Some ideas for Southern California vacation travel special interests:

 

Nightlife seekers:

West Hollywood – Los Angeles – restaurants, nightclubs and bars.

Gaslamp District – clubs, cafes and restaurants in the heart of San Diego.

Hikers:

Anza-Borrego State Park, the largest in Southern California, west of San Diego, is a desert park with numerous trails.

Sequoia National Park – approach from the west (close to Mt. Whitney) or from the east (to see the famous giant sequoia stands).

Joshua Tree National Park – near Palm Springs - see the unusual trees, numerous desert microclimates and interesting rock formations.

Death Valley and Mohave Desert – Fall, winter or spring travel affords more comfortable explorations into these amazingly harsh and beautiful regions.

History buffs:

Visit one or more of the California Missions – try Mission San Juan Capistrano (south of LA on the coast) or Mission San Miguel Archangel (near Paso Robles) or Mission Santa Barbara, on a hill just northeast of downtown Santa Barbara.

Gourmands:

LA’s sophisticated restaurants and the city’s huge list of ethnic cuisine will keep any foodie happy (and full).

Beach lovers: (too many list all and most are swimmable)

San Diego: Coronado Beach, Torrey Pines Beach, Mission Bay Park, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach

Los Angles: Hermosa Beach, Zuma Beach (Malibu), Will Rodgers State Beach

Santa Barbara: Cabrillo Beach

Families:

Disneyland in Anahiem, Knotts Berry Theme Park, Universal Studios – all in the LA area

Sea World, LegoLand and San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park – these are all located in the San Diego area.

Big Bear and Arrowhead Lakes – fishing, hiking, watersports, skiing, golfing, cycling and lots of fresh air – west of LA.

Shoppers:

LA has Rodeo Drive for those who don’t need to balance their checkbooks or try South Coast Plaza near Costa Mesa for an elegant mega-mall.

Wine enthusiasts:

Northwest of Santa Barbara, the towns of Santa Ynez and Los Olivos anchor this region made famous by the movie Sideways.

Paso Robles to Templeton in San Luis Obispo County – more than 30 wineries and vineyards as far as the eye can see.

Temecula, 60 miles north of San Diego, offers more than a dozen wineries in a pretty setting.