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Southern California (commonly shortened to SoCal) is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. It includes the Los Angeles metropolitan area (the second most populous urban agglomeration in the United States) as well as the Inland Empire (another large metropolitan area).
- 56,505 sq mi (146,350 km²)
- Los Angeles
- United States
- California
- Carrie Bell
- Hollywood. Come for the sun, stay for the stars, movie stars, that is. The entertainment industry is usually what first pops into mind when anyone mentions California and Hollywood is at the epicenter of the biz.
- Joshua Tree National Park. With its surreal rock formations and spiky trees, it’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a Star Trek shooting location or a Dr. Seuss book when visiting this national park where two desert ecosystems meet, tarantulas and tortoises cross the street, night skies twinkle brilliantly, and influencers take their wide-brimmed hats out bouldering.
- Santa Barbara. Long the playground of the posh and famous—Oprah, who lives in the community next door, is the area’s patron saint, a gig she seemed to inherit from Julia Child—the picturesque enclave occupies a narrow crescent wedged between soaring ridges and the rollicking sea.
- Disneyland. How could we not include the original Disneyland on this list? It’s the happiest place on Earth after all. Especially after the pioneering 65–year-old theme park added a whole new land, Galaxy’s Edge, inspired by the Star Wars franchise in 2019.
- Universal Studios Hollywood (Editor’s Choice) 100 Universal City Plaza. Universal City, CA 91608. (800) 864-8377. Visit Website. Social Media. Open in Google Maps.
- San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert. Desert Adventures, 74794 Lennon Pl ste b, Palm Desert, CA 92260. (760) 324-5337. Visit Website. Social Media. Open in Google Maps.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. 3400 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505. (818) 977-8687. Visit Website. Social Media. Open in Google Maps. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is a guided walk-through tour of Warner Bros.
- San Diego Zoo. 2920 Zoo Dr. San Diego, CA 92101. (619) 231-1515. Visit Website. Social Media. Open in Google Maps. Located in Balboa Park, this 99-acre wildlife haven is often voted as one of the world’s top zoos of all time.
Southern California is a megapolitan area in the southern region of the U.S. state of California. The large urban areas containing Los Angeles and San Diego stretch all along the coast from Ventura to the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego. Map. Directions. Satellite.
- State Street. This main road runs through downtown Santa Barbara to the beach and is a must for anyone exploring the area. Check out the Spanish-style architecture of buildings like the Santa Barbara Courthouse, or climb to the top of the courthouse’s clock tower for a panoramic view of the city.
- Funk Zone. The Funk Zone used to be an industrial district of old warehouses. Now, the place is a sanctuary for art galleries, eateries, wine tasting venues, and other creative businesses.
- Beaches. Santa Barbara arguably has the best stretch of coastline in Southern California. It’s sparkling clean, never too crowded, and has plenty of parking at the downtown beaches.
- Channel Islands National Park. While there are technically eight Channel Islands off SoCal’s coastline, five of them are off the coast of Santa Barbara; these five—Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa—make up Channel Islands National Park.
Jul 17, 2023 · Explore the diverse and spectacular places to visit in Southern California, from beaches and theme parks to deserts and mountains. Discover the iconic landmarks, natural wonders and cultural attractions of this region, with tips on where to stay and what to do.
Feb 4, 2024 · Discover the best attractions in SoCal, from Hollywood to Joshua Tree, from San Diego to Catalina Island. Explore the culture, nature, and entertainment of this sunny region with this comprehensive guide.
