SoCal's Most Beautiful Places Will Help You Survive Post-Election Stress

Election Season 2016 was nerve-racking . So nerve-racking , in fact , that we forget just how lucky we are to hold up in California . Our region of the province has no deficit of middle - catch landscapes and landmark , so much so that it ’s almost impossible to keep track of all the beautiful places in it . Get out this weekend and slow down , while you explore all the full of SoCal at the most beautiful position in the country that you never know existed .

Los Angeles River Center & Gardens

Cypress ParkThis Spanish - panache building complex and the adjoining garden in good order by the LA River were formerly owned by … wait for it … Lawry ’s seasonings ( ? ! ? ! ? ) , but now function mostly as a wedding venue . When they ’re not in use for private events , the gardens are innocent year round , and what you ’ll notice most is the weird , much welcome muted within their walls . Do n’t question it . Just delight .

Redwoods at Carbon Canyon Regional Park

Yorba LindaHiding out in a little regional ballpark in Orange County , these 70ft - high coastal redwoods impart that “ driving up PCH ” spirit , without actually , you know , driving up PCH . They may not be as dense as the one up north – but they also do n’t require those zig zags up to Big Sur .

Malibu Hindu Temple

MalibuThis temple looks like it ’s been throw away straight out of Chennai – from the architecturally telling stacked entranceway to the marble - inlaid adoration complex it ward ( we count your Instagram following will be fooled ) . And just in shell you ’re not there to worship , anyone respectful is welcome , disregardless of faith .

Lotusland

Santa BarbaraLotusland is the former estate of garden - loving , slenderly freakish Polish opera singer , Ganna Walska . Within , the healthy botanic gardens she curated ( which take about two hours to see on a enlistment ) are cohesively themed cactus gardens , flowers , and Japanese kitty . It feels like walk through a very gravid , very green , very plentiful person ’s backyard . The ticket are a second pricey at $ 45 a dad , but can you really put a price on intimate peacefulness ?

Wayfarers Chapel

Palos VerdesThis indoor / outdoor , glass - empanel chapel is what forest sprite tales are made of . build by the Swedenborgian Church , a Christian designation posthumously inspired by eighteenth - hundred Swedish scientist - turn - spiritualist Emanuel Swedenborg , this chapel service is welcome of all faiths . There are still services every Sunday ; if that ’s not your affair , just duck into the sanctuary any clock time during the day . It ’s specially gross at sundown , when the lighting catches the drinking glass just so , setting the mode for meditation , or just chillaxing .

Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery

Los FelizIt wo n’t seem like a secret if you ’ve been there – but it ’s surprising how many Angelenos have never hazard up the Benny Hill to Barnsdall Art Park , where art classes , gallery , and city survey abound . The gallery infinite is small , but well - curated ( and devoid ! ) . When you ’re finish looking , you’re able to chit-chat Frank Lloyd Wright ’s Hollyhock House next room access – finish in 1921 , the Mayan - referencing edifice was the architect ’s first Los Angeles project .

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

CarlsbadIf your pupils are fag out by LA ’s asphalt gray , take a trip out here and banquet your center onWizard of Oz - suitable Ranunculus ( that ’s what the flower which populates the 50 + Accho cattle ranch is called ) . The vibrancy of color seems almost drug induced , but you ’ll be high on nature ( riiiiiight ) . Call before you go – it ’s only receptive from March through May .

Paramount Ranch

Agoura HillsThis 2,400 - acre , former Paramount Studios property is located between Santa Monica and Malibu , and was formerly used as a set for expansive western sandwich . Its rolling hills and timberland groves have also stood in for landscape painting of China , the Sahara , and Montana . The two - odd block of Old West township , still standing , have served as the backcloth forMASH , and , among other shows , Dr. Quinn , Medicine Woman , if that ’s your affair . If it is n’t , the three - ish Roman mile loop is still a scenic wage hike for its own sake .

Wildwood Regional Park

Thousand OaksWildwood is a immense car park that boasts 14 trails through grasslands , hayfield , and canyons . If you ’re lucky enough to come during a lush spring or summer , you ’re greeted with big sky and fields of green . Walk a small profoundly in , and there are waterfalls to be explored ( Paradise Falls is a picturesque 30 foot spout ) , and even a massive cave .

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens

West AdamsThis stone internal ear is more a flat walk itinerary than a hedge - like tangle of Greek renown ; it sit down in the backyard of the headquarters of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness , amidst the hush of trees . ( It ’s not a cult , as far as we can separate . ) Labyrinths have long been used in ancient Christian traditions to muse on a trouble ; maybe you ’ll find a resolution for yours here .

Vermont Gurdwara

Los FelizAmongst the architectural mishmash that is LA , it ’s prosperous to drive by this dome - studded construction ( which dish as one of LA ’s biggest Sikh temples ) without realizing that it ’s kind of a huge deal . Inside , the trading floor are marble , and the orison hall is drape in bloodless fabric ; it ’s a beautiful stead for rest period . If you ’re interested in visit , be sure to take off your shoes and don a headscarf as a sign of regard . If you come on a weekend , you’re able to also get a taste of what is perhaps the homiest North Indian fare in the metropolis .

Descanso Gardens

La CañadaFlintridgeThese botanic gardens are n’t exactly under - the - microwave radar , but because of their far - out location , they seem out of grasp for tons of Angelenos who do n’t suppose the 30 - minute - or - so campaign from mid - metropolis is worth it . It is . Once the nursing home ofLos Angeles Daily Newsmagnate E. Manchester Boddy , the 150 - acre holding is now county - recrudesce and boasts a day ’s worth of rolling hills , a Nipponese tea house , small waterfall , and a lilac garden to wander about in .

Gaviota Nude Beach

Santa BarbaraKnown as Santa Barbara ’s favourite nude beach , this stretch of sand within the park of the same name is frequented by men and women who want exemption from fabric . While the actual beach is beautiful , the view here are more in wonderment of the human form ( in all its build , sizes , and colors , obviously ) . Be warned though , public nakedness is still illegal , despite its relative frequency here , so you could get a slate . Which would probably make a good story .

James Irvine Japanese Garden

Little Tokyo , Los AngelesTucked within the Nipponese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo and obscured from street position , this Nipponese - fashion garden is surprisingly transportive . It ’s not handsome enough to walk around in for hour ( or even twenty minutes ) , but it ’s bragging enough to make you forget that you ’re in DTLA – and it ’s totally gratuitous .

Wildwood Regional Park