Travel Ideas: The Best Day Trips From Southern California

Solvang's many Danish-American residents work hard to preserve the town's Danish heritage, which is celebrated annually during the month of September during Solvang's Danish Days festival. During Danish Days, visitors can immerse themselves in the town's local flavor and customs, including Danish folk dancing, music and food. Those interested in Solvang's history can find information, including displays depicting the lives of early settlers, at the Elverhoy Museum of History and Art. Several self-guided walking tours are also available, starting from either one of the town's two visitor centers. Or, enjoy a guided tour from a Danish streetcar pulled by Belgian horses. The town also boasts a number of museums celebrating not only the history of the town's European settlers, but also that of the local Chumash Indian tribe and California's cowboy heritage. Of particular interest is the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, located in the Book Loft, which documents the life of perhaps the world's most well-known Danish citizen.

Of course, no visit to Solvang would be complete without indulging in the plentiful local Danish and German cuisine, including sausages, meatballs, Danish pastries and aebleskiver, Danish pancake balls sprinkled with powdered sugar and traditionally topped with jam. Visitors can also sample German and other international beers at several restaurants in town, most notably the Heidelberg Inn's Beer Garden. There are lots of opportunities for shopping. The Solvang Antique Center offers antiques from around the world. For book lovers, a visit to the Book Loft is a must. I could spend an entire day just browsing through the shelves upon shelves of new and antique books. And, for those who wish to extend their visit, Solvang offers a good selection of hotels, most very reasonably priced.

Don't let the outward appearance of this sleepy Danish village fool you. There is no shortage of activities for visitors to Solvang and the surrounding area. Guests can enjoy wine tasting at a number of wineries in the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley, which is known in particular for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties. Jeep tours of the area, including the wineries, are available. The region features four golf courses, each offering spectacular views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The sportsman can also enjoy fly fishing at nearby Alisal Lake, a private lake offering personal fly fishing instruction. Solvang is home to the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. During the company's summer season, performances are held beneath the stars in the outdoor festival theater. And, just three miles east of Solvang, is the Chumash Casino Resort, a Las Vegas-style casino offering slot machines, table gaming, poker and bingo. The Resort also features fine dining, entertainment and a four-diamond hotel.

Solvang is located approximately 140 miles north of Los Angeles, a drive of about two hours and fifteen minutes. Take US-101 northbound to CA-246, then drive east on CA-246 less than five miles into Solvang. For more information, contact the Solvang Conference and Visitor's Bureau.

CORONADO

I have traveled all over the state, but I have to say I never felt more like a "California girl" than I did when I was growing up in Coronado, a charming little beach town just across the bay from San Diego. Nicknamed the "Crown City" of the San Diego Bay area, Coronado epitomizes the southern California experience. Its beaches were recently named the third most romantic in the United States. Situated on a peninsula in southernmost California, Coronado is a study in contrasts. I never quite got over the fact that one could travel over the Bay Bridge from San Diego, the second largest city in the state and the seventh largest city in the nation, and within minutes arrive in a sleepy little beach town that seems an entire world away. Coronado offers an opportunity for sun and sand, peace and quiet, relaxation and rejuvenation, with all of the amenities of the big city just across the Bay.

The nearly two miles of Silver Strand's white sand beach offers every beach-loving activity you can imagine, from sunbathing to surfing, swimming and scuba diving. It was on this very beach that I learned to ride a motorcycle and made my first (and last) attempt at surfing. Just for fun, enjoy the 15-minute ferry ride across San Diego Bay, rather than driving over the Bay Bridge. The town offers miles of coastal bike paths, a golf course situated right on the Bay and live theater at Lamb's Players Theatre or the Coronado Playhouse. There is plenty of shopping at the Ferry Landing Marketplace or in downtown Coronado. Visitors can stay at one of the town's many hotels and dine at any number of cafes and restaurants, many of which offer outdoor dining. San Diego Bay dinner cruises run seven days a week. The more adventurous might enjoy a whale watching excursion. For romance, nothing beats a Coronado sunset or a gondola ride at Loews Coronado Bay Resort. Also, be sure to check out the town's special events calendar before your visit to take advantage of the local flavor: My favorite childhood memories include grunion hunting with my dad at Gator Beach, watching the fireworks sparkle over the Bay on Fourth of July and seeing the palm trees lining the median on Orange Avenue, the town's main street, all lit up and decorated by local school children for the town's annual Christmas parade.

Not to be missed is the historic Hotel Del Coronado, a Victorian architectural marvel constructed in 1888 and now designated a National Landmark. The Hotel Del, as it is affectionately called by locals, is the largest wooden structure in the United States. Named one of the top ten resorts in the world by USA Today and the number one wedding destination in America by the Travel Channel, this beautiful resort is situated right on Silver Strand State Beach. Visitors to the Hotel Del will feel as if they have been transported back in time. The Hotel is steeped in history and has played host to a number of well-known guests over the years, including Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Charles Lindbergh and Marilyn Monroe. Monroe's famous comedy "Some Like It Hot" was filmed at the Hotel in 1958. The Hotel Del Coronado boasts as its longest-staying guest the ghost of Kate Morgan, a beautiful, 24-year old woman who, some say, has inhabited a room at the Hotel since her death there in 1892. While official reports indicate that Ms. Morgan committed suicide, there is speculation that she was murdered by her husband, Tom Morgan, a gambler and con artist who apparently was not happy about his young wife's pregnancy and desire to settle down.

Coronado is approximately 125 miles south of Los Angeles, a trip of less than two hours by car. Travel south on US-101, then take the I-5 south to San Diego. The CA-75 exit will take you across the San Diego Bay Bridge and right into the town of Coronado. For more information or to request a free visitor guide, contact the Coronado Visitor's Center.

VENICE BEACH

Southern California daytrippers don't have to travel far to find something well off the beaten path. Just west of Los Angeles is Venice Beach, a funky beach community with a fascinating history. Venice, California, was founded in 1905 with the idea of recreating Venice, Italy, right here in America. And yes, there are canals and gondolas. But today, while some of the canals and original Italian-style architecture remain, that is where the comparison ends. Over the years, Venice Beach has taken on a unique personality of its own. In fact, I would venture to say that Venice Beach is the weirdest, most eclectic town in the United States. And I mean "weird" in the very best sense of the word. On any given day, you might encounter tie-dyed hippies reminiscent of the 60s, or roller disco queens straight out of the 80s, or perhaps a group of street performers"¦one of whom is actually juggling chainsaws.

Venice Beach has a rich history. It is the home of the famed Muscle Beach, the outdoor gym where fitness innovators like Jack LaLanne and Joe Gold showed off their strength in the 1930s and 1940s. Arnold Schwarzenegger used to pump iron here, too, and a subculture of bodybuilders still gathers at Muscle Beach daily to work out in plain view of visitors. Venice Beach has also been called the birthplace of The Doors. Jim Morrison lived at the canals in the 1960s. In the early years, The Doors performed for locals and at area nightclubs. Oliver Stone filmed much of his film biography The Doors in Venice Beach. In fact, Venice Beach's unique brand of quirkiness has long made it a favorite Hollywood film location. Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, all shot movies in Venice Beach at the turn of the century. Romy and Michelle had an apartment in Venice Beach, as did Bridget Fonda in Point of No Return and Sandra Bullock in The Net. Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes played basketball on the Venice Beach courts in White Men Can't Jump. Linda Blair celebrated the Venice Beach roller skating craze in Roller Boogie. Richard Gere filmed scenes here in American Gigolo. Edward Norton's American History X was set entirely in Venice Beach. And many episodes of the popular television series Bay Watch were filmed here. So, it's not uncommon for visitors to stumble onto a Hollywood film crew. During one of my trips to Venice Beach, Michael Douglas was there on location filming scenes for Falling Down.

The Bohemian atmosphere of Venice Beach is relaxing and fun. Visitors may find it quite crowded, particularly on summer weekends, but it's worth braving the crowds. Enjoy a variety of unique street performers and local celebrities, including the guy with the turban who plays the guitar while rollerblading""anyone who's ever been there knows who I'm talking about. Sidewalk artists, musicians and drum circles will keep you entertained. If you're up for it, you can get a tattoo, have your palm read, have your picture drawn or have your hair braided. There are plenty of opportunities for bargain shopping in Venice Beach for everything from tie-dyed t-shirts to paintings. Sidewalk cafés, food stands and pubs are everywhere. People-watching as you stroll along Ocean Front Walk is probably the most enjoyable pastime and, frankly, it's going to be hard to peel your eyes away from all that's going on around you. My recommendation is that you park it at a sidewalk café on Ocean Front Walk for a bit, enjoy a burger or a slice of pizza and a cold beer, and marvel at the circus that is Venice Beach. I promise you won't be bored. For those who want to actually partake in the craziness, biking and roller blading are highly recommended ways to get in on the fun. And, if you can tear yourself away from Ocean Front Walk and actually make it to the beach, there is plenty of opportunity for volleyball and the Five S's: Sunbathing, swimming, surfing, sailing and, of course, sandcastle building. Visitors to Venice Beach in December should be sure to take in the boat parade along the brightly lit canals. For those who wish to stay overnight, lodging is limited in Venice Beach itself, but plentiful in nearby Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica.

Venice Beach is approximately 15 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. From points north of Los Angeles, take US-101 southbound to I-405 southbound (San Diego Freeway South/Santa Monica), then take the Venice Boulevard exit and travel west to Venice Beach. From points south of Los Angeles, take I-405 northbound to CA-90 west towards Marina Del Rey.