The Golden State's southern tip is loaded with attractions of all kinds --- from skiing to vineyards and from Hollywood to Beverly Hills to San Diego and everything in between. Like many vacation adventures, a trip to Southern California may not be cheap, but there are ways to see south Cali without breaking your wallet.
By touring southern Cali's beaches, beach bunnies will enjoy a weekend tour of many spectacular views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. An alternative to staying in a lavish beach hotel is to start your South California beach tour at Mission Beach in San Diego and then do some "beach hopping."
Booking a hotel or bed and breakfast at an off-shore location like the city of Escondito will save a few dollars. Visitors can drive to the beach and rent kayaks, boats and jet-skis from the Catamaran Resort Hotel, located directly on the beach, then and grab a bite to eat there after hitting the waves. The next day, a short drive to Pacific Beach for people-watching along the boardwalk and beachside dining is a great way to explore the beach and locale without spending big bucks for lodging.
For your final day of beach-hopping, shopping and dining with the locals, try a place like Zinc Café and Market near Laguna Beach. These are good options to round out your Southern California weekend of beach exploration.
For visitors who don't have thousands of dollars to spend at high-end shops, a common option for both locals and visitors is to go window shopping along Beverly Hill's famous Rodeo Drive shopping district. Celebrities are a common sight in the area as they pop in and out of upscale boutiques and luxury brand specialty stores. Rodeo Drive is home to Chanel, Christian Dior, Bvlgari and Ralph Lauren stores, to name a few.
Summertime travelers may find it exciting to plan their travel around the annual Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance festival held in June. The event was listed as one of "300 Unmissable Events & Festivals Around the World" by Frommer's Travel Guide (fromers.com). This glamorous event usually carries a luxury car theme and is a must-see for visitors to the Rodeo Drive area.
Wine enthusiasts will enjoy a romp to the many southern California wineries. A trip dedicated to wine preparation and tasting in the many Riverside County wineries is just a short drive from Los Angeles or San Diego.
Several vineyards can be toured, all in relatively close proximity, making a "wine hop" convenient for guests lodging at a moderately-priced chain hotel nearby. Along the way, the vineyards with tasting rooms are all convenient to restaurants and shopping. Wineries in the Temecula area include Callaway Vineyard & Winery, Mount Palomar Winery and Leonesse Cellars.
