Southern California is home to some of the world's best and wealthiest beachfront areas. With more than 310 days of sunshine year in hot spots such as Santa Monica, the Southern California Pacific coast offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor leisure and relaxation.
This bay city is the second-largest city in California as of 2010 and was ranked the 11th best vacation destination in North America by Forbes Traveler in 2009. Vacationers can hit one of the many beaches, including Carlsbad State Beach and Mission Bay, which features 27 miles of surf and sand. Away from the beaches, there's the world-famous San Diego Zoo, which boasts more than 4,000 animals over 107 acres, SeaWorld and Legoland for the kids. The city is recognized as a top golfing destination as well, with its rolling hills and hanging ocean cliffs providing the perfect landscape for championship courses, such as Torrey Pines and La Costa. Both have served as stops on the PGA Tour, including the 2008 U.S. Open Championship at Torrey Pines.
While there's not ocean sand in Palm Springs, there's still plenty of sun. Located about 100 miles east of L.A. in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is all about relaxation. Five-star resorts such as the Desert Springs JW Marriott and Ranchos Los Palmas Resort & Spa offer therapeutic massage packages for couples as well as private steam rooms and scorching spas. The Marriott also has two championship golf courses.
The dry, mountainous terrain sets up for a hiker's paradise. Outdoor adventurers can scale the San Jacinto Mountains, which has a peak of 10,833 feet in the east overlooking the city. If you don't feel like dealing with the heat, hop on the Palm Springs aerial tramway, a 10-minute ride over mountain peaks. Beware, though, the tram car sways and rotates as you ride nearly 10,000 feet above land.
Santa Monica offers an ocean getaway 16 miles west of Los Angeles. This sun-kissed spot combines 3.5 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline with sizable stretches of beach-town entertainment. Surfers head for the waves, while skateboarders head for Ocean Park where halfpipes and grunge music await. The Santa Monica Pier, built in 1909, is a short walk away from popular lodging, such as Hotel casa del Mar and Le Merigot, a JW Marriott hotel. The pier includes an amusement park with a signature ferris wheel, an aquarium and of course, bars and restaurants. Further inland, visitors can gather souvenirs and designer items at the Third Street Promenade, a thee-block pedestrian shopping space.
