10 Amazing Things to Do in Southern California
by Lizann Lightfoot - September 14th, 2022
PCSing to Southern California? You might just feel like you are on an extended vacation! Coastal California is one of the most beautiful areas of the country. From Los Angeles to San Diego, Oceanside to San Clemente there is an abundance of things to do in Southern California.
If you’d like to get off base and explore, there are plenty of things for military families to do in San Diego and beyond. The good news is you can reach all of these relatively easily from any of the military bases in Southern California.
Things to do in Southern California, for military families
#1 Amusement parks
First, there are the amusement parks: Disneyland, Legoland, Seaworld San Diego, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Knott’s Berry Farm. Don't forget the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and the separate Safari Park too! These parks are all close enough for a day trip, so consider getting season passes. Visit the Camp Pendleton ITT office or the San Diego ITT center to get the military discounts for these amazing parks.
#2 All the beaches
Then, there are all the amazing beaches! If you're new to the West Coast, you'll find that the water is colder and the waves are higher than the East Coast. This makes for some of the world's best surfing, so keep an eye out for surfing competitions and events up and down the California coastline.
If you prefer not to venture far from base, you can rent a Camp Pendleton beach house and take a vacation in your own backyard. Camp Pendleton Beach Cottages feature one- and two-bedroom villas with ocean and marina views. If you're stationed in San Diego, check out the Navy Lodge accommodations on Naval Station North Island. You can get a room right on the Coronado beach, a mile from the world-famous Hotel Del, at a low military rate.
#3 Be a tourist in San Diego
Whether you are stationed right in San Diego, or a little farther away at Camp Pendleton, Miramar, or Twentynine Palms, this Southern California city has something for everyone! You'll want to visit several times during your time stationed here.
Want a fun night out? Grab some friends and hit up the bars and restaurants in the downtown Gaslamp district. If you like microbrews, check out our five favorite breweries in San Diego.
For a unique date night experience, get tickets to the San Diego orchestra performance at their new Rady Shell outdoor auditorium. Enjoy a Padres baseball game at Petco Park. Or soak in the beautiful atmosphere and culture of the many museums in Balboa Park. You can even watch an outdoor performance of a Shakespeare play there! Whether you're looking for culture, romance, adventure, or beautiful beaches, San Diego has it all.
#4 Hiking above Hollywood
There's so many great hiking trails in Southern California, and many have great ocean views. For a unique experience, visit Griffith Park and Observatory, a two-hour drive north. The 4,310-acre Griffith Park is a favorite of hikers who enjoy the stunning views of Los Angeles on trails leading up to the Griffith Observatory. There is no better view of the Hollywood sign. The uphill hike can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace.
#5 Experience Coronado Island
Maybe you're one of the lucky ones stationed on Naval Air Station North Island or the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. If you are, you know that Coronado is a beautiful (and expensive) island with a small-town feel and million-dollar ocean views on every side. Coronado has its own golf course, a bike path that goes around the entire island, a sheltered cove for stand-up paddleboards, gorgeous views of the San Diego city skyline, and many great restaurants. You can drive over the Coronado bridge, or take a ferry from the San Diego Convention Center downtown.
#6 Shop and relax in Palm Springs
The drive to Palm Springs is just over two hours from San Diego, but less than an hour from Twentynine Palms. This vacation town in the middle of the desert is a window-shopping oasis. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a two-and-a-half-mile trip up into the mountains. After a day of hiking or cross-country skiing, you can visit the restaurant 8,516 feet up the mountain. The Palm Springs Walk of Stars along Palm Canyon Drive features sidewalk tributes to Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis.
#7 Whale watching and sea lion selfies
For breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, make a visit to the Torrey Pines State Reserve and Beach in San Diego. A mere half hour drive from Camp Pendleton are spectacular cliffs and panoramic views. You may be able to spot a gray whale or bottlenose dolphins in the waters during the winter months. Free guided nature walks are offered on the weekends.
If you've always wanted a selfie with a sea lion, then head over to the cliffs at La Jolla Cove. This rocky beach cove near San Diego is a favorite location to see wild sea lions and seals, and the animals are so used to visitors that you can get realllly close. The town of La Jolla has fun restaurants and art galleries to explore.
If you prefer to view sea life in a more controlled environment, visit the Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, or the Sea Life aquarium at LegoLand. They all have excellent variety, shows, and interactive exhibits.
#8 Pose on Potato Chip Rock
If you enjoy hiking, there are numerous trails and parks to choose in Southern California. But Potato Chip Rock is one of the most photographed locations near San Diego. This uniquely-thin rock cantilevers over nothing, and hikers love to pose for photos on top of the rock. But you have to work for this photo opp: the hike is 7.5 miles roundtrip on Mount Woodson, with an elevation change of 2000 feet. So plan to spend several hours on the trail.
#9 Visit Catalina Island
Just visible off the shore from Camp Pendleton, Catalina Island is a nature preserve that can only be reached by ferry. Fun fact: if you go on your birthday, the ferry ride is free! Once there, you can enjoy hiking, a zip line, or camping. You can also stay at the island’s luxury hotel and spa.
#10 Wine tasting in Temecula
Southern California’s wine vineyards are located in Temecula, over an hour northeast of San Diego. Most vineyards offer tasting specials or gourmet lunches during the day. Some have live music or special events at night. Not sure which vineyard to visit? Stop by your base ITT office and get a ticket for the horse-drawn trolley ride that takes you to multiple vineyards all in one day!
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Lizann Lightfoot, the "Seasoned Spouse" is a professional writer and speaker for the military community. After two decades with her service member, her family has been through 7 deployments and 6 PCS moves. Lizann has raised 5 children and published several books for military families. Her most recent book is "Open When: Letters of Encouragement for Military Spouses" published Sept 2021 by Elva Resa. You can find Lizann's articles and resources at SeasonedSpouse.com
