Let’s get one thing straight before we go anywhere: this isn’t an anti-LA post. Los Angeles earns its reputation, and for most Aussies, it’s the first – wonderful! – taste of California they ever get. You land at LAX, jet-lagged and squinting into that famous flat, golden light, and within a day you’ve probably ticked off half the greatest hits. The Hollywood sign from a distance, a wander down the Walk of Fame, sunset at Santa Monica Pier, an obligatory In-N-Out stop, maybe a drive past the mansions on Rodeo Drive just to say you did. It’s a genuinely great city, and deserves its moment in the sun.
But LA is also where most Australian trips to California start and, more often than not, end. Which is a shame, because the state does some of its finest work once you’re out of the basin. Here are six places worth building into your Golden State itinerary, each with its own distinct character, none of them trying to be a Los Angeles understudy.
Santa Cruz: The Wildcard
Santa Cruz doesn’t get nearly enough credit, considering it’s the birthplace of mainland surfing in the US. It’s a compact stretch of coast, one of the smallest counties in California, yet it holds its own in state parks and beaches. Think a century-old boardwalk, a coastal food scene built on decades of local craft, and a place that still manages to surprise. A natural fit for road-trippers, hikers and anyone chasing a wave without the crowds of somewhere more famous.
Greater Palm Springs: The Surf-and-Turf Playmaker
Desert meets water in a way that shouldn’t work, but does at Greater Palm Springs – which is home to more than 100 golf courses, two desert surf clubs, and natural hot mineral springs scattered through the region. It looks laid-back on the surface, but rewards anyone willing to dig a little deeper – tee off at sunrise, catch a wave by midday, and be soaking in a hot spring before the sun goes down. A refined pick for golfers, wellness travellers and anyone after a trip that departs from the usual coastal loop.
Huntington Beach: The Wavemaker
If Santa Cruz is where mainland surfing began, Huntington Beach is where it earned its name: Surf City USA. Sixteen kilometres of coastline, a storied surf culture, and a beach lifestyle that’s bold, sun-drenched and unmistakably Californian. Between the biking and skating along the boardwalk, the coastal dining and the beach bonfires, it’s built for anyone who wants their holiday to run on sun, salt water and good food.
San Francisco: The City Where the World Comes to Play
San Francisco doesn’t need to sprawl to feel expansive. Within roughly 49 square miles, you’ve got Alcatraz, the cable cars, a world-class arts and culture scene, and a sporting pulse that runs deep. It’s a city that rewards curiosity – nature lovers, culture vultures, sports fans and food lovers all find their own version of San Francisco here, from a Mission-style burrito to an afternoon at Oracle Park.
Anaheim: The Playmaker
Anaheim has an image problem. Not a bad one, per se. Just a challenge in that most people think they know exactly what it is before they arrive (The Happiest Place on Earth!), then end up staying longer than planned. Yes, it’s home to the Disneyland Resort, but it’s also quietly built a serious craft beer and food hall scene, including an old citrus packing warehouse reborn as one of Orange County’s best gourmet food halls. Between the Honda Center, the breweries and the food culture, it’s a place that rewards the traveller who stays curious past the theme park gates.
Marina del Rey: The Home Water Advantage
Just six kilometres from LAX sits the largest man-made marina in North America, home to around 5,000 boats and a noticeably calmer pace than the city it borders. Marina del Rey is built for slowing down – whale watching, paddleboard yoga, sunset boat rides, a spa afternoon, dinner on the water. If you want a serene seaside base without straying far from your flight home, this is it.
California Love
If The Golden State has a soundtrack, it’s a long one. Tupac rapped aboyut his California love, the Beach Boys were wishing they could all be California GIrls (and surfing USA long before Huntington claimed the title officially), the Eagles checked into the Hotel California and never quite left, and Katy Perry made California girls sound unforgettable. So follow their cues and explore its range – desert to coastline, big city to small county, theme park to marina – and most of it sits within a few hours of LAX.
The trick is to enjoy your day in LA. Just don’t let it be the whole trip..
