My parents recently moved to Southern California to the LA area and are getting settled into their new home in that part of the world.  After living in Saudi Arabia and Hawaii, it’s been so much fun over the years to visit them in the various places they’ve lived.  Going forward, as travel is continuoulsy restricted abroad due to COVID-19, I’m hoping to really take advantage of their new home in Southern California to visit some places in that area of the USA that we can access by car and places I’ve had on my travel list for a while.  These are some of the Southern California spots I want to explore in the next handful of years while my parents are close by and places that I’ve long wanted to spend some time exploring!

Ojai

This little area to the North West of LA has been on my list to explore more for years.  From the scenery to the local farms and boutique hotels, Ojai is top of my list to explore now that we’ll be spending more time in the Southern California area for the next handful of years.

Thanks to @desgnarlais for making this photo available freely on @unsplash

Death Valley

From sand dunes to these colorful “painted” hills, Death Valley National Park has long been a place I’ve had on my travel list to experience.  4 hours North East of LA, this National Park is a unique spot to see one of the hottest places on Earth and the landscapes that exist here.

Thanks to @juliekwak for making this photo available freely on @unsplash

Palm Springs

Palm Springs has been on my travel list forever and after seeing photos of colorful buildings and mid-century modern architecture for years, I’m hoping we make it there sometime this year.  Only a couple hours outside of LA, Palm Springs would be an easy day trip when in Southern California.

Thanks to Erin Hervey for making this photo available freely on @unsplash

Joshua Tree

This National Park a couple hours East of LA is all over Instagram and a quirky area to explore with a desert landscape.  I’m hoping to make it over there at some point in the next few years and go all out on the desert theme!

Thanks to Erin Hervey for making this photo available freely on @unsplash

Algodones Dunes

These dunes in South Eastern California have popped up on my Instagram feed a few times and I’ve slowly been moving them to the top of my most-wanted to see list in the Southern California.  The dunes feel like they’re in the middle of the Sahara Desert but are only a mere 3 hours from LA and I can’t wait to make it out there at some point in the near future.

Thanks to @joshbrown for making this photo available freely on @unsplash

Solvang

This little Danish town up the coast near Santa Barbara is a must visit for me at some point in the next couple of years.  I love towns that feel like Europe and I can’t wait to explore this one that’s only a couple hours from LA.

Thanks to @graphicillusion for making this photo available freely on @unsplash