I grew up next to a park that put sea mammals on display and called it “entertainment.” Even as a kid, I knew it was unfair that these animals weren’t with their families in the wide open ocean just beyond the park. Now that I’m an adult and know the truth—thanks to Blackfish and other investigations of these types of abusement parks—I’m incensed that they’re still allowed to house sea mammals in what is essentially a small tub of water. Thankfully, there are a million and one things to do in Southern California besides supporting SeaWorld and other marine-mammal parks!
With a little bit of planning and a tent, you can camp out in the mountains, on the beach, or in the desert. You can visit beautiful gardens or get your culture on with a museum trip. Children can and do learn about dinosaurs without seeing the “real thing,” and the same logic can be applied to marine mammals at SeaWorld—imprisoning them is completely unnecessary for all intents and purposes.
Here are some fun, creative animal-friendly vacation ideas:
Beaches and Parks
Spend a day at a beach or a park—or stay overnight and go hiking and camping:
1. San Onofre State Beach
Stay overnight or get a day pass to San Onofre State Beach. The associated campgrounds are situated on bluffs overlooking the ocean, with trails winding down to miles of open beach. If it’s good enough for The Beach Boys (they sang about it in “Surfin’ U.S.A.”), it’s good enough for us!
2. Point Mugu State Park
3. Balboa Park
4. Joshua Tree National Park
5. Channel Islands National Park
Certain areas of Santa Rosa Island are closed to the public in order to protect wildlife. But choose from any of the activities here, and you may run into one of the many mammals or reptiles who call this island their home.
6. Carpinteria State Beach
7. Batiquitos Lagoon
8. Catalina Island
9. Take Surfing Lessons
You’ve always wanted to learn to surf, right? Well, here’s your chance! One company based in the San Diego area, named Surf Diva, gives lessons to all age groups, so now, the whole family can say “surf’s up.” And who knows—you may see some sea lions or other cuties in their natural habitat.
10. Zuma Beach
11. Ojai, California
Ojai has several dog-friendly hiking trails, so if your canine companion is up for it, try going for a hike together.
12. Eaton Canyon Natural Area Park and Nature Center
13. Natural Hot Springs of Southern California
14. Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park
15. Border Field State Park
16. Griffith Park
17. Rosie’s Dog Beach
This is the perfect destination for pooches and their guardians. You’ll be happy because you’re on the beach, and Fido will be happy hanging out with all his friends.
18. El Dorado Nature Center
19. Malibu Creek State Park
20. Salton Sea State Recreation Area
21. Venice Beach
Here, you can walk the canals of the “Venice of America.”
22. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
23. Naples, Long Beach
The Naples district of Long Beach, California, also has canals that can be explored. This area was created to be a romantic residential district, and it’s certainly worth visiting.
24. Lake Ming
25. Exposition Park Rose Garden
The roses have been blooming in this park since 1928, and they’re still a sight to behold.
26. Cedar Creek Falls
27. La Jolla Cove
28. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
29. Paddle Boats at Echo Park
Paddle boating is an adorable date idea, and it’s affordable, too! It’s so sweet to see duck and goose families waddling around.
30. McGrath State Beach
At McGrath State Beach, you can stay in a boat while enjoying the wide, sandy beaches.
31. Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve
32. Leo Carillo State Park
Botanical Gardens
California has plenty of beautiful gardens to visit. Here are some of our favorites:
33. Descanso Gardens
34. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
35. The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
The Huntington Library boasts beautiful botanical gardens that contain plants from all over the world—and one of the oldest and largest succulent gardens—as well as a top-notch art museum. You can easily pass an entire day here without realizing it.
Amusement Parks
Check out these great options for amusement, without the abuse:
36. Raging Waters
37. Santa Monica Pier
California’s version of Coney Island just got a lot better, as it recently banned the use of exotic animals from the pier. This fun family spot features carnival games, a historic carousel, and colorful sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
38. LEGOLAND
39. Six Flags Magic Mountain
40. Calico Ghost Town
41. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
I have adult friends who proudly hold season passes to this park. Did I mention that they don’t have children? This proves that this park is an adventure for adults and kids alike!
Museums
Whether you prefer art, science, or natural history, there are many ways to get inspired in Southern California:
42. The J. Paul Getty Museum
43. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
44. National Museum of Animals & Society
45. Museum of Latin American Art
46. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
47. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
48. The San Diego Natural History Museum
Other Attractions
Check out these attractions for a unique outing on your vacation:
49. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Breathtaking views and beautiful nature await you at the top of this 8,500-foot climb. Take the Palm Springs tram to the peak of Chino Canyon, and hike through the wilderness. At the top, you can have a drink and a snack (a vegan hummus plate and a couple of vegan salad options are available at the Pines Café). But be sure to bring a sweater, because the temperature drops about 30 degrees at the summit!
50. The Hollywood Sign
51. Third Street Promenade
Two blocks away from the Santa Monica Pier lies this must-visit shopping destination for many Southern Californians. (It’s also where you’ll find many restaurants with vegan options.)
52. The Space Shuttle Endeavor
53. Go to a Dodgers Game
Get yourself some garlic fries and enjoy the game! And don’t miss the nachos served in a Dodgers helmet—just ask for the vegan version piled high with beans, pico de gallo, and jalapeños. At field level, nachos are available with vegan cheese and an avocado tomatillo sauce.
54. The Rancho los Alamitos
55. Hot Air Balloon Rides
Speaking from personal experience, hot air ballooning is scary at first—but once you get a bit more used to it, you can relax. It will end up being one of the more memorable experiences you’ve ever had.
56. Day-Long Cruises or Boat Tours
57. Hollywood Walk of Fame
There are more than 2,500 stars on this famous Hollywood sidewalk, so you’re sure to find at least one celebrity you love.
58. Whale Watching Tours
Watch gray, blue, and humpback whales (among other species, depending on the season) as they migrate from Baja, California, to the Bering Sea. More than 20,000 whales make this journey every year, and now, you can watch them as they pass by—without causing harm.
59. The Queen Mary
60. Vintage Train Rides
61. The La Brea Tar Pits
Check out this timeline and discover the animals who roamed ancient Los Angeles!
62. Moonlight Hikes with Tree People
Once a month, you can meet fellow hikers in the moonlight for a canyon hike led by the staff of the nonprofit TreePeople.
