Things To Do
Disneyland
Wilder: Disneyland and California adventures is right in our backyard here in Orange and it’s a memorable trip for the whole family. Be sure to ride classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones, as well as get a dole whip. Kayla: Disneyland is a must visit for all of midwestern visitors who are Disney World regulars since you need to visit the original while you are so close. The weather is perfect and you can ride all of the rides in both parks in just one day. Don't forget my favorite ride, Thunder Mountain and buy endless snacks.
Dinner and a show in Hollywood
Wilder: One of me and Kayla's go to special date nights, there is no end to fun shows you can go to in Hollywood. My two favorite venues though are The Pantages and the Hollywood Bowl. Hot tip, make a reservation at Musso and Franks ahead of time for a classic Hollywood meal. Kayla: Fun Fact - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is going to be at the Pantages Theater while you will be in town visiting for the wedding so check out the magic! Other cool places to check out in Hollywood is the Walk of Fame to find your favorite celebrity's star, Chinese Theater famous for hosting numerous movie premieres, and the Dolby Theater where The Oscars are held.
Huntington Beach
Wilder: Huntington is known as surf city USA for a reason, amazing beach front surf breaking at a fun 3-4ft more often then not, plenty of vendors in the area offer lessons and there is plenty of space here to learn.
Bike from Santa Monica to Venice
Wilder: I was lucky enough to live in Santa Monica for a period, my work is based out of Santa Monica as well. This part of the city holds a special place in my heart. The boardwalk running from Santa Monica to Venice offers upscale dining on the Santa Monica end, to skate parks, surfing and every street vendor you can imagine on the other. Rent bikes and explore our coastal towns!
Go hiking in the canyons above Malibu
Wilder: I grew up in Woodland Hills and the entirety of the Santa Monica mountain range is so important to me and feels like my true home. The hikes through these canyons are magical and when you add Malibu ocean views to boot hiking really just doesn’t get much better. Feeling ambitious? Try the 10 mile Topanga Canyon loop trail! Really gives you a feel for the mountain range and is a local favorite.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Kayla: At Universal Studios you get a theme park and a BTS movie experience all in one. Make sure to enjoy a butter beer in Diagon Alley before exploring the new Super Mario Land. Since this theme park is on a working movie studio lot, there is a full studio tour included as one of the attractions so don't miss that as well.
Hollywood Hikes
Kayla: For a quick iconic hike with a view you would recognize from many movies, tv shows, video games, and screen savers alike check of Griffith Observatory. You can park at the bottom and take the hike up to the top or if you don't want to sweat you can even drive to the top. It's the perfect place to bring a picnic and enjoy views of the whole city. If you are looking for a slightly more ambitious hike, check out the hike to the back of the Hollywood Sign. I've included the AllTrails link to this one below so you don't get lost, but there are plenty of signs to follow and beautiful views to enjoy.