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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).
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Visit Disneyland. Disneyland is Anaheim’s main draw, and while the happiest place on earth is this city’s most iconic attraction, there’s plenty to see that goes beyond the Mouse House.
- Spend a weekend exploring Death Valley National Park. The name may send shivers down your spine, but Death Valley National Park is alive. Several superlatives are often used to describe this national park, but ‘hottest, lowest, and driest’ are among the most common.
- Spend a weekend in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is the perfect weekend getaway for those who want to relax and enjoy some of California’s best. Santa Barbara is home to some of the best wineries in the state, so wine tasting is a must-do activity.
- Visit Anaheim for entertainment beyond amusement parks. Anaheim is a popular destination for travelers looking to experience what Southern California offers.
- Change Your Perspective At The Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The largest art museum in the western part of the United States, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is renowned for its impressive and expansive collection.
- Enjoy A Little Bit Of Everything At Balboa Park. San Diego’s cultural and entertainment oasis, Balboa Park, is teeming with exuberant social activity and top attractions.
- Hitch A Ride On The Scenic Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The world’s largest rotating aerial tramway, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, is a scenic departure linking the Coachella Valley to San Jacinto Peak.
- Tour The Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786. A Spanish mission referred to as the “Queen of the Missions,” the Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786 was first established in 1786.
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 . To the west of Southern California lies the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands.
Explore the dreamlike otherworld of Southern California, where natural beauty and modern mythology merge. Find attractions, articles, guidebooks and activities for your trip to LA, Death Valley, San Diego and more.
