Of all of the places that I’ve been, nowhere can compete with Southern California. As soon as you set foot in the Golden State, you’ll see why it’s one of the most beloved travel hot spots in the world.

Whether you come for winter surfing, summer festivals, or spring stargazing, Southern California is a dream destination 365 days a year.

Check out my favorite highlights & the best time to go to Southern California!

Summer in Southern California

Months: June to September

Southern California is at its peak in the summer. The weather is perfect with overnight lows near the coast in the mid-60s and daytime highs in the mid-80s. Festival season is in full swing and you can find a celebration for everything under the sun.

Indulge your decadent side at the BBQ & Beer Festival in Santa Clarita then get your heart racing at the always exciting Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles. Want insight into the local culture of So Cal? Get to the San Diego Festival of the Arts in mid-June.

Of course, one of my favorite things to do in Southern California in the summer is to unwind at the beach. I absolutely adore the über chic Laguna Beach, the chill El Matador, the world famous Venice Beach, and the ultrafun Santa Monica Pier.

Fall in Southern California

Months: October & November

One of the things I love the most about Southern California is that you can travel the world without leaving city limits. Want to party it up for Oktoberfest? Places like the Standard Biergarten, Steingarten LA, Verdugo, or any one of the countless German-loving bars around LA can compete with the greatest parties in Deutschland.

Another great thing to do in Southern California in the fall is to check out the countless food festivals. Two of my top picks are the California Lemon Festival in Goleta in October and the Taste of Downtown in San Diego in early September.

If you are in California for Halloween, you’re in for a treat!

Whether you want a family-friendly festival or a heart-stopping haunted tour, there are countless options from San Diego up to Los Angeles. If you are ready for a truly hair-raising experience, check out the Queen Mary Dark Harbor.

Winter in Southern California

Months: December to February

California has the best weather in the United States so don’t let winter put you off visiting. Much of Southern California has temps ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s. Although it’s not bikini weather, it’s usually very mild and great for exploring.

While Northern California may have incredible skiing, the south is a surfing paradise. For beginners, head to Manhattan Beach or Malibu Beach. If you’ve got a bit of experience under your belt, check out La Jolla Shores or Rincon. For the true pros, you’ll be blown away by the waves at Trestles and Blacks Beach San Diego.

Before you head inland, be sure to go whale watching too! More than 25,000 California grey whales surround the shores of San Diego from mid-December to mid-March.

Of course, you can’t go to Southern California without indulging in your Hollywood dreams. Film festival season kicks off with the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. It’s an insider favorite and a must-see for any film buff.

Spring in Southern California

Months: March to May

Spring is definitely one of the best times to visit Southern California. The tourists haven’t taken over yet and the prices are still lower than you’ll see them during the summer season.

Fellow culture vultures have got to get in on Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Live, which takes place across Los Angeles during mid-March and gives you free admission to countless museums.

Festival season starts early here with Coachella and Stagecoach Country Music Festival taking place inland of LA in April. Less famous, but equally amazing, is the Rooftop Cinema festival. Held throughout April, the festival screens classic movies on rooftops all over Hollywood.

Don’t miss Fiesta Old Town’s Cinco de Mayo either! This three-day celebration in San Diego is such a colorful, amazing experience.

Check out my favorite California style essentials!

Instagram

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18083248064243187

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

🚨 FINAL SPOTS. 🚨
Our @tbaescapes Luxury Peru Journey is nearly sold out — and we are down to the last remaining spaces 🇵🇪🦙
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We shared this experience first with our email waitlist… and it filled fast. Now, we’re down to the very last spots — and this is it.

When they’re gone, they’re gone.

This is your chance to join one of the most extraordinary trips we’ve ever offered!

Think: luxury accommodations, a fully all-inclusive experience, a bucket list rail journey and overnight stay at Machu Picchu, and a once-in-a-lifetime finale cruising the Amazon Rainforest aboard a privately chartered luxury riverboat.

📍 Peru
🗓 September 6–16, 2026

No planning. No second-guessing.
Just iconic places, seamless logistics, and the kind of sisterhood that makes these trips unforgettable.

🚨 Spots are extremely limited! 🚨
For full details and a direct link to apply, drop “PERU” below ⛰️✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#tbaescapes #peru #machupicchu #amazonriver #luxurygrouptravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18077029469525814

🚨 FINAL SPOTS. 🚨
Our @tbaescapes Luxury Peru Journey is nearly sold out — and we are down to the last remaining spaces 🇵🇪🦙
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We shared this experience first with our email waitlist… and it filled fast. Now, we’re down to the very last spots — and this is it.

When they’re gone, they’re gone.

This is your chance to join one of the most extraordinary trips we’ve ever offered!

Think: luxury accommodations, a fully all-inclusive experience, a bucket list rail journey and overnight stay at Machu Picchu, and a once-in-a-lifetime finale cruising the Amazon Rainforest aboard a privately chartered luxury riverboat.

📍 Peru
🗓 September 6–16, 2026

No planning. No second-guessing.
Just iconic places, seamless logistics, and the kind of sisterhood that makes these trips unforgettable.

🚨 Spots are extremely limited! 🚨
For full details and a direct link to apply, drop “EXPLORE” below ⛰️✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#tbaescapes #peru #machupicchu #amazonriver #luxurygrouptravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17847138822639448

Cancel reply

Alaina

I’ve never been to SoCal but I’m planning a trip there this winter. Thanks for sharing your tips! I also LOVE your sunglass!! Too cute.

July 19, 2016 at 6:34 pm · Reply

Kiersten Rich

Thanks babe!

July 22, 2016 at 3:10 pm · Reply

one day agra tour

the problem is that your destinations really span two types of climates – coastal and desert. When the weather is nice by the coast, its often scorching hot in the desert areas. When temperatures are tolerable in the desert areas, the coasts can be cool or bad weather.

July 20, 2016 at 3:46 am · Reply

Kiersten Rich

Well the beauty of Southern California is that the coast and desert are so close together, you can easily go back and forth 🙂 and as the place I call home, I wouldn’t say SoCal has much “bad weather” ever!

July 22, 2016 at 3:10 pm · Reply

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Check out my favorite highlights & the best time to go to Southern California!

Summer in Southern California

Months: June to September

Fall in Southern California

Months: October & November

If you are in California for Halloween, you’re in for a treat!

Winter in Southern California

Months: December to February

Spring in Southern California

Months: March to May

READ NEXT: The Girl’s Guide to a California Coast Road Trip

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Check out my favorite California style essentials!

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