Southern California Close-Ups Travel Guides

Skiing. Hiking. Quiet contemplation. The vaulting, pine-dotted altitudes of Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Idyllwild can pump adrenaline or shut the tap.

Palm Springs and environs are the most famous cities, with their tony shopping and midcentury splendor. Nearby are such timeless charms as date shakes and camel races.

The grapes aren’t the only ones soaking up this atmosphere. Oak-dotted hills. Rugged coastline. A kitschy Danish town going chichi. A raucous stagecoach stop.

Yes, the beaches are gorgeous, but head inland and you can go on safari, tour a plastic kingdom, eye topiary musicians or kick back at a hacienda.

The region, known for its red tiles and retreats, isn’t just for the elite anymore. From stops in Ojai and Simi Valley to strolling State Street and luxuriating on the beach, here are 11 micro-itineraries.

The city to the south is both kid- and adult-friendly, with cultural offerings, outdoor attractions, revitalized neighborhoods and great restaurants and bars.

Joshua Tree and environs offer camping, hiking, unusual sites (the famed Integratron), hotels, restaurants, watering holes and spas, where you can take a well-deserved soak.

There’s much more than stars to check out in Hollywood, where nuns, horse trails, the Magic Castle and Cirque du Soleil await.

The area has its traditions, including Craftsman homes, Old Pasadena and the Rose Bowl, its greenery including Huntington Library, its Asian flare with Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants, and its fun and funky side at Eagle Rock hangouts.

Highlights include the Sunset Strip, Chateau Marmont, Farmers Market, Canter’s, Pink’s, Fairfax, Melrose, La Brea Tar Pits, LACMA, Koreatown and the Wiltern.

Even away from the beach, there is plenty to see.

In Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach, you can pedal the Strand, see a Jay Leno live comedy show, explore the piers, visit a beach hangout. Also: LAX hotels, the Theme Building and Marina del Rey.

The odd humanity of Venice’s Ocean Front Walk. The fun-filled Santa Monica Pier. Getty’s ancient art in Pacific Palisades. The sun-kissed beaches of Malibu. The area lets you mix with the masses or take a solitary trek.

Do you have a desire for a sea adventure in southwest Los Angeles County? Come onboard.

Sand, surf and a boat called Pilgrim: Welcome to the O.C.’s 42 miles of sun-kissed coastline. For a day or a week, here are 12 tempting itineraries.

Yes, it’s suburbia. Yes, it’s inland from the beach. Still, the San Fernando Valley has attractions that date from the 18th century (Mission San Fernando) to the latest attraction at Universal Studios.

Here are 10 itineraries for the Griffith Park, Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Echo Park areas.

Yep, it’s home to Disneyland, but it’s also the land of arts (Santa Ana), Nixon (Yorba Linda), the Ducks and Angels (Anaheim), lively Fullerton and more. Here are 10 spots to explore in the O.C.

From Chinatown to Olvera Street to the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, downtown has a lot to offer.