The Fun Zone: Los Angeles, Disneyland, and Mountains

Depart easygoing Long Beach Airport and set out to explore Long Beach, a port city where massive cargo ships dot the bay, the high-tech Aquarium of the Pacific inspires oceanic awe, and locals cherish the laid-back, beachy vibes. Start with a Spanish latte at Rad Coffee, a café with pinball machines and skate-culture DNA. Head over to Alamitos Bay to board one of Gondola Getaway’s Venetian-style gondolas. You’ll float along meandering canals, under five bridges, and past multi-million-dollar homes as your gondolier steers your flatboat with a single oar. Once you’re back on dry land, drive a few blocks to the tip of Alamitos Peninsula and join the crowd at Ballast Point Brewing. Soak in blue-water vistas and Grapefruit Sculpin IPAs, then order fish tacos and linger till after the sun sets. 

Launch your surfboard into the waves at Huntington Beach—aka Surf City USA—or just plop down on the sand by Huntington Pier and watch the experts strut their stuff. Life in this hang-10 town revolves around beach-focused pleasures: pedaling cruiser bikes on the paved oceanfront path, sipping rummy cocktails at sea-view bars, and feeling the glow of evening bonfires on the sand. A visit to the International Surfing Museum is a must, plus a stroll along Huntington’s 1,850-foot-long pier, one of the West Coast’s longest. When evening comes, join the locals at the comedy show at The Rec Room and laugh till your stomach hurts, then check into the Kimpton Shorebreak. Take advantage of the hotel’s firepits, s’mores kits, loaner boogie boards, and bikes—and don’t miss Aaron Chang’s mesmerizing ocean photos, which are displayed in an onsite gallery. 

Cruise south along Highway 1 to Newport Beach, famous for its yacht harbor filled with thousands of boats. Rent an electric Duffy and take a self-guided sightseeing cruise around Newport Bay—no boating experience needed. If you’re craving a little exercise, rent a stand-up paddleboard and stroke your way around the harbor’s placid waters. Dip into the local culture by riding the historic ferry to Balboa Island, then sample Newport’s classic summertime dessert: frozen bananas dipped in chocolate. Give your credit cards a workout at Fashion Island, home to Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, and other coveted brands, or head over to Lido Marina Village to browse chic boutiques and dine at waterfront restaurants like Malibu Farm and Circle Hook Fish Company.

Don your Mickey Mouse ears and prepare for a day of fairy-tale pixie dust in Anaheim’s No. 1 attraction—Disneyland. It’s impossible to take in all the magic in one day, but pack in as much as you can by starting early and staying late. Zip around in a bobsled on the snow-frosted Matterhorn. Sing yo-ho-ho with swashbuckling scoundrels on the Pirates of the Caribbean floating tour. Hang out with holographic ghosts in the Haunted Mansion. Zoom through outer space on Space Mountain’s thrilling roller coaster. In between the rides, fill up on only-at-Disney food, like Mickey-shaped beignets and a turkey leg as big as your head. When the last fireworks fade out over Sleeping Beauty Castle, retreat to your room at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. You’ll sleep with a Cheshire Cat smile on your face. 

Trade Southern California’s valleys for its pine-dotted mountains with a curvy, view-filled drive to Big Bear Lake’s alpine playground. This ski-resort town plays hard in winter, but its fun-loving spirit shines bright in summer too. Family-friendly attractions include the Mineshaft Coaster, a bobsled-style ride with hairpin turns, tunnels, bridges, and 360-degree corkscrews; and the Time Bandit pirate ship, a miniature Spanish galleon that sails across the lake. (Belt out a few yo-ho-hos while the swashbuckling crew entertains you with corny pirate jokes.) Big Bear Village is a convenient spot for strolling, shopping, and dining. Pick up mountain-themed souvenirs at Bear Essentials, browse the smiling chainsaw-carved bears at Kirby’s Custom Carvings, and end the day sipping craft beer at Big Bear Lake Brewing Company.

Lake Arrowhead has elevation with benefits: At around 5,200 feet, summer temperatures are 20 degrees cooler than in the inland valleys, creating ideal weather for outdoor fun. Start by fueling up with Belgian waffles (brunch) or waffle fries and a sandwich (lunch) at Belgian Waffle Works’ lakeside patio. Then get out on Lake Arrowhead’s sparkling waters with a wakeboard lesson at McKenzie Water Ski School. Head over to SkyPark at Santa’s Village, a year-round playground that offers zip-lining, rock climbing, and mountain biking in the summer months. At sunset, nab a table for cocktails and burgers at Lakefront Taproom or craft beers at Lake Arrowhead Brewing Company. Spend the night in a chalet at UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge, which offers comfy beds and more ways to play: tennis, volleyball, basketball, pickleball, plus a rock wall and a ropes course. 

Head back downhill to San Bernardino and drive a stretch of historic Route 66. Rediscover cool 20th-century kitsch at the unofficial McDonald’s Museum, constructed on the site where brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald’s in 1940. Scan the shelves filled with Happy Meals toys and see replicas of McDonaldland characters like the Hamburglar and Grimace. Then pop over to Mitla Café, a favorite Route 66 food stop since 1937. Ask the regulars and they’ll tell you to order the cheesy chile relleno. For a memorable overnight stay, sleep in a 32-foot-tall teepee at the Wigwam Motel, one of Route 66’s most photographed attractions. 

For your trip’s final day, pull out all the stops in Downtown Los Angeles. At L.A. Live, snap selfies with larger-than-life statues of Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Wayne Gretzky outside Crypto.com Arena. Take a drum lesson from Ringo at the Grammy Museum.Bowl a few frames at Lucky Strike. Sip a martini at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse. Listen to edgy live music at The Novo or belt out karaoke at the Egyptian-themed Shrine Room. Raise a toast to the City of Angels amid the glittering views at Broken Shaker, the rooftop pool bar atop Freehand LA. When your adrenaline finally wanes, drift off to sleep at Freehand’s stylish shared-accommodations-hotel and dream about your next trip to Southern California.