There are so many things to love about Southern California that it’s hard to know where to begin. SoCal is more than just a place. It’s a lifestyle. It’s home. It’s vacation. It’s a never-ending feast for the senses. If you’ve ever lived here, visited, or just daydreamed about this pocket of the country, you know exactly what we mean. Here are a few reasons why we can’t get enough of this part of the world. Buckle up and enjoy the ride; you’re going to fall in love with Southern California all over again. Here are just a few of the best reasons your heart will always be in Southern California:

  1. Lazy Sundays at the park. Lounging on a blanket of green grass in Santa Monica with the view of the ocean off in the distance.

Ryan Vaarsi/Flickr

  1. Awesome hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail…

Rob Bertholf/Flickr

  1. Like this one in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. The beauty never ends around here.

Rennett Stowe/Flickr

  1. Relaxing days at the beach with the sound of the ocean rushing up against the sand.

tdlucas5000/Flickr

  1. The brilliant color of a SoCal sky at dusk. Such a beautiful mix of colors at Sycamore Canyon in the Inland Empire.

Joe Ennesser/Flickr

  1. Unbelievable seafood! Yumm!

Aizat Faiz/Flickr

  1. And fresh, organic produce from the local farmers market.

Rob Bertholf/Flickr

  1. Speaking of farmers’ markets…there are soooo many to choose from in SoCal. Take your pick!

Eric E Johnson/Flickr

  1. The weather can’t be beat. Blue skies and sunny days all year long!

Ed Suominen/Flickr

  1. Team spirit in SoCal. Gotta love the Angels!

lostintheredwoods/Flickr

  1. And the Padres…

Nathan Rupert/Flickr

  1. And the Dodgers!

Ben Christen/Flickr Don’t judge me – I love them all equally!

  1. Can’t get enough of the fields of wildflowers that bloom every spring in brilliant bursts of color.

philcalvert/Flickr

  1. The Cove in La Jolla is one of those magical beaches in SoCal that makes my heart happy.

Nathan Rupert/Flickr

  1. Perfect walking paths along the water. Man I love the sound of ocean waves!

Mitchel Jones/Flickr

  1. So many gorgeous piers throughout Southern California. Perfect for a stroll and an epic view of the ocean.

Tony Hoffarth/Flickr

  1. An umbrella, a good book and an endless view of the ocean is all you need for a day of bliss in SoCal.

Moto Club4AG Miwa/Flickr

  1. When you get tired of lounging at the beach, there are so many stunning mountains just waiting to be explored.

Rennett Stowe/Flickr

  1. Outdoor dining with epic views like this gem in Avalon.

Mt Ada/Facebook

  1. Last, but not least, there’s truly nothing like the warm glow of a SoCal sunset to wrap up the day.

Eric Neitzel/Flickr

If you ever need a little pick-me-up, just look at these photos of Southern California and they will bring a smile to your face. What a treat it is to live here!

Ryan Vaarsi/Flickr

Rob Bertholf/Flickr

Rennett Stowe/Flickr

tdlucas5000/Flickr

Joe Ennesser/Flickr

Aizat Faiz/Flickr

Eric E Johnson/Flickr

Ed Suominen/Flickr

lostintheredwoods/Flickr

Nathan Rupert/Flickr

Ben Christen/Flickr

Don’t judge me – I love them all equally!

philcalvert/Flickr

Mitchel Jones/Flickr

Tony Hoffarth/Flickr

Moto Club4AG Miwa/Flickr

Mt Ada/Facebook

Eric Neitzel/Flickr

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Heart Will Always Be in Southern California September 05, 2021 Tori Jane What is living in Southern California like?   Wonderful! Of course, you might have to be a little patient closer to the big cities, as traffic can be a tad overwhelming sometimes, but other than that? Life here is beautiful! You’re in close proximity to the beach in most places (and even if you’re not, hey, at least you’re still in a state that has beaches), and temperatures during the summer can be warm but mild. Winters are lovely; every now and again, you’ll find a tiny dusting of snow on the ground, but not often. “Warm” winter days tend to be about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s a tremendous number of things to do and see; you’ll have to do all the classics like walking Hollywood Boulevard and seeing celebrity stars on the Walk of Fame, but you also must check out cultural icons like the Ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier.   What are some of the best things about Southern California?  Oh, Southern California: how do we love thee? Let us count the ways! Southern California (or just SoCal) is a wonderful place that people come from around the world to experience. It’s just got this unique culture about it that you can’t find anywhere else. The seafood here is, of course, absolutely legendary. SoCal is home to world-famous amusement parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags, and several more. And, of course, we can’t resist mentioning the beaches. The oceanside splendor of SoCal is second to none. There is nothing else in this world quite like watching the sunset over the ocean; sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll see dolphins playing on the horizon as twilight takes over. And then there’s the incredible natural beauty of the entire region.   What kind of things to love about Southern California is there?   Since we mentioned a bunch of non-nature-based things above, here are some of our favorite natural wonders you’ll find in Southern California. The state’s incredible state and national parks are each worthy of a day trip – and it’s not like there’s only a few of them. Southern California has more than its fair share of each, including the legendary Joshua Tree National Park (one of the only places in the world where those trees grow) and Palomar Mountain State Park. You’ll also fall in love with wildlife and nature refuges, stunning mountains, beautiful rivers, and so much more. Southern California is a nature lover’s dream come true, and all it takes is one or two good nature hikes to learn exactly why! For more of our favorite SoCal things, take a look at this article.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Heart Will Always Be in Southern California

September 05, 2021

Tori Jane

What is living in Southern California like?   Wonderful! Of course, you might have to be a little patient closer to the big cities, as traffic can be a tad overwhelming sometimes, but other than that? Life here is beautiful! You’re in close proximity to the beach in most places (and even if you’re not, hey, at least you’re still in a state that has beaches), and temperatures during the summer can be warm but mild. Winters are lovely; every now and again, you’ll find a tiny dusting of snow on the ground, but not often. “Warm” winter days tend to be about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s a tremendous number of things to do and see; you’ll have to do all the classics like walking Hollywood Boulevard and seeing celebrity stars on the Walk of Fame, but you also must check out cultural icons like the Ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier.   What are some of the best things about Southern California?  Oh, Southern California: how do we love thee? Let us count the ways! Southern California (or just SoCal) is a wonderful place that people come from around the world to experience. It’s just got this unique culture about it that you can’t find anywhere else. The seafood here is, of course, absolutely legendary. SoCal is home to world-famous amusement parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags, and several more. And, of course, we can’t resist mentioning the beaches. The oceanside splendor of SoCal is second to none. There is nothing else in this world quite like watching the sunset over the ocean; sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll see dolphins playing on the horizon as twilight takes over. And then there’s the incredible natural beauty of the entire region.   What kind of things to love about Southern California is there?   Since we mentioned a bunch of non-nature-based things above, here are some of our favorite natural wonders you’ll find in Southern California. The state’s incredible state and national parks are each worthy of a day trip – and it’s not like there’s only a few of them. Southern California has more than its fair share of each, including the legendary Joshua Tree National Park (one of the only places in the world where those trees grow) and Palomar Mountain State Park. You’ll also fall in love with wildlife and nature refuges, stunning mountains, beautiful rivers, and so much more. Southern California is a nature lover’s dream come true, and all it takes is one or two good nature hikes to learn exactly why! For more of our favorite SoCal things, take a look at this article.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Wonderful! Of course, you might have to be a little patient closer to the big cities, as traffic can be a tad overwhelming sometimes, but other than that? Life here is beautiful! You’re in close proximity to the beach in most places (and even if you’re not, hey, at least you’re still in a state that has beaches), and temperatures during the summer can be warm but mild. Winters are lovely; every now and again, you’ll find a tiny dusting of snow on the ground, but not often. “Warm” winter days tend to be about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s a tremendous number of things to do and see; you’ll have to do all the classics like walking Hollywood Boulevard and seeing celebrity stars on the Walk of Fame, but you also must check out cultural icons like the Ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier.  

What are some of the best things about Southern California? 

Oh, Southern California: how do we love thee? Let us count the ways! Southern California (or just SoCal) is a wonderful place that people come from around the world to experience. It’s just got this unique culture about it that you can’t find anywhere else. The seafood here is, of course, absolutely legendary. SoCal is home to world-famous amusement parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags, and several more. And, of course, we can’t resist mentioning the beaches. The oceanside splendor of SoCal is second to none. There is nothing else in this world quite like watching the sunset over the ocean; sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll see dolphins playing on the horizon as twilight takes over. And then there’s the incredible natural beauty of the entire region.  

What kind of things to love about Southern California is there?  

Since we mentioned a bunch of non-nature-based things above, here are some of our favorite natural wonders you’ll find in Southern California. The state’s incredible state and national parks are each worthy of a day trip – and it’s not like there’s only a few of them. Southern California has more than its fair share of each, including the legendary Joshua Tree National Park (one of the only places in the world where those trees grow) and Palomar Mountain State Park. You’ll also fall in love with wildlife and nature refuges, stunning mountains, beautiful rivers, and so much more. Southern California is a nature lover’s dream come true, and all it takes is one or two good nature hikes to learn exactly why! For more of our favorite SoCal things, take a look at this article.