Enjoy the ride along the sparkling coast of California. Exploring the California coast, from sunny San Diego to stunning Santa Barbara CA abounds with fun and adventure. Let’s dive into some of the best places to visit in the Golden State. We’ll start our journey in the Southern most city, San Diego and head north to Santa Barbara.
San Diego
San Diego, a beach lovers dream, boasts cool boho restaurants, beautiful beaches, gorgeous hikes, and abundant nightlife.
San Diego’s coastline towns abound with bustling restaurants and quintessential California shops. Trendy Morning Glory Restaurant, in Little Italy, is a beautiful and delicious example of a boho chic eatery. Island Prime Steakhouse, located on the waterfront along the San Diego Harbor, offers stunning views of the downtown San Diego skyline, and a fun opportunity to wave at the many boats moving along the harbor route. Check out Marneys Tidbits “Your Guide To The 50 Best Restaurants In The US,” for an in depth look at this San Diego favorite.
Coronado Island, a short drive from downtown San Diego, via a large arched bridge, is a fun, must see, day adventure. Enjoy brunch at the famous Hotel Del Coronado or during Christmas time, ice skate on their oceanfront ice skating rink.
Explore upscale shopping, beautiful beaches and cafes in stunning La Jolla. Prospect Street is lined with ocean view cafes, such as the vintage and iconic Brockton Villa Restaurant (check out my Instagram post on this one), and upscale shops. Explore the iconic La Valencia Hotel, The Clam, The La Jolla Cave and tide pools, watch the many seals sunbathe on rocks, or simply take in the breathtaking coastal views.
During summer horse racing season check out The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Racetrack or visit the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar.
Make sure to explore beautiful Balboa Park, which houses many themed botanical gardens, such as, The Botanical Building, The Japanese Friendship Garden, and The Reflecting Pool. Various museums including The San Diego Museum of Art, The San Diego Air and Space Museum, and the famous San Diego Zoo abound in Balboa Park.
The Gaslamp Quarter, in downtown San Diego, bustles with energy. The Gaslamp offers trendy bars, restaurants, and shops housed in historic buildings. Grab a bite to eat at Extraordinary Desserts, enjoy a live music venue or just soak up the vibrant atmosphere.
Seaport Village boasts a variety of restaurants, ice cream shops, boutiques, and coffee houses. Puesto an upbeat Mexican eatery serves up healthy food and is close to the Rady’s Shell venue. For an upscale dinner, indulge your taste buds at Top of The Fish Market Restaurant, while enjoying an extraordinary harbor view.
Check out Mission Beach for awesome waves. Mission Beach is a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts, with wide sandy shores and gentle waves, perfect for beginner surfers, and a expansive boardwalk for roller skating and biking. While in Mission Beach try Miss B’s Coconut Club for a fun and festive Cuban dining experience.
San Diego’s coastline is dotted with pristine beaches, offering endless opportunities for stand up paddleboarding, swimming, surfing, and sunbathing.
San Clemente
San Clemente, a laid back beach town, dotted with Spanish-style buildings, cafes, trendy boutiques, palm lined streets, panoramic ocean views and great surf won’t disappoint.
Walk on the pier for awesome views of surfers catching waves, or explore Del Mar Street for cute shops like Tuvalu Home Decor. Many bistros in San Clemente boast savory delights. Two of my favorites are, South of Nick’s, with it’s coxy fireplace and romantic Spanish decor and The Vine Restaurant, which serves the best gourmet Burger and Cesar salad ever!
Surf at T-Street Beach. T-Street Beach is a favorite among surfers, with consistent waves and a relaxed atmosphere, it is perfect for surfers of all skill levels. Grab your board to catch some waves, or soak up the sun, and watch the action from the shore.
The Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens offers a showcase of the history and culture of San Clemente. It’s a historic Spanish-style mansion, with beautiful gardens, and exhibits showcasing local art.
San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is home to the gorgeous Mission San Juan Capistrano a landmark Chapel, Museum, and Gardens. The swallows of Capistrano make their yearly migration to this very place and are celebrated with the yearly Swallows Parade.
The Amtrak train stops in the middle of San Juan Capistrano’s historic downtown. Some of the restaurants along the train tracks boast floor to ceiling train track front windows, perfect for waving at the train passengers as they make their way up and down the California coast.
Cute historic tea houses such as The Ramos House Café and The Tea House on Los Rios are dotted among the many wildflower laden paths. Pony rides and animal encounters with llamas, sheep, goats, guinea pigs, bunnies, pintos, and emus are sure to delight at River Street Ranch.
Wrap up the evening with a phenomenal Charcuterie board and live music, in the lounge, at The Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, located in Orange County, CA, is all about art, shopping, food, and beach going.
Stroll around town, to check out the abundance of local art galleries, or walk along Main Beach, to catch a glimpse of the beachfront basketball players.
The town of Laguna Beach is also renowned for it’s vibrant arts scene, take a leisurely stroll along the Laguna Beach Art Walk to discover works by local and international artists.
Main Beach is the heart of Laguna Beach, offering a pristine white sand beach, clear turquoise waters, and stunning views of the coastline. It’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching.
Laguna Beach is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with miles of scenic hiking trails offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, and surrounding coastline.
Lace up your hiking boots and explore the rugged terrain of Crystal Cove State Park. The parks restaurant called The Beachcomber At Crystal Cove, is perfectly placed, right on the sand.
Venture inland to discover hidden waterfalls and lush canyons in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. For a more leisurely experience, rent a kayak or paddle board and explore the crystal-clear waters of Laguna Beach’s hidden coves and sea caves.
Make sure to check out my favorite Laguna Beach restaurant the Mosaic Bar and Grille for a casual oceanfront lunch, located in The Montage Laguna Beach.
If you need some TLC book a luxurious spa appointment or fitness class at the Montage Laguna Beach’s world renowned, oceanfront spa, called Spa Montage.
Newport Beach
Newport Beach exudes luxury, sophistication and quintessential California fun, with beautiful beaches, luxury shopping, and a variety of trendy restaurants.
Hang out at one of the many famous beaches, such as The Wedge, to watch surfers brave the waves, or explore famous Pirates Cove.
If relaxation is more your style, head to Corona Del Mar State Beach, where you can soak up the sun, swim in the calm blue waters, or unwind with a picnic on the sandy beach.
Stroll or bike along the boardwalk’s bike paths and explore Balboa Island’s Fun Zone for old-school fun and games. Ride the Ferris wheel, play arcade games, and indulge in classic beachside treats, such as, Balboa bars and snow cones.
Visit gorgeous Fashion Island Newport Beach with it’s sparkling Koi pond, beautiful architecture, and array of shops.
Fashion Island is Newport Beach’s luxury shopping destination, offering a mix of high-end stores, specialty boutiques, and dining amidst beautifully landscaped outdoor areas. Choose from designer fashion, home decor, and an array of shops. Fashion Island satisfies every taste and style.
When it’s time to rest, and revitalize, tantalize your tastebuds at Nobu, Malibu Farms, or one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Newport Beach, Louie’s By The Bay. Gulfstream Restaurant’s fried shrimp and biscuits won’t disappoint.
Charter a boat or Valentine’s day gondola to leisurely cruise around Newport Harbor, while enjoying views of the impressive yachts, waterfront houses, and stunning coastal views.
Rogers Gardens and The Historic Sherman Library and Gardens are fun and pretty outdoor botanical experiences. Sherman Gardens offers a delightful afternoon tea while Roger’s Gardens Farmhouse Restaurant serves farm to table fare.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Newport Beach offers a variety of water sports activities, such as, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, surfing, and sailing.
Catalina Island
The Catalina Express Ferry departs from the Dana Point Harbor, Newport Beach Harbor, the San Pedro Harbor, and Long Beach Harbor multiple times a day.
The ferry ride provides an adventure in itself. We boarded our ferry before sunset, to be greeted by pods of dolphins, surfing the wake of our boat. Flying fish leaped into the air and we even witnessed the iconic whale tail, slowly gliding into the grey blue ocean, while an orange sun faded into the sea. Everyone onboard gasped in awe, then cheered in delight!
The city of Avalon, on Santa Catalina island, feels reminiscent of Italy’s Amalfi coast. With it’s cute boutique hotels, such as The Pavilion, restaurants on the Wharf, abundant walking paths, trendy shops, mini golf, and vintage movie theater called “The Casino” Catalina provides many opportunities for fun.
The crystal clear harbor beckons visitors with glass bottom boat rides, paddleboats, stand up paddleboarding, and kayaking opportunities. Check out the Catalina Island Company’s website to book many of Catalina’s adventures.
Bike or take one of the islands many golf carts to The Descanso Beach Club, for a meal on the sand, accompanied by live music. Rent a day lounge chair or your own private beach cabana. Book an adventure on the beach club’s zipline, where you can soar through the treetops. Hop into the ocean for a snorkel, where you’ll spot the many native, orange, Garibaldi fish.
Venture into the island’s interior to discover rugged hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, and panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Be sure to visit the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden.
My favorite Catalina Island activity is, a ride to The Airport In The Sky for a buffalo burger, and sightings of Catalina Island’s famous live buffalo.
For, fun in the sun adventure, Catalina Island offers something for everyone.
Hollywood
Lights, camera, action! Get ready to explore Hollywood. Walk along the Walk of Fame to see stars, or check out the Chinese Theatre for some cool handprints.
Hollywood’s iconic landmarks and legendary attractions such as the nearby Universal Studios inspire visitors from around the world, eager to experience the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame, boasts 2,600 stars honoring celebrities from film, television, music, and theater. Check out celebrities hand and footprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre, where you can snap photos with your favorite “stars.”
Hike to the famous Hollywood Sign for spectacular city views, while exploring the surrounding hills and canyons, on scenic trails offering breathtaking vistas of the Los Angeles skyline.
Be sure to take the opportunity to enjoy a live performance at the Hollywood Bowl, one of the world’s most famous outdoor amphitheaters. Attend one of their concerts under the stars while admiring the backdrop of the Hollywood Hills.
Malibu
Malibu offers the best of beach and country. From oceanfront beach clubs, horse ranches, laid back restaurants, and fancy mansions, Malibu exudes charm and elegance.
Hang out at Surfrider, Zuma or El Matador State Beaches to catch waves in the sparkling blue waters. Sunbathe, or play ball on the warm sand, while the songs “California Girls” and The Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations” echo in the background.
Take a beautiful ocean view hike in Malibu Creek State Park or enjoy a horseback ride from High Horse Malibu.
Be sure to visit the ocean front J. Paul Getty Villa Museum for a dose of culture and history. Explore their galleries lined with sculptures and artifacts, meander through inviting gardens inspired by ancient Roman villas and enjoy panoramic Pacific Ocean views from the museum’s hilltop location.
Explore Malibu’s wine country, dotted with boutique wineries and tasting rooms, nestled in rolling hills and relaxing vineyards.
Stay at the Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club to savor both the town and country aspects of Malibu. Your accommodations come with beach club access, the resort transports you to the beach, via their private shuttle.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, known as one of the most beautiful cities in California, lures visitors with idyllic charm, stunning beaches, lavish resorts, iconic restaurants, and top notch shopping. The gorgeous town beckons visitors with vintage concert venues, stunning photo opportunities, jacaranda tree lined streets, and Spanish-style buildings.
Check out Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786 for beauty, history, and a exquisite display of roses. The Belmond El Encanto Hotel, a Craftsman style resort, centered around a large outdoor dining deck, with a beautiful view, serves up a delicious lunch, just a short jaunt from the Mission.
Stroll down State Street for shopping at Anthropologie, Free People, and my fav home decor spot Diani Living. Indulge in the best almond croissant and peach tea at Renaud’s Patisserie and Bistro right next door.
Ride a four person, stripped, umbrella covered bike, along the boardwalk while taking in the art vendors creations.
Stay at, celebrity favorite, San Ysidro Ranch for the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Their French country inspired Stone House Restaurant serves steak, cooked on a cart tableside, and the best cheese bread rolls, amidst twinkling candles in the dreamy garden.
The Rosewood Miramar stands as a reminder of decades past and is ideally located on gorgeous Miramar Beach.
For a botanical encounter, visit Lotusland, a stunning estate and botanical garden featuring rare and exotic plants from around the world. Explore themed gardens, winding pathways, and whimsical sculptures, as you wander through this enchanting oasis nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
The Santa Barbara Zoo features many beautiful gardens and an abundance of opportunities for up close animal viewing.
Solvang
Solvang’s unique ensemble of Danish architecture, windmills, and European-inspired culinary experience’s make it one of the most distinctive towns in Southern California.
Explore the quaint streets, lined with boutique shops, bakeries, and cafes offering a taste of Denmark in the heart of California wine country. Stroll through the many flower lined paths or hail a horse-drawn carriage, to ride through the streets of Solvang, where you can admire historic buildings and beautiful gardens.
Check out the Santa Ynez Mission, take a wine tasting tour, or visit the nearby casino.
The mission’s beautiful gardens, historic artifacts, and religious relics provide a sense of timeless history.
The nearby Santa Ynez Valley is home to some of California’s most renowned wineries. Take a wine tasting tour and sample award-winning wines amidst the lush vineyards.
From sunny San Diego to quaint Solvang, be sure to take a few days to enjoy, the abundance of food and fun along the beautiful Southern California coast.
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