Category

Things To Do

Must Do highlights day trips, fun activities, and entertainment and recreation options every tourist and local of Southern California should check out. SoCal’s hidden gems, local secrets, unique finds and off-the beaten path venues will also be uncovered and explored.

in SoCal Trends, Things To Do

A Conversation With Jen Bilik– CEO, Author, and Lover of L.A.

September 28, 2018

Interview/Written By: Maria Vital   Jen Bilik, 49, is the author of This Is (Not) L.A.: An Insider’s Take On The Real L.A.,’ a book that gives you the real inside scoop on Los Angeles. While flipping through the pages, you’ll be shocked at how Bilik casually debunks all the myths you thought about L.A. By the end, you’ll have new insight on the city you thought you knew so well. I sat down with the CEO of the Who’s There Group to discuss life in L.A., and got her tips on the best way to show your out-of-town friends the ropes. Get to know the Berkeley native turned L.A. aficionado below: Maria Vital: Since you’re from Berkeley, what would you say is the main difference you’ve seen between SoCal and NorCal? Your book says that NorCal has some issues with SoCal… Jen Bilik: “We [Northern Californians] just held ourselves in such a remarkably high esteem in comparison to SoCal. It was a real shock to me when I did finally discover that Southern California was really great and interesting and a fantastic place to live for a variety of reasons, and that this was a one-way rivalry. “Southern California…

Continue reading
Related posts
in Destinations & Landmarks, Featured
Santa Monica Beach – L.A.’s Playground
May 28, 2020
in Featured, Food & Drinks, Things To Do
Food Hall Frenzy
August 8, 2018
in Pets & Wildlife, Things To Do, Uncategorized
The Best Hikes in Los Angeles
July 27, 2018
in Things To Do

Driving Down PCH

September 12, 2018

By: Maria Vital What better way to drive down SoCal’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway than in a brand new Lexus LS500? The Western Area Lexus Team organized a lovely drive down PCH that includes views, bites, and history. Starting at the luxurious, waterfront Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, the Lexus LS500 awaits with extraordinary GPS navigation that will take you on the most efficient route. An added bonus: if you get too caught up in the views you’re driving past, state-of-the-art technology will keep you and your Lexus in your lane at all times.  Safe and sleek– two things everyone should want in a car. With the engine running, the first stop on the drive down PCH is Top of the World in Laguna Beach. During this drive, you’ll pass stunning views of the Pacific and downtown Laguna areas where locals and tourists alike shop around art galleries and sit out in the sun. Top of the World is also known as Alta Laguna Park. Here, you can see stunning views of the city and the beach. It is the perfect place to appreciate SoCal’s true beauty. People can drive by for a quick stop, or they can hike…

Continue reading
Related posts
in Destinations & Landmarks
Top Ten Places to Visit in Southern California
August 31, 2018
in Food & Drinks, Things To Do
10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could See, Do and Taste in San Diego
August 14, 2018
in Things To Do
8 Steps to Get Your Mojo Back This Summer
August 8, 2018
in Food & Drinks, Things To Do

Sweet and Savory in SoCal: National Waffle Day

August 24, 2018

By Maria del Cisne Vital   Waffles are a tasty treat so dynamic that they can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert! Whether you like your waffles drenched in syrup, topped with berries, or served alongside fried chicken, Southern California has you covered in the waffle department. Enjoy today, National Waffle Day, with a delicious meal! Check out these places for unique twists on the traditional waffle:   The Waffle Spot — San Diego The name speaks for itself. The Waffle Spot in San Diego is the hot spot for all things waffle! They have “specialties” like apple cinnamon, toasted pecan, and churro waffles. If you want something more classic then you can opt for a plain waffle with your choice of fruit toppings or whipped cream. Savory is also an option with their Eggs Waffle Benedict— two mini waffles topped with Canadian bacon and 2 poached eggs covered with fresh Hollandaise sauce. 1333 Hotel Cir S, San Diego, CA 92108  |  (619) 297-2231 wafflespotsandiego.com/   Shaky Alibi — Los Angeles The Shaky Alibi is a “wafflerie” founded on authenticity. Their Liege waffles are handcrafted to your taste and served fresh off the waffle iron. Sweet and savory…

Continue reading
in Pets & Wildlife, Things To Do

Get Up-Close and (Somewhat) Personal with Leopard Sharks

August 14, 2018

Every year, thousands of leopard sharks swarm the La Jolla waters in the largest annual leopard shark aggregation in the world. And, while the word ‘shark’ may elicit some form of panic, there’s no need worry. In fact, leopard sharks are known as the “friendly sharks” of the ocean. Their calm demeanor and beautiful spotted backs make them an intriguing site to witness whether you’re swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or diving. Biologists say that roughly 97% of these leopard sharks that come to La Jolla annually are female, and many of them are pregnant. They choose the calm, shallow and warm waters of La Jolla Shores to incubate and stay protected. July through September are the peak months to see these bottom dwellers, and below are three way to get up close and somewhat personal to these gentle and stunning creatures: Kayak + Snorkel One great way to encounter these leopard sharks is by getting out in the water in a non-motorized vessel, such as a kayak or standup paddleboard. La Jolla-based adventure and apparel company Everyday California, for instance, is famous for its 90-minute kayak tours that give paddlers a first-hand look at leopard sharks – which, by the way,…

Continue reading
in Food & Drinks, Things To Do

10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could See, Do and Taste in San Diego

August 14, 2018

San Diego may be best known for amazing beaches and year-round perfect weather, but curious visitors can find unusual, unexpected and unique experiences hidden around San Diego’s many corners. From bumping into ghosts and soaring above a nudist beach to sampling camel meat, here are 10 sensational experiences to see, do and taste in San Diego.   Hunt Ghosts – Built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley, the Whaley House Museum in Old Town San Diego holds notable local historic significance. In addition to being the Whaley family home, it also housed the San Diego County Court House, San Diego’s first commercial theater and a school, among other things. However, the building’s tragic history, which includes the hanging of “Yankee Jim” on the location where the house was built and the suicide of Violet Whaley inside the residence, has surrounded the property with an air of mystery. According to the Travel Channel’s “America’s Most Haunted,” the property is the most haunted house in the United States. Visitors have reported supernatural encounters like hearing footsteps, capturing unexpected images in photos, and seeing apparitions of former residents including Thomas Whaley himself. Watch Penguins Swim with Sharks – Visitors can see penguins swimming and diving next…

Continue reading
Related posts
in Destinations & Landmarks, Featured
8 Hidden Beaches in San Diego to Discover
October 7, 2020
in Things To Do
Driving Down PCH
September 12, 2018
in Destinations & Landmarks
Top Ten Places to Visit in Southern California
August 31, 2018
in Things To Do

5 Comedy Clubs That Will Cure Your State of Mind

August 8, 2018

By Imaan Jalali   Despite what you may hear, life isn’t easy. To get anywhere worth going, you have to put in the work, and usually for long hours at a time. Hopefully, you love your job, but if you don’t, you’re probably highly skilled at clock-watching until your favorite time of the day, 5:00 p.m. Heaven forbid you have to work overtime. It kind of sounds depressing because, well, it is. For the ones who find their putative purpose in life, the flowers bloom, the sun shimmers, and the cows are milked all day. For the rest, who are stuck with milk-less cows, the best option is to buy goats. While on this journey of life, though, not everything has to be a downer, so buck up. You are allowed to chortle, guffaw, cackle, or, put simply, laugh every once in a while. Southern California is teeming with comedy clubs, pending the fulfillment of a two-drink (or food item) minimum, that will cure your state of mind, at least temporarily.   *Flappers Comedy Club Locations in Burbank and Claremont flapperscomedy.com The clubs, both in Burbank and Claremont, are known for being very clean, but anything but sterile. There are…

Continue reading

  • Welcome

    Explore where to eat, stay and play in beautiful SoCal

  • Upcoming Events

    1. Harbor Breeze Cruises

      March 9 - December 31

    2. Bubble Planet at Kidspace Children’s Museum

      June 13 - September 6

    3. reDiscover Center Opens Cardboard City in Santa Monica

      July 8 - August 29

    4. Cardboard City Pop Up in Santa Monica

      July 8 - August 29

    5. Manhattan Village Presents Summer Schedule of Events

      July 28 - September 1

    View All Events

  • Recent Posts

  •
    April 2, 2021
    The Old Towns of SoCal
    Destinations & Landmarks
    March 23, 2021
    Discovering Channel Islands National Park
    Destinations & Landmarks, Featured
    May 18, 2020
    Capitol Studios: From Nat King Cole to the New Face of Soul
    Destinations & Landmarks
    March 31, 2020
    Six Secret Spots to Visit in Long Beach
    Things To Do

  • Categories

  • Sitewide Sale 4/11- 4/13

  • Products

  • © Southern California Life Magazine is Published by Elysian Media Group, LLC

Follow Us @socallifemag

Instagram

Close