Southern California Day Trips

I've lived in San Diego for a couple of years now but haven't done much day trippin' and I'm starting to get the itch.

Anybody have any ideas? My current "favorite place in the world" is Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and that can be several day trips on its own, but I'd love other ideas as well.

Thanks for any advice anyone may have.

Anza Borrego is great, i was just there recently for the wildflowers, but I'm waiting to go back again. Joshua Tree is nice too, Death Valley, San Bernardino mountains (Rim of the World), Newport Beach, Hollywood, Catalina, Griffith Park, Mojave Desert. Depends on what you like to do. Check out www.socalfunplaces.com, they had some good ideas, I just haven't had a chance to look at all of them. A couple of my favorite sites to look for places are Westways magazine and Sunset Magazine. Also the Los Angeles time newspaper has an outdoor section with some good ideas. One of these day's I'm going to start up a website for Southern California, I know of a lot of really great websites for northern cal, but very few for socal.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I put "southern california" into the search box on the top of this page and found 39 threads of information.

Thanks for the tips. I haven't had a chance to really dig into the web site, but it looks pretty good.

I've lurked here long enough, you'd think I'd remember the "search" tool! oops! Oh well.

I did my first serious road trip this weekend, but not all of it in SoCal.

I turned on obligatory (and necessarily quick) trip to Yuma into an 8-hour 485 mile odyssey. San Diego => Yuma => Quartzsite => El Centro via Imperial & Glamis => San Diego.
As I drove through Brawley I noticed a sign that said => Escondido and I was tempted but I was also tired.

I never realized how diverse and beautiful the desert really is.

Thanks again for your advice!

Ken

[Mark Sedenquist]

The desert is full of wonder, in part, because many folks don't notice what is out here and the weather can get extreme.

A few places I think you would find truly cool (all within an easy day trip from San Diego -- although all can be enhanced with an over-night or two). <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/roadside/shoetrees.htm">Shoe Trees</a>, <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/mojavepreserve.htm">Dunes<a/> at sunset, <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/deanza.htm">Goat Trestle<a/>, <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/grapevin.htm">Grapevine Canyon<a/>, <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/planesoffame.htm">Planes of Fame,</a> <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/carp.htm">Carpinteria Beach</a> <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/drives/ca49.htm">Mother Lode,<a/> <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/flowers/poppies.htm">Antelope Valley<a/> and for the best Calzones and pizza in the world -- head for <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/temec1.htm">Temecula</a> (also good for wine tours).

I forgot if I posted these before, but here's a few links that might give you some ideas for your next daytrip

http://daytripping.com/ (that one is pretty obvious)

http://www.socalfunplaces.com/

http://www.totalescape.com/

It's grunion time! For those who don't know what grunion are, do a search on google images to see a picture of them on the beach. As far as I know, it's mostly a Southern California thing, so if anyone's going to be in the area, it's an experience. Just plan your trip around the tide schedule.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Are you going? Now, that is a fun way to spend an evening. I don't think I have ever done it completely sober.

Mark

Already went last weekend. They were out there, not like the thousands you in the pictures, but enough to have some fun. Brought some people from out of town who'd never seen it before. Definitely a fun way to end the evening with a bunch of friends. If you have some organized people, it could be a lot more comfortable, but it's still fun with just a blanket and flashlight. Just remember you need a license to catch them. Going again in a couple weeks.

But if anyone's in the Mojave area, there's the launch of Space 1 at dawn at the Mojave airport. Can't remember the exact details, but something like the first private (non NASA) space flight attempt in history. I just happen to be a big fan of the Dick and Burt Rutan, so I wish I could go.