All "Relaxing" Stories in Southern CA

When Disney met the Petroglyph: It's Complicated
An unlikely desert lake is generally the high point of a hike to Barker Dam, but there’s an even more unusual sight at the end of the loop trail that you might have missed even if
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10,000 Years in 1,000 Oaks
A hike at the Chumash Indian Museum in Oakbrook Regional Park is truly a step back in time. You walk through a garden of native plants and into classic Calfiornia landscape—rolling
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Waterfall, Wildflowers, and a Chumash Hike
Under the shadow of majestic Boney Mountain, Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a fascinating place to explore
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Hail the King of Calabasas!
A walk through the Leonis Adobe Museum and its grounds in Calabasas will give you a more invigorating, hands-on, and authentic taste of the San Fernando Valley’s ranching past than
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Mission Tranquility
Mission San Fernando Rey de España is both a tranquil retreat from modernity and the best place in the SFV to grasp the fascinating, if troubling, legacy of the Spanish missions in
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Encino's Encinos
Los Encinos State Historic Park captivates as an authentic vestige of the San Fernando Valley’s ranching past. The five-acre park, just off Ventura and Balboa Boulevards in Encino,
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Take a Hike, Find the Empire of Light
Riverside’s Mission Inn has one of the most stunning displays of holiday lights in the US, but first things first: To really get in the mood—and earn your holiday treats, calorically speaking—take a quick-escape hike on nearby Two Trees Trail.
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The Champion, My Friends!
If visiting one of the tallest Christmas trees in the world doesn’t put you in the holiday spirit, nothing will! We’re actually talking about Big Bear’s Champion Lodgepole Pine—a w
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Arboretum Season
All is not always calm this time of year, but peace reigns at Fullerton Arboretum, a quiet 26-acre oasis in the middle of urban Orange County. It’s on the campus of Cal State Fulle
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Sipping Through the Valley
Anderson Valley is best known for its pinots, but you'll find almost every kind of wine here ... so take your time. It's hard to go wrong in these parts, but here are a few winerie
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Where to Sheep
Located in the hills of Anderson Valley, with Adirondacks and hammocks perched perfectly for relaxation, and plenty of room to roam, Sheep Dung Properties is no ordinary name—becau
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From Redwoods to Sea Stacks
In the heart of Anderson Valley, Hendy Woods State Park is rarely crowded, especially in winter, and has a star attraction: ancient redwoods. There’s an easy 2-mile (round-trip) hi
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U-pick and Hike
Great apples don't just grow on trees. Some of the most delicious anywhere grow on trees high up in the San Bernardino Mountains in the town of Oak Glen, where Los Rios Rancho, So Cal’s largest historic apple ranch, grows 32 varieties, all completely organic, and available as u-picks.
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It's All About Pumpkins!
Underwood Family Farms is in Moorpark, and its pick-your-own crops are always fresh and delicious! But that’s just the start of the fun during Underwood’s Annual Fall Harvest Festival. This upcoming weekend is All About Pumpkins.
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Pumpkin Empire
The best part of fall? Pumpkins, of course! One of the largest pumpkin patches in the state is right here in SoCal, situated on more than 20 acres of farmland in Pomona. The rare p
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Idyllic Lake Fulmor
High up in the hills near Idyllwild, quaint and charming Lake Fulmor—not too big, not too small—is just right for relaxing in the cool, quiet shade. It’s not a place to go to be su
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DTLA's Colorful Corazón
Olvera Street is always filled with pageantry, and the historic district of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, the birthplace of Los Angeles, is worth strolling anytime to sample traditional Mexican culture and foods and to better appreciate the city’s heritage.
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Pools of Gold
Montaña de Oro: The name means mountain of gold, but the real treasures here lie underwater. Luckily you don’t have to venture into the ocean to see all the cool creatures. Plenty
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Abalone Sandwich
The difference between tide pools and an aquarium? Adventure! You have to work a bit for the tide pools at Abalone Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes, but they’re well worth the effort. T
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Laguna Low Down
Looking for the best tide pools in Orange County? Grab your water shoes and a tide chart, and head to Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach! The mix of shallow and deep pools provides a per
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