it is full of caves and coves – making it a very interesting place to visit and explore.

Tip: Alcohol is not permitted on any of San Diego beaches. So leave your beer behined.

So spend some time at La Jolla Shores beach or go snorkeling at La Jolla Cove. If you prefer you can go hiking at Torrey Pines State Preserve or even learn how to Glide at the Glider Port.

Read the full review here.

I love San Francisco! Nature and human ingenuity came together to make this a wonderful place for visitors and residents alike. 

San Francisco sits on a beautiful bay, surrounded by water almost in every direction. Tall modern buildings fill the skyline at the center while Victorian buildings of every size and shape adorn the surrounding neighborhoods. 

To connect everything and keep the city moving, San Francisco has one of the best transportation systems in the US. You can take an electric bus to your destination, ride one of the famous Cable Cars, take a taxi, ride a ferry boat or if you insist you can drive. Whenever I visit San Francisco I ditch the car. Parking is difficult to find and expensive.  Also, if you are not used to it, driving up and down the hills could be challenging. If your destination is a neighboring city or the airport, you can take the BART train. 

Connecting San Francisco to Marin County is the most famous bridge in the world: The Golden Gate Bridge. On the other side, if you are going to Oakland you will cross over another beautiful bridge: The Bay Bridge.

San Francisco is also a haven for active people. You can walk to many destinations or ride the bike. Walking and biking are the best ways to explore the city when you are not in a hurry. Obviously, you have to avoid the big hills - unless you are a professional cyclist. You can always rent an electric bike to help with those hills. 

There is so much to see and do in San Francisco and surrounding areas. It is just not possible to do it all in one visit. 

One of the best ways to experience San Franciso is by getting a CityPASS that includes many SF attractions.

You can start by doing the touristy thing: Go the Fisherman’s Warf and have a bowl of clam chowder; Visit Pier-39 with all the shops and restaurants;  Walk and shop through Chinatown; Take a bus tour; Go to the Golden Gate Bridge; or take a cruise to Alcatraz.

Then you can really start exploring the area: Go to Golden Gate Park; Hike through the Muir Woods; Go on a wine tasting tour of Napa Valley; Take the ferry to a neighboring city; Join a guided bike ride over the Golden bridge and into Sausalito; Hike through Angel Island; Visit the Museum of Modern Art; or take the kids to The Exploratorium. 

Getting there and around

I highly recommend flying into San Francisco then taking a shuttle or the BART train to your hotel. If you fly in you will not have to worry about parking or driving the crazy hills. BART is cheaper, but you will have to disembark at a station close to your hotel then take a bus or taxi. Go here for details.

If you drive, try to find a hotel that offers parking, or find one close to large parking structures. Ask the hotel for parking information. Here are some tips on driving in S.F.

Finally, if you are going to drive from LA to S.F. then consider taking the Pacific Coast Highway for a most amazing road trip. More details in another article, but watch this video for a taste of this amazing trip.

Must see and do

Here is a list of main attractions that most tourists will visit when they come to San Francisco. Although those places are very touristy and commercialized, you will still enjoy your visit. The only drawback is the large crowds. You can avoid most of the crowds by going during the weekdays. 

Pier 39

Start by exploring the shops at Pier 39 where you can find souvenirs, gadgets, snacks and games. The pier is also home to the Aquarium of the Bay where you can get acquainted with SF Bay sea life.

Deeper into the pier, you can get the “7D Experience”. A roller-coaster, 3D movie and laser tag experience.

While at the pier, don’t forget to try the Musical Stairs where you can make music by going up and down the stairs.

For the young and young at heart try the Carousel or catch a puppet show. 

Save 45% on San Francisco's Muni and 4 other attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

One of the biggest attractions at the pier is the large population of Sea Lions that made the docks their home. Just walk to the edge or sides of the pier and enjoy the boisterous Pinnipeds and their antics. 

Right next Pier-39 you can book an adventure on land or sea. You can go on a sailing boat cruise or you can jump on a fast boat to Alcatraz or the Golden Gate Bridge.

Also close to the pier you can rent a bike for a whole day or go on a guided bike tour. I suggest doing both a cruise and bike tour to see the Golden Gate Bridge from all angles. More details later about both tours. 

Pier-39 has a lot of dining options including restaurants with amazing views of the bay. My favorite at the pier is Neptune’s Waterfront Grill & Bar. It has good food and the best view.

But for a more authentic San Francisco experience start walking towards Fisherman’s Wharf. 

Fisherman's Wharf 

As you walk west from Pier-39 you will start seeing bike rental shops, gift shops and several fleets of cruise ships. Keep going until you see the famous seafood street vendors where you can get your fill of fresh crab sandwiches or clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. If you like your dining a little fancier, check out the restaurants right on the docks. 

At the wharf, you can also visit the SS. Jeremiah O'Brien – a fully functional Liberty class warship. Also near the wharf, you can experience the strange and unusual at the “Ripley's Believe It or Not!” museum.

After your lunch or dinner, continue to head west on Beach or Jefferson. Along the way, you will encounter a lot of street performers and arts and crafts vendors. Some of them will show off their steel drum rhythms, others will play the guitar and sing. 

At Beach and Hyde you will come across Aquatic Park and one of the main Cable Car stations. You can end your walk here and take the Cable Car to another destination, or you can continue on to Ghirardelli Square home of the famous chocolates.  Ghirardelli Square is also home to “Kara's Cupcakes” with a large variety of the scrumptious little treats. 

Cable Cars

The cable cars in San Francisco are the most recognizable icon of the city. They were started by a new arrival from England who witnessed a bad accident with a horse pulling a carriage uphill (see more about the history here).  In 1873 the first cable car line started public service on Clay street.

The cable cars are a functional mode of transportation and a tourist attraction at the same time. Locals use them to get from place to place and tourists jump on them just for the thrilling experience. 

Tip: Be warned that during peak times many cable cars will pass you by before you can find an empty spot.  Your best bet is to start at one of the stations. See rider’s guide here. 

You can hop off at any stop along the way, but don’t expect a guaranteed spot if you decide to continue the route later.

The Hide & Beach station is right at Aquatic Park which is a nice walking distance from Fisherman’s Warf and Pier 39.

While waiting for your turn to ride the cable car you are usually entertained by street performers – some are very good and others are plain annoying.  

The ride from this station will take you all the way to Powel and Market station passing by Lombard Street, Cable Car Museum, Nob Hill, Chinatown and Union Square. Along the way, you will also enjoy great views of both bridges.

Lombard Street

A short walk from Pier-39 or Embarcadero is a street you must see to believe. After walking for a few blocks on a normal looking residential street you will start noticing the twists and turns going up the hill.

The climb up the last few blocks of the street is very steep with hairpin turns. Those sharp turns earn it the title of the “crookest street in the world”. 

If you don’t want to walk up Lombard Street, you can still enjoy this unique sight from the Powell-Hyde Cable Car Line.

Chinatown

This is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and spans several city blocks. It is only a half hour walk from Fisherman’s Warf or Pier-39.

Chinatown is a delight for shoppers and Asian food connoisseurs. You will find everything Chinese you can imagine. Gift shops, Jewelry, Dim Sum restaurants, Vegetable markets, Tea Rooms and a fortune cookie factory. 

The best way to enter Chinatown is at the intersection of Grant Ave. and Bush St. This is where the famous dragon gate is located. 

Tip: Unlike most stores in America, haggling about the price is acceptable – especially in gift and souvenir shops. If you find an item you like don’t be afraid to ask for a discount.

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable and visited San Francisco landmarks. It is also considered the most photographed bridge in the world. You really have to visit this engineering marvel at least once in your life. 

The bridge officially opened in 1937 and connected San Francisco and Marin County for the first time. The Golden Gate Bridge held the record for the longest span - 4200 feet - for a long time. 

There are two visitor centers - one on each end of the bridge. Both have amazing views of the bay and the city and the long span of the bridge itself, but the south Plaza was recently renovated. 

Tip: Parking is very limited at the plazas. It is highly recommended to use public transportation or biking.

If you are up to it, you can walk the length of the bridge to the other end – stopping frequently at the vista points. The hike along the bridge is about 1.7 miles long. If you don’t feel like hiking the whole distance, go up to the middle for a great view. 

While you are looking down and across the bay, you will see a lot of cruise ships passing under the bridge. You will also have a good view of Alcatraz Island. 

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Bay Cruises 

Another way to explore San Francisco area and view the two bridges is to take a cruise in the bay. Several cruise fleets operate between Fisherman’s Warf and Pier-39.

You can go with your typical cruise ship, a sailboat or a rocket boat depending on the pace you want to set.

A typical bay and bridge cruise takes from 1 to 2 hours. Some cruises include a visit to Alcatraz and may take half a day.

If you want a thrill ride, try the Rocket Boat operated by the Blue and Gold fleet. This speed boat can get up to 50 miles per hour and will take around 30 minutes to complete the cruise. Be ready to get drenched – especially if you are sitting in the back seats. 

For a more relaxed and leisurely pace take a Catamaran Sail Ship around the bay. 

During my last visit, I went on a Golden Gate Bay cruise with the Red and White Fleet. The boat was large with seats and tables on the lower deck and benches on the open upper deck. They also had a bar and snacks. 

The tour itself was excellent. We got to see the Golden Gate Bridge and go under it, we got very close to Alcatraz and we always had great views of the San Francisco skyline. All throughout the cruise, we had headsets to listen to some useful information. The only drawback is that the headsets sometimes stopped working and gave out an annoying noise. 

Tip: No matter how nice the weather is in San Francisco, you will probably need a sweater or jacket during the cruise. The strong wind and sea water make the temperatures feel much cooler than they really were. 

Ferry Building and Bay Bridge

You can use a ferry to get to many cities around the bay like Tuberon, Sausalito or Vallejo. The ferry building is the main port for all ferries and it is also a marketplace with many shops and restaurants. 

From this area, you also have a great view of the Bay Bridge. The bridge lights up at night with 25,000 individually programmed lights for a dazzling show. 

Out of the Ordinary

Bike Tours

One of the most enjoyable ways to experience parts of San Francisco is biking. There are a lot of bike rental and tour operators in S.F. You can rent a bike for the whole day or you can join a guided tour. 

I booked my tour with Blazing Saddles. They have several locations throughout the city, but I started my trip at the Hyde street location.  This tour passes through many S.F. points of interest like Fort Mason; Palace of Fine Arts; Presidio National Park.

The highlight of the tour is biking from the Fort Point to the Golden Gate Bridge and continuing over the bridge for 1.7 miles. 

Tip: The climb from the bottom of the bridge (at Bay level) to the top is very steep. If you don’t think you can make it, you can rent one of the electric bikes. They have a small motor that will assist you on the difficult climbs.

On the other end, you will be biking downhill to the beautiful city of Sausalito with its houseboat communities, shops and restaurants. 

Once you arrive at Sausalito you can ride the ferry back to San Francisco or you can go exploring the great bike trails in Marin County.  The ferry ticket is included in your tour price. 

A short bike ride takes you to the neighboring town of Tiburon. You can take the Tiburon ferry back to San Francisco.

Tip: During peak season and weekends the places set aside for bikes on a ferry get filled up quickly. You may have to get in line and wait for the next ferry.

Ferry Rides

Using the ferry is a great way to explore neighboring towns and attractions. Locals use them for commuting but that doesn’t stop tourists from jumping on for a ride. 

You can get to places like Sausalito, Angel Island, AT&T Park, Oakland and Vallejo. 

At Sausalito downtown, you can enjoy the shops and restaurants close to the ferry terminal or you can take a bike ride to the Redwoods, Mill Valley or Tiburon.  

On Angel Island you can go hiking, biking or just enjoy a picnic on the beach. The island also has a cafe offering unique sandwiches and wraps. 

AT&T Park is home to the SF Giants Baseball major league team but it also hosts other major events like Cirque Du Soleil. 

The city of Vallejo is a ferry ride away and is host to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – an amusement and water park. 

Angel Island State Park

This state park is located on the biggest island on the bay. The whole island is set aside for recreational activities. 

To get to the island you will need to take a ferry or use a private boat. Ferries run multiple times a day but are limited during winter months.

You can start your visit by taking a tram tour of the island to familiarize yourself with the park. You can also take Segway or Diggler (a kind of scooter) tour. 

Tip: The last tram tour is at 2 PM. so make sure to get there early enough to catch the tram.

The island has several sandy beaches which are protected from the normal breeze hitting San Francisco beaches. 

You can also enjoy the long and winding hiking trails which take you from the sea level to an elevation of 788 ft. Those trails provide an amazing view of San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge. 

Finally, you can bike on the main roads which circle the island. You can bring your own bike or rent one at the park.

You are welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic, but you can also dine at the Cafe, which offers unique sandwiches and wraps. 

Coit Tower

Most tourists miss this white cylinder jotting from the top of Telegraph Hill even though it is very prominent from most places in the city. After all, it is only a column of white concrete.

But is really worth a visit or two. At the lower level, you can enjoy huge murals covering all walls. After a short elevator ride, you will reach the observation deck with a great 360-degree view of the city and the bay. 

You can reach the tower by car, but for best experience try to hike to the top from Embarcadero.

Start near Lombard street and find the Greenwich steps. Going up the steps might be intimidating but you will find a lot of places along the way to rest and take some photos of the gardens and the bay.  

The Marin Headlands

I always pass under the headlands when going over the Golden Gate Bridge. It never occurred to me go up there. Going to the top of the headland opened my eye to a whole new experience in SF. 

The winding road from the bridge level to the top commands amazing views of the bridge below and the city skyline across the bay. Many vista points are available along the way where you can park and get out to enjoy the view and take pictures. 

At the highest point, there is a large parking lot and hiking trails that take you to the top of the hill. 

During our last visit, this hilltop was in the middle of the clouds. Where we stood, we could see clouds passing above us and clouds passing below. It was an awe-inspiring feeling. 

Muir Woods and Wine Tasting

Muir Woods is the last remaining grove of Giant Red Wood trees in the bay area and it is located right outside of the city of San Francisco. In 1908 it was declared a national monument and named after the naturist John Muir in recognition of his conservation efforts. It is a must-see spot for nature lovers and hikers. This also was the filming location for the 2011 movie “Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)”.  See the full article here

Golden Gate Park

It is one of the largest urban parks in the US. It rivals New York’s central park in size – around 1,017 acres of multi-use lush land. The park is full of fun and activities for residents and visitors. 

The park is home to the famous Conservatory of Flowers and Japanese Tea Garden, lots of playgrounds, lakes, picnic areas and sports venues.

At the west end of the park you can find an authentic windmill that was actually used to irrigate the parklands. Next to the windmill, you will find Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden – a perfect match to the windmill.

Park visitors can enjoy music events at the Music Concourse or visit the Academy of Sciences museum. The Academy of Sciences offers a lot of fixed and visiting exhibits. Some of the most interesting exhibits are Planetarium; Aquarium; Rain Forests of the World. The building itself is an exhibit on how to build green and sustainable habitats. 

55 acres of the park are dedicated to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, a vast collection of plant species. The collection includes Magnolia species, high elevation palms, and cloud forest species.

A great way to experience this vast park is to bike through the long walkways and trails. You can actually bike from Fisherman’s Warf to the middle of the park in about 50 minutes (6 miles).

The lakes (or ponds) are stocked with fish so you can go fishing – or you can have a leisurely ride on the paddle boats. 

More information go to the official website.

Attributions:

Some of the photos in this article were downloaded from Wikipedia under the Wikimedia Commons license.

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San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley and the third largest city in Northern California. 

The city is home to many of the world's biggest tech firms and is considered one of the wealthiest major cities in the world, with the third-highest GDP per capita and the fifth-most expensive housing market. 

It is home to one of the world's largest overseas Vietnamese populations, a Hispanic community that makes up over 40% of the city's residents, and historic Japanese and Portuguese neighborhoods.

San Jose sits at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay in Santa Clara County and is considered a gateway to the city by the bay.

You can find a lot to do in San Jose, and it could be your base camp for more fun in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Monterey.

Here are some of my favorite attractions in the area:

Museums

Winchester Mystery House

This mansion tour is full of mystery and intrigue and is a must-see during a visit to San Jose. 

The house is a 24,000 square feet architectural oddity with 160 rooms, 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors, and stairs leading nowhere.

So who built this crazy house and why? 

Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester was the widow of William Wirt Winchester, the inventor of the Winchester® Repeating Rifle.

Tragedy befell Sarah – her infant daughter died of a childhood illness, and a few years later, her husband was taken from her by tuberculosis.

She soon moved to San Jose, California, and started building the house. No one knows for sure what, but legends state she consulted a Psychic who told her: 

"You are haunted by the spirits of those killed by your husband's rifles. To thwart their efforts, you must build a house and keep building until the day you die".

And the rumors say that the sounds of hammers and saws never stopped until she passed away in 1922.

Nowadays, you can go on a 90-minute tour of the three-story mansion and experience lazy stairs, secret passages, doors to nowhere, antique furniture, and hear the sad history of Sarah and her home.

Or you can take the Flashlight Tours for some spooky tales, take up Ax Throwing, or even try an escape room. 

See tour details here.  

The Tech Interactive

"The Tech Interactive" is a science and technology museum that offers hands-on activities, labs, design challenges, and other educational resources in downtown San Jose.

The center is mainly geared towards hands-on experiences and experimentation with some dedicated exhibits.

For example, at the Social Robots Hall, you can design robots for human interaction, while at Cyber Detectives, you can learn to crack codes, spot scams, and prevent crime like a cyber security pro.

At Body Motion, explore how your movement and interactions with others affect your physical, social, and emotional health.

The IMAX Dome shows mainstream movies as well as educational films. Some of the films shown recently are Everest, Wings Over Water and Ireland. Find the movie schedule here.  

The Tech offers in-person and virtual field trips to school groups and provides field trip scholarships to underserved schools.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

What a nice find in San Jose. A museum with the largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in the Western United States.

It was founded by the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC). The Rosicrucian Order continues to support and expand the museum and its educational and scientific activities.

The museum is divided into 4 main galleries: Afterlife, Daily Life, Rulers, and Religion.

At the afterlife exhibit, expect to find many examples of mummies on display, including mummified animals.

The daily life exhibit is filled with items used in Daily Life by the ancient Egyptian people, including a game board, a mirror, and even a marriage contract.

And of course, you have to meet the pharaohs at the Rulers exhibit. 

Religion was at the center of every activity in ancient Egypt, and the Religion exhibit features many of the gods and goddesses worshiped in the ancient Egyptian religion. 

You can take 360-degree tours of those galleries here.

The museum also has a children's play area with hands-on games. Kids can pick up a "Passport to Ancient Egypt" and collect stamps and write about things they learn as they make their way through the museum. 

The passport also contains a great chart that deciphers the Hieroglyphic Alphabet.

Parks and Hiking

Municipal Rose Garden

The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden was opened in 1927 and has been a main attraction for generations. 

It recently won the title of "America's Best Rose Garden" by the All-American Rose Selections in a Nationwide competition. The Garden is free and open to the public.

The gardens have more than 3,500 plantings and 189 varieties. You can find some blooming roses any time of the year, but the best time to visit is late May.

Ed R. Levin County Park

Nestled in the hills to the northeast of San Jose, this Santa Clara county park offers a lot of outdoor activities.
The park's recreational facilities include a hang gliding and paragliding area, a dog park, horseback riding, fishing, hiking trails, and a kid's playground. 

The park has two lakes, Sandy Wool Lake and Spring Valley Pond. Both of them are reservoirs that collect runoff water from the hills.

You can enjoy a leisurely walk around the lakes, take a more challenging hike through the hills, or just have a picnic.

Alum Rock Park

Alum Rock Park is California's oldest municipal park, established in 1872. It is located in a valley in the Diablo Range foothills on the east side of San Jose.

The park's age adds a fairy-tale atmosphere with its rock bridges, creeks, and mineral springs.  

The 720-acre park offers 13 miles of trails, from the easy hike along Penitencia Creek to strenuous hikes along the ridges.

The has a visitor center, a small museum, picnic areas, playgrounds, lawns, sand volleyball pits, mineral springs, lush plant life, woodlands, creek play opportunities, and group camping.

The ridge trails offer views of Santa Clara Valley and of the valley in which the park is located. Some trails in the park are a part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail; the Todd Quick trail connects with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority's 1,600-acre Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.

Some trails allow horses and mountain bikers, while others are restricted to hikers only. 

Important Note: The park is closed in in early 2023 due to the California rainstorms. 

Expect to see a lot of wildlife at this park, including several Hawk species, deer, foxes, bobcats, and the occasional mountain lions.

Baylands Park

Baylands is outside of San Jose in the City of Sunnyvale. This park has a unique blend of naturally preserved wetland areas, with a traditional city park's picnic and playground areas. 

Baylands Park provides over seventy acres of parkland, offering active recreation, pathways, and picnic areas for families and large groups. 

An additional 105 acres of seasonal wetlands is protected as a Wetlands Preserve, providing habitat for plants and wildlife.

My favorite feature at this park is a bridge to nowhere – it is actually a boardwalk that jots into the wetlands. As you walk along this path, you can enjoy the views and the many kinds of waterfowl. 

River Park

This park comes up often when you look for things to do in San Jose, so we went to explore. 

The idea of a walk along the river was appealing, but we were disappointed because 1 - It was challenging to find, and 2 – it was rundown and looked like a drug haven.

I would avoid this park.

Shopping

I am not a great fan of shopping, but good malls can be fun anyway. You can find VR Games, Massage Chairs, Movie Theaters, and great dining. 

I visit a few places with my wife to check them out.

Santana Row

Santana Row is a residential area with an open shopping mall with a mix of brand-name shops, local boutiques, restaurants, nine spas and salons, a theater, and a hotel.

On the main thoroughfare, Stevens Creek Boulevard, you can find name-brand stores like Crate & Barrel, The Container Store, Best Buy, H&M, Tesla, Nike, lululemon, and Madewell.

Walking around the pedestrian-only promenade, with its gardens, fountains, and statues, is a treat. 

The Row hosts various events, from fashion shows to live music and outdoor yoga classes to the annual tree lighting ceremony.

While visiting, we had lunch at one of my favorite healthy food places, Mendocino Farms. This restaurant offers creative sandwiches and salads made with fresh ingredients. 

And across the street on Winchester Blvd, we visited the Winchester Mystery House.

Westfield Valley Fair

Vallet Fair is one of the larger malls in California and the thirteenth largest in the US. It has 214 stores and 58 dining options.

For fun and entertainment, you can visit Immersive Gamebox, Lego store, Young Art Lessons, and ShowPlace ICON theaters.

At GameBox, you can play immersive games with family and friends with motion tracking, projection mapping, touch screens, and surround sound. 

Some of the stores found here are Forever 21, ecco, Bloomingdale's, Dockers, Banana Republic, Apple Store, Ann Taylor, and Abercrombie & Fitch. Get a full store list here https://www.westfield.com/valleyfair/stores.

Great Mall of the Bay Area

If I really need to do some shopping, I always end up at an outlet mall, and the Great Mall in Milpitas has what I need.

It is a large indoor factory outlet with many famous brands like Adidas, Aeropostale, American Eagle, Burlington, Calvin Klein, Champs, and GAP.

Interesting Fact: The mall is laid out as an oval racetrack because the existing main structure was originally a Ford automobile assembly plant.

For fun, you can visit Dave & Buster's, Bounce-A-Rama, Century Theaters, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

My favorite restaurants at the mall are Dave & Buster's, Olive Garden, Kelly's Cajun Grill, Outback Steakhouse, and Sarku, Japan.

Dining

Elyse

ÉLYSE is located in downtown San Jose and bills itself as a French Vietnamese restaurant. 

The food and service were excellent, but I saw nothing Vietnamese or French except for the decor and one dish.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the decor, the food, and the service, but I would call this place fusion cuisine.

During our last visit, we tried the Roasted Lamb and Seared Salmon. Both were tasty and satisfying. 

We finished our meal with a delicious Belgian Chocolate Lava Cake with vanilla ice cream.

Of course, we posed for pictures in front of the Eifel tower and pretended we were dining in Paris.

The downtown area is usually bustling with activity, but on a weekday after 5 it is almost dead.

Luna Mexican Kitchen

Luna is an excellent place for authentic Mexican cuisine made with fresh ingredients. It is located in the Alameda neighborhood of San Jose, with many stores and restaurants.

The restaurant is always crowded – a good sign - and does not take reservations, but you can check in on Yelp to get on the waitlist.

Parking is challenging, and if possible, use ridesharing services. 

During our visit, we tried the Chile Relleno Picadillo, Salmon tacos, and Enchiladas Placeras. All were excellent and with huge portions - we had a lot of leftovers.

We enjoyed Luna Ritas and Prickly Pear Hisciscus Ritas with our meals, and we ended it with a mouthwatering Choco Flan.

Sushi Arashi

I love Japanese cuisine and am always on the lookout for a good Sushi place, and Arashi fits the bill.

This Willow Glen restaurant has many rolls and nigiri to pick from. We ordered Ninja, Mango Crunch, Rainbow, and Unagi Lover rolls. My favorite was the Mango Crunch Roll.

We loved every one of the rolls. The sushi rice was perfect, and the fish was fresh.

You can also order combo plates and lunch Bento – and they deliver.

Sevens Grill, Sonesta

We stayed at Sonesta, Milpitas, and breakfasted at Sevens every morning. The breakfast buffet was well-stocked, and everything was perfect.
The service can use some help. They usually have only one server to take care of all customers.  
Despite this shortcoming, I would recommend this place for breakfast whether you are staying at the hotel or nearby. 

Portions of San Pedro are also known as “Los Angeles Waterfront” and “Port-o-call Village”. The town is part of the greater Los Angeles city and home to the Port of Los Angeles. 
This doesn’t make it sound like a major tourist destination, but it is a nice fun outlet for locals and visitors.

The Port-o-Call Village Plaza offers several Seafood restaurants, gift shops, a cruise ship terminal and the Battleship Iowa Museum. A cobblestone walkway connects the shops with nice views of the harbor and the Vincent Thomas Bridge connecting San Pedro to Terminal Island.

Metro Bike Share has a station next to the USS Iowa. You can pay and rent a bike for $3.5 per half hour or get a discounted rate if you buy a pass.

Dining

There are a lot of dining choices in the village. You can have a nice sit-down meal at a highly rated restaurant or you can grab a sweet snack from the vendor. Some restaurants offer weekend and holiday brunches.  

Ports O' Call Waterfront Dining

This is a highly rated surf and turf restaurant with a wide selection of Steak and Fish dishes. They also offer daily happy hour from 3 to 7 and a Sunday Brunch.

If you like to sample a collection of their best appetizers, try the Chilled Seafood tower. 

If you are really hungry, try the Deep-Fried Whole Bass or share it with someone.

The balcony seating overlooks the Chanel with the best views of passing ships.

San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant

At this place, you can order Seafood from the menu or you can buy your own Seafood and have them cook it to order. 

If you are in a hurry, order fish-and-chips, clam chowder, or calamari from the fast-food counter and take to the huge outdoor patio.

The menu has a large variety of dishes to satisfy any appetite. To try a sampler of food, choose their fried fish plates or fish kabob skewers. 

Acapulco

If you love Mexican food, then stop by Acapulco restaurant where you can find all the traditional Mexican cuisine in a family dining experience.

On Sundays, they offer an all-you-can brunch buffet. Fill up on breakfast and lunch favorites with made-to-order Omelets or Tacos. 

Battleship Iowa Museum

The USS Iowa was commissioned in 1943 and served through WWII and the Korean War. It was also used during the cold war. This battleship also hosted 3 presidents and earned the nickname Battleship of Presidents.

Since 2011, the battleship has been on display at Port of Los Angeles with daily self-guided tours.  This is a fitting final resting home for this warship since San Pedro was the home of the US Battle Fleet from 1919 to 1940.

The ship is very impressive the moment you lay eyes on it as you approach it from the parking lot. It is, even more, owe inspiring as walk-on decks and under the largest guns (16"/50 caliber) on a U.S. Navy ship. 

As you traverse the halls of this ship you get a glimpse into the lives of sailors on board and you get to learn about the history of this war machine. 

Did you know that President Roosevelt planned the invasion of Normandy from aboard this ship?

The museum is operated by the non-profit Pacific Battleship Center (PBC) and with the help of many volunteers who are always happy to explain the various exhibits.

I especially enjoyed going through the sailor living quarters, mess hall, and the meeting room from which the D-day invasion was planned. 

At the end of the tour, you can browse through the gift shop and enjoy a flight simulator ride.

Beaches

San Pedro has several nice beaches, some of them are within walking distance from Port-O-Call village. 

Cabrillo Beach

This popular beach area in San Pedro offers several activity options and only about a 45-minute walk from Port-O-Call (LA waterfront). 

This is a historic beach and is named after Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer who was the first to sail up the California coast. 

The beach includes an Aquarium, Pier, Watersports youth center, and walking trails. It also has the historic Bath House building which was the last bathhouse built in California in 1932. It is now used for restrooms, showers, a snack bar, and community meeting rooms. 

Adjacent to this beach you can find Point Fermin Park with hiking trails, a playground, an amphitheater, and a picnic area. The park is located on bluffs overlooking the ocean. 

Santa Barbara is a coastal town sandwiched between the steep hills of Santa Ynez mountains and the pacific ocean.

The Spanish Colonial architecture, white buildings with courtyards, homes terraced on the hills overlooking the ocean, and the inviting sandy beaches – all gave Santa Barbara its nickname "The American Riviera".

There is plenty to do at the American Riviera. During my visits to Santa Barbara, I went on walks on the beach, hikes in the mountains, Biking,  Whale Watching, kayaking.

I also visited the Botanic Garden, the Zoo, a historic building, and dined at State Street. Here are my favorite places to see and things to do.

A walk on the beach

Santa Barabra has a long shoreline with many beaches, a harbor and a Wharf. You can walk through most of it with an easy walk starting from Shoreline Park on the West end, through SB Harbor, passing through East Beach, and ending at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge.

Along the way, you can stop for a snack at the Harbor, Sterns Wharf, or the restaurants dotting Cabrillo street.

Right after the Wharf, as you go east, you will find another unofficial bird sanctuary. It is fun to watch all birds gathering at Mission Creek – right at the beach.

Sterns Wharf

The Wharf is an excellent place to catch some good view and enjoy a meal. There are several restaurants to choose from, a wine tasting bar, and several snacks and treats shops.

Both Harbor and Moby Dick restaurants offer good seafood and excellent views. The food is just average, but you are paying for the views. 

The Deep Sea Tasting Room is an excellent choice for wine lovers. They offer great food and drinks with second-floor balcony seats.

The Wharf allows cars in, which makes a bustling and noisy place, but once you pass the main road, you can escape the noise by going behind the restaurants and shops on the sides overlooking the water.

State Street

State Street is probably the most popular destination for visitors and residents alike. It cuts through downtown Santa Barbara and extends to Sterns Wharf.

It is a very lively place with lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. It is also historic. The old Stagecoach route ran through this street.

Due to the Covid pandemic in 2020, long sections of this street were converted to pedestrians only. Most of the restaurants added an outdoors seating area extending into the street. This gives it a more European vibe.

State street is long, so expect to walk a lot. While walking, you can admire the Spanish colonial buildings, theaters and museums, and hidden courtyards.

Santa Barbara Car-Free offers good self-guided walking tours. Try the Red Tile Walking Tour that includes stops at historic landmarks. 

This walk starts and ends at the Courthouse – another beautiful historic site. This is a functioning courthouse with a large courtyard, a clock tower, and a statue fountain.

Santa Barbara Harbor

Renting a berth at the harbor will cost you an arm and a leg, but you don't have to be rich to enjoy some water adventure.

You can rent a boat, jet skis, kayaks, or take surfing lessons. You can also enjoy a nice meal with a view at one of the restaurants.  

From the harbor, you can also go on a whale and dolphin watching trip. You can also visit the Maritime Museum.

Do you feel like splurging a little? You can hire a yacht with a full crew and a live bad.

Santa Barbara is also a springboard to the Channel Islands National Park where you can hike and explore the pristine wilderness. Read about Channel Islands National Park here. /content/channel-islands-national-park

Botanic Garden

The botanic garden is an excellent way to get introduced to California's diverse habitats - from the redwood forest to desert sands.

The garden is divided into several sections based on environment. You can visit the Arroyo section with plants that thrive around creeks, or the Canyon section, which takes you through a lush shaded wood on the banks of Mission Creek. In the desert section, explore the hearty plants that survive with minimal water. See more garden sections here.

The garden is currently leading an effort by citizen scientists to reclaim and restore local trails after the recent wildfires.

Get more info about garden sections, guided tours and events here. 

Museum of Natural History

This museum is tucked away in the hills above Santa Barbara and provides a great way to learn about the history of the region. 

Indoor and outdoor exhibits showcase the plants and animals who make this area home - and native American tribes that thrived here.

I especially enjoyed the Chumash life exhibit. It is full of artifacts and dioramas showing the daily lives of the tribe. 

Another exhibit worth mentioning is the Mammal Hall with large dioramas depicting mammal in their natural habitats. 

It is not the largest or the best museum in the country, but it is worth a visit if you have a few hours to kill. It is also a big hit with the kids.

Hiking

The Santa Barbara area, with its long coast and surrounding mountains, offers a lot of hikes for every level. You can take a leisurely stroll on the waterfront, or you can follow one of the trails through the canyons. You can also head to the Santa Ynez mountains for a more strenuous hike with amazing views.

Some of my favorite hikes:

Lizard's Mouth 

For an easy hike with a picnic area, head to Lizard's Mouth. From West Camino Cielo Road, you can take a half-mile roundtrip hike to a rock formation that resembles a Lizard's mouth. At the top, you can set up for a picnic and enjoy the ocean views.

Seven Falls

This is a moderate hike to a seasonal waterfall and three pools. Don't expect to see running water during the summer months.

The round trip is only about 2.5 miles long with an elevation gain of 800 ft.

The hike is not easy. Make sure to wear hiking boots and be ready to do some rock hopping. But your reward at the end is nice cool pools to splash in.

Parking is limited and strictly enforced. Get there very early to guarantee a spot or take a Lyft or Uber.

Trailhead: End of Tunnel Road

La Cumbre Peak and Inspiration Point Loop

This hike is longer and more strenuous, but it is worth the effort. The 10-mile hike takes up 1000 ft with stunning views Santa Barbara, Channel Islands.

This is not an easy hike. Be prepared with hiking boots and gloves. You will be doing a lot of rock scrambling.

Trailhead: End of Tunnel Road

You can also get to the summit via E Camino Cielo. 

For more hikes go here.

Channel Islands

It is hard to find a secluded area in Southern California to step away from civilization and commune with nature. But luckily for us, the Channel Islands are a short boat ride away with beautiful nature and great adventures.

The 8 islands making up the Channel Islands are only a few miles away from Santa Barbara but they might as well be worlds away. So you can make Santa Barbara your basecamp for your adventure.

Those islands have never been connected to the mainland, so they have their own species of animals and plants. 

The island are full of hiking trails, campgrounds, and adventures. You can spend a day hiking, kayaking, or snorkeling. Read the full Channel Islands Guide here. 

Electric Bike Tour

We recently went on a private electric bike tour with the Cal Coast Adventures and loved every minute of it. The e-bikes were very steady and comfortable, and the electric assist helped us climb some steep hills. Read the full article about this tour here. 

Dining

Santa Barbara adapted quickly to the pandemic and converted long sections of State Street to pedestrians only use.

Most of the restaurants added an outdoors seating area extending into the street. This gives State Street a more European vibe.

But also, due to the pandemic, you can't just walk in and expect to find a table. Plan ahead and make reservations days in advance. A Few restaurants don't offer reservations, but you can check in ahead of time via Yelp or by calling the restaurant.

State Street does not have a monopoly on good restaurants. You can find great places close to State or even further away. 

Read the dining guide here.

Santa Ynez Wine Tours

During a recent visit to Santa Barbara, we decide to check out wine country in the Santa Ynez valley. We booked a full-day tour with Sustainable Wine Tours.

During this tour, we visited 3 wineries that only cater to private tours and wine club members. All three were very gracious and generous with their samples.

Read the full review here.

The city of Santa Cruz, California is known for its moderate climate, natural beauty, amazing coastline, and redwood forests.

This sleepy beach town is within a one-hour drive from San Francisco or San Jose. 

You can certainly make Santa Cruz a stop on your Bay area itinerary, but I think it deserves to be its own destination. There is so much to do and see – you can easily spend a week without getting bored. 

During one of my visits, I made Santa Cruz my base camp and made side trips to San Francisco. I got to enjoy the slow-paced life of a resort town while satisfying my craving for a bustling city every once in a while. 

Santa Cruz can also be a stop on the epic California Highway 1 road trip.  During that trip, you can experience Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Pismo beach with its adjoining 4wheeling state park at Oceano, Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Monterey, and Santa Cruz.

Fun facts: Santa Cruz is known as the real surf city, even though Huntington Beach tried to patent the name. Many songs mention Santa Cruz like the Beach Boys’ "Surfin' U.S.A”. The first surfers ever recorded in the USA were three Hawaiian princes exhibiting their skills in July of 1885 to a crowd of swimmers and onlookers – at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River.

Getting there and getting around

If you are driving, then highway 1 or highway 17 are your only connections to Santa Cruz. Both highways are scenic and entertaining. 

If you prefer, you can fly to San Jose and take public transportation or a rented car. Bus service is frequent and affordable between San Jose and Santa Cruz. You just pay around $9 for a round trip.

Once in SC, you can walk to many destinations. Pick lodging close to the beach and/or downtown. 

Fun facts: The inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “The Birds” happened right here in Santa Cruz. Hitchcock was living in the town when it was attacked by hordes of birds smashing into windows and biting residents. 

The beach trolley frequently runs from memorial day to labor day and shuttles you between downtown and the Wharf. 

You can also take other buses to further destinations like UCSC, Capitola Mall, and even San Francisco. So leave the car behind and enjoy a car-free vacation.

Where to stay

Being a resort town, Santa Cruz's lodging is expensive – especially if you want to stay close to the beach. You can find some bargains if you go further inland or stay in surrounding towns.

Dream Inn

During one of my visits, I stayed at Dream Inn right above Cowells Beach - north of the Wharf – a very convenient location. 

The hotel itself was great, with each room overlooking the ocean, a heated pool and Jacuzzi, and a very good restaurant called Aquarius. The room was very comfortable with a TV, Cable, Wi-Fi, Coffee maker, and bathrobes.

Fun facts: Another Hitchcock movie inspiration also happened in Santa Cruz. “Psycho” was inspired by the McCray Hotel which many residents thought was haunted. 

But for amenities and the location, we paid a hefty price. The minimum price is around $450 a night (during high season).

Best Western 

During another visit, I decided to try a Best Western motel property close to the Boardwalk. I paid $200 a night for an average room. 

If you plan ahead and go during the off-season, you might be able to find great deals. For example, the same motel next to the Boardwalk is $129 in May. 

The Darling House

For a change, I decided to try a Bed and Breakfast for one of my visits. The Darling House was right on West Cliff drive overlooking the ocean. My room had a great view of the Wharf and the Boardwalk. 

The room was spacious with a walk-in closet and a sink - but no private bathroom. I had to share the common bathroom on the second floor. 

The breakfast was excellent, with many homemade items. I enjoyed my stay at the Darling House, but next time I will ask for a room with a private bath.

Holiday Inn Express

Located within walking distance from downtown and the Boardwalk is an average hotel with comfortable beds, free breakfast, and WiFi. The WiFi connection was very spotty, and cell service was almost non-existent. Breakfast was very good and served from 7 to 10 am.

If you have a car and are willing to stay outside of town, neighboring cities have many choices. My favorite is the Hilton at Scotts Valley. You can also find inexpensive options at Felton and Capitola. 

Finally, check out Airbnb for great deals on full homes in neighboring towns. This is very convenient for a family or a large group. We recently stayed at a nice, quiet home in Davenport, north of Santa Cruz. The home was a few feet away from the beach with amazing views. 

What to do

Walk Around

The best way to experience the charm of this town is to take a walk. 

Start at the Municipal Wharf. Go to the wharf and enjoy the scenery, shops, and restaurants. You can get a very good view of the Sea Lions down a stairwell across the pier from Stagnaro's restaurant. From the wharf, you will have an amazing view of the Boardwalk.

From the Wharf, walk to West Cliff Drive for the most amazing views of the Pacific. This 3-mile (one-way) walk takes you through important points of interest like the world-famous surfing area “Steamer Lane”; Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Lighthouse Point; and Natural Bridges State Beach, where you can enjoy the beautiful rock formations and bird and sea lion populations. 

Fun facts: Much of the movie "The Lost Boys" was filmed on location in Santa Cruz. Many scenes were shot at the Boardwalk and the Wharf.

Natural Bridges State Beach is the winter home of the Monarch butterfly. From October to February, the Monarchs flock to this park to rest for the winter. 

Tip: Make sure to wear layers and bring a jacket or sweater when you visit Natural Bridget State Beach. It gets very windy and chilly in the afternoon.

Another nice walk is along the San Lorenzo River. This is a well-maintained path on both sides of the river, with pedestrian bridges connecting the two banks. The trail goes all the way from the beach (close to the Boardwalk) to highway 1. 

Fun facts: Many local residents claim to see a Lady in White dress floating around Ocean Street Extension and the nearby cemetery.

You can stop at Lorenzo Park for a relaxing picnic, or you can take a side trip to downtown shopping on Pacific Ave. 

Also within walking distance are the Town Clock, Del Mar Theatre, and Mission State Historic Park.

Biking

Santa Cruz is a bike-friendly city. Many streets have bike lanes, and walking trails usually allow bikers. The only problem is the hilly nature of the town. 

Tip: If you didn’t bring your bike with you, you can rent one from many rental shops. “Pacific Ave Cycles” is the closest to the beach. You can also try “Epicenter Cycling” closer to downtown. 

Some must-do bike rides: 

• The 3-mile West Cliff Drive with breathtaking views as described above
• Wilder Ranch State Park offers 34 miles of trails – some very easy and some strenuous. The trails go from sea cliffs to the inland forest. This is a great place for mountain bikes.
• University of California Santa Cruz offers rugged unpaved trails in the upper campus and winding paved trails through the main campus.

East Cliff drive goes through the best of Santa Cruz’s beaches and communities and connects to the city of Capitola.

Twin Lakes State Beach 

Most people spend their time on the western side of the town with major attractions like the Boardwalk, West Cliff Drive, and Downtown. But the eastern side has its surprises. 

If you follow Cliff drive to the east of the Lorenzo River, you will find this mile-long beach with a harbor, a Yacht Club, and a nice lake full of birds. 

Schwan Lake used to be a lagoon connected to the ocean. Now it is a separate lake with a hiking trail and great views. 

Segway Tours

Not feeling like walking or biking? You can take the luxurious way and Segway through Santa Cruz. Segway Santa Cruz (website) Tours offers several tours through town that are highly recommended. 

Your tour always starts with instructions on how to use the Segway. Those machines are very sensitive and responsive to your slightest impulse, so you must learn and practice before you head off. There is a fenced-in track for practice at the office.

You must wear a helmet, so bring your own or rent one from an outfitter. They have every size available, including for the young ones. Segway SC is one of the few tour operators that allow children ten and up to ride. They have smaller Segways for the smaller sizes.

Fun facts: University of California Santa Cruz official mascot is the Banana Slug. The slugs are found everywhere around SC, especially in the Redwood Forest. 

Segway Santa Cruz offers several tours from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours. The short tour strolls through West Cliff Drive to the lighthouse, while the longer one goes through West Cliff Drive first and then continues to the Wharf. 

On Cliff Drive or the wharf, you will enjoy several stops to admire the scenery and take pictures. 

Segway Santa Cruz is also very active in the community. They created a fundraising organization Mobile4Kidz.org gifting children with their own mini Segway.

Dining in Santa Cruz

You can find great dining experiences in downtown, at the Wharf, and on the Boardwalk. Read the full dining guide here.

The Beach Boardwalk

The boardwalk is a long stretch of beach in Santa Cruz – connecting the Wharf to the Lorenzo River. Right at the beach, you can find an open amusement park that you can enter without purchasing a ticket. You will need individual tickets or all-day passes if you plan on enjoying the rides. Otherwise, you can just stroll through and watch the hordes of revelers. 

Fun facts: The Boardwalk is the oldest amusement park in California and the only one still standing on a beach today on the West Coast.

At the west end, you can find two separate game areas: At Neptune’s Kingdom, you can play miniature golf or Pinballs; Further west, you can find more thrilling video games, ski ball, shooting games, and laser tag at the Casino.

Tip: You can buy individual tickets for rides. If you just want to try a few rides, that is the way to go. But if you and your kids are going to try everything, then buy wristbands and forget about counting tickets. 

On the east end, you can get a thrill on the Giant Dipper roller coaster – which is a well-known wooden roller coaster.

In between, you can find 34 rides and attractions. Some of the most popular ones are Undertow, Double Shot, Fireball, and Cliff Hanger. 

Tip: Dogs, bikes, skateboards and roller skates are not allowed on the Boardwalk. 

Many restaurants and snack shops are spread throughout the boardwalk. You can also find independent restaurants across the street from the Boardwalk. 

For great views of Santa Cruz, the Boardwalk, and the Pier, try riding Sky Glider or the Ferris Wheel. 

Tip: Try to visit the park at night. The lights are sounds are much more exciting in the dark. 

For a most amazing view of the boardwalk, go to the Wharf (Pier) at night and look back to the boardwalk. 

Natural Bridges State Beach

This beautiful beach sits at the end of West Clif drive and spans 65 acres of beach and woods. You can enjoy a great view of the rock formations and the birds that nest on them from Cliff drive. But to really enjoy this park, venture down onto the sand or climb the rocks at the other end. 

From the sand, you have a better view of the arch rock, and you can swim to and through the arch. If you go further north-west and climb the rocks, you will be rewarded with splashing waves and tide pools.  

Further inland, you will be in the camping area within the woods. A guided tour will take you to the Monarch Butterflies' habitat. Read more here.

Outside of town

Santa Cruz is the hub of activity in the County, but nearby cities have a lot to offer. You can go shopping at Capitola Mall, hike in Felton, watch the Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo State Park, or zip-lining at Mount Hermon.

Roaring Camp Railroad

During your visit to Santa Cruz, you must go into the Redwood Forest. You should try hiking or biking through one of the State Parks if you can, but another way to experience it is via the Roaring Camp Railroad (Website). 

This train ride takes you from a nice park-like station into the woods – climbing through narrow winding tracks over trestle bridges all the way to the summit of Bear Mountain. 

Tip: the train depot has a wheelchair ramp if needed.

The climb is very steep at times. The train has to switch back between tracks because one of the bridges was destroyed in a fire.

Tip: You can bring your dog with you on the train ride, but he must be on a leash. If space is limited the conductor might not allow the dog on board.

While the train the chugging along, you can admire the giant redwood trees and take lots of pictures. 

When you reach the summit, you can stroll through the forest for 10 minutes. A trail goes from camp to the summit (and back), so if you choose to, you can hike back down the trail. 

Fun facts: Roaring Camp Railroad is also home to another of Santa Cruz’s mysteries. Hikers found human remains and then, trains on night excursions keep stalling at the location of the find. Conductors reported seeing a woman crossing the tracks and bringing the train to a stop. No one was ever found.

Back at the station (camp) there is a lot to do:

• You can bring a picnic and enjoy the park or eat in the woods. 
• Buy food at the store or from Georgie's Cook House if you didn’t bring anything.
• Buy souvenirs at the general store.
• You can watch the blacksmith making horseshoes and tools.
• You can have an easy hike through the woods – or take Bear Mountain trail to the top. Another hiking trail called Mount Hermon is close by.
• At the “Antique Photo Shop”, you can don old-fashioned clothes and take your pictures (open weekends during high season). 

Fun facts: The trains on the Redwoods track use Narrow-Gauge steam engines. Those types of engines were used in the 1880’s to haul redwood logs out of the forest. They are strong enough to climb high-grade slopes. 

Another train route takes you from the Beach Boardwalk to the Roaring Railroad Camp, passing by the San Lorenzo River and going through the Henry Cowell Redwoods state park. You can start your trip from the beach or from the camp. 

The Beach Train rides cost $29 for adults and $23 for children. 

5401 Graham Hill Road

Felton, California 95018

Zipline in the Redwood Forest

A short ride away from Santa Cruz, you explore the Redwood forest and join a thrilling adventure. 

"Mount Hermon Adventures" created a place for thrillseekers of all ages to enjoy the forest while zipping above the trees or walking between the redwoods on suspended bridges. 

I recently went on the Redwood Canopy Tour, which is basically a 2-hour zip-line tour with some suspended bridge crossings. 

The guides were great. They explained the equipment and some safety rules, and then we took off on a short hike to the first zip line. This is just a short training line where we received more instructions and tried it for the first time.

When we finally arrived at the real zip lines, we were ready. The guides inspected our equipment and made sure it is tight and secure. 

Zipping through the redwoods canopy was great fun. We enjoyed some short and fast lines and some long and slow ones. At times we were as high as 100 feet above the valley floor while hanging from a string. What a rush. 

Mount Hermon Adventures also offer other experiences in the redwoods. You can go on a Sequoia Aerial Adventure in which you can select your level of challenge on three aerial trails and over 30 elements, including swinging logs, cargo nets, and cables set 30 to 80 feet in the air.

There is also Discovery Cove for younger children. This is an easier challenge lower to the ground where parents can feel safe while their kids get a workout. 

Ano Nuevo State Park

Ano Nuevo (New Year) State Park is a large preserve with very unique features. The terrain changes from dunes to wetlands to coastal scrub. 

Tip: You have to get a permit to visit the Elephant Seals. Permits are available at the entrance 8:30 to 3:30 only.

The best attraction is the Elephant Seals gathering at a secluded beach. Every year, up to 10,000 elephant seals make this area their home. They spend their time sunbathing - and occasionally hunt for food. 

To get to the seal habitat, you must take a long hike. Some of it is on packed dirt, other parts are difficult to traverse sand dunes. It takes about one hour to reach your destination, and it is worth the effort. 

Tip: It is a one-hour hike, but plan on 3-hour round trip. You will have a lot of stops along the way and you diffinetly spend time observing the seal antics. 

Along the way, you can enjoy expansive views of the ocean and the coastal scrub. In the distance, you can see Ano Nuevo island, which is a haven for birds. 

Capitola Village

Capitola is another beach town boarding Santa Cruz with several popular beaches, the village shopping and dining center, and the Venitian Hotel that resembles a pirate island in the Caribbean. 

The village is busy, with many unique shops and great restaurants on the sand. One of my favorite restaurants is Zelda's, especially the outdoor porch on the beach. The food and drinks are also great, but expect to pay for the beautiful location, service, and delicious seafood.

Tip: Parking is difficult and becomes impossible during holidays. You are better off leaving your car behind and using public transportation or ridesharing. 

A walk on the pier is a great way to enjoy the village views and the pastel-colored bungalows. You can see far into the mountains surrounding Monterey Bay from the pier.

Soquel River runs through Capitola Village into the bay, and a secret path runs along the river starting from Cliff Drive. Take the path for some tranquility and views of well-tended gardens and boaters. 

Hiking

For avid hikers, Santa Cruz and the surrounding area is a haven full of all kinds of trails. You can take an easy stroll along Cliff drive or along the San Lorenzo River, or you can venture into one of the many Redwood parks further inland.

Here are some of the best hikes in the area:

West Cliff Drive

Well, it is more like a stroll than a hike, but worth every minute. Start from the Wharf or the Boardwalk and head west. Start enjoying the seascape to the left and the rustic homes to the right.

Pass by the Surfer memorial – with a nice flower garden. At several points along the path, you can take the steep stairs down to the beach – or, with high tide, down to the waves.

Fun facts: On February 15, 2007, the Associated Press ran a story about a missing yellow submarine in Santa Cruz County. Many people made a joke of the story and tied to the famous line from the Beatles song, but it turned out to be a real submarine. It was found later and the incident was declared as a misunderstanding. 

Continue until you reach the lighthouse, then continue until you reach Natural Bridges State Beach. 

The state beach viewing area is a good vantage point to gaze at the rock bridges, Sea Lions, and Otters or glimpse the migrating whales in the distance. 

Down at the beach level, you can enjoy the sea life in the tide pools. You can find Crabs, Sea Anemones and Starfish.

Length: Total round trip about 6 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Time: It depends on how much exploring or gazing you want to do.

Fun facts: The Santa Cruz Trash Orchestra is a local band that uses recycled cans, hubcaps, pans to make music – or some call it noise. 

Berry Creek Falls Loop

This hike is located in the Big Basin Redwood State Park, which is an hour’s drive from Santa Cruz. The hike takes you through the Redwood forest to a nice waterfall. This hike is not for the faint of heart. It may take a full day to complete due to the difficulty and elevation gain. 

Tip: It is easy to get lost in this huge park. Get a map from the park HQ and plan ahead. 

There are several waterfalls along the way: Golden Cascade, Silver Falls, and Berry Creek Falls. 

Length: Total round trip about 6 miles

Difficulty: Difficult

Time: Full day.

Fun facts: On October 8, 1991, the City of Santa Cruz declared itself a Nuclear Free Zone. The city installed signs at intersections leading into town, but most of them were stolen and never replaced. People just liked the signs too much.

Old Cove Landing Trail

Closer to Santa Cruz, you can take this easy hike at Wilder Ranch State Park. This is more like a walk along the coastal cliffs. 

Along this trail, you can find Sea Gulls, Geese, Pelicans, and Sea Lions. 

This used to be an old-functioning farm, so you will find some remnants of the farming life along the trail, like tractors and antique cars.

Length: Total round trip about 2.6 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 1 to 3 hours.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

This redwood forest park covers about 4000 acres in total and has many hiking trails for every difficulty level.

You can find several easy hikes from the main entrance with stunning views of Redwood trees. The main trail is a paved road with signs pointing the way. It is around 5 miles for a round trip. 

Further north, the oddly named "Fall Creek Unit" is an easy hike with a flowing creek and plenty of shade.

Next door you can experience the Redwoods on the Roaring Camp Railroad. 

Nearby trips

You can make Santa Cruz your base camp and go on same-day excursions. 

You can drive north for about 1.5 hours to get to San Francisco with its famous attractions like Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, China Town, Pier 39, Cable Cars, and Coit Tower. Read more about San Francisco here

You can also get to San Francisco from Santa Cruz on Highway 1, passing by some very interesting towns, state beaches, and parks. 

One such beach is called Bean Hollow Beach, and towards the north end of this beach, you will find some strange rocks and colorful vegetation.

Or you can head south for about 1 hour to spend some time in the city of Monterey, home of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and another great Fisherman’s Wharf.     

When I think about Santa Monica, I usually remember the boardwalk at the Pier with all the rides and the food vendors. But this beach town has so much more to offer. 
Santa Monica is also famous for the long stretches of beach, great parks, an Aquarium, and the Museum of Flying.

The Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is a large double-jointed pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California. It contains a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for viewing and fishing.

Pacific Park is the only amusement park in the west located on a pier. Entry to the park area is free, but you need to buy tickets to enjoy the rides.  

For unlimited rides, you can buy a wristband for $45. Single ride tickets cost between 6 and 9 dollars.

Pacific Park is also home to 14 midway games and over-the-ocean food and retail outlets. It has appeared in over 500 movies and television shows such as Fat Albert, Hannah Montana, and Kid Songs. 

Check the website for operating times and the latest rates.  

Palisades Park

This 26.4-acre stretch of landscaped park sits between Ocean Ave and Pacific Coast Hwy in Santa Monica, California, and extends for 1.6-mile. 

The park extends from the Santa Monica Pier in the south to Adelaide Drive in the north and sits on a bluff overlooking PCH and the beach. 

This long linear park contains public art, a rose garden, historic structures, benches, picnic areas, restrooms, and the historic Santa Monica Camera Obscura.

While walking through this beautiful park, you can enjoy great views of the ocean, mountains, the Pier, and you will encounter a few street performers. 

When you feel hungry, you can cross Ocean Ave, and walk a few blocks to the Third Street Promenade.

3rd street promenade

The Third Street Promenade is a pedestrian mall with shopping, dining, and entertainment in the downtown area of Santa Monica, California.

It is considered a premier shopping and dining district on the Westside and draws crowds from all over the Greater Los Angeles area. 

The promenade is a short walk away from the famous Pacific Park at the Pier and a metro ride from Downtown LA. 

The three blocks long pedestrian-only street has fountains, art displays, 20 movie theater screens, hundreds of stores, restaurants, and street entertainers.

On a recent visit, we walked from the Pier, browsed the shops, listened to a lady sign in a beautiful voice, and settled for lunch at Johnny Rockets. The burgers and milkshakes were awesome, and the outdoor seating allowed us to enjoy the sunny California day and do some people-watching. 

Biking

Santa Monica and several cities to the north and south are connected via a long two-and-a-half-mile bike trail.
This trail runs along the beach, starting from Marina Del Rey in the south, passes through Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and ends at Malibu. 

If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one at the many rental places along the way. 

On a recent visit, we walked from Venice Beach to the Santa Monica Pier, then rented bikes to go back to Venice.

You can take a side trip to the Venice Canals in Venice Beach to extend your ride and admire the houses and beautiful landscaping.  

Seal Beach is the last coastal town you will encounter in Orange County before crossing into Los Angles County and the city of Long Beach.

This little beach town has its own unique charm – with tall palm trees lining the beach, immaculate homes, and one of California's longest piers.

When visiting, you will probably head straight to the beach or the Pier, but Seal Beach has a lot more to offer.

Consider visiting the  965-acres National Wildlife Refuge and spend some time walking through the marshlands and admiring the bird population.

Of course, the main attraction that lures visitors to this quaint seaside town is the beach with its soft sand, sunshine, and temperate waters.  Visitors here enjoy swimming, surfing, body surfing, and kite surfing.

The main stretch of beach is along Ocean Avenue and Seal Way. Parking is difficult on busy days – but if you are lucky, you can find a spot at the pier lots. If not, you will have to park at the Jetty and walk.

The Pier is fun to walk because it extends for some distance into the ocean. At the end of the Pier, you will have a commanding view of the coastline in both directions. Looking straight into the sea, you will have a great view of the Channel Islands.

The Pier connects to Main street where you will find most restaurants and shops. My favorite place for lunch or dinner is Hennessey's Grill, an Irish pub with delicious hamburgers and thirst-quenching beers.

If you are here for breakfast, try Bogart's Coffee House or Old Town Café.

Fancy, a stroll around town? The whole area below the pacific coast highway (toward the beach) is walkable. Just pick a few streets to visit and go around in a loop.

My favorite route takes you through the beach, a river, and an extended park.

Start from the Pier and head north on Ocean ave. Turn left into the parking lot at the Jetty. Turn right into the San Gabrial River Trail, then right into Marina Drive.

Take a right into Electric Ave, which turns into a long park that ends into Anaheim Bay and the Anaheim Landing Historic Landmark.

After you cross Seal Beach Blvd, you will find a pedestrians only path that takes you back to the beach and the Pier.  

To get a glimpse into the transit system that used to serve the area, a trip to the Red Car Museum is a must.

At the corner of Main and Electric ave in Downtown, you will find this Red Rail Car - a restored Pacific Electric Railway car. This car's interior houses historical artifacts and is open to the public, and admission is free.

Southern California is well-known for popular destinations like Disneyland, Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), and the beaches. But most of those places will cost you an arm and a leg. 

So what can you do when you are on a budget? Believe it or not, there is plenty to do for free or almost free in the Southland. Here are a few of my favorite places.

Old-town Charm

Stroll through some rustic old towns, browsing mom-and-pop shops, and enjoying delicious local food at a classic dinner. 

Walking and gazing are free, but there are a lot of temptations, so you may spend some cash if you are not careful.

Old towns to explore:

Bonita Avenue in San Dimas

Visit this town for its charming architecture, unique boutiques, dinners, and antique stores.

Just look at or buy some collectibles like vintage dolls, midcentury furniture, oversized tiki drinking bowls, or fondue pots from the 1980s. 

My favorite places are A Few Nice Things, The Little Back House, and It's About Time Antiques and Collectibles. 

You can also grab a bite at Pozzetto Italian Dining, Casa del Rey Mexican, Roady's, Little Tokyo Restaurant, Sweet Savory Cafe & Bakery, and Butter Cafe & Bakery.  

San Dimas is also home to Rubel Castle and Raging Waters Waterpark.

Olvera Street in DTLA

In downtown LA, Olvera Street (Calle Olvera) is a short walk from Union Station and offers a glimpse of old LA and LA's Mexican Heritage.

This historic district was first established in 1781 and was the center of Los Angeles during Spanish and Mexican rule. It is home to many historic buildings and statues.

At Olvera Street, you can stroll along a narrow street and enjoy shopping at the colorful street vendors or grab a bite of authentic Mexican food. 

During a recent visit, I had lunch at El Paseo Inn and enjoyed tasty enchiladas while watching people from their patio overlooking Olvera street.  

A Plaza at the center of this district hosts many events throughout the year. For a listing of events, go here http://elpueblo.lacity.org/SightsSounds/Events/index.html.

Read more about Olvera St and a walk through Los Angeles here  

Old Town Monrovia

I fell in love with this quaint little town and enjoyed many strolls along Myrtle Ave.

This unique downtown environment blends charm and classic American themes with modern-day conveniences. 

Historic buildings fill Old Town's streets, where boutique shops sell everything from baseball cards to vintage concert t-shirts and beautiful home furnishings. Also, plenty of restaurants, cafes, and entertainment to satisfy every taste.  

Many movies have been filmed here, so if you're a movie buff, you must stop here! 

Some of the movies filmed here are Bird Box, the cult classic horror movie House, and Back to the Future!

This little town has a nice park in front of the library with a statue of Mark Twain on the bench to keep you company while you read. 

Every Friday, they have the farmers market with food trucks and tons of stalls down Myrtle (the main drag). 

Old Towne Orange

At the traffic roundabout on Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street, this historic district of Orange County offers a glimpse at how things looked back in the late 1800s.

The historic buildings are a treat, but the whole area has become pedestrian-friendly with various restaurants, shops, and antique stores.

A Christmas Tree is placed in the center of the circle during the holidays, and occasional carolers are present.

Some of my personal favorite places here are The Taco Stand, Taco Adobe, Bruxie's, Blaze, Felix, Wahoo's, Mead's Green Door Café,  and  The Pie Hole. 

During the pandemic, a few streets were blocked to support small businesses and outdoor dining. I hope they continue to keep it for pedestrians only. 

Old Pasadena

With 22 blocks designated as a National Register Historic District, Old Pasadena abounds with impeccably restored late 19th and early 20th-century architecture. 

"Old Pas," as locals affectionately call it, offers open-air shopping plazas, hidden laneways, and a lively strip of retailers and restaurants along the main drag, Colorado Boulevard.

View the Shop Pasadena directory. https://www.visitpasadena.com/shopsmall/

Old Pasadena began as the center of a research hub where science and research institutions such as Caltech and Jet Propulsion Laboratory and companies such as Beckman Instruments and Aerojet were founded. 

Some of my favorite restaurants are Café Santorini, Great Maple, Perle Restaurant, and Dos Besos – and for an old-fashioned burger joint, go to Jake's Trustworthy Burgers & Beer.

While in Pasadena, visit The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Old Town San Diego

This State Park is a collection of protected historic buildings that were turned into a living museum of San Diego life in the 1800s. 

While in Old Town, you can visit Spanish Adobe-style homes, buy souvenirs from stores or dine at one of the unique restaurants. Casa de Estudillo is especially interesting with its unique style and interior courtyard.

Tip: Many hotels have shuttles to Old Town. Ask your concierge for schedules and ensure you can return to the old town before the last one.  

Five original adobe buildings are part of the complex, which includes shops, restaurants, and museums. Other historic buildings include a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, San Diego's first newspaper office, a cigar and pipe store, houses and gardens, and a stable with a carriage collection. 

There are also stores, with local artisans demonstrating their crafts. 

There is no charge to enter the state park or museums.

Explore ethnic towns

Everywhere you go in the US, you can find enclaves celebrating an ethnicity or heritage – and Southern California is no exception. 

Some are well-known, like Chinatown, Thai Town in Los Angeles, and Little Saigon in Westminster. And some are recent additions, like Little Arabia in Anaheim.    

So walk around, explore the shops, and feast on world cuisines. 

Little Saigon

Little Saigon in Orange County, California, is home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam and is located approximately 45 miles (72 km) south of Los Angeles, California. 

"Little Saigon" covers a large area of Westminster, and Garden Grove has over 4000+ different businesses.

If you love Vietnamese cuisine, then this is the place to be. Phở Restaurants that serve Vietnamese noodle soup are found everywhere, along with traditional Vietnamese dishes. 

You can also find Vietnamese supermarkets, small Vietnamese delis, and bakeries.

My favorites are Van's Bakery, 85C Bakery Café, ABC Siêu Supermarket, The Vox Kitchen by Kei Concepts, SEN, and Tasty Pot.

Visiting ABC Siêu Supermarket is a great way to get introduced to Vietnamese food and culture.

Little Arabia

The area around Brookhurst and Ball streets evolved into a haven for middle-eastern shops and restaurants. It does not have an official designation from the city planners yet, but it is a well-known destination if you are looking for some great Arabic and Mideterenean eats. 

So what can you find in this district? 

You can enjoy ethnic markets, restaurants, cafes, hookah lounges, clothing stores, hair salons, and much more.

My favorite restaurants are El Mahroosa Cafe, Alwadee Bakery & Restaurant, Zait & Zaatar, Olive Tree restaurant, and Zankou Chicken.

For ethnic groceries, visit Altayebat and Super King. Super King rivals major grocery stores with its ample space and huge selection.

Visit the Little Arabia website for a complete directory. https://www.littlearabiadistrict.com/ 

China Town, LA

Chinatown in Los Angeles is a great destination where you can experience a new culture without leaving the comfort of your home. 

Make sure to dine at one of the local restaurants and try some authentic Chinese cuisine.

The area became a commercial center for Chinese and other Asian businesses in Central Los Angeles in 1938. It includes restaurants, shops, and art galleries but also has a residential neighborhood with a low-income, aging population of about 20,000 residents.

Chinatown is a 12-minute walk from Union Station, but you can also take the gold line to the Chinatown Metro Station.

The Chinese American Museum,  Thien Hau Temple, and the West Plaza are must-see places.

While in Chinatown, try some ethnic food at Pearl River Deli, Jade Wok, Zen Mei Bistro, Majordomo, or Hop Woo BBQ Seafood Restaurant.

Epic Walks

Venice Beach, California

I visited Venice, Italy, during my teen years and loved the canals and narrow alleyways between majestic historic buildings. 

I was surprised to find out that California had its own Venice with canals and alleyways but with a totally different vibe. 

Of course, walking on the beach promenade is fun, but go inland a few blocks, and you will be transported into a serene atmosphere with canals, bridges, boats, and ducks. This block of homes and canals is why the city is called Venice. 

Walking along the canals is a feast for the eyes, with expensive homes kept in mint condition with beautiful gardens and fountains.

Read more here

Heisler Park, Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is a seaside resort city that is much more than a beach town. The city is nestled amongst rolling hills and valleys overlooking the shoreline with great beaches, shops, restaurants, and art galleries - giving it a distinct French Riviera allure.

One of the best ways to enjoy Laguna Beach is to walk through Heisler Park, down to Main Beach, and on to Arch Cove. This is a long walk, but you can always relax on the beach and enjoy the views.

This walk starts from the south end of "Heisler Park" on Cliff Dr. around High dr. or Maple St. Once you park, make your way to the footpath along the ocean cliffs.

The park itself is wonderful and worth a visit. It is clean and well-maintained, with good restrooms, picnic tables, and Barbeques. The park is also home to ample shade trees, cacti, sagebrush, palms, and flowers.

After enjoying the park, continue your stroll along the path that commands the best views of the ocean from any Southern California beach town. It is perched high up the bluffs, with several pathways leading to small secluded coves and beaches.

Read more here

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a coastal town sandwiched between the steep hills of Santa Ynez mountains and the pacific ocean.

The Spanish Colonial architecture, white buildings with courtyards, homes terraced on the hills overlooking the ocean, and the inviting sandy beaches gave Santa Barbara its nickname "The American Riviera".

Santa Barabra has a long shoreline with many beaches, a harbor, and a Wharf. You can walk through most of it easily, starting from Shoreline Park on the West end, through SB Harbor, passing through East Beach, and ending at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge.

Along the way,  you can stop for a snack at the Harbor, Sterns Wharf, or the restaurants dotting Cabrillo street.

Right after the Wharf, you will find another unofficial bird sanctuary as you go east. Watching all birds gathering at Mission Creek – right at the beach is fun.

Read more here

Parks and Recreation

Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park -- Carlsbad

This former ranch nestled inside a stunning 27-acre canyon is now a historic park that's been open to the public since 2003. 

You'll enjoy walking trails, free self-guided tours of the grounds and buildings, and plenty of sightings of some pretty spectacular wildlife, including the colorful peacock.

While at the ranch, take a tour to see the inside of the Ranch House.

The ranch is a botanical gem and a photographer's paradise. Don't forget to watch the 13-minute video in the Visitor center.

Griffith Park and Observatory, Los Angeles

Griffith Park is a large municipal park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. 

The park includes popular attractions such as the Los Angeles Zoo, the Autry Museum of the American West, the Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign. 

The park appeared in many movies, making it among North America's most famous municipal parks. 

It has been compared to Central Park in New York City and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, but it is much larger, less tamed, and more rugged than either.

Besides visiting the zoo and observatory, the park is popular with hikers, and one of the most popular trails is the one leading to the Hollywood Sign.

A visit to the Griffith Park Observatory is a must. The observatory offers a sweeping view of the Los Angeles skyline and surrounding areas. 

And inside the observatory, take a trip to the stars at the planetarium. 

Balboa Park -- San Diego

Balboa Park is a sprawling 1200-acre park full of open spaces, gardens, hiking trails, and lots of museums. The park is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. 

In 1915, the parklands were used to host the San Diego Panama-Pacific International Exposition which celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal and lasted for 2 years. Later many of the park's buildings were recommissioned as museums.  

Interesting Facts: Kate Sessions is known locally as "the mother of Balboa Park". She designed a lot of the park's landscaping and spent years planting trees.

You can spend a day just walking around and exploring the history and architecture, picnicking in the green zones, riding a mini train, going on a carousel, or visiting the International Village. The park is home to so many Museums, you will need days to explore them all. Some of my favorites are "Air and Space", "Science Center", "Natural History" and "Museum of Art".

Go here to read more about the park and its attractions.

Cabrillo National Monument

At the tip of Point Loma Peninsula, the monument commemorates the explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who was the first to set foot on the west coast of North America. 

This park has a museum, movie theater, tide-pool exploration, and a stunning view of San Diego harbor and downtown skyline from a high vantage point. 

If you are interested in the tide pools, make sure to check the low tide schedule. See official website for more details. 

Also, you will find the Point Loma Lighthouse at the highest point of the park. It was closed down in 1891 because it was always shrouded in fog due to its height, and a newer one was built at a lower elevation.

The park is also close to the "Maritime Museum of San Diego", so you can make a side trip to visit the museum. 

Read more here

North Lake Trail, Irvine

Try this 1.0-mile loop trail in Irvine, California. Considered an easy route, it takes an average of 19 min to complete. 

This is a popular trail for paddle sports, road biking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day. 

The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.

As you walk, admire the beautiful trees, landscaping, and wildlife, including geese, rabbits, turtles, and ducks. 

A shopping center and movie theater are next to the lake. We usually park at the center before we make our way to the trail. 

California Citrus State Historic Park – Riverside

Take a leisurely walk through citrus trees and visit the museum for some citrus industry history.

This Historic Park is an open-air museum in California's state park system, interpreting the citrus industry's historic cultural landscape. 

The park's museum exhibits and interpretive features share the story of the citrus industry's role in the history and development of Southern California. They are told through the experiences of the diverse migrant and immigrant groups who made it all possible. 

Great Park, Irvine

The Orange County Great Park offers a wide array of activities, including a 2.5-mile canyon and lake, miles of hiking and biking trails, a cultural terrace. 

It also includes Orange County's largest sports park, a botanical garden, and a tethered helium observation balloon that will be an icon for the Great Park.

The Great Park Balloon is open, and it is free. Take a ride up to 400 feet (depending on wind speed) and watch the empty land around you being transformed into a great park.

While you are at the top, gaze down to see a Historic Timeline that can only be viewed from above. Once you are done with your ride, you can walk through this 2600 ft timeline and relive 162 significant events.

The park is also home to a certified farmers' market, Soccer Stadium, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, softball and baseball fields, a Kids playground, Reflecting ponds, and a viewing pier.

Read more here

Laguna Lake Park

This beautiful lake and park are a launching pad for several Hikes. You can spend time around the lake admiring the ducks and swans, fishing, or enjoying a picnic.

The lake gets stocked with fish regularly, and you can witness adults and kids catching some fish. Dogs are welcome here but must be on a leash.

The trails connected to the lake are suitable for hiking, biking, and horse riding. 

For a short and easy hike, you can just loop around the lake. One loop would be around ¾ a mile.

Several trails with varying lengths and difficulty start from the lake.

Read more here

Descanso Gardens -- La Canada Flintridge

Tucked against the San Gabrial Mountains in Los Angeles County, this arboreal retreat from civilization is a treat for soar eyes.

The Gardens are spread out over 150 acres of hills, meadows, lakes, and streams.

The botanic collections are divided into distinct areas; some, like the Oak Forest, look like pristine woodland, while others, like the Camellia Collection and Rose Garden, are more landscaped.

The admission fee is about $15 for a single visit and around $80 for an annual membership. If you buy the single visit ticket and change your mind, you can apply the purchase fees toward a membership. 

Read more here

Scenic Drives

Angeles Crest Scenic Byway

The Angeles Crest Highway begins outside Burbank and is only minutes from downtown Los Angeles.

The 55-mile route goes through the San Gabriel Mountains to the mountain town of Wrightwood.

You can also visit the Mount Wilson Observatory for incredible stargazing because it sits above the hazy smog layer of Loos Angeles.

The gorgeous mountain road climbs to a high point of 7,901 feet at Dawson Saddle and offers multiple viewpoints overlooking the Mojave Desert and the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. 

The town of Wrightwood is an old alpine town with historic cabins, a ski resort, and a zip line adventure.

San Luis Obispo North Coast Highway

Just a few hours north of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo is an idyllic town in the heavenly Los Osos Valley. This is where the San Luis Obispo North Coast Highway begins, traveling California's Shoreline Highway for the remainder of the route.

As you head south, the scenic byway passes through lovely Morro Bay, a north coast beach town that attracts vacationers with its miles of sandy shoreline, biologically diverse bay, and romantic waterfront promenade.

Ocean vistas, small towns, and state parks line the rest of the route. Buy tickets in advance to tour Hearst Castle if you're into majestic architecture or history. 

The mansion's beautiful hillside grounds overlook the dramatic coastline, and you can choose from multiple tours of the home's 165 rooms.

Big Sur scenic drive 

I drove through Big Sur many times and stayed at a campground once, and each time I go, I find there are so many more things I can see and do.

The drive through this winding and scenic road is stunning, with ocean views, a river, and a forest.

And along this beautiful highway, you can visit famous state and national parks, campgrounds, and resorts. 

Some of the iconic places and views you can see or visit are Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur Campground & Cabins, and Ventana Big Sur Resort.

Museums

California Science Center

The science museum is a great place to spend the day learning and having fun with the whole family. 

The museum has excellent fixed exhibits like Creative World and Ecosystems and special temporary exhibits like Journey to Space. 

Special exhibits usually require a ticket you can purchase at the ticket booth.

Along with the exhibits, the museum has a large format IMAX theater that showcases films with scientific themes, and some are shown in amazing vivid 3D.

The best attraction at the museum nowadays is the Endeavour final resting place. You have to go through Ecosystems to get the Endeavour display. The first time I entered this hall, I was surprised at the spaceship's colossal size. It dwarfs the throngs of people gazing up at it.

Read more here

Orange County Model Engineers, Costa Mesa

If you have kids in your life, or you just happen to be a kid at heart, Orange County Model Engineers is a great spot to take the kiddos out for a train ride. The best part? The 12-minute scenic train ride that takes you over bridges and through the park is free on the third Saturday and Sunday of every month.

Orange Empire Railway Museum -- Perris

Explore one of the largest locomotive collections on the west coast at the Orange Empire Railway Museum. Although admission to the grounds and building is free, there is a charge to ride the trains if you choose to add that to your itinerary. The museum is located at 2201 South A Street in Perris, CA.

Orange County Museum of the Arts

The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) is a modern and contemporary art museum located on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus in Costa Mesa, California. 

The museum's collection comprises more than 4,500 objects, concentrating on the art of California and the Pacific Rim from the early 20th century to the present. 

Exhibits include traditional paintings, sculptures, and photography and new media in video, digital, and installation art.

Paid parking can be found in the surrounding garages, but if you happen to be at South Coast Plaza, you can easily walk across the pedestrian bridge to the museum.

The great outdoors

Sturtevant Falls -- San Gabriel Mountains

Sturtevant Falls Hiking Trail is located in the foothills above Arcadia and Pasadena in the heart of the Angeles National Forest. 

This is only one of many hikes available in the Chantry Flats area, but it is my favorite hike because of the waterfall reward at the end.

The hike goes down a steep incline and runs along a creek with a tree-lined ridges. You will have to cross the creek several times before arriving at the clear pool and the waterfall. 

The fall might be a trickle or a torrent depending on the season. But it is rewarding either way. 

Read more here

Joshua Tree National Park

The first time I saw Joshua Tree NP, I thought I had just crossed through the twilight zone and into another planet. The eerie landscape, rock formations, and the uncanny Joshua trees combine to transport me to a different state of mind.

This 800,000 acres park straddles the Mojave and Sonoran deserts in California. It is home to the most stunning rock piles, mountain ranges, desert views, and an unexpected oasis here and there. 

The park was named after the most prevalent tree in the area. Mormons passing through the area called it Joshua Tree because it resembled their prophet, Joshua, praying to God.

Read more here

Crystal Cove Trails

Crystal Cove state park is both a beach and a wilderness area with many hiking trails.

This 3-mile stretch of beach along the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the newest additions to the state park system. 

Along with its pristine beaches, it covers 3000 acres of hills, canyons, and trails. It also includes primitive campgrounds that only backpackers can get to. 

A new addition is the Moro campground, which has some facilities and sits between the beach and the hiking trails.

The park has about 17 miles of trails, so get a trail map online (map) or from the ranger stations before you start your hike. 

There are now two parking areas available for hikers. One of them is at the Moro campground day-use area, and the other is outside the campground next to the main ranger station/visitors center. 

I usually park at the campground because it also provides easy access to the beach area.

Read more here

Santa Cruz Island -- Channel Islands National Park

It is hard to find a secluded area in Southern California to step away from civilization and commune with nature. But luckily for us, the Channel Islands are a short boat ride away with beautiful nature and great adventures.

The eight islands making up the Channel Islands are only a few miles away from the coast of Southern California, but they might as well be worlds away. 

Those islands have never been connected to the mainland, so they have their own species of animals and plants. 

Santa Cruz is the largest island in the archipelago off the coast of California. It is about 22 miles long with a coastline that has steep cliffs, gigantic sea caves, coves, and sandy beaches. 

It is a haven for nature lovers with many hiking trails, camping, kayaking, and snorkeling. 

This island is home to animal species that can't be found anywhere else in the world, like Santa Cruz Island Horse, the Island Scrub-Jay, and the Santa Cruz Island Fox. The fox is adorable and prevalent everywhere you go on the island.  

Read more here

Fullerton Arboretum

The Fullerton Arboretum is a 26-acre botanical garden with a collection of world plants located on the California State University, Fullerton campus. 

It is the largest botanical garden in Orange County, with over 4,000 plants. The Arboretum saves species that are extinct or near extinction and serves as a learning place for agricultural history.

The Arboretum was officially opened in 1979. 

A centerpiece of the Arboretum is the Heritage House, built in 1894 as the home and office of Fullerton's pioneer physician, Dr. George C. Clark. 

The Arboretum's garden paths meander through four collections: Cultivated, Woodlands, Mediterranean, and Desert Collections. 

Highlights include Southern California native vegetation, Rare Fruit Grove, an organic vegetable garden, historic Citrus and Avocados, Channel Islands Garden, an extensive Cycad Collection, Conifer Collection, Palm Grove, Community Gardens, and a Children's Garden.

Millard Canyon Falls Trail

The area above Pasadena is full of canyons and waterfalls, and Millard Canyon offers a quick route to a nicely flowing waterfall.

Depending on where you park, you can choose between a 4-mile hike or a 2.5-mile hike.

The trail meanders along a creek, and you must cross the stream multiple times. 

There is also some rock scrambling, which is unsuitable for the elderly or little children. 

Older kids (5 and up) love crossing the stream or walking through it. 

At one point, you will need to do a butt slide to continue down a break in the trail. 

The waterfall at the end of the trail is well worth the trek. It has a strong flow most of the year, especially after winter rains and in the spring. 

Read more here