Top 5 Non-Touristy Places to Visit in California (After Covid-19)

The best recommendations from a SoCal native

When most out-of-towners say they want to visit California, they already have a preconceived idea of what it’s like mostly based on movies they’ve seen. They picture the glamour of Hollywood and Rodeo Drive and celebrities walking around L.A. Sure, you can put the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Kodak Theatre, and Universal Studios on your list. But if this is your 2nd trip to Southern California or you just don’t want to do the whole ‘touristy thing’ or have to deal with traffic and congestion, there are other great options.

Having been born and raised in Southern California, I’m here to give you the 5 best places to visit only locals know about. So start planning your next post-Covid trip.

Los Angeles County (L.A.)

Pasadena

A lot of people don’t realize just how large L.A. actually is. There are a ton of surrounding cities and suburbs that are still technically part of L.A. One of those suburbs is Pasadena. ‘Old Town Pasadena’, (most famous for hosting the New Year’s Day Rose Parade) is one of those perfect spots that have a lot going on, minus the craziness of Hollywood. There you’ll find an ethnically diverse, classy, and chic demographic in their 30’s and 40’s.

Colorado Boulevard is the main strip that offers a variety of restaurants, shops, dessert eatiries, bars, and night clubs. During summer, the city hosts free movies outside in the IPIC Theater courtyard. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by ‘Dots Cupcakes’, one of my favorites!

Santa Monica

Third Street Promenade is a shopping walkway with a variety of retailers and restaurants. What’s interesting about this mall is the free outdoor entertainment. Different street performers are singing, dancing, and doing magic tricks as you walk through it. The Santa Monica Pier, full of carnival game booths and a Ferris wheel is walking distance from the promenade. The nightlife in Santa Monica is pretty cool. There are a lot of lively restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in the perimeter surrounding the mall.

Orange County (O.C.)

The beauty of Southern California lies in Orange County’s beach communities, not Hollywood or L.A. Visitors usually default to the grubby streets of Los Angeles only to go back home disappointed. Visit these next two places and you’ll be impressed.

Balboa Island (Newport Beach)

Balboa Island can be accessed by ferry or bridge. Once you arrive, you can tour the island by renting a bicycle. There are over 40 boutiques to purchase from including apparel, bakeries, and candy/souvenir shops. The restaurant scene offers both casual and fine dining with a variety of food.

I would recommend taking a harbor cruise to enjoy the perfect California weather. Other activities you might consider are whale-watching tours or bayside bungee jumping if you’re feeling adventurous.

Laguna Beach

One of the most picturesque beaches in SoCal is Laguna Beach. It is clean, surrounded by coves, lush vegetation, hills, and is perfect for taking a dip or a surfing class. Besides its natural beauty, what makes this sophisticated beach community stand out from the rest in the O.C. is its abundant art culture.

The Laguna Beach Art Association, founded in 1918, has shaped this city’s development as such. Three major art festivals are held annually; The Pageant of the Masters, The Festival of Arts, and The Sawdust Art Festival. All 3 run through the summer months, with The Sawdust Art Festival holding special events during winter. Aside from these festivals, there are also plenty of art galleries and gift shops to visit in the surrounding area.

Santa Barbara County (Santa Ynez Valley)

Solvang

Solvang, a quaint little Danish community founded in 1911, is only a 2 hour drive away north of Los Angeles. Among all the gift shops, are Danish bakeries, restaurants, and coffee shops. There are a plethora of vineyards to visit within the Santa Ynez Valley; wonderful for wine tasting tours. There is also Quicksilver Ranch where you can spend the day with the miniature horses, or go berry picking in the nearby farm. The Old Mission Santa Ynes is also a must-see.

In my opinion, the best time to visit the Santa Ynez Valley is in December. Solvang is even more charming with all the Christmas decorations, and you can enjoy a wine tasting tour without the discomfort of the summer heat.

If this doesn’t sound like the typical ‘California trip’, then I’ve accomplished my goal. Go experience Southern California the way the locals do (once it’s Covid-19 safe of course). I guarantee you’ll love it!

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