Stretching from California's southern border with Mexico, up to north of Greater Los Angeles, Southern California, or SoCal, is known for its beaches and myriad outdoor attractions. In addition to Los Angeles, other metropolitan areas in SoCal include San Diego, the Riverside-San Bernadino area and the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks area.
Because Southern California’s beaches are considered some of the warmest, with the warmest ocean temperatures, visitors can expect to enjoy beach attractions year-round. Visitors can take a ferry to Catalina Island just off the coast of Los Angeles, enjoy the family-friendly Coronado Beach in the San Diego Bay or ride the Ferris wheel at the edge of the Santa Monica Pier west of Los Angeles.
Catalina Island
Located just a 20 minute boat ride from the Los Angeles mainland, a trip to Catalina Island is a trip to another world and time. With a permanent population of only around 3,500, the main city of Avalon hosts over one million guests each year. Boats from San Pedro and Long Beach bring visitors into picturesque Avalon Harbor. Islanders and visitors alike rely mostly on golf carts to maneuver around the island, due to a limit on the number of vehicles allowed on Catalina Island.