Southern California Close-ups

p>The tourists think big. Arriving in Southern California, they expect to
conquer Disneyland and Hollywood, perhaps on the same day, in between the
surfing and snowboarding.
The locals think small. Tracing tight little loops between home and
work, they dodge freeways and alien neighborhoods.

So whether you're a tourist or a local in Southern California, you're
probably leaving some fun on the table. This is our bid to fix that. This
collection of play days is designed to give you hundreds of options,
sprawling across more than half a dozen counties. Nature, culture, show
biz, kid stuff, you name it.

If you're from far away, it could last you decades. If you're local,
think of this as three years and 11 months of weekends. By the time you're
done, I plan on being ready with more.

Updated with seven new chapters:

Joshua Tree and the Desert

Around San Diego

Around Santa Barbara

San Diego's North County

Santa Barbara Wine Country

Coachella Valley

Mountain Retreats

With the original 12 chapters:

Downtown Los Angeles

Inland Orange County

L.A. Park Neighborhoods

San Fernando Valley

Coastal Orange County

Long Beach, San Pedro, Catalina

Venice, Santa Monica, Malibu

The South Bay

Westside L.A.

West Hollywood to Wilshire

Around Pasadena

Hollywood