Seven-Day Southern California Adventures

  • Day 1: Santa Monica Pier
    10 minutes (1.3 miles) from Downtown Santa Monica

    The Santa Monica Pier is a landmark and popular attraction located in Santa Monica. It’s known for its amusement park, beautiful beach, and various attractions for tourists and locals to enjoy.

  • Day 2: Universal Studios Hollywood
    20 minutes (14 miles) from Santa Monica

    Universal Studios Hollywood is a highly rated theme park that offers guests an immersive experience featuring attractions based on popular movies and TV shows, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, and The Walking Dead.

  • Day 3: Disneyland
    1 hour (40 miles) from Universal Studios Hollywood

    The happiest place on earth, Disneyland is a theme park that offers visitors countless attractions and nostalgic experiences. The park is filled with Disney characters, rides, and entertainment, making for a memorable day with family and friends.

  • Day 4: La Jolla Cove
    2 hours (120 miles) from Disneyland

    La Jolla Cove is a charming beach area located in San Diego that offers visitors a breathtaking view of the ocean, marine life such as seals and sea lions, and thrilling activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

  • Day 5: USS Midway Museum
    25 minutes (11 miles) from La Jolla Cove

    The USS Midway Museum is a historical naval aircraft carrier turned museum that tells the story of America's longest-serving aircraft carrier through 60 exhibits, including restored aircraft and interactive simulations.

  • Day 6: Joshua Tree National Park
    2 hours (120 miles) from USS Midway Museum

    Joshua Tree National Park is a natural playground filled with unique rock formations, stunning vistas, and ecosystems. This park offers visitors an opportunity to hike, stargaze, rock climb, and camp.

  • Day 7: The Getty Villa
    2 hours (128 miles) from Joshua Tree National Park

    The Getty Villa is a Getty museum that showcases Ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. The Villa itself is a representation of an Ancient Roman country house and is surrounded by gorgeous gardens that transport visitors to the Classical World.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Santa Monica Pier (3-4 hours, free admission)
  • Universal Studios Hollywood (5-6 hours, starting at $109)
  • Disneyland (8-10 hours, starting at $104)
  • La Jolla Cove (4-5 hours, free admission)
  • USS Midway Museum (3-4 hours, starting at $26)
  • Joshua Tree National Park (6-8 hours, $30 entrance fee per vehicle)
  • The Getty Villa (3-4 hours, free admission with reservations)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $269+

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a day trip to Laguna Beach or exploring Coronado Island in San Diego. If you have less time, skip Disneyland or Joshua Tree National Park, as they are further away and require more time to fully enjoy.

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