Picture it: blue ocean waves, tall palm trees, surf culture, shop after shop after shop catering to tourists, fashionistas, and foodies alike, maybe even a few movie star sightings. Can you tell what I'm describing? Did you guess Los Angeles? Wrong!


In my week-long trip to southern California I didn't set foot in Los Angeles once! And I'm not even upset about it. Here are my Top 5 Southern California Destinations that'll keep you away from the crazy of LA:

1. Enjoy a sunset dinner at The Cliff at Laguna Beach. Don't worry too much about the cooler California coastal evenings -- the patio comes equipped with heaters. After dinner, sit around the fire pits and listen to live music (and maybe get in some dancing) under the string light canopy.  If you can catch Steve Maggiora there, do it!

  

2. Catch a baseball game at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim (being an Angels fan is not required). The stadium is gorgeous and the fans are fun! If you're lucky, you may even get a funny rally monkey video on the big screen.


3. Relive history in San Juan Capistrano. First, tour the beautiful Mission and gardens. Follow that excursion with a drink at Swallow's Inn, the diviest of all dive bars you'll ever see. And finish the day with dinner next to President Nixon's table at El Adobe (I recommend the blue crab enchiladas & table-side guacamole!)
4. Get dressed up and take the train to Del Mar Racetrack to spend an afternoon at the races for #OpeningDayDel Mar. You'll want to buy your Amtrak tickets in advance and arrive at the station earlier enough to ensure you'll get a seat -- especially if you're traveling in a large group. This is the place to bust out your nicest or most creative hat, ladies!

5. The San Diego Zoo is by far the best zoo I've ever been to -- and I've heard good things about the Safari Park, too but we didn't have time to stop there.

And lastly - stop wherever you want and take in the view! These are some honorable mentions :)

Catch the pig races at the Orange County Fair

Follow along on instagram for our restaurant recommendations, behind the scenes, and more Austin to-dos! And pin these images to save this post for your trip to Southern California!