10 Of The Greatest Destinations Most Southern Californians Overlook
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Angela
Author
Southern California is home to some pretty epic places. Whether you’re drawn to sandy beaches, lush forests, picturesque mountains, or even lush garden settings and local parks, there are some beautiful treasures right here in Socal that you must see to believe.
Instead of heading to your usual Southern California haunts that you know and love, how about you take some time to discover something new in SoCal that you may have overlooked? Here are 10 places that we know you’ll love checking out.
Please note, Big Falls Trail and The Japanese Garden are temporarily closed.
If you love exploring Southern California on foot, you'll want to head to this magnificent preserve located in San Diego County at 14209 Hwy 76, Pala, CA 92059. Filled with more than four miles of trails in a remote setting surrounded by beautiful farm country in every direction, this natural preserve is the perfect way to experience a new side of SoCal that most people don't often get the chance to explore.
For more information about Wilderness Gardens Preserve, click here.
For more information about Wilderness Gardens Preserve, click here.
The La Jolla Coast Trail, located at 1325 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, CA, is an easy way to experience a slice of paradise in Southern California. This 2.2-mile trail along the beautiful coastline provides soaring views of the ocean in a picturesque setting right out of a storybook. Whether you're here to explore La Jolla for the day or you just need a little pick-me-up in the fresh outdoor air, this leisurely trail will do the trick.
For more information about the Coastal Walk Trail, click here.
For more information about the Coastal Walk Trail, click here.
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Sometimes the very best destinations are hiding right in plain sight. Although you may have heard of Will Rogers State Historic Park before, have you ever taken the time to explore this outdoor oasis? You'll find hundreds of acres of leisurely walking trails, horseback riding trails, and plenty of challenging hiking trails for those of you who prefer a more strenuous workout. If you love history, you'll also enjoy taking a tour of the historic Will Rogers ranch that is offered to the public each week.
You can head right over here for more details about Will Rogers State Historic Park.
You can head right over here for more details about Will Rogers State Historic Park.
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There's a hidden desert oasis in Southern California that is pure bliss. Located near Palm Springs, this glorious preserve is a 2,800-acre paradise packed with tons of walking trails and a stunning aqua-blue trout pool that you must see to believe. Whitewater Preserve is located at 9160 Whitewater Canyon Rd., White Water, CA 92282.
For more information about White Water Preserve, click here.
For more information about White Water Preserve, click here.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens not only has a beautiful name, but it's also an extraordinarily beautiful place. Although Casa Romantica is best known as a premier destination for weddings and events, it's also a destination where locals can explore and relax on any given day. From soaring views of the Pacific Ocean to serene garden trails throughout the grounds, this local paradise is quite simply sublime. Casa Romantica is located at 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672.
For more information about Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, you can head right over here.
For more information about Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, you can head right over here.
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Although most people think of SoCal's beaches when they daydream about this part of the country, there are also plenty of lakes worth visiting. Lake Gregory, located within Lake Gregory Regional Park, is one of our favorites. Whether you love hiking, water sports, or just scenic settings with magnificent views, this is a great destination to experience in SoCal at least once in your life. You can find Lake Gregory at 24171 Lake Dr., Crestline, CA 92325.
For more details about spending a day trip here, please click here.
For more details about spending a day trip here, please click here.
Marine Emporium Landing, located in the charming town of Oxnard, is a great spot to spend the day if you love aquatic activities, waterfront views, local shopping, and outdoor dining. Whether you're here for a day trip or an entire weekend, this is a fun destination in Southern California that should definitely be on your radar. Marine Emporium Landing can be found at 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA.
For more details about Marine Emporium Landing and its many activities and restaurants, please click here.
For more details about Marine Emporium Landing and its many activities and restaurants, please click here.
Who doesn't love a waterfall? Combine that with an outdoorsy hike and you pretty much have a perfect SoCal day. Located at 3994 Upper Lopez Canyon Rd., Arroyo Grande, CA, Big Falls Trail is the perfect place for a refreshing 4.5-mile hike that leads to Southern California's tallest waterfall. Spend an entire afternoon here and you'll be treated to some of the prettiest views on earth.
For more details about Big Falls and Big Falls Trail, click here.
For more details about Big Falls and Big Falls Trail, click here.
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Looking for a destination the whole family will love? The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, located at 7900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, CA, is one setting where you can observe and interact with wildlife all in a single setting. Whether you're strolling through the gardens or feeding the giraffes by hand, this stunning setting will let you engage with both plants and wildlife in their natural habitat.
For more details about the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, please click here.
For more details about the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, please click here.
Tucked inside the city of Van Nuys, you'll find a six-acre garden that may be the most tranquil setting you'll ever experience. The Japanese Garden, located at 6100 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406, is a precious slice of paradise hidden away from the outside world.
For more details about hours and admission fees at The Japanese Garden, click here.
For more details about hours and admission fees at The Japanese Garden, click here.
Don’t these places look fantastic? Do you have a favorite spot on this list?
For more Southern California destinations that are worth a visit, check out these nine spots that will remind you why you love SoCal.
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