SoCal Road Trip: San Diego to Santa Barbara Wine Country

San Diego Zoo – this world-famous zoo is located inside Balboa Park with 15 museums, a miniature railroad, and carousel. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this famous zoo and park.

Coronado Island – this easily accessible island features a quaint town (Coronado) with its iconic Victorian style landmark, the Hotel Del Coronado. Stroll or bike the streets and beaches and grab some ice cream in one of the many quaint shops and eateries.

USS Midway Museum – this historic aircraft carrier turned museum was used in the Pacific Region during and for decades after World War II. See what life was like aboard this military museum and learn about the famous Battle of Midway. Kids and adults will enjoy this.

La Jolla – stop at La Jolla, a charming seaside resort town (north of downtown San Diego) with its thoughtfully designed Birch Aquarium, the Children’s Pool with swarms of harbor seals and sea lions, and nearby Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve with lovely hiking trails.

Torrey Pines Golf Course – near La Jolla, check out the nation’s premier municipal golf course, home to a major PGA golf tournament each year and the host of two U.S. Opens.

Cruise the Coast – take a sunset cruise of San Diego Harbor to see the shoreline and a Pacific sunset.

Beaches – no visit to San Diego would be complete without a trip to one of its many beaches where you can walk, swim, surf, bike and play. Because of the cool Pacific ocean, visitors are always surprised by how cool beach areas are – even in the summer.

Disneyland Resort – don't miss the adrenaline rush of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, meeting the gleaming Disney Characters throughout the park, and the charming It’s a Small World ride.

Disney California Adventure Park – don’t miss the adrenaline-packed Guardians of the Galaxy, Radiator Spring Races in Carl’s Land, Grizzly River Run, and the dramatic nighttime World of Color water and light show.

Downtown Disney – this dining, shopping, and entertainment venue has no admission fee and is a fun way to spend an evening after touring the parks.

Knott's Berry Farm – don't miss the Old West Ghost Town and the beloved Camp Snoopy. Great for younger folks and less expensive than the Disney parks.

Knott's Soak City Waterpark – this waterpark is adjacent to Knott's Berry Farm and is open mid-May through mid-September each year.

Beaches – along the coast and the Westside, don’t miss the beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach. Stop at the charming amusement park, restaurants, and shops at the Santa Monica Pier. Take a breathtaking drive along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, California Highway 1) to Malibu with its surfers, beaches, and oceanfront homes. Point Dume State Beach is a stunning beach with cliffs, surf spots, sand, and great views of Santa Monica Bay. Stop at the Malibu Country Mart for shopping, food, and, hopefully, a star sighting. Stop in at the smaller Getty Villa Museum on PCH (in nearby Pacific Palisades) with its elegant grounds and art. Inland is the world-renowned and much larger Getty Museum with jaw-dropping views of LA and the Pacific Ocean, stunning sculpture gardens, and one of the largest art collections in the world (only a small fraction of which is ever on display). Know that the weather on the Westside near the ocean is noticeably more temperate – bring a sweater to be safe.

Midtown and Downtown – this part of LA is filled with art and culture. For those interested in spotting celebrities and window shopping (and seeing how Rich and Famous live), stop in Beverly Hills and its iconic Rodeo Drive and maybe spot some Hollywood stars. Stop at LACMA (LA County Museum of Art) in Midtown as you make your way east. Check out the many yummy and inexpensive restaurants (and karaoke bars) in Koreatown. The La Brea Tar Pits is an active paleontological site with prehistoric animal fossils on display and is a favorite with kids.

Downtown – the reinvigorated downtown area boasts architecturally interesting Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Music Center (including the LA Opera, Ahmanson Theater, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion), Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the Grammy Museum, the Japanese American National Museum, The Broad Museum, historic Union Station, the entertainment and dining-focused LA Live, and the food-filled Grand Central Market. Also, ride the historic and short funicular railroad, Angels Flight, made famous in the movie La La Land.

North of Downtown and Hollywood – be sure to check out historic Dodger Stadium, the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame (where you can find your favorite star’s star). Catch a live performance of the LA Philharmonic at the iconic Hollywood Bowl outdoor amphitheater during the summer months. For those looking for another amusement park, check out Universal Studios Hollywood with movie-themed rides and real movie set tours.

State Street Promenade – walk along this lively downtown street with its charming shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Waterfront – head to the waterfront for the quaint Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and Stearns Wharf’s many eateries. You can book a whale-watching or fishing trip here. Catch some rays or a wave at family-friendly and fun East Beach. Rent a bike and ride along the coast on the bike path.

Santa Barbara Zoo – the small but high-quality Santa Barbara Zoo is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art – stop at this downtown museum with its collection of art and photographs from American, European, and Asian artists spanning 4,000 years.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden – this 78-acre garden showcases more than 1,000 species of native California plants in a natural environment.

Hiking – the hills and mountains around the town have hiking trails of all levels and many provide wonderful views of the coastline.

Wine Tours – take a wine tour (there are even Sideways tours). Biking and horseback tours are also available.

Solvang – visit Dutch-themed Solvang for a taste of Danish culture.

Food Tour – take a food tour to enjoy the wonderful farm-to-table delicacies in the area.

Wine Country Shuttle – take the Santa Ynez Wine Country Shuttle (with pickups in Santa Ynez or Santa Barbara) so you can enjoy all the wine tastings and not worry about driving!

Hike – go hiking in the gentle mountains around Santa Ynez Valley.