As residents of Southern California, we are blessed with good weather all year long. This is not the case for many other places throughout the country. That’s why when the temperatures drop each year, Southern California looks like the perfect vacation destination.
Those of us who have friends and relatives visiting know that the holidays are a popular time of year. It can be somewhat stressful deciding what to do and where to go when the loved ones flock to your home. That’s why we’ve outlined some of the very best places to visit, eat, and shop in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.
Los Angeles County
Tourist destinations
There’s no shortage of tourist destinations in L.A., so we’ve compiled some of the big sights that first-time visitors, and even some returning visitors, should take the time to see.
The Getty
Griffith Observatory
Universal Studios Hollywood
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Santa Monica Pier
Rodeo Drive
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Sunset Strip
The Hollywood Sign
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Queen Mary
The Original Farmers Market
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Watts Towers
Catalina Island
Restaurants
Have a few days in L.A.? You could easily spend them eating some of the best cuisine in the world. Here are a few local favorites.
Kendall’s Brasserie
The Hungry Pig
Revolutionario: North African Tacos
Daikokuya
Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles
Wolvesmouth at the Wolvesden
The Morrison
Providence
Nobu
Pizzeria Mozza
Stonehaus
BLT Steak
Melisse
Beacon
Lucques
Chateau Marmont
Firefly
Aburiya Raku
Where to shop
L.A. is home to some of the most iconic stores in the world. Remind your out-of-town guests to pack light so they have an excuse to shop for new clothes.
Kathryn Amberleigh
H.D. Buttercup
Clover
Decades
Des Kohan
General Quarters
Just One Eye
Black Market
Mohawk General Store
Opening Ceremony
The Way We Wore
Maxfield
Resurrection
Tavin Boutique
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Melrose Avenue
Rodeo Drive
Third Street Promenade
L.A. Fashion District
California Market Center
Hollywood & Highland
Orange County
Tourist destinations
Home of beaches and miles of beautiful coastline, there’s no shortage of places to visit in Orange County.
Disneyland
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Heisler Park
Huntington Beach Pier
Dana Point Harbor
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
The Wedge
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Crystal Cove State Park
Len Wood’s Indian Territory
Knott’s Berry Farm
Catalina Island
Restaurants
No matter what your favorite food is, you’ll find it in Orange County.
Zinc Cafe & Market
Paru’s Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
The Beachcomber at Cyrstal Cove
Pizza 900
Marché Moderne
Tortilla Republic
Old Vine Cafe
Coffee Pub
Gelato Paradiso
Laguna Canyon Winery
Playground 2.0
Pueblo
Thuyen Vien
Mastro’s Steakhouse
Social
The North Left
Selanne Steak Tavern
Where to shop
Some of these O.C. stores and malls rival those of L.A. You won’t have to travel too far to score high-end threads.
South Coast Plaza
Fashion Island
The Outlets at Orange
Brea Mall
The Packing District
The Lab
Buena Park Downtown
San Diego County
Tourist destinations
There’s so much to see in San Diego County, and even more if you and your guests enjoy the great outdoors. Hiking spots and scenic overlooks can be found throughout the county. We’ve included a few of our local favorite destinations here.
San Diego Zoo
Safari Park
Legoland
SeaWorld
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Sunset Cliffs
Potato Chip Rock
Balboa Park
Mission Beach
La Jolla Cove
Children’s Pool
Coronado Beach
Hotel del Coronado
Gaslamp Quarter
USS Midway Museum
Mount Soledad
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Old Town San Diego
Birch Aquarium
Restaurants
The culinary possibilities in San Diego are endless. As home to some of the top restaurants in the nation, guests in San Diego will be anything but hungry.
Kono’s Cafe
South Beach Bar and Grille
The Marine Room
Old Town Mexican Cafe
The Smoking Goat
Juniper & Ivy
Kettner Exchange
Extraordinary Desserts
Le Parfait Paris
The Grant Grill
Baci Restorante
Cucina Urbana
Whisknladle
A.R. Valentien
Herringbone
George’s at the Cove
Sushi Ota
Alforon
Farm House Cafe
Wine Vault & Bistro
Where to shop
No matter which San Diego neighborhood you live in, there’s bound to be a number of excellent shopping destinations near you. We’ve compiled a few favorites from throughout the county.
Rosamariposa
Vitreum
Mixture
Pebbles by the Beach
Harper’s Music Store
Co-habitat
Urban Girl
Blondstone
Ocean Gifts & Shells
Fairen Del
Bazaar del Mundo
Seaport Village
Fashion Valley
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
Cedros Design District
What should we add to the list? Where are your favorite places to take out of town guests?