SoCal Close-Ups

by Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times (Editor)

The tourists think big. Arriving in Southern California, they expect to conquer Disneyland and Hollywood, perhaps on the same day, in between the surfing and snowboarding.The locals think small. Tracing tight little loops between home and work, they dodge freeways and alien neighborhoods. So whether you’re a tourist or a local in Southern California, you’re probably leaving some fun on the table.This is our bid to fix that. This collection of play days is designed to give you hundreds of options, sprawling across seven counties. Nature, culture, show biz, kid stuff, you name it. If you’re from far away, it could last you decades. If you’re local, think of this as three years and 11 months of weekends. By the time you’re done, I plan on being ready with more.Updated with seven new Tree and the DesertAround San DiegoAround Santa BarbaraSan Diego's North CountySanta Barbara Wine CountryCoachella ValleyMountain RetreatsTwelve original Los AngelesInland Orange CountyLos Angeles Park NeighborhoodsSan Fernando ValleyCoastal Orange CountyLong Beach, San Pedro, CatalinaVenice, Santa Monica, MalibuThe South BayWestside Los AngelesWest Hollywood To WilshireAround PasadenaHollywood

395 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2012