California Road Trips Guide - 2021 - 22

ROAD TRIPS 2021
ANAHEIM TO PALM SPRINGS
McDill
Swim
Beach
California
Citrus State
Historic Park
ANAHEIM
Anaheim
Packing
District
Duke's
DANA POINT
Pacific
Ocean
WORTH A DETOUR
DISTANCE: 255 MILES * DAYS: 2-3
SoCal Trifecta
EXPLORE BEACH TOWNS, AN ALPINE PLAYGROUND,
AND THE SUN-DRENCHED DESERT
B
egin this Southern
California adventure
in Anaheim, the city
that mixes Disney magic with
culinary wizardry. Anaheim's
Center Street, Packing District,
Little Saigon, and Little Arabia
dish out global diversity, so
choose your meal by culture.
Next, zip over to the coast
to shop at Costa Mesa's South
Coast Plaza, followed by a quick
tour of the town's impressive
public Art Walk. Hit the Pacific
seaside at Huntington Beach
and explore 10 miles of sand
and surf. Walk the 1,850-footlong
pier, take a surfing lesson,
or nab a seat at Duke's for
coastal views and Hawaiianstyle
seafood.
Cruise south along coastal
Highway 1 to Newport Beach,
famous for its yacht harbor
filled with more than 10,000
boats. Take a gondola ride
around Newport Bay, or rent
a stand-up paddleboard and
sightsee while floating in
tranquil waters. Ride the historic
ferry to Balboa Island to taste
Newport's signature dish: frozen
bananas dipped in chocolate.
22 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COM
Push farther south to reach
Laguna Beach, an arts-rich
town filled with galleries and
secluded beaches. When
hunger strikes, Splashes' patio
tables are just 25 feet above the
beach-feel the ocean breeze
while you nosh.
End your day in Dana Point.
Check in to the five-diamond
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach,
then select from the resort's
activities: stand-up paddleboard
tour, kayaking, snorkeling, or
lounging in a chaise.
For this trip's next leg, head
inland and northeast to get to
Riverside. Swing by California
Citrus State Historic Park to
learn about the citrus industry
and taste oranges and grapefruits
growing on-site.
Trade the lowlands for the
mountains by snaking uphill on
highways 330 and 18. You'll see
why this stretch is named Rim
of the World Scenic Byway-the
ridgeline provides spectacular
vistas at every turn. When you
reach 6,750 feet at Big Bear
Lake, park the car and walk
through the charming downtown.
Indulge in lake-based
leisure at sandy McDill Swim
Beach, or get a heart-pumping
workout by hiking the granitestrewn
trail to Castle Rock.
When you've filled up on
alpine scenery, head north
and east into the desert. As
you drive through the Mojave's
landscape of jumbled rocks,
make a side-trip to the movieset
hamlet of Pioneertown. You
might recognize the wooden
buildings, which have starred in
more than 50 western films and
television shows.
Forge your way into the
Coachella Valley to splurge on
a suite at Two Bunch Palms
Resort in Desert Hot Springs.
Soak in the thermally heated
tubs to your heart's content,
then make the short jaunt to
Palm Springs the next day.
Hike amid the Indian Canyons'
palm oases. Shop for midcentury
modern furnishings
at Modernway or Pelago. Then
celebrate with cocktails at the
Parker Palm Springs' speakeasy,
Counter Reformation.
Shop in Long Beach: Browse the offerings
on Retro Row and the boutique shops in
Belmont Shore.
Boat tour: Stop in Lake
Arrowhead for a narrated
tour that includes history,
celebrity homes, and
movie locations.
AREA OF DETAIL
San
Francisco
ancis
Los
Angeles
San
Diego
South
Coast
Plaza
Two Bunch
Palms
Parker Palm Springs
PALM
SPRINGS
Pioneertown
ALLEN J. SCHABEN/GETTY IMAGES
http://www.VISITCALIFORNIA.COM
California Road Trips Guide - 2021

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