10 TOP Things to Do in Southern California October 2026

A city skyline at dusk with illuminated buildings and palm trees in the foreground.

A sunset over a beach with people walking and a sailboat in the distance.

An aquarium with large glass windows, various fish species, and aquatic plants.

A nighttime city skyline with illuminated buildings reflected in the water.

A cityscape with a prominent skyline, a body of water, and a bridge in the distance.

Southern California Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Southern California has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Southern California, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Southern California with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Southern California

Southern California is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Southern California, and make it a breeze to explore Southern California and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Southern California to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Southern California, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Southern California.

Southern California attractions

Southern California has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Southern California to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Southern California.

Looking for things to do in Southern California can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Southern California or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Southern California attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Things to do

Los Angeles: Natural History Museum of LA Entry Ticket

£13

per adult

96% of travellers recommend

Museum Row Tour: Space, Dinosaurs and Sports at Exposition Park

£51

per adult

Los Angeles Ports of Call Tours

£119

per adult

Los Angeles Self-Driving Audio Tour with Must-Sees and Hidden Gems

£10

per traveller

Shared 8-Hour Los Angeles City Sightseeing Tour from Long Beach

£96

per adult

84% of travellers recommend

City Tour of Los Angeles from Long Beach and San Pedro Cruise Terminals

£119

per adult

96% of travellers recommend

Tour of LA and Hollywood from Norwegian Cruise Ship Terminal

£119

per adult

Los Angeles FC Football Game at BMO Stadium

£80

per adult

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Top places to visit

1. Universal Studios Hollywood

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A castle with multiple spires and a roller coaster in front.

2. LEGOLAND® California

LEGOLAND® California Resort is a kid’s dream come true with more than 60 rides, shows and attractions based around the famous click-and-build toy. The amusement park, LEGO®-themed hotel and water park are located in the oceanside town of Carlsbad, 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of San Diego.

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A detailed model of a cityscape with prominent buildings, including a large dome structure resembling a capitol building, surrounded by lush greenery and smaller architectural models.

3. Disney California Adventure® Park

Disney California Adventure® Park opened in 2001, right next door to the original Disneyland® Park in Anaheim, Orange County. Years in the making, the 27-hectare (67-acre) park was created to reflect the hope and optimism which drew a young Walt Disney to California in the 1920s, and to create a new canvas on which to present Disney’s latest creations. The Park features thrill rides, state-of-the-art shows, and attractions that are often culturally rich and educational. And fun is never far away! 

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A water park with a large Ferris wheel and a roller coaster.

4. Crypto.com Arena

Visit the STAPLES Center and see a major sporting or entertainment event. This arena is home to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. Take a tour of downtown Los Angeles and view the STAPLES Center or book a ticket for a major event.

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A statue of a basketball player in a yellow jersey with the number 32, pointing to the Staples Center.

5. San Diego Zoo

Prepare to be amazed and enchanted by the diversity of animal life on display at San Diego Zoo, which welcomes 5 million visitors a year. The 100-acre (40-hectare) site is home to around 4,000 animals from more than 650 species and subspecies. Most exhibits are open air, and designed to be as close to the natural habitats of the animals they house as possible.

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A zoo entrance with a panda sculpture, ticket booth, and people.

6. Venice Beach

Surf, sun and sand take a backseat to the loud and lively human carnival on parade along the Venice Beach Boardwalk. There’s never a dull moment for people-watching in this sun-drenched bohemian enclave of artists, musicians, poets, singers, skateboarders and jugglers. From chain-sawing acrobats to fire-breathing cyclists, you’ll find Los Angeles at its most ostentatious, eccentric and unrestrained. Just remember to tip performers if you watch most of their show or take their photograph.

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A beach with a skate park and palm trees.

7. SeaWorld

SeaWorld® San Diego, located in trendy Mission Beach, has been pleasing crowds ever since it opened in 1964 and is a must for anyone traveling with children. Kids and adults alike flock to the many exhibits offering opportunities to interact with marine animals. Touch, feed and give training signals to the performing bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Point. With prearranged permission, you can even don a wetsuit and jump into the water with the majestic beluga whales.

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A dolphin show at a water park with a large digital backdrop and a dolphin jumping out of the water.

Recommended things to do in Southern California

Number of things to do
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	:
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Southern California

Stay near popular Southern California attractions

A water park area with a water slide, pool, and lounge chairs.

Disneyland® Resort

9.4/10 (34,950 reviews)

The original Disney theme park enchants with iconic rides and immersive themed lands. Splurge on a VIP tour to bypass lines and access exclusive viewing areas for nighttime spectaculars.

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