Though Disneyland in Anaheim, California is one of southern California’s most visited vacation destinations, there is so much more to experience in beautiful, temperate southern California.

Southern California Beaches

Some of the most famous beaches worldwide, many made famous in movies and television shows, are located on the southern California coastline. Laguna Beach, Newport, and Santa Monica are some of the more popular sites on the California coast. Many of these areas are great venues to watch surfing and nearly any other extreme ocean sport. There are busy piers, carnival rides, food and fantastic people-watching. Active adventure travelers will be able to find plenty of outdoor pursuits, too, from parasailing to whale watching and snorkeling and scuba diving. For those travelers less courageous in ocean surf, Marina del Rey boasts quiet coves where kids can safely splash and play around.

Catalina Island is west of Los Angeles and accessible by boat. It is one of the more unique and unspoiled outposts of the southern California coast area. After you have been at Disneyland for a long weekend, relax on Catalina, enjoy a romantic weekend, or hike the steep seaside cliffs. Explore online sites for detailed information on this California island gem, or call your travel agent for information.

Hollywood

While in the Disneyland area, plan a day to see Hollywood. Walk Hollywood Boulevard, shop along Rodeo Drive, or take in the sun and people watch along quirky, world-renowned Venice Beach. Most of the major motion picture studios offer tours of their facilities, too. Utilize online trip planning sites or contact your travel agent for travel specifics. Getting around the Los Angeles area is not always easy, so look for good tour information that covers the attractions you or your family are interested in.

Museums and Zoos

There is a museum in southern California to suit nearly any interest. Learn about the history of railroading, visit Legoland, acquaint yourself with the Getty Center or poke around any of the dozen or so of the region’s art museums. Online guides to southern California will outline them all. Visit their particular website for hours of operation and admission prices.

The more southern city of San Diego is home to the world class San Diego Zoo. If zoos are your interest, this one is not to be missed. There are always featured animal friends and their website has many interactive features to get kids excited long before you even arrive. Before you go, check the zoo’s calendar of events for intriguing and educational offerings. There are even opportunities to enroll your kids in a zoo camp or give them the experience of a lifetime with a nighttime sleepover at the San Diego Zoo.