Last December, Cooper and I ventured to the West Coast for our last “hoorah” before becoming parents. California has always been at the top of my bucket list, and after five days of cruising the Pacific Coast Highway and not encountering one traffic jam, Southern California is arguably more enjoyable in the off-season. We stayed in an Airbnb in Laguna Beach and spent lots of time in Dana Point, San Clemente and Newport Beach.
Here are a few ideas to add to your list on your next trip to SoCal:
Dana Wharf
A whale-watching excursion is a must, no matter the time of year. Do yourself a favor and bring layers in the colder months. A mistake Cooper will never make again! We got lucky on our trip and saw tons of dolphins, plus a gray whale and her calf! Rarely is there a time when you don’t encounter something in the water! The staff was incredibly friendly and made the journey memorable.
The Rusty Pelican
Another perk of the off-season is the dining situation. We were able to walk right into some of the best restaurants in the area without a reservation and be seated immediately. One of our favorite meals was from The Rusty Pelican in Newport Beach. The sea bass and swordfish were delicious beyond belief. Going at sunset provided quite the view!
San Diego Zoo
A failed attempt to go to Disneyland for my first time resulted in Plan B. I am a big fan of zoos, and this one did not disappoint. Consistently voted one of the top in the nation, the San Diego Zoo transported you to the land of each exhibit with themed walkways and trails. Most of the animals were awake! We ended the day with a walk around Coronado Island.
A whale-watching excursion is a must, no matter the time of year.