6 DAYS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Beaches, Theme Parks & Scenic Drives

It was our family's very first time visiting California, and we wanted to experience a little bit of everything the West Coast has to offer. From the magic of Disney to historic aircraft and stunning coastal drives, this six-day itinerary was packed with adventure.

Beach with rocky shoreline, people swimming and walking, ocean waves, a building with palm trees in the background, and colorful flowers on the grass in the foreground.
  • A blue, star-shaped badge or seal with a cloudy border on a transparent background.

    If you are looking for inspiration for a West Coast getaway, here is a look at our Southern California itinerary!

  • Day 01 / Travel Day & Huntington Beach

    Day One was all about making our way out West. We left our home airport in Tennessee via Delta, enjoying the Delta Sky Lounge in Atlanta during our layover before finally touching down in San Diego.

    • The Scenic Drive: After picking up our rental car, we took the beautiful, winding drive up the coast from San Diego to Huntington Beach.

    • The Waterfront Beach Resort: We checked into a gorgeous one-bedroom oceanfront suite at this Hilton property, giving us the perfect home base. We ended our long travel day by checking out the incredibly lively pool deck party!

  • Day 02 / Memorial Day at the Beach

    Our second day was all about soaking up the California sun and local holiday festivities.

    • Beach & Pool Fun: We spent the day enjoying the Memorial Day celebrations right on the beach and splashing around the resort pool.

    • Ola Mexican Kitchen: For dinner, we grabbed a table at Ola Mexican Kitchen, where we enjoyed delicious food paired with absolutely breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

  • Day 03 / Disneyland Magic & San Diego Bound

    We woke up early and headed to the Happiest Place on Earth!

    • Disneyland: We spent the day riding our favorite attractions and had an amazing meet-and-greet with Star Wars characters. My son even got to build his own lightsaber to bring home as the ultimate souvenir.

    • Marriott Marquis: After a full day of magic, we took a scenic evening ride back down the coast to San Diego and checked into the Marriott Marquis for the second leg of our trip.

  • Day 04 / Wild Animals & Waterfront Dining

    San Diego is famous for its wildlife, so we had to experience it for ourselves.

    • San Diego Zoo Safari Park: We had an incredible time seeing the animals and exploring the expansive Safari Park, followed by some much-needed relaxing pool fun back at the Marriott.

    • Sally's Waterfront Dining: We enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Sally's, rounding out the evening with a peaceful walk along the beautiful marina.

  • Day 05 / Aviation History & Coastal Views

    Our last full day was packed with proud mom moments and stunning scenery.

    • USS Midway Museum: Exploring this historic aircraft carrier was amazing, and it was so special watching my son earn his Jr. Pilot wings!

    • La Jolla to Sunset Cliffs: We took a breathtaking scenic drive from La Jolla along the coast back toward San Diego. We made sure to stop at Seal Rock to see the wildlife and took in the gorgeous views at Sunset Cliffs.

    • Texas Roadhouse: No matter where our family travels, finding a Texas Roadhouse is a must-do tradition! We stopped in for an early dinner to celebrate an amazing trip.

  • Day 06 / Heading Home

    Saying goodbye to California was tough! We headed to the San Diego airport, relaxing in the Delta Sky Lounge before catching our flight back to Atlanta, and then finally home. It was an unforgettable first trip to the West Coast!

A young boy standing on a large red chair with a backrest that resembles a giant Adirondack chair, sticking out his tongue and making a playful gesture with his arms.
A boy in a red shirt squatting on rocky beach, looking down, with the ocean and a cityscape with high-rise buildings and palm trees in the background under a blue sky with few clouds.
A young boy sitting inside a fighter jet cockpit on display at an airshow, with the aircraft's exterior visible and other spectators in the background under a clear blue sky.
Public sculpture of a sailor kissing a nurse in a romantic embrace.
A young boy in a red t-shirt and shorts sitting in the cockpit of an aircraft, reaching up towards the control panel, surrounded by various gauges, switches, and instruments with a cityscape visible through the windows.
A smiling woman with glasses and two children, a boy and a girl, taking a selfie with a cityscape and water in the background.
Star Wars stormtroopers gathered in front of a futuristic spaceship with glowing blue and red lights, set against a starry night sky.
A young boy in a black t-shirt and beige shorts standing in front of a replica of the R2-D2 droid from Star Wars, with his arm outstretched and a smile on his face. In the background, there are children and adults in a dimly lit, themed environment w
Young boy sitting on rocks at a beach, holding a purple ticket, wearing a black t-shirt with Star Wars character, and light gray shorts, with greenery and a textured stone wall in the background.
A young boy sitting on a vintage speeder bike in front of a weathered concrete wall with pipes and decorative elements, with a large tree in the background.
Two people taking a selfie in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. The man is wearing a Star Wars themed shirt and the woman is smiling with glasses. The background features the castle with purple turrets, flags, and colorful banners celebr
A young boy stands smiling next to a person dressed as Darth Vader from Star Wars, both posing outdoors in a lush, green area with trees and rocks in the background.
View of the USS Midway aircraft carrier with parked aircraft on deck, situated at a harbor under a cloudy sky.

Ready to explore?

✶

Whether you want a sun-soaked California road trip or a customized tour of multiple cities, Together Travel can make it happen. Contact Me Today to start planning your next getaway!

WORK WITH ME