California is known for its fabulous fruits and vegetables that are produced in the area year-round. To get it at its freshest, visit one of the four farmer's markets in Santa Monica, or one of the many others in cities all around Southern California. Check out the array of produce at the downtown Santa Monica location, featuring extras like a petting zoo, live music and workshops on organic food production, or go to the Find a Farmer's Market page of the California Federation of Certified Farmer's Markets to find the nearest one to you (see Resources).
From skateboarding dogs to bikini-clad rollerbladers, Venice Beach offers a real-life glimpse into the eclectic life of a California beach town. You could spend hours strolling Ocean Front Walk just people watching, or catching one of the many planned events nearby. Events like BMX and skateboarding competitions and surf and bikini competitions regularly take place near the beach. Venice is also a great place to find a party; check out the upscale digs on the north end at Washington Square, or troll the boardwalk strip to find the best happy hour of the moment.
For an excursion that is decidedly more serious than Venice Beach, check out the amazing planetarium at the Griffith Observatory. The well-known landmark in the Hollywood Hills features some of the most modern star-gazing out there, including the planetarium's new seamless aluminum dome and state-of-the-art star projector. Light shows include explorations of the universe and the Northern Lights. If you come at night, you'll have the chance to peek at the stars through one of the observatory's high-powered telescopes.
When you've had enough of urban wandering, Southern California also offers many opportunities for wandering in the wilderness. Sequoia and Kings Canyon, located in the southern end of the Sierra range, is aptly nicknamed a Land of Giants for its tall mountains, deep canyons and giant trees. The two parks are located about 200 miles north of the Los Angeles area, and offer chances for hiking, camping, rock climbing and horseback riding during the warmer months of the year.
