Fun Things to Do in Southern California

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:

Visit Southern California Theme Parks & Amusement Parks


Play at Southern California Waterparks


Visit a Southern California Museum


Visit a Southern California Zoo

Visit a Southern California Aquarium


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

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

Go to the Beach

The Grove Trolley Ride – Watch dancing fountains and ride a double deck trolley for FREE


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

Firestation Tour


Staycation:

Stay at Legoland Hotel

Stay at Legoland Castle Hotel


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

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”

Whale Watching Cruise

Go on a Cruise

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

Chado Tea Room Afternoon Tea


Go on a Weekend Getaway in & near SoCal:

Dana Point Weekend Getaway

Oceanside Weekend Getaway

Conejo Valley Weekend Getaway

Palm Springs Weekend Getaway

Torrance Weekend Getaway


Adults Only:

Wine Tasting in Temecula


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:

Star Wars Celebration

Los Angeles Travel Expo


Attend County Fairs:

LA County Fair

OC County Fair


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

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival

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

Fiesta Hermosa

September

Long Beach Lobster Festival

October

Kids Free Admission to San Diego Attractions in October

Fall

Best Pumpkin Patches in Los Angeles

Apple Picking in Oak Glen

Hello Kitty-themed Pumpkin Patch


Southern California Halloween Events:

Knott’s Scary Farm

Queen Mary Dark Harbor

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

LA Arboretum Moonlight Forest

Queen Mary Christmas

Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Light

Pomona Chinese Lantern Festival

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Winter Fest Orange County

Living Desert Zoo Wildlights


Pin for later – 101 Fun Things to do in Southern California:
things to do in california

Discount to Theme Parks, Water Parks, & other Major Attractions:

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. AnyTots.com has made every effort to confirm the information in this article and we try our best to update as often as possible but things can often change so we urge you to confirm every event detail like date, time, location, ticket price from the host of the event or attraction, and actual savings calculation in case of an error on our part. AnyTots does not sell any tickets but only lists reliable sources where you can buy discounted tickets, make sure to check the refund or exchange policy before buying tickets through them. AnyTots is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while visiting an attraction or event posted on our website and you assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our post.