#TravelTuesday – Spring in SoCal!

Location: California

Top Cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, San Francisco, Sacramento, Napa

Spotlight City: Southern California (region)

Welcome to sunny Southern California and don’t let the TV shows fool you; this beautiful area is much more than the drama-filled reality shows suggest.

Top Food: Cedar Creek Inn, Rubios, 1500 Ocean, In and Out Burger

Southern California is a treasure trove of exquisite restaurants but we’ve compiled a list we think shows the range of food SoCal brings to the table.

Let’s start with fast food. Forget McDonalds and TacoBell! SoCal has In and Out Burger and Rubios. In and Out Burger is the ultimate burger joint with perfectly cut fries, big juicy burgers, and thick, old fashioned milk shakes that has even my non-burger-eating-self craving them. Once you try it, you’ll know what I mean. Not in the mood for a burger? Well then head over to Rubios Mexican restaurant! Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall authentic Mexican place. But it is, by far, the best Mexican fast food you’ll ever have. Fresh fish tacos, shrimp tacos, taquitos, delicious Mexican rice, all the chips and salsa you could possibly want, and to top it all off…fresh churros – little wands of cinnamon sugar heaven. Both of these are chain restaurants so you can find them just about anywhere you go and they’re perfect for a quick meal on the go!

Next on the menu, we’re going backwards to brunch at Cedar Creek. Although their menu boasts many delicious dishes, nothing quite hits the spot like the Monte Cristo Sandwich. “Turkey, ham, and swiss on egg bread, dipped in a light batter and grilled; served with raspberry preserves and fresh fruit” It is fresh, sweet, salty, crunchy, and soft all at the same time!

Finish of a day of adventures with a decadent beach-front meal at 1500 Ocean. “Inspired by its beachfront setting, Hotel del Coronado’s signature restaurant 1500 OCEAN spotlights California Coastal cuisine with fresh local ingredients. Start with a craft cocktail at the Sunset Bar overlooking the Pacific, and then venture inside for an epicurean adventure of seasonal dishes paired with exceptional wines.”

Top Entertainment: Disneyworld, Irvine Spectrum, Crystal Cathedral

A trip to SoCal isn’t complete without a trip to Disneyland of course where you can discover all of Disney’s wonderful magic brought to life! But a few other adventures include shopping and dining at the Irvine Spectrum where the antique carrousel, fountains, and spectrum lights alone could entertain you for hours and the Crystal Cathedral. The Crystal Cathedral is not just a spectacular work of visual art; it is also an acoustic masterpiece, housing the 5th largest organ in the world and a live Nativity show with flying angels on high wires, live farm animals, and a beautiful choir. The more than 10,000 panes of glass were designed to withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake.

Top Adventures: Salt Creek Beach, Catalina Island, Saddleback Mountain, Wild Animal Park,

For those interested in a little more adventure, California is the ultimate in outdoor activities. Take a walk, ride some waves, or collect shells at the beautiful Salt Creek Beach. In the winter, head up the beach to the Ritz Carlton for the tree lighting ceremony! Take a beautiful cruise out to Catalina Island or go whale watching! Looking for some real rough and tumble? Hit the trails on Saddleback Mountain, but be sure to take your walking stick and keep an eye out for the mountain lions! Speaking of lions, get a little wild at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, featuring a tram that will take you on a tour of the entire park!