Spending a Few Days In SoCal? Where to Go?

California as a Western US State, is very huge! One of the largest US States, 3rd perhaps, Alaska being the first and Texas, 2nd. But if you will be staying for a short time in Los Angeles and nearby areas, a dream to take a whole trip of the West Coast may be next to impossible, however, you can make the most of your Los Angeles trip! Here are some tips!

If you're just visiting the state for about a week, we will try our best to make an iterinary for you to see most of the area.

Los Angeles in Southern California is the center of the nation’s film industry. Here are the famous Hollywood, Paramount, Warner Brothers and Universal Studios.

THEME PARKS

If you are fond of theme parks and rides, first thing that comes to mind, (of course!), is the one and only original Disneyland in California, together with Disney California Adventure! If this is included in your things to do list be prepared to spare 1 day for each park. The park is so vastly spread out that you need "at least" a day to enjoy and feel the whole park.

Universal Studios Hollywood also comes to mind. This is one of the best parks in the state, not only for children but also those who are child at heart! Watch the secret behind every film and there is a studio tour as well. Plus, if you want to see and step into the world of Harry Potter you are very welcome to Wizarding World of Harry!

STUDIO TOURS

Hollywood is known for Hollywood, and at this day and age, who hasn’t seen any Hollywood movies??? Hardly anyone hasn't ! Yes! Exactly. But have you ever been curious of how each movie effects were made? Where is their superb shooting location? And how can they manage to shoot in NYC, knowing there are thousands of people walking the streets every single minute!!

Universal Studios Hollywood is one of them. But another studio tour is also popular, the Warner Brothers Tour. Who can forget the famous F.R.I.E.N.D.S. TV series back in the 90’s? they preserved the studio that was previously used by the said TV show and it's now a tourist attraction!

STAPLES CENTER

The Home of the Lakers!! Lakers gained soo many fans, not just in America but in most parts of the world who loooovesss basketball. If you watch every single season of NBA playoffs and finals every single year, who wouldn’t want to see the Staples Center, the home court of the Lakers!!

SANTA MONICA PIER

Good thing California has a very scenic coast line. But it will take a lot of time just to drive the Scenic Highway 1, to see the coast line from NorCAl to Orange County!

But if you are short of time, a visit to Santa Monica Pier could be nice! It has lots of eats along the beach.. and even for just sightseeing, this place will fill your eyes of the beauty of California Coast.

BEVERLY HILLS

Who wouldn’t want shopping? ( At least for the girls!) if you are fond of signature brands and fancy resturants, Beverly Hills could be a place for you! And for some tourists who just want to have a glimpse of where do Celebrities and famous people shop, a visit to this place could be done as well!

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

A visit to LalaLAND will never be complete without the trip to see the Hollywood walk of fame. Busy streets, flavorful resturants, lights at night and a city that never sleeps. There can you find the 15 blocks where in the brass stars are embedded in their sidewalks. And this is also  a good place to buy souvenirs in all forms and shapes!

SIDE  DAY TRIP outside LA

If you think you already have seen the parks and city life in the City of Angels, you might want to explore other side of Southern California, a day trip outside can be an option too.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

This park is located approximately 2 hours east of Los Angeles, near San Bernardino and Palm Springs. This is an interesting national park characterized by rock formations and desert landscape. Its premier attractions are the giant branching yuccas.  But the time of the year is very much important in visiting this place. You may not want to visit during the Summer, where heat exhaustion can be a problem. But if you are adventurous for hiking and rock climbing, visit during early spring, around March or April can be perfect.  If you want to see how the fall lights the park, it's best to come late autumn around October or November.

LAS VEGAS, NV

Although, this is out-of-State, it is still a good place to visit if you have atleast 3 -5 more days  in your trip. This is one of the nearest well known cities in Nevada that’s worth the drive from Southern California. 

And while there in "Sin City", just on the outskirts you would find a number of interesting places nearby to check out as well! Be sure to include the Valley Of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon in your travels!

Los Angeles, CA

Day 1: Whole day Disneyland!

Day 2: Whole day Disney California Adventure

Day 3: Rest day.. or a city tour which includes: (Staples Center, Beverly Hills, LACMA Urban Lights,  and Santa Monica Pier

Day 4: Griffith Observatory, Hollywood City, Hollywood Walk of Fame 

Day 5: Rest or Road trip to Las Vegas

Day 6: Before arriving to Las Vegas, quick stop to Red Canyon State Park

Day 7: Whole day Las Vegas Strip! Till night time

Day 8: Before heading back to Los Angeles stop by Valley of Fire State Park

  

Hope this helps.. this can be modified any way you want. this is just a suggestion for people who have limited time to explore SoCal and neighboring cities. if you want to have a less stressing and more relaxed SoCal experience, you may space out the days and take some off the list if this is too much of a trip, and this was just based on our very own experience! Ciao!