Fun Day Trips To Take When Visiting Los Angeles
By MICHAEL WITTNER
Travel the majestic Pacific Coast Highway to the fabled "21 Miles of Scenic Beauty" called Malibu, known for its pristine beaches and world-class hiking.
Malibu
Stop at the picturesque Malibu Pier at Surfrider Beach, with shops, restaurants, and surfers. Then, go to Point Dume, a coastal peninsula with views of Palos Verdes and Catalina.
Climb the 100-foot rocky cliff to Zuma Beach, or enjoy trails and landscapes featured in movies of yesteryear at Paramount Ranch and Malibu Creek State Park.
This stunning stretch of beach and mountains is a dramatic peninsula that offers near-panoramic views of Los Angeles, the coastline, mountains, and Malibu.
Palos Verdes Peninsula
Off of Paseo del Mar, hike down the bluffs to arrive at Sacred Cove, a rocky beach with incredible tidepools and views. Palos Verdes is also home to renowned golf courses.
Head to the South Coast Botanic Garden, an 87-acre nature reserve with more than 2,500 species of plants that lights up on winter nights.
Many celebrities, from Katy Perry to J.Lo to Steven Spielberg to Oprah Winfrey, have sprawling properties in this area, particularly in Montecito.
Santa Barbara
Alongside a long seaside bike and pedestrian promenade, enjoy Stearns Wharf, a 2,300-foot pier built in 1872, and historic Mission Revival architecture, boutiques, and restaurants.
As a paradise for beachgoers and hikers, there are multiple beaches and countless hiking options in the Santa Ynez Mountains, or you can enjoy winery, trolley, and scooter tours.
Cars are replaced by golf carts on this mountainous, 76-square-mile island about 20 miles off the South Bay coast that is both rugged and deluxe.
Santa Catalina Island
Catalina's visitors can go ziplining, parasailing, take submarine tours, kayak, golf, hike, snorkel, paddleboard, or scale the island's rugged mountain terrain looking for bison.
The bustling harbor town of Avalon has shops, hotels, restaurants, and impossibly cute hillside bungalows. Stroll along a seaside promenade and relax at sumptuous spas.
Whether you want to look at a painting, a sculpture, a tidepool, a whale, a breathtaking sunset, or a breathtaking surfer, Laguna Beach is a vision for everyone.
Laguna Beach
The rustic beach town started making a name for itself in the early 20th century when the beautiful scenery attracted painters and Hollywood film crews.
Today, the town of 23,000 boasts over 100 art galleries and dozens of extraordinary tidepools. It is a haven for surfers, snorkelers, sunbathers, and hikers.