Things to Do Labor Day Weekend in Southern California

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Labor Day is considered the informal conclusion of summer, though, in Southern California, the season is ongoing. During this holiday weekend, families can engage in enjoyable activities together. Famous Labor Day weekend activities include camping, visiting theme parks, beaches, or festivals. The start of your Labor Day weekend begins here.

Our top picks or jump to Family Activities – Beach Destinations – Road Trips – Camping Trips – Region

Santa Barbara Weekend Escape

Santa Barbara is an excellent option for a day trip. Leaving early in the morning is recommended to make the most of your visit. Once you arrive, you won’t be disappointed as Santa Barbara offers plenty of exciting attractions suitable for every family member. If you plan to spend the night in Santa Barbara, consider taking the Pacific Surfliner and avoiding the weekend traffic.

Catalina Island Adventure

Are you looking for an exciting Labor Day weekend adventure? Consider visiting Catalina Island! For those who love the outdoors, a glass-bottom boat ride is a fantastic way to start your island experience. You’ll be able to explore the island’s diverse marine life and enjoy a unique view from the boat.

Labor Day Weekend Road Trips

Are you looking to take a road trip this Labor Day weekend? We’ve got you covered with unique suggestions ranging from a few hours to all-day adventures. Sometimes, the journey can be just as fun as the destination itself! Our list includes route details and exciting stops to maximize your trip.

Take a Trip to Hearst Castle

The Hearst Castle is a massive estate inland, five miles away from the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by a 40,000-acre ranch still owned by the Hearst family.

Labor Day Weekend Family Activities

Aquarium of the Pacific

Looking for an enjoyable and budget-friendly Labor Day weekend destination? The Long Beach Aquarium is perfect! You can see sea creatures from Southern California, Northern Pacific, and Tropical Pacific all in one place. Children and adults will adore the aquarium’s touch tanks and the awe-inspiring Shark Lagoon and Penguin Habitat.

Knott’s Berry Farm: Something for Everyone

Thrill rides, Ghost Town, Camp Snoopy, a real train, and a stagecoach ride. Knott’s offers a fun experience for every age group. Knott’s Soak City is next door if you want to cool off. And don’t forget to visit Knott’s Berry Farm Chicken Dinner Restaurant for a delicious chicken dinner.

La Jolla Sea Caves

The La Jolla coast is home to seven magnificent sea caves, with only one accessible by land, the Sunny Jim Cave. The other six caves can only be explored by sea, but luckily, plenty of guided kayak tours are available. These tours provide all the necessary equipment, including kayaks, paddles, wet suits, and a knowledgeable guide to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Wild Rivers Water Park Irvine

Wild Rivers Water Park, located in Irvine, California, has recently reopened after a decade of closure. The park has been relocated to a new and more extensive area, now covering 20 acres and offering 20 exciting water rides. Wild Rivers intends to become the go-to waterpark for families seeking an affordable and thrilling day out in Southern California.

Irvine Regional Park

Enjoy a family picnic, ride a train, or visit the Orange County Zoo. The main trail roams throughout the central park area towards the area’s many other attractions, including six children’s playgrounds, four softball fields, two horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and an artificial lagoon and lake for fishing.

Legoland California

Legoland California Resort boasts three distinct attractions: the central theme park, the SeaLife Aquarium, and the Legoland Waterpark. With more than 60 rides and attractions designed specifically for young children, LEGOLAND is an ideal destination in California for a delightful day of play.

Hollywood Day Trip Attractions Tours

You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy a visit to Hollywood. One of the most popular things is taking a Hollywood movie star home tour. Enjoy a look into the opulent lifestyles behind the gates of the mansions of Hollywood’s elite. Another famous Hollywood attraction is Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo is an incredible attraction located in the California desert. Spanning 1,200 acres, this exotic learning center offers an ideal atmosphere for adults and children to witness the beauty of wild animals and breathtaking desert gardens in a remarkable natural setting.

Labor Day Beach Destinations

San Clemente Beach Trail

If you’re looking for the perfect way to explore the Southern California coastline, then the San Clemente Beach Trail is the place to be! Whether you prefer hiking, biking, or taking your furry friend for a walk, this ocean-front pathway offers something for everyone. Spanning from North Beach to Calafia Beach, just south of the San Clemente Pier, it’s the ideal spot for a scenic and enjoyable outing.

Mission Beach, San Diego

Mission Beach is a hot spot for Labor Day weekend activities. A boardwalk borders two miles of pristine oceanfront on this friendly community’s ocean and bay sides. At the intersection of Mission Blvd and West Mission Bay Drive, Historic Belmont Park is an amusement park to delight all ages.

Oceano Dunes

Pismo Dunes is a trendy destination for types of off-road vehicles. Over Labor Day Weekend, the dunes are packed with riders and campers. Even if you don’t have ORV, several outfits offer tours of the dunes and rentals if you want to go on your own. Nearby attractions are plentiful, from wine tasting to sightseeing.

Huntington Beach

Huntington has the most extensive stretch of sand in Orange County. If your Labor Day plans include spending a day at Huntington Beach, plan on arriving early to stake out a spot. Don’t forget to bring your bike, especially if you want a fire ring. The beach trial runs from Sunset Beach to the wedge.

Zuma Beach Malibu Coast

Zuma produces small yet steady waves, ideal for experienced and novice surfers. Its west and southwest swells are highly regarded. However, Zuma is not just a trendy surf spot in Southern California. It is also a popular location for activities such as fishing, swimming, kite surfing, cycling, and running.

Labor Day Weekend Road Trips

Palm Springs Road Trip

Only about a 90-minute drive from the Los Angeles area, Palm Springs features an almost endless list of things to do and see. The world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a must-do on any day trip to Palm Springs. Enjoy a fantastic view of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

Calico Ghost Town

This lively old western town, Calico, was once home to 1,200 people and over 500 silver mines at its peak. Along with the typical establishments such as bars, brothels, gambling halls, and churches, the streets were bustling with silver miners. However, today, these same streets are filled with tourists excited to discover everything this town has to offer.

White Water Preserve

It’s a very cool place to visit near Palm Springs. Wildlife enthusiast will get their fill, as they will enjoy catching a peep of Big Horn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, bears, and deer that live on the Preserve lands. There are also ponds, mallard ducks in the nearby marshland, and the occasional spotting of a mountain lion.

Pioneer Town Western Movie Set

Pioneertown, situated in the high desert of Yucca Valley, was constructed in the 1940s as a movie set for old western films. The local community now upholds Western tradition by organizing mock gunfights on Pioneer Town’s Main Street from April to October. Pioneertown is a make-believe Ghost Town but still well worth a look.

Labor Day Weekend Camping

Southern California Beach Camping

Many of Southern California’s beach campgrounds are fully booked months ahead of time, but if you didn’t make a reservation, there’s still a chance you could get a site by snagging a canceled reservation.

Central California Beach Camping

There are many great beachside campgrounds on California’s central coast. This area is less crowded than Southern California, so you may be able to find available sites even if you haven’t made a reservation.

California Lake Camping

If camping is on your bucket list, you’ll love this list of amazing California lakes. Perfect for a weekend adventure or an entire vacation. Secluded from Alpine Lakes to huge freshwater reservoirs, these California lakes offer fishing, boating, hiking, and lakefront campgrounds. Discover the best places to camp by a lake in California.

Kern River Camping

If you’re looking for camping areas near Kern River, there are three options: Lower Kern River, Lake Isabella, and Upper Kern River. There are also many free campsites available along the upper Kern River. To make the most of your camping experience, we suggest visiting the ranger station in Kernville to obtain a map of camping areas and a free campfire permit.