Introduction to Summer Fun
Summer is almost here and with the delightful local weather, it’s time to get out of the house and go out and do something fun. So to help you decide how to spend your days outdoors, here are 12 ideas for fun stuff to do this summer.
Outdoor Activities
Get on the Ocean
There’s no need to be an official sea captain to get out on the water and drive your own boat in the open ocean. If that sounds like an adventure you can sail into, you can rent a boat at places like Marina Del Rey Boat Rentals. You just rent a boat by the hour, they’ll give you a quick safety lesson, hand you the keys, and off to the open ocean you go.
Information: marinadelreyboatrentals.com
Get Your Chili On
Old Town Tustin welcomes the summer every year with its annual Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off. Expect to try all kinds of chilis plus there will be live music, beer and wine gardens, and vendor booths. It takes place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 1 in Old Town Tustin between El Camino Real and Main Street.
Information: tustinca.org
Go to a Lake
While it may look like it’s a world away from the city, Lake Arrowhead is a good summer getaway that can even be done in a one-day trip. It’s located in the San Bernardino National Forest and visitors can go on lake tours, go hiking, or check out restaurants and do some shopping at a center that surrounds the lake. And if you want to make it an overnight trip, there are cabins for rent.
Information: lakearrowhead.com
Gondola Ride
You don’t have to travel to Venice, Italy, for a romantic gondola ride, just head over to Long Beach and book a boat at Gondola Gateway. The company will take people on various cruises, including around the romantic Naples Canals.
Information: Gondola Gateway is at 5437 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, gondolagetawayinc.com.
Cultural Events
Irish Fair
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the only time we can celebrate Irish culture because Wilson Park in Torrance is turning into one big green outdoor party at the Irish Fair Music Festival. The fair takes place June 14-15. People can expect live music, cultural dancers, and of course plenty of beer.
Information: bigirishfair.com
Outdoor Movies
There are so many outdoor movie series around now that Southern California pretty much becomes one big outdoor theater in the summer. You can find outdoor movies at the Rooftop Cinema Club, which screens films on rooftops in downtown Los Angeles. In Orange County, people can find films at the OC Parks Sunset Cinema series, while in the Inland Empire, you can find a list of outdoor movies on the city of Riverside’s website.
Information: rooftopcinemaclub.com, ocparks.com, riversideca.gov
Adventure and Leisure
Ride a Horse
There are plenty of places where you can get out and on a horse to stroll around nature. If you’re willing to hop on a boat, you can head out to Catalina Island Horseback Adventures or for a romantic couple’s ride around a lake, try Horse Play Rentals in Huntington Beach.
Information: Catalina Island Horseback Adventures is at catalinahorseback.com, Horse Play Rentals is at horseplayrental.com.
Scenic Bike Ride
There are bike trails and paths all over the area, but one of the most scenic ones is the Marvin Braude Bike Trail. It’s a 22-mile paved bicycle path that runs along the Los Angeles County coastline between Will Rogers State Beach near Malibu and Torrance Beach.
Information: You can download a map at beaches.lacounty.gov/la-county-beach-bike-path
Seaside Dining
One of the best ways to spend a summer day is eating at a nice restaurant right by the sand where you can get good food and nice views. In Malibu, one of the most popular beachside restaurants is Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, which has chairs and tables right on the sand. Or if you’re in the South Bay area, head to Surfer Girl, a new beachfront restaurant in Hermosa Beach that has a rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean.
Information: Paradise Cove Beach Cafe is at 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, www.paradisecovemalibu.com, Surfer Girl is at 1016 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, seaspritebeachclub.com/dining.
Smell the Roses
Get your nose ready for the beautiful smell of fresh roses when you visit Exposition Park Rose Garden. The historic 7-acre garden has more than 15,000 rose bushes. Just stroll along and take pics, just don’t take any of the roses.
Information: The garden is located at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, expositionpark.ca.gov
Festivals
Summerfest
Summer is part of the name of this festival, so yeah, it’s a fun summer activity that will include rides, a classic car show, live music, and more. Summerfest happens June 19-22 at The Recreation Center and Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley.
Information: summerfestfv.com.
Wine at the Park
Barnsdall Park’s Barnsdall Fridays Wine Tasting series, which happens every Friday from June 6 through Sept. 26, is a nice way to spend a summer evening at the park. It’s a picnic-like atmosphere as people bring blankets and hang out tasting wines on the park’s Olive Hill and its West lawn. There are also food trucks and a DJ.
Information: Barnsdall Park is at 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, barnsdall.org.
Conclusion
With these 12 fun activities, you’re sure to have a summer filled with adventure, relaxation, and enjoyment. Whether you’re into outdoor adventures, cultural events, or simply want to spend a leisurely day by the ocean, there’s something for everyone in Southern California.
FAQs
- Q: What are some outdoor activities to do in Southern California during the summer?
- A: Some outdoor activities include renting a boat and driving it in the open ocean, visiting Lake Arrowhead, going on a gondola ride, and riding a horse.
- Q: Are there any cultural events happening during the summer?
- A: Yes, events like the Irish Fair Music Festival, outdoor movie screenings, and the Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off are some of the cultural events you can attend.
- Q: Where can I find scenic bike trails in the area?
- A: The Marvin Braude Bike Trail is one of the most scenic bike trails, running along the Los Angeles County coastline.
- Q: What are some good seaside dining options?
- A: Paradise Cove Beach Cafe in Malibu and Surfer Girl in Hermosa Beach are highly recommended for their food and ocean views.
- Q: Are there any festivals happening during the summer?
- A: Yes, Summerfest in Fountain Valley and the Barnsdall Fridays Wine Tasting series in Los Angeles are two of the festivals you can attend.
