Fun at Huntington Beach
After many years of hosting visitors in Southern California, I created this to-do list for my guests. It is divided into categories that make sense in my brain. Hopefully, that will translate well for others. The list assumes that you are staying in Los Angeles or Northern Orange County. I have a special section for Huntington Beach, because that is where I spend a lot of time. An “*” denotes that an activity or attraction is kid-friendly. For ease of use, I have included links to sites and attractions when possible.
Amusement Parks:
- Disneyland (Anaheim)*
- California Adventure (Anaheim)*
- Knotts Berry Farm (Buena Park)*
- Six Flags (Valencia)*
- Universal Studios (including lot tour and Wizarding World of Harry Potter) (Los Angeles)*
Attractions:
- Balboa Island (Newport)*
- Forever Hollywood Cemetery (Hollywood) (famous people buried there)
- Outdoor movies at the Forever Hollywood Cemetery (summer)
- Graumann’s Chinese Theater (Hollywood)
- Greystone Mansion (Beverly Hills park, filming location, mansion+plus afternoon tea)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame*
- Huntington Botanical Gardens (and High Tea!) (Pasadena)
- Queen Mary Tour, Brunch and High Tea (Long Beach)
- Santa Anita Race Track
- Santa Monica Pier*
- Schindler House (architecture highlight -Hollywood)
- Studio Tours (Los Angeles area):*
- Tour of Stars Homes (Join tour at Graumann’s Chinese Theater)
- Will Rogers State Historic Park (Pacific Palisades)*
- TV Show Taping
Attractions (Educational):
- Bowers Museum (Santa Ana)
- Long Beach Aquarium*
- La Brea Tar Pits* (LA)
- LA Zoo*
- Getty Museum* (LA)
- Getty Villa (Malibu)
- USS Iowa Battleship Museum (San Pedro Harbor)
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) (LA)
- Museum of Tolerance (LA)
- Museum of the American West (LA)
- Natural History Museum (LA)*
- Japanese American National Museum (LA)
- Petersen Automotive Museum* (LA)
- Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace (Yorba Linda)
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (Simi Valley)
- UCLA Hammer Museum (LA)
- San Juan Capistrano Mission (Orange County)
- Sherman Gardens (Newport – great for lunch too)
- Norton Simon Museum (Pasadena)
- Discovery Science Museum (for kids)* (Orange County – Santa Ana)
- Griffith Park and Observatory* (LA)
- The Broad Museum (Modern Art in LA)
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA in LA)*
Beaches:
- Huntington Beach*
- Newport Beach*
- Crystal Cove State Park* (Near Laguna Beach)
- Laguna Beach*
- Venice Beach (Oceanfront Walk)*
- Santa Monica (Pier and Promenade)*
Beach Activities:
- Biking*
- Rollerblading*
- Running
- Bonfires*
- Kayaking*
- Laying Out
- Scuba
- Snorkeling*
- Surfing*
- Kitesurfing
- Bodyboarding*
- Building Sand Castles*
- Seashell Hunts*
- Picnics*
- Volleyball*
- Frisbee*
Non-Beach Activities:
- Bowling*
- Biking*
- Golfing
- Hiking*
- Horse-back Riding*
- Ice Skating*
- Roller Skating*
- Spa Day
- LA Tour (Bus or Walking)*
Performing Arts Venues:
Shopping
- Farmer’s Market/The Grove (Hollywood)
- Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills)
- Window Shopping (Laguna Beach)
- South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa near Newport Beach)
- Fashion Island (Newport Beach)
Day Trips or Longer*
- Catalina Island
- Lake Arrowhead (mountain lake community 1.5 hours away)
- Palm Springs
- San Diego
- Mexico
- Santa Barbara
- Wine Tasting in Paso Robles
- Wine Tasting in Temecula
Huntington Beach Area
- Beach (see beach activities)*
- Bowers Museum (Santa Ana)
- Wildlife Sanctuary at Bolsa Chica (Walk/Hike)*
- Main Street (shops/dining)*
- Pacific City Shops and Dining*
- Farmer’s Market (Main Street Tuesdays)*
- Huntington Park Equestrian Center*
- Huntington Beach Central Park*
- Huntington Beach Adventure Park* (Summer)
- International Surfing Museum (Huntington Beach)
- Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)*
- Discovery Science Museum (for kids)* (Orange County – Santa Ana)
- Pretend City Children’s Museum*
- Sherman Gardens (Newport Beach – great place for lunch too)
Special Events
Maureen's Suitcase 