Southern California offers a variety of activities. Best of all, many activities are free. Some outdoor activities are seasonal, though Southern California generally has warm and mild weather year-round. There is no need to spend a bunch of money to enjoy the beauty and amenities of southern California.
Hiking
There are many hiking trails in Southern California. The best easy hiking spots are Borrego Canyon, Red Rock Canyon and Bear Canyon Trail in Orange County, and Arch Rock Nature Trail and Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail in the Joshua Tree National Park. Knapp's Castle Trail in Santa Barbara and Huntington Dog Beach Trail in Huntington Beach (near Los Angeles) are both unique hiking areas that allow you to bring your dogs. Argus Range Wilderness Trails offers different levels of hiking difficulty for people of all skill levels. Visit socal.hiking.info for more trails and information about Southern California hiking.
Biking
Biking is a free activity unless you require bike rental. There are many biking trails in Southern California; all are unique and offer different scenic opportunities. The Backbone Trail/Castor Crest is a biking trail that loops through nearby Malibu. Gabrieleno Trail from Red Box through Arroyo Seco in Pasadena is a 15-mile, point-to-point trail. Several other biking trails are available for cyclists of all skill levels; visit nearfield.com/~dan/sports/bike.
Fishing
You will need fishing equipment, including fishing poles, bait and boots. Once you have your equipment, you can hit some of Southern California's most scenic lakes and rivers for some fishing. Some of the best locations for fishing and fly fishing are the Owens River and the San Joaquin River in Mammoth Lakes. Some locations are only seasonal, so be sure to plan ahead and check dates. Permits are not required if you are fishing from a pier.
Places to Visit
There are many places to visit for free in Southern California, from scenic settings to unique attractions. The Museum of Contemporary Art at California Plaza is in Los Angeles and is free. Also, the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Orange County and Balboa Park in San Diego both offer free parking and entry. Southern California is also home to plenty of beaches, up and down the coast. Venice Beach near Los Angeles and Mission Beach in San Diego are popular beaches for swimming and sunning.
Museum of Contemporary Art at California Plaza
152 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-626-6222
Moca.org
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
5 Riparian View
Irvine, CA 92612
949-261-7963
seaandsageaudubon.org
Balboa Park
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
619-239-0512
balboapark.org
Venice Beach
3100 to 2700 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90294
Venicebeach.com
Mission Beach
1710 W. Mission Bay Drive
San Diego CA 92109
missionbeachonline.com
Scenic Drives
Some of the best features and free activities of Southern California are its scenic views. Hit the road and check out this scenic drive: San Andreas Fault Scenic Drive: I-5 to Hollister for 110 total miles of scenic driving. Or, hit the Pacific Coast Highway for spectacular views and plenty of places to pull off, go for a walk or watch the ocean.
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