A warm climate and wide variety of activities make Southern California a popular vacation destination for people from all over the world. While some parts of the country have to scale back during the colder winter months, Southern California is able to keep rolling along with myriad fun and challenging outdoor adventures. Winter activities in Southern California stretch from the mountains to the beaches and back again.
Sports in the snow
Snow sports are not necessarily synonymous with the Golden State, but Southern California has its share of winter activities. This includes snowboarding and downhill skiing at resorts like Bear Mountain in Big Bear Lake, California. Snow-covered mountains are reasonably accessible from much of Southern California, and some ambitious adventurers have even skied and surfed on the same day. For more information and ski conditions, visit www.bearmountain.com
Hitting the surf
Surfing is the type of sport that has an almost religious following, particularly among residents in Southern California. The water certainly isn’t toasty warm in the winter, but that doesn’t stop surfers from putting on a wet suit and chasing some waves. The surf is always up, and plenty of individuals surf the entire year. One popular spot for surfing is Huntington Beach, which is known as “Surf City USA.” Keep that moniker in mind for more information. Huntington Beach’s website is located at www.surfcityusa.com.
Exploring the mountains
Southern California is known for beautiful beaches, but the lower half of the state also includes picturesque mountains. In the winter months, hiking can be a great way to get outdoors, enjoy some exercise and see panoramic views of Los Angeles. There are a number of different trails in the area; the most popular are the “Heart of Hollywood Hike” and the gorgeous Griffith Park Trails. For information and maps, visit http://discoverlosangeles.com/play/activities-and-recreation/outdoors-and-sports/hiking-in-los-angeles-la-s-best-hiking-trails.html
Hitting the links
Many golf courses shut down during the winter in other parts of the country, but in Southern California they're open for business year-round. A few days might get rained out here and there, but there are plenty of opportunities to play a round throughout the southland. Courses can be found in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, and for those who also want to go on a boat ride, there's the Catalina Island Golf Course in Avalon. For the best Southern California golf courses, visit http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/unitedstates/california/calig11.html
Fitness in the sun
There is something refreshing about rollerblading or biking along the ocean shore while the sun shines brightly in the month of February. For residents, this is a reason to live in Southern California, and for tourists it's a reason to visit. Biking and rollerblading can be found all the way from Balboa Island in the south to Venice Beach in the north. Adventures in Southern California aren’t complete without some beach sports along the ocean.
