Laguna Beach is a seaside artist haven with seven miles of scenic coastline. Laguna has its beaches, but also Dolphin and Whale Safaris and many art festivals that run July into October. Climb the coastal bluff (via stairs) just north of Main Beach to view the breathtaking beauty of the coastline. The area has diverse offerings for dining—choose American, French, Mediterranean, Greek, Italian, Japanese/Sushi, Mexican, or Thai.

Dana Point was founded by seaman and author Richard Dana. This natural cove offers panoramic views and great whale watching (website for details). Mariner’s Village and Dana’s Wharf have numerous restaurants and shops in a scenic setting. The Ocean Institute is an educational experience that studies marine life in the Institute and offshore on a 70’ research vessel, the “Sea Explorer.” Doheny State Park has more than a mile of whitewashed beaches. Within the Park, Doheny State Beach offers five acres of lawn for picnicking, a sandy beach with restrooms, showers, volleyball, and snack bars.

San Clemente is built into the hillsides overlooking the Pacific. There’s a 1,200-ft. pier, a number of beaches including popular North Beach and a “naturist beach,” (sorry, no photo). Many restaurants, shops, and parks with bluff-top picnic areas. About 10 miles northwest is Mission San Juan Capistrano. The mission is a cultural, historical, and educational center. The annual return of the swallows occurs every March 19. Self-guided tours are free with admission ($9/adult, $6/child, ages 4-11). Hours are 9am–5pm daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Good Friday.

Pasadena Area

The Gamble House, located in Pasadena, is a National Historic Landmark. The house is deemed a “masterpiece of the American Arts and Crafts movement” and was built by Charles and Henry Greene in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter and Gamble Company. It’s now owned by the City of Pasadena and operated by the University of Southern California. When you visit, you will know what inspired the architecture of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. Public guided one-hour tours are available Thursday–Sunday, 12:00 pm–3:00 pm (last tour begins at 3:00 pm). Advance tickets are highly recommended as tours often sell out; they are available online or by calling (844) 325-0812. Cost is $15/adult; $12.50/ages 65+ and full-time students with ID; kids under 12 are free of charge. Located at 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena, CA 91103. Phone: 626-793-3334.

The Huntington, situated 32 miles from Disneyland in San Marino, is home to one of the world’s largest and most widely used rare book and manuscript collections in America. The Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens are a “collections-based research and educational institution” founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington. Huntington was an avid collector of rare books, manuscripts, art, and plants. The focus of the collection is on American and British history, literature, and art, as well as rare plant specimens. Famous paintings here include “The Blue Boy” and “Pinkie.” The Botanical Gardens are on 120 acres divided into “multiple thematic areas.” Open to the public: Mondays and Wednesdays–Fridays: 12:00 pm–4:30 pm; Saturdays and Sundays: 10:30 am–4:30 pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Admission: $25/adult; $21/ ages 65+; $10/students (ages 12–18 or with student ID); $10/ages 4–11; free for kids under 4 (weekdays are $23/adult and $19/seniors). The Huntington Library is at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108. Phone: 626-405-2100. Web: