Catalina Island

Just 22 miles west of Los Angeles, Catalina Island is a paradise free of traffic, smog, and LA's frenetic pace. To get a sense of the island's history, archaeology, and natural history, head to the Catalina Island Museum and the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, which displays plants indigenous to California's coastal lands.

For those who prefer guided adventures, various excursions will take you on an undersea tour where you can observe Catalina's kelp forests in a semisubmerged boat. The popular Inland Motor Tour, a 32-mile journey through the island's interior, includes a stop at Airport-in-the-Sky, Little Harbor, on Catalina's west coast -- an excellent place to camp, hike, and swim -- and Wrigley's El Rancho Escondido, a working ranch where some of America's top Arabian horses are raised and trained.

For those seeking active pursuits, head to Casino Point Marine Park, for diving, snorkeling, and sea kayaking, where the pristine water and marine life are among the best in the country.