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Southern California is a region of the U.S. state of California that includes the Los Angeles metropolitan area and the Inland Empire. It has a diverse population, a rich history, and a variety of attractions, such as beaches, mountains, deserts, and theme parks.
- 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.
- 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.
Explore the megapolitan area of Southern California, a region with 22 million residents and diverse attractions. Find popular destinations, satellite map, photo map, and alternative names for Southern California.
May 5, 2021 · Discover the diverse attractions of SoCal, from theme parks and beaches to deserts and mountains. Find out the best places to visit in Southern California, from Disneyland to Death Valley, and get tips on wine tasting, whale watching, and hiking.
Jul 17, 2023 · From San Diego’s beautiful beaches to Hollywood’s Sunset Strip and the Joshua tree-filled desert, Southern California is home to a diverse array of spectacular places to visit, including these.
