There are so many Fun Things to Do in Southern California and we’ve compiled the things we’ve already done plus some that we wish to do in the near future. Let us know how many you’ve done or if there are a few you’re eager to visit. If you’re coming from another state or another country, do explore beyond the theme parks. Happy Exploring!
Fun Things to do in Southern California:
Upcoming Events:
January – February
SoCal Lunar New Year Celebration: Mall Events, Parade, Street Festivals, etc.
Knott’s Fire and Law Tribute Days: Free Tickets
San Diego Travel Show: COMP – Discount Tickets
Los Angeles Travel Show: COMP – Discount Tickets
Circus Vargas – 1/20 to 2/9 in Burbank
Visit Amusement Parks:
Disneyland & Disney California Adventure
Legoland California – Stay in a Lego Themed Hotel
Cool off at these Southern California Water Parks:
Raging Waters San Dimas – Visit California’s Largest Water Park
Wet N’ Wild Palm Springs – currently closed for 2019
Free Things to do in Southern California:
Kids Free October – Kids enjoy free admission to 100+ San Diego Attractions
Free Museum Days – Enjoy LA museums for FREE on various days of the week
The Grove Trolley Ride – Watch dancing fountains and ride a double deck trolley for FREE
Fun Things to do in Southern California with Kids:
Kidspace Children’s Museum – Spend a day at one of the best kids’ museums in LA
Skirball Noah’s Ark – Play, build, climb, explore, make music and even make a storm at this famous flood story inspired structure.
Rocketship Park – Go up a rocket ship and see LA and the beach from the top
American Girl Doll Store – Go to the biggest doll store in Los Angeles
American Girl Afternoon Tea – Go an on Afternoon Tea with your Kids and their Dolls
South Coast Botanic Garden – Visit the garden inspired by nursery rhymes
Discovery Science Center – Spend a Day at this Science filled Kids Museum
Staycation:
Add to your Southern California Bucket List:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – Ride the World’s Largest Rotating Tram Car
Borrego Springs Metal Sculptures – See 130+ Giant Metal Sculptures in the Desert
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library – Go inside the Air Force One
Good Year Blimp – Get up close the Good Year Blimp and watch it Take Off
Southern California Lighthouses – Visit one or all
Battleship USS Iowa – Go on a self-guided tour of a battleship known as the “Battleship of Presidents”
Angel’s Flight – Ride a 118 year old (as of 2019) Fenicular
Touristy Things to do in Southern California:
Warner Brothers Studio Tour Hollywood
Madame Tussauds Hollywood – Meet celebrities in the wax (not in the flesh)
Bradbury Building – Marvel at these stairs featured in a lot of Movies
Visit Instagram-Worthy Museums in Southern California:
Museum of Dream Space in Los Angeles
Foodie Adventures:
Busy Bee’s – Try this Hole in the Wall joint for the Best Pastrami Sandwich
Southern California Zoo, Museums, and Exhibits:
Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach
San Diego Zoo Safari Park – Go on a Safari and see a Cheetah run at 70 miles per hour
Go on a Weekend Getaway in & near SoCal:
Adults Only:
Shopping:
Del Amo Mall – Visit one of the Biggest Mall in America
Shop at Southern California Outlet Malls – See the complete list and shop for designer brands for less.
Watch a Show:
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – one of the best places to see a musical
Experience a Dinner Show:
Pirate’s Dinner Adventure – Watch a Pirate Themed Dinner Show*
Attend an Expo or Convention:
Attend County Fairs:
Outdoor Fun:
Street Food Cinema – outdoor movie, live music, & food trucks
Eat, See, Hear – outdoor movie, live music, & food trucks
Sports and Adventures:
Escape Rooms – Solve challenging clues and puzzles and escape a themed-room before time runs out.
Seasonal:
Spring
Tanaka Farms Strawberry Tour – Go on a U-pick Strawberry Farm Tour
Strawberry Farms near Los Angeles – Visit any of these U-pick Strawberry farms in SoCal
Irvine Park Railroad – Easter Eggstravaganza
May
California Strawberry Festival
Armed Forces Day Military Exhibit
Summer
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse – 10 movies for $5 during the summertime
Regal Summer Movie Express – $1 movies for 14 weeks
August
Scare LA – attend a Halloween convention in the summer
Labor Day Weekend
September
October
Kids Free Admission to San Diego Attractions in October
Fall
Best Pumpkin Patches in Los Angeles
Hello Kitty-themed Pumpkin Patch
Southern California Halloween Events:
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park
Legoland Brick or Treat Party Nights
Jack O’ Lanterns – See beautifully lit pumpkins of every design
Southern California Holiday Events:
LA Zoo Lights – Enjoy a glowing zoo every winter
Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Light
Pomona Chinese Lantern Festival
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Have an attraction you wish to be added? E-mail us at kathleen@anytots.com
Pin for later – 101 Fun Things to do in Southern California:
CHECK MORE TRAVEL IDEAS AND FUN THINGS TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
Avail of Half-off tickets to Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, and San Diego. We’ve included Las Vegas too.