Malibu Pier
Enjoy the Malibu Pier and enjoy a meal while taking in ocean views. I enjoyed an oat milk Chai Tea Latte from Malibu Farms Pier Cafe while watching surfers and paddle boarders pass by.
Escondido Falls (Malibu, CA)
Winter is the perfect time to visit Escondido Falls because the recent rains bring the waterfall to life.
Highlight: It's pretty much an easy hike to this waterfall. The contrast of lush greenery against the Santa Monica Mountains' looks like a postcard or a painting.
Heads Up: Parking fills up quick so opt for a morning weekday visit. Weekends tend to get crazy.
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Solstice Canyon (Malibu, CA)
Cooler weather typically means fewer crowds. I enjoyed the Solstice Canyon’s trails since I was able to explore the ruins without breaking a sweat.
Highlight: The Roberts Ranch House is like a blueprint of the past.
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| Ostrichland USA - feeding time |
Solvang
This Danish-inspired village is just 2 hours from Los Angeles, CA and during the winter, twinkling lights and cozy bakeries offer a warm escape. It was about 40 degrees when my brothers and I visited and I was freezing as we ate dinner outdoors.
Highlight: The winter decor makes the windmills and half-timbered houses feel like a storybook.
Heads Up: You can feed ostriches at Ostrichland USA and it's a family-friendly location.
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Nojoqui Falls (near Solvang)
Nojoqui Falls was a nice hike to a waterfall in the Santa Ynez Valley. Unfortunately, when I visited with my brothers, the water was barely a trickle instead of a strong waterfall. We still enjoyed the sounds of water cascading down the mountain. It was relaxing with the sounds of birds chirping combined with the reminiscent sounds of a water fountain.
Highlight: The short, hike to the falls makes it an easy, family-friendly adventure. The trail is paved but be careful on the way down. My brother slipped while wearing Vans sneakers.
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Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree an ideal outdoor spot, where you can hike, stargaze, and take in alien-like landscapes without the desert heat. I've visited in November and the weather was pleasant at ~70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Highlight: The starlit skies are unmatched, especially during a clear winter night.
Heads up: Always carry water with you as you don't want to be left stranded without cell signal. Fill your care up with a full tank of gas. Make sure to download offline maps from Google Maps as signals are spotty with AT&T. Luckily, my brother's T-Mobile phone worked when AT&T was in a dead zone.
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Pioneertown
This Old West movie set turned desert town is awesome in the winter. Quiet streets make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Highlight: A visit to Pappy & Harriet’s for live music and hearty food is a must. Check out the Red Dog Saloon for live music, queso, rolled tacos, and churros with chocolate dipping sauce. (I miss it so much already!)
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Palm Springs
Winter turns Palm Springs into a sunny paradise, perfect for lounging poolside or exploring mid-century modern architecture without the summer heat.
Highlight: The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers awesome views of the San Jacinto Mountains. If you're afraid of heights, this may be terrifying for you. You've been warned!
These locations are awesome to visit all year round and are family-friendly. Have you been to any of these locations? Let me know in the comments.
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Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
Hey, I'm Christy Scronce, a Filipina-American Los Angeles native and travel enthusiast. I love visiting new places and trying new food. Welcome to my adventure blog where I capture both State & National Park visits, family excursions, and road trips, while sharing my travel photos and recaps. My goal is to visit as many National Parks using my “America the Beautiful” annual pass. 
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