Most everyone can agree that Southern California is one of the best places to live. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you’ve only just started calling this place home, there are a few things that everyone must experience before they are officially a Southern Californian.
1. Explore Joshua Tree for a day or a weekend.
Whether you're enchanted by the many hikes Joshua Tree has to offer or you're drawn to the abundance of campsites available to enjoy, spending some quality time in Joshua Tree is one of the best ways to embrace the beauty of Southern California.
2. Discover SoCal's small-town charm.
As much as we love Southern California's beaches, you haven't fully experienced SoCal's charm until you take some time to wander through the many small towns sprinkled throughout this part of California. From quaint mountain towns to small beach towns, SoCal has it all.
3. Spend a day at Balboa Park.
Whether you love nature trails, wildlife, museums, theatre, or history, this sprawling urban park located in San Diego is easily one of SoCal's best attractions. Spend a day or an entire weekend exploring this local gem and you'll quickly see why this is one of SoCal's finest treasures.
4. Take a day trip to Disneyland.
For most people, a trip to Disneyland requires an airplane ride. But for those of us fortunate enough to live in SoCal, we can hop in a car and head to this magical destination any time we want. Although we can't spend every day at Disneyland due to the expense of tickets, we do have a bit more flexibility than someone from out of town so heading here for a fun day trip is a great way to embrace the benefit of living here in SoCal.
5. Trade in your boots for flip-flops.
If you're not from Southern California, you're most likely used to wearing boots for a good part of the year when the rain and snow kick in. But when you're a Southern Californian, you'll need to exchange those boots for a closet full of flip-flops.
6. Make fresh lemonade.
Southern California is known for its abundance of citrus trees. What a perfect way to enjoy the flavors of SoCal by making some fresh lemonade from a ripe lemon plucked right off the tree.
7. Take a stroll on the beach at sunset.
Nothing captures the feeling of SoCal quite like strolling along the beach at sunset with the sensation of sand in your toes. With an abundance of beaches sprinkled throughout this part of California, you'll never be at a loss as to where to go for an evening beach stroll.
8. Go ice skating at the Hotel Del.
When winter rolls around in Southern California, the one thing that should be on everyone's list is an afternoon or evening of ice skating at the Hotel Del during the holiday season. Grab your skates and get ready for an epic view, as this outdoor ice skating rink with an ocean view will make you feel like a true Southern Californian.
9. Take a long scenic hike in the mountains.
Living in Southern California means having access to outdoor adventures all year long. One of the best ways to explore the beauty of Southern California is by heading out on a scenic hike in SoCal's many natural settings.
10. Tour a historic mission.
Throughout Southern California you'll find many historic missions that have been part of SoCal's history for hundreds of years. Whether you spend a day or a weekend wandering through these historic properties you'll be completely inspired by what you see.
Do you recognize anything on this list? What else would you add to make this list complete?
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