5 Destinations within Adventure Distance of LA and OC

As a fella who moved to Southern California from The Biggest Little City (Reno) in order to pursue graduate school, I’m always looking for new things to do in the area and within adventure distance of Los Angeles and Orange County.

Of course, if you’re like me, you might like to avoid the herd and go off the beaten path. Sure, there’s Venice Beach, there’s The Getty, there’s Griffith Park, Newport and Huntington Beach — nothing against any of these areas, by the way. But, there’s an entirely different side of California outside of the obvious that demands to be seen.

Here are just a few destinations that are fantastic alternatives for those who are looking to experience something a little different.

1.) Joshua Tree

Yeah, it’s a U2 album, we get it. But it’s also an amazing national monument. People are starting to get hip to the desert mystique, so it’s important to soak up this gem a few clicks southeast of Los Angeles. It’s a picturesque setting for all you photographers out there, and Joshua Tree also serves as a peaceful, spiritual, and aura-cleansing retreat. It also gets an A+ for hiking.

2.) Carpinteria State Beach

This is a year-round campground — only 2 hours (80 miles) away from LA. You don’t even have to drive to get there, if that’s not your thing, as this destination is only a block away from the train station. If you take the train you can nap, read a book, delete old emails, etc. There’s a cool microbrewery nearby, but the campgrounds are more than accommodating — flush toilets, fire pits, ADA accessible sites, as well as a dump station.

3.) Crystal Cove State Park

These breathtaking coves and coastal bluffs will likely be a little quieter than Aliso Beach, which is more family-oriented, or the more crowded Balboa Beach (where you have to watch out for overzealous bodyboarders). Crystal Cove is a great place for tidepooling, snorkeling, or using as a starting point before you hike into the El Moro Canyon hills. There’s also a Shake Shack if you need refreshments!

4.) Belmont Shore, LBC

Long Beach is a well-kept secret of Southern Californians. Most outsiders only know about it as a starting point before setting out on a luxury cruise, or an alternative airport to LAX. Belmont Shore has boutique shops, excellent cuisine, and it’s within walking distance of the beach! If you have a dog, there’s dog-friendly Rosie’s Dog Beach where you can let your best friend roam off-leash. It’s also quite a bit more laid back than its Northern counterpart (Los Angeles).

5.) 1000 Steps Beach

This is a bonafide hidden gem at the bottom of a 230-step descending staircase — it’s a local favorite for volleyball and surfing. During low tide you can tool around in hidden sea caves. There’s parking along the PCH, but it’s slim pickens — so plan ahead.

Anyway, these are just a few places I’ve logged in my brief travels in the area. With a little luck, I’ll have plenty more to talk about as my margins continue to expand, both in Southern California and beyond.