The golden state. California. It resides on the west coast of the United States and it is, perhaps, one of the most well-known states in the US. California is well known for its weather, beaches, cities, celebrities, and believe it or not, winter sports. Nestled in southern California in Los Angeles county is El Segundo. It means “The Second” in English and it is in a prime location for vacation. It’s close to beaches, Los Angeles City, and many other things. There are plenty of things to do in El Segundo extended-stay vacations.
Beaches
Who goes on vacation to California without visiting some of the beaches? El Segundo has its own beautiful beach. It’s not one of the most popular beaches in the LA area. That’s not a bad thing, because that means it can be peaceful and actually pretty private. If you’re just looking to relax and watch a sunset, this could be a good beach to visit.
Of course, there are other, more famous beaches that you can visit. El Segundo is just a bit south of Venice beach and the Santa Monica Pier. It’s literally about a 30 minute drive to get to these iconic locations.
Santa Monica Pier is one of the most iconic locations in the state. Its giant ferris wheel is immediately recognizable and it appears countless times throughout pop-culture. It’s a landmark that’s over 100 years old. It has plenty of eateries, shops, and even an arcade. Keep in mind that this is a very popular place to visit, so be prepared for crowds.
Additionally, since you’re going to be here for awhile, you should consider taking the drive to Malibu. It’s about an hour drive, but it could be worth it to you.
Museums
If you’re more into art and history, there are some interesting museums around the area. Even more so if you’re willing to drive into the city.
The Automobile Driving Museum is filled with antique, vintage, and muscle cars. It has a massive collection that is perfect for car enthusiasts. You can get actual hands-on experience with plenty of vehicles from the past. They even have spaces for events there that you can rent out. In addition to the cars, they also have a lovely 50’s themed ice cream parlor that blends in perfectly with the rest of the museum. If you’re into cars at all, it’s a really great experience and you will not regret going.
Space more for you? Then you should visit the Griffith Observatory. It’s about 45 minutes from El Segundo, but it’s worth the trip. It sits on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood and it allows visitors to look through telescope to explore the cosmos! Of course, there’s more than just that. There are live shows and historic exhibits you can visit. There’s also a planetarium with state-of-the-art technologies. It features the Zeiss star projector, laser projection systems, comfy seats, and an incredible sound system. It is one of the finest planetariums in the world.
Art museums also have their place in LA. One of the more notable ones is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It’s the largest art museum in the western US and attracts millions of visitors each year. Holding over 150,000 pieces, its exhibits span over thousands of years of history from ancient times to the present. In addition to its impressive art collection, it also holds concerts and shows. Not only is it a museum, but they also offer art classes and camps. They have classes for kids, teens, family, and more! If you’re with your family, it will be hard to find a more fun way to bond together. They’re not very expensive and they’re unforgettable experiences.
Architecture
LA county is also home to plenty of architectural gems. One of the most notable, and right inside El Segundo, is the LAX Theme Building. It has an iconic “space age” look. It was heavily influenced by Populuxe architecture and it’s a prime example “Googie,” the mid-century modern design movement. There’s no way you can skip out on taking a look at that iconic flying saucer shape.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is another building with an incredible design. The entire building is one big art project. It’s sleek curves and edges are unmistakable. In addition to its incredible exterior, the inside is designed with acoustics in mind. It finished construction in 2003, but delayed opening for a few months to allow the orchestra to get used to the new acoustics. The design worked perfectly as the sound carried throughout the entire hall rather than simply being confined to the stage.
Located in West Hollywood, the Pacific Design Center is easily spotted due to its big, bright, multicoloured design. It was designed by an Argentinian architect called Cesar Pelli. It was a three phase plan. In 1975, Center Blue opened. This is the big blue building. From there, Center Green opened in 1988. And finally, in 2013, Center Red opened and it’s the most impressive one yet.
The Aquarium
El Segundo has an incredible aquarium called the Roundhouse Aquarium. It’s more than just a zoo where you can view various sea creatures. It’s also an educational facility. It’s a great place to learn more about aquatic life while also getting a good chance to see some of it as well. Inside, there is a cafe that you can visit before or after your tour! The best part is, it’s completely free to enter. They do, however, accept donations. So it’s good to donate. The suggested rate is $2 USD per person or $5 USD for a family. Either way it is significantly cheaper than other places.
Hang Gliding
Spending a day at the beach is fun, but taking things up a notch and hang gliding can really make a memory! Dockweiler Beach has a hang gliding park that overlooks the ocean. They offer mini 2-hour lessons and 4 hour-lessons. If you opt to get the 4-hour lessons, you get to hang glide seven times! Having a picnic and a hang glide here will make a fantastic day to remember.
Marina Del Rey
The Marina Del Rey is almost always sunny and beautiful. It’s an excellent place to go out and kayak or paddle board. The waters are calm and peaceful. If you want to take pictures of yourself on the water, this is a pretty decent place to do it. Don’t worry if you don’t have a kayak as they have a rental service nearby. The prices depend on what time of year you are there, but in the off seasons it can be as low as $10 per hour.
Distilleries
There are also plenty of distilleries in LA. One that’s right inside El Segundo is the R6 Distillery. They craft handmade spirits with incredible attention to detail. They also have a 1920’s themed speakeasy tasting room! They have excellent vodkas and cocktails. They also brew craft beers! It’s a good place to tour as it’s a unique small-town place. The staffs are friendly and the tours are interesting.
Spas
What’s a vacation without a visit to a spa? Luckily for you, there are a staggering amount of spas in the area. There are plenty in El Segundo alone! Murad spa is one of the more well-known in El Segundo. It’s clean, has excellent service, and you will feel very pampered. It can be pricey, but it includes all of your needs.
If you really want the “Hollywood treatment,” you should visit the Ritz-Carlton spa. This high-end spa is located in Downtown LA. Their offers are truly unique and there are plenty of one-of-a-kind options. The packages can be expensive, but for something called a “Champagne & Shimmer Body Treatment,” they’re less than you’d expect.
Another spa worth looking at is the Wi Spa. It’s a four-story Korean spa that’s open every day for 24 hours! They have a day pass that’s only $25 USD that gives you access to their soaking tubs and mineral sauna rooms. They also sell additional services such as body scrubs, pedicures, and basically any other spa thing you can think of. It’s a good place to go to if you need a quick pick-me-up for cheap!
El Segundo
Overall, El Segundo is a perfect vacation spot. It has something for everybody. If you want to relax at the beach, there are plenty of places to go. If you want to hit up some spas, you have a lot of choices. From the different museums to the great restaurants, you can always find something to do. But it’s more than just that. El Segundo’s location is just about perfect for vacation. It’s right next to the airport, so you won’t have a difficult time getting to your vacation rental. On top of that, it’s basically in the middle of all the best parts of the city. Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Hollywood are all just about the same distance from El Segundo. So if you’re looking for a place to truly experience Southern California, there’s nothing else out there quite like El Segundo.