Visitor Information

Things To Do in Southern California

Whether you’re extending your stay or looking for activities between competition days, Southern California offers one of the most diverse sets of attractions in the country, all within reasonable driving distance of Cerritos College. This guide is comprehensive, giving athletes, families, and coaches options for short breaks, rest-day outings, and extended day trips.

Nearby Attractions (Located Close to the Stadium)

Theme Parks & Family Attractions

• Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park) – Closest major theme park to the venue; roller coasters, family rides, and live entertainment. 
• Adventure City (Anaheim) – Smaller, budget-friendly amusement park ideal for younger siblings.

Local Shopping & Dining

• Cerritos Towne Center – Restaurants, movie theater, and shopping close to hotels.
• Los Cerritos Center Mall – Large indoor mall with dining and retail options.
• Lakewood Center Mall – Major regional shopping mall. https://www.lakewoodcenter.com

Major Theme Parks & Iconic Attractions

• Disneyland® Park & Disney California Adventure® (Anaheim) – Approximately 20–25 minutes away.
• Downtown Disney District – Dining and shopping without park admission.
• Universal Studios Hollywood – Studio tours and movie-themed attractions.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain – Thrill-ride destination (longer day trip).

Beaches & Coastal Destinations

Closest Beaches

• Seal Beach – Family-friendly beach with pier and Main Street.
• Long Beach Waterfront / Shoreline Village – Marina walks and harbor views.
• Belmont Shore & 2nd Street (Long Beach) – Dining and beach access.

Popular Coastal Cities (Half-Day or Day Trips)

• Huntington Beach – Surf culture and pier.
• Newport Beach – Harbor and beaches.
• Balboa Island – Ferry ride and harbor walks.
• Laguna Beach – Tide pools, coves, and art galleries.
• Dana Point Harbor – Marina and whale watching.

Island & Harbor Experiences

• Catalina Island – Snorkeling, boating, and beaches (full-day trip). 
• Whale-Watching & Harbor Cruises – Long Beach, Newport Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro.
  • https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearning/whale_watching
  • https://www.newportwhales.com
• Harbor Boat Rentals & Kayaking – Long Beach & Newport Beach.
  • https://lbwaterbikes.com
  • https://www.newportaquaticcenter.com

Sports, Entertainment & Professional Venues

• Dodger Stadium – Major League Baseball.

• Angel Stadium of Anaheim – Los Angeles Angels baseball.
• SoFi Stadium (Inglewood) – NFL games and concerts.
• Crypto.com Arena & LA LIVE – NBA, NHL, concerts, dining.
  • https://www.cryptoarena.com
  • ​https://www.lalive.com
• Honda Center (Anaheim) – NHL Anaheim Ducks and concerts.

Museums, History & Cultural Attractions

• Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach) – Major West Coast aquarium.
• The Queen Mary (Long Beach) – Historic ocean liner and museum.
• Battleship USS Iowa (San Pedro) – Naval museum.
• Griffith Observatory – City views and science exhibits.
• The Getty Center – Art museum and gardens (free admission).
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) – Global art collections.
• California Science Center – Space Shuttle Endeavour. 
• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Dinosaurs and history.

Shopping Destinations

• South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa) – Destination shopping mall.
• Citadel Outlets – Outlet shopping.
• The Grove & Original Farmers Market – Shopping and dining.
  • https://thegrovela.com
  • https://farmersmarketla.com
• Old Towne Orange – Historic plaza.
• Fashion Island (Newport Beach) – Outdoor shopping.

Outdoors, Recreation & Relaxation

• Beach Bike Paths – Long Beach to Huntington Beach.
• Hiking Trails – Griffith Park, Crystal Cove State Park.
  • https://www.laparks.org/griffithpark
  • https://www.crystalcovestatepark.org
• Local Parks & Pools – Cerritos, Lakewood, Long Beach.
• Golf Courses – Public courses throughout LA & OC.

Los Angeles Landmarks & Sightseeing

• Santa Monica Pier & Third Street Promenade – Classic coastal experience.
  • https://santamonicapier.org
  • https://www.santamonica.com
• Hollywood Walk of Fame – Entertainment landmarks.
• Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive – Iconic shopping.
• Venice Beach Boardwalk – Beach culture and vendors.

Transportation & Planning Tips

• Travel times vary significantly due to traffic, especially 7–10 AM and 3–7 PM.
• Attractions closest to the venue (Buena Park, Cerritos, Long Beach) are best on competition days.
• Los Angeles destinations and island trips are best planned as half-day or full-day outings.
• Consider grouping activities by area (Orange County vs. Los Angeles) to minimize driving.