State Park Ridgeline Trails Sailing and Parasailing Disneyland Universal Studios Raging Waters Magic Mountain Surf Museum

San Clemente State Park – San Clemente State Park is located on the bluffs over looking San Clemente State Beach. San Clemente State Park is one of the most popular State Parks on the California coast for a variety of water sports, recreation, picnics, hiking and camping. Reservations are required. Call (949) 492-3156.

San Clemente Pier – Built in 1928, San Clemente Pier is a 1,296-foot long wooden municipal pleasure pier featuring spectacular Pacific Ocean views, fishing, indoor and outdoor restaurants, and a wonderful location to watch surfing competitions, sports activities and beach fun. A bait and tackle shop, a restaurant and bar greet visitors at the entrance to the pier, located near the end of Del Mar Street. San Clemente Pier is open from 4 a.m. until midnight.

San Clemente Fishing – Anglers can cast there lines from the historic San Clemente Pier at the break of dawn to get in some quality fishing. To the north, Dana Point Harbor offers daily fishing trips and to the south, you can take boat excursions out of Oceanside, which offers another spectacular pier to fish from. [Top]

San Clemente Ridgeline Trails – EnjoySan Clemente’s network of paved and dirt trails that span from the state beach, up the canyons and along the ridgelines. Trails provide a safe and serene walking, jogging, hiking and biking experience through San Clemente’s coastal rural environment. Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline Trail is a 3.5 mile walking, running, hiking, blading, biking and dog walking path with panoramic views of the coastline - from Dana Point Headlands to San Diego County beaches - and broad vistas of inland hills, valleys and mountains. While the trails are moderate, you will encounter several steep grades. There are six trail entrances and parking nearby. The ridgeline trails provide spectacular views of the coast and pristine coastal canyons in the bordering wildlife reserves. http://ci.san-clemente.ca.us/sc/Rec/Trails/RSC.

Dana Point Harbor – Nestled under soaring sandstone bluffs, Dana Point is one of the most beautiful and romantic harbors on the west coast and a hot spot for fishing boats, whale watching excursions and trips to Catalina Island. Dana Point Harbor features fine dining, shopping, sport fishing, parasailing, boat and sailboat rentals and spectacular whale watching and marine environment cruises. Passengers are only five minutes away from “Sea Lion Penthouse,” where you can see playful California sea lions, gray whales, and large schools of dolphin just off the shore. Call (949) 496-1094 or 661-7122.

Dana Point Whale Watching Tours – Celebrate the return of the gray whales, from December through March, as they migrate along the San Clemente and Dana Point coast. Dana Point is a navigational landmark for the whales during their migration according to ocean naturalists, so you can see the whales closer to shore. Experience whale watch trips and cruises, and get up close to these majestic giants as they dive the blue Pacific waters. Whale and dolphin encounters off Dana Point are very common and always exciting. Boat captains are very experienced, and will educate you on the whales and dolphins. Call Dana Point Harbor at (949) 496-5794. [Top]

Dana Point Fishing, Sailing and Parasailing - At the southern end of the wharf you'll find fishing vessels and sailboats waiting to whisk you out to your own ocean fishing excursion. Everything you need for a day or evening of fishing is supplied - bait and tackle, rod and reels, and expert assistance in catching and cleaning your fish. Go for a half or whole day, or enjoy a two day fishing cruise. Try parasailing outside the jetty, or rent a sailboat, powerboat or jet ski. Call (949) 496-5794.

Ocean Institute – The world's best experiential ocean educational organization, the Ocean Institute in Dana Point is nationally known for its hands-on marine science, environmental education and maritime history programs. Teachers and students participate in the Institute's 61 award-winning, immersion style programs and visit labs and touch tanks. To learn oceanography and science, students voyage into the ocean to feel and taste the salty sea spray, sort through live specimens, observe migrating whales and collect scientific data. To learn maritime history and literature, students spend the night aboard the brig Pilgrim,hauling lines, hoisting sails, standing watch and swabbing decks. Visit www.ocean-institute.org.

Catalina Island - Off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island looks like California did 200 years ago - a scenic wilderness of oak, cactus, and sage. The beautiful island offers secluded coves and beaches surrounded by ocean with lush kelp forests and abundant sea life. You can take the scenic Catalina Island Ferry right from Newport Beach, just a mile from the hotel.

DisneylandPark - From the charm of Main Street to the whimsy of Mickey's Toontown, your imagination soars in an enchanted kingdom of eight fantastic lands of magical entertainment and delight. At Disneyland Park, you’ll experience 60 attractions, 50 shops and 30 restaurants. Zoom through doom on Indiana Jones Adventure - a high-tech, adrenaline-pumping rush. Experience thrilling rides such as the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Splash Mountain. The "FastPass" helps keep waiting in line to a minimum. Visit www.disneyland.com.

Disney’s California Adventure - Disney's California Adventure is a 55-acre theme park next to Disneyland. Immerse yourself in a magical festival of shows, parades and attractions celebrating California's storied past and future. From the gold rush to Hollywood's golden era to the timeless allure of the beach, discover the Golden State. Enjoy five themed lands, including Sunshine Plaza, Paradise Pier, Hollywood Backlot Pictures, Golden State and the all-new A Bugs Land. Get ready for California Screamin', a looping rollercoaster with plenty of air-time, and Soarin' over California. Visit http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlr/landing/parkDCA. [Top]

Downtown Disneyland – Downtown Disney is a 300,000-square-foot dining, shopping, entertainment promenade. It features flagship entertainment facilities as a House of Blues, a 12-screen movie theater, and an ESPN Zone. There are also 15 shops, including the massive Disney store, seven full-service restaurants, and an open-air bar. It's a fun place to relax after a busy day at the theme parks. Visit http://disneyland.disney.go.com.

Dodger Stadium – Dodger Stadium is one of the crown jewels of professional sports and a landmark to West Coast expansion in Major League Baseball. Since 1962, Dodger Stadium has awed spectators with views of downtown Los Angeles, the tree-lined Elysian hills, and the San Gabriel Mountains. The 56,000-seat Dodger Stadium has hosted eight World Series, and the Dodgers have won four World Championships (1963, 1965, 1981 and 1988). Dodger Stadium field was named the best in baseball by Sports Illustrated in 2003. Visit www.dodgers.com.

Knott’s Berry Farm - Knott's Berry Farm, America's oldest and twelfth most-visited amusement park, re-creates the atmosphere of the Old West in six themed areas including Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, Wild Water Wilderness, Indian Trails, The Boardwalk and Camp Snoopy. In all, Knott's Theme Park features 160 acres of wild rides, live shows and family attractions. Visit www.knotts.com.

Legoland - LEGOLAND® California in Carlsbad features interactive entertainment for young fun-seekers with 50 family rides, action-packed live shows, attractions, restaurants and shops. Kids climb, operate, manipulate, and explore displays and attractions constructed out of Lego blocks. Enjoy a nature maze and power tower with an ocean view, a driving school with miniature cars and boats, a waterworks operated by joysticks and a junior roller coaster.Visit www.legoland.com. [Top]

Universal Studios Hollywood - The magic of the movies comes to life at Universal Studios Hollywood, a Los Angeles theme park and working studio. Universal Studios Hollywood, the world’s #1 motion picture and television studio, offers a backlot look at the film and TV industry, a working movie studio, the heritage of movies, and the stars of Hollywood. Enjoy thrills, magic, stunts and special effects when you take part in blockbuster movies. Visit www.universalstudios.com.

SeaWorld San Diego - Go below the surface, above the waves and beyond your expectations at SeaWorld San Diego. Meet animals up close, see wondrous creatures, and challenge yourself to games of skill and physical feats. From captivating panoramic views to splashing adventures, SeaWorld rides offer excitement and wonder. Experience a poolside meal with Shamu the Whale. From a spine-tingling 4-D movie to highflying dolphins, SeaWorld's spectacular shows will amaze. Visit www.seaworld.com.

San Diego Zoo - Visit the world-renowned, 100-acre, San Diego Zoo, which presents 4,000 rare and endangered birds, mammals, reptiles reside, and 6,500 varieties of exotic plants. Highlights include the Ituri Forest, Giant Pandas and Polar Bear Plunge. Visit www.sandiegozoo.org.

Wild Animal Park - An extension of the San Diego Zoo, the 2,200-acre preserve is designed to protect endangered species of animals from around the world. Exhibit areas have been carved out of the dry, dusty canyons and mesas to represent the animals' natural habitats -North Africa, South Africa, East Africa, Heart of Africa, Australian Rain Forest, Asian Swamps, and Asian Plains. See these preserves on the 50-minute railway. Visit www.sandiegozoo.org/wap/index.

Mission San Juan Capistrano - Jewel of the California Missions and home of the swallows, Mission San Juan Capistrano (1776), the 7th mission and birthplace of Orange County, stands as a monument to California's cultural history, embracing its Native American, Spanish, Mexican and European heritage. Hear century old bells as you walk down time worn paths. Enjoy serenity amid the 10 acres of lush gardens and cool fountains, cloistered by old adobe walls that share an interesting past. Visit the Serra Chapel – the oldest church in California. Visit www.missionsjc.com. [Top]

Raging Waters - Raging Waters, California's largest water park features 50 beautifully landscaped acres, 36 slides and attractions, and a sand beach. Experience the thrilling Dragon's Den, a breathtaking two-person bowl slide or the 10-story High Extreme. Float down the Amazon River or relax in the huge Wave Pool. Kids never tire of Kids' Kingdom and Splash Island. From mild or wild, you’ll have a raging time at Raging Waters in San Dimas. Visit www.ragingwaters.com.

Staples Center - The Staples Center is downtown Los Angeles’ spectacular sports and entertainment arena. Staples Center is home to the LA Lakers, hockey Kings, Clippers, the Sparks and the Avengers professional sports teams. The Staples Center hosts various entertainment shows, concerts and events, including the Democratic National Convention in August 2000. The Staples Center features an array of top musical concerts, pre-season events, competitions and athletic events. Enjoy great entertainment and food – from hot dogs to lobster - at the Staples Center Arena Club. Visit www.staplescenter.com.

Balboa Park/San Diego - America's largest urban cultural park, Balboa Park covers 1,200 acres and features over 85 cultural and recreational attractions, including the San Diego Zoo, Old Globe Theater, Japanese Friendship Garden, Mingei International Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Art Institute, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Natural History Museum, and Timken Museum of Art. Visit www.balboapark.org.

Balboa Peninsula - For fun at the beach or a night on the town visit Balboa Peninsula of Newport Beach. Whether you’re basking on Balboa's pristine beaches or exploring the picturesque community, entertainment is everywhere. Stroll along the Balboa Pier, one of the few piers to survive Southern California's coastal storms of the '80s, or check out the quaint shops and excellent restaurants. Hop aboard the Catalina Flyer for a one-hour cruise to Catalina Island, or the Balboa Island Ferry, only 50 cents. Balboa Peninsula is a beautiful destination for harbor cruises, whale watching cruises and sport fishing. [Top]

Six Flags Magic Mountain - This Southern California theme park features exciting thrill rides, world-class entertainment, shows, concerts, family adventure and the largest collection of extreme coasters on the planet. The DejaVu coaster encourages a stress-relieving scream, X features 360-degree rotating seats, and Sweet 16 is Southern California's first floorless coaster. A ride on Scream simulates racing through the air in a flying chair, and Batman is a heart-pounding thrill. Visit www.sixflags.com.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor - A family water park with aquatic rides and slides, Hurricane Harbor is perfect for hot summer days. Enjoy Taboo Tower's three thrilling body speed slides, three twisting and turning open tube slides at Arrowhead Splashdown, Tiki Falls' two dark slides and one translucent tube slide, Castaway Cove, an exclusive children's water play kingdom, Shipwreck Shores, which offers water activities for the entire family, the Forgotten Sea wave pool, and The River Cruise on the Lazy River.

Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base – Covering over 200 square miles in San Clemente, CampPendleton Marine Corps Base is the nation's busiest military base. The 17.5-mile stretch of shoreline along the base is the largest undeveloped portion of coast left in Southern California. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational facilities and activities on the base, as well as local points of interest. Camp Pendleton provides training facilities for active-duty and reserve Marines, Army and Navy units, as well as national, state and local agencies. Pendleton Marines are environmentally conscientious as they share the land with 400 species of mammals and birds. Camp Pendleton has one of the most vibrant histories, filled with Spanish explorers, colorful politicians, thundering cattle, skillful vaqueros and tough Marines.

Balboa Fun Zone - The Balboa Fun Zone is one of Southern California's oldest and last great coastal amusement areas. Located on the Balboa Peninsula, the Fun Zone is one of Orange County’s entertainment giants. Since 1936, the Fun Zone's ferris wheel has been a day and night landmark on the Newport Harbor, beckoning all to join in the fun. Rebuilt in 1986, the Fun Zone's historic ferris wheel, carousel, bumper cars, scary dark ride, arcades, fun food, and quaint shops make it the highlight of Balboa. Enjoy great restaurants, hop aboard a harbor cruises or cast your fishing lines. Visit www.thebalboafunzone.com. [Top]

International Surf Museum – A world monument to surfing and home to a collection of the most significant artifacts in surfing history, the International Surfing Museum preserves an important part of Huntington Beach's image as "Surf City, USA." See surfing legends through interesting exhibits, including the Women Who Surf. With surf music and videos playing in the background, you'll inspired by cool exhibits, collections, events, and the Walk of Fame - from Duke Kahanamoko to present day wave riders. Home to the US Open Surfing Championship and the celebrated Bud Surf Tour, Huntington Beach is the most heavily surfed beach on the West Coast by Surfer's Almanac. Visit www.surfingmuseum.org.

Wild Rivers Waterpark –Wild Rivers in Irvine is the perfect place to have a day of wet and wild family fun. Cool off in over 40 thrilling water rides and attractions, designed for all ages from toddlers to adults. Experience twisting, turning slides, flumes and tubes, as well as play pools, Hurricane Harbor, surf areas and seasonal events. Prepare to get soaked on the Liquidator, a 7-story water slide, or the heart-pumping 4-story Bazooka Bowls. Visit www.wildrivers.com.

Laguna Art Museum - Located just steps from the Pacific Ocean, the museum features changing exhibitions of works by historical, contemporary, and emerging artists. Browse through the Museum Store and Art Gallery and take home a piece of Laguna Beach’s legendary artist community. Visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.

Cleveland National Forest - Cleveland National Forest is the southern-most National Forest in California. Consisting of 460,000 acres, the forest offers a wide variety of terrains and recreational opportunities. The wild shrub and tree-covered mountains are remnants of a landscape that once covered Southern California. Cleveland National Forest is a haven for wildlife and plants, and a special place in Southern California for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, picnicking, and fishing at Loveland Reservoir. Mountain biking is a challenging way to explore the beautiful and ever-changing forest, boasting miles of winding trails and paths that connect with the Pacific Coast Trail. The fall colors of the forest are breathtaking. Visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland.

University of California, Irvine - Celebrating 40 years, the University of California, Irvine offers the innovation of a research university with the bounty of Southern California. Since 1965, UCI has been internationally recognized for research and discovery, fostering excellence in scholarship and teaching, and enriching the community. With more than 24,000 students and 1,400 faculty members, UCI is among the fastest-growing campuses in the University of California. In an annual U.S. News & World Report, UC Irvine ranked 12th among public universities. Visit www.uci.edu. [Top]