Favorite Day Trips
The Huntington
The Huntington is a historical site in Los Angeles County full of beautiful gardens, walking trails, museums, activities, and more! To be honest, I had no idea this place even existed so my expectations were low. I do love a good botanical garden and learning about the history of California, so I figured it would be interesting at the least. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this place, and we only scratched the surface of what it has to offer! You can read more about the history on the linked website above. But for starters, the grounds house:
A Library- This world renown library houses over 12 million items to peruse with represented dates anywhere between the 11th and 21st century.
An Art Museum- Enjoy art? Check out their museum which houses over 45,000 pieces with British, European, American, and Asian roots.
Botanical Gardens- Explore over 130 acres worth of stunning garden themes like Japanese, Chinese, Australian, and more!
Plus! Their cafe is delicious and reasonably priced. Their gift shop is so precious. And their tea room is full of charm! This place is great year round for the whole family to enjoy, or for those solo adventurers itching to reach a book with stunning panoramic views.
San Juan Capistrano
I'm not really sure how or why it took me almost two years to explore this little city, given that it's less than thirty minutes from me. But now that I have, it is easily one of my favorite historic cities in Orange County. This beautiful city was founded in 1776 and served as the 7th mission carried out by Spain. My top recommendations for experiencing the heart and history of this city are as follows:
Visit the
Museum Mission I spent well over an hour marveling at the gorgeous ruins and architectural landscapes within this Mission. I felt like I was leaving California and entering a little piece of old Spain, which was quite the surprise!
Stroll down the Los Rios Historic District, one the oldest neighborhoods in California. Here you'll find shops, antiques, food, and more!
The Arches Though technically located in Dana Point, this stunning ocean view is only about 10 minutes away from San Juan Capistrano. Perfect for a sunset view or anytime of day.
Know of a good hike in Southern California?
I am always on the hunt for scenic and adventurous trails in the Southern California area. If you have any recommendations, please let me know and I'll make sure to check it out and highlight it on the blog!