Overview
Known as the City of Angeles, Los Angeles welcomes over 24 million visitors a year and averages 329 days of sunshine each year. Being outside and active is a must in and around this gorgeous city that runs along the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
Orange County
Just south of Los Angeles, Orange County is known for its gorgeous sunsets, fresh seafood and prime surfing locations in over 42 miles of beaches. Head out to Seal Beach and spend the day in this charming small town. Seal beach is 1.5 miles long and features soft, smooth sand and gentle waves. The town has a three-block Main Street area that features locally owned restaurants, specialty shops and quaint coffee shops. Spend the day by cruising the area on a rented bike from the Pacific Inn, or consider taking surfing lessons at M&M surfing school.
Tours
Make the most out of all that sunshine and head out on an eco-friendly walking tour of Los Angeles and environs. Several companies offer walking and biking tours that take you past this city’s main sights, from historical theaters to interesting architectural buildings. The Los Angeles Conservancy offers tours of intriguing historical architecture, and Perry’s Legends Bike Tour takes riders on a 90-minute leisurely tour of Santa Monica on rented bikes.
Fresh Produce
California produces some of the best fruits and vegetables in the United States. Head out to one of the many farmers’ markets to experience this first-hand. The Culver City Farmers Market is open on Tuesdays; the Hermosa Beach Farmers Market is open on Fridays; and the Santa Monica Farmers Market is open on the weekends.
Hiking
Consider taking a day and heading north of Los Angeles to Death Valley National Park. This area provides an ideal location to hike and see canyons, sand dunes, oases, jagged rock formations, trees and lots of local wildlife. Spend the day escaping the heat by heading up to the 5,475-foot-high Dante’s View which has a viewpoint terrace, or check out Golden Canyon in a fairly easy 2-mile walk. During the spring, Death Valley is the site of a colorful and large spring wildflower bloom.
Island Adventure
Get out of Los Angeles and away from the crowds by heading to Catalina Island. This Mediterranean-like island is a great place for day-trippers and overnight travelers alike. To get to Catalina Island, you will need to take a ferry from Long Beach, Marina del Rey or Newport Beach. Activities include walking, horseback or riding tours of the rugged coast, where you will explore sandy coves and deep canyons. Visitors may see eagles or even a head of bison, which remain on the island from a 1924 movie shoot.
