Although the city of Los Angeles has plenty of activities to see and do, there are also others places outside of the city limits that have just as many things to do too. In this article, I have highlighted several cities that are a short distance from Los Angeles and that you are bound to enjoy.
Ojai, California
Located northwest from Los Angeles in Ventura County, Ojai is a visual representation of the quintessential “California town”. An interesting fact about the town is that its name is derived from the word of the Chumash Indians “awhay”, which means moon. The area is also known for its various outdoor activities. A few places to explore are the Ojai Meadows Preserve, which is managed by the Ojai Valley Land Conservatory. The organization aims to protect the nature of Ojai. Some past events that have occurred at the preserve are flower, bird, and nature walks. Ojai also has several wineries to visit. One of those wineries is the Casa Barranca Organic Winery and Tasting room. The winery’s water is drawn from natural springs and is completely powered by solar energy.
Laguna Beach, CA
Only an hour drive from Los Angeles, Laguna Beach is known for its pristine beaches and has an active arts and culture scene too. If you are looking to soak up the sun and relax, then head on over to Victoria Beach, where the sport of skim boarding first began and where locals tend to visit. Do not forget a wetsuit though, the Pacific Ocean is freezing cold. If you are more interested in art, then head on down and visit the Laguna Art Museum. An interesting fact about the art museum is that it only collects California art. One upcoming exhibitions at the art museum is Tony Delap’s: A Retrospective, which showcases his artistic works and his influence in the California art community.
Another upcoming exhibition at the museum is the Art Colony: The Laguna Beach Art Association, which honors those who heavily influenced the art community in the area and showcases how the local California art scene has evolved over time.
Palm Springs, CA
Two hours away from Los Angeles, lies the city of Palm Springs. Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city has a plentiful amount of places to visit. One of those sites is to visit the Palm Springs Art Museum. The museum contains many forms of arts, such as photography and Native American art. The many artifacts of art donated are because of the city’s affluent community. A couple of upcoming exhibits at the art museum are the Andy Warhol exhibitand the Journey through the Desert-The Road Less Traveled, which showcases various photography artists and their respective interpretations of the desert. Another spot to visit while visiting Palm Springs is the Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium, which is open all season long. In addition, tours are available at the botanical garden during the fall to spring season. The tours are free once you paid admission to the gardens.
Newport Beach, CA
Known for its beautiful beaches and surfing, Newport Beach also has other activities to do. One place to check out while visiting the area is the Lyon Air Museum. The museum houses various operational vehicles, which include airplanes. Several airplanes that the museum houses are the Douglas A-26 “Invader”, Cessna O-1E “Birddog”, and the Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress”. In addition, the museum also contains military motorcycles. A few of the motorcycles that are on display at the museum are the 1943 Japanese Rikuo Sidecar Motorcycle and the 1945 Indian Motorcycle “Chief”. Provided that you love history(especially military history) this is a place to not miss. Another site to visit in the Newport Beach area is the Marconi Automotive Museum, which houses Dick Marconi’s automotive collection. A five dollar donation is suggested to benefit children in the local Newport Beach community.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Less than two hours away from the city of Los Angeles lies the beautiful city of San Juan Capistrano. One site not to miss while visiting the area is the Mission San Juan Capistrano. The mission is a visual representation of California’s multi-cultural society, which includes Native American and European influences. Tickets are available to purchase . Various tours are also available, such as audio and guided to name a few.
Although Los Angeles has plenty of activities to see and do, do not count these cities out to visit while visiting the area. The list of cities that I have showcased in this article are just a snippet of the many cities that are a short drive from the city of Los Angeles. In addition, the landmarks that I have discussed in the article are merely a small offering of what each city I have discussed offers. However, the most important rule is to have fun while exploring the gorgeous state of California.
