San Diego
Located in Southern California, San Diego hosted many Beach Boys concerts, attracting fans from across the region with its warm climate and scenic beaches. Many of the area’s favorite spots were also highlighted in the band’s music, including iconic waterfront places like La Jolla, Del Mar and Swami’s Beach. Crashing waves are on the menu in these beach communities - as well as outstanding culinary options, top notch hotels and resorts, and many shops that celebrate and support the local culture.
In San Diego, one of the sunniest places in California, explore the many neighborhoods that make this city a wonderful location for all kinds of travel experiences. Just last year, the band played at the famous open-air music venue The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, right behind the convention center. The structure is a sight to be seen, set against the blue of the Pacific Ocean, and you will be in walking distance to the Gaslamp Quarter as well as the Seaport Village with its many shops and restaurants. The Beach Boys also performed several concerts at Balboa Park, so make sure you spend some time exploring the park grounds that are both cultural center and botanical gardens. Check out one of the many museums like the San Diego Museum of Art and the San Diego Automotive Museum, a collection of more than 80 historic autos and motorcycles that is the perfect place for car aficionados like the band’s own Dennis Wilson.
Orange County
Nestled between San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, Orange County is renowned for its beautiful beaches and “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Disneyland Resort, the iconic theme park in Anaheim, was featured in the band’s hit song “Amusement Parks USA.” In Beach Boys-fashion, put the pedal to the metal at Autopia, a miniature motorway and the only existing Tomorrowland attraction dating back to the Park’s opening day in 1955. Check out the Anaheim Packing District, a multistory food hall featuring local eateries, tasting rooms and entertainment spaces. For excellent shopping, visit outdoor mall Irvine Spectrum Center, with its incredible shops, a Giant Wheel and the nation’s only Hello Kitty Café, or South Coast Plaza, California’s largest luxury shopping complex.
Rumor has is that the Beach Boys brought their hit music to not one but two Garden Grove parking lots. They played at a department store opening in 1962 and in front of what was Denno’s Record Store back in 1963, driving up in Corvettes and their signature, plaid Pendleton shirts. Right next to Anaheim, Garden Grove is a great spot on your adventure, and if you find yourself here over Memorial Day weekend, you’re in for a treat as the city celebrates Strawberry Festival, complete with carnival rides, live entertainment and the world’s largest strawberry shortcake.
And, of course, you will want to explore Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City USA, which got a mention on "Surfin' Safari," another one of the band's top hits. Once a year, athletes from around the globe come together for the U.S. Open of Surfing, a California marquee event dating back to 1959. This free, family-friendly happening has been drawing visitors to the area for decades, and as the world's largest surf competition, you can watch the best of the best ride waves at one of the state's most iconic beaches.
LA Area
The Los Angeles area is the birthplace of the Beach Boys, so you can walk in their footsteps and trace their beginnings in many places throughout the county. The Wilson brothers grew up in a house in Hawthorne, and while the building was demolished in the 1980s, a monument placed at the address serves as the official Beach Boys Historic Landmark. Later, they had homes in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Swing by famous Randy’s Donuts for a sweet treat and watch a show at the Kia Forum or SoFi Stadium after visiting the landmark.
You’ll also want to check out the Capitol Records tower, the site of the historic Capital Studios where the band recorded several of their songs, and explore Hollywood’s many offerings. Find your favorite celebrity’s star on Hollywood Boulevard, then enjoy dinner at the iconic Musso & Frank Grill before catching a show at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Alternatively, watch a show at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, where Brian Wilson recorded “Live at the Roxy Theatre.”
Further north, channel the “little old lady from Pasadena” and cruise through “Millionaire’s Row” before strolling down Colorado Boulevard and its many shops and restaurants. Pasadena also hosts the annual Tournament of Roses parade on New Year’s Day, a one-of-a-kind festival of color, spectacle, music and sports unlike anything else in the world.
The Beach Boys gave concerts in Santa Monica as well, and Pacific Palisades got a shoutout on “Surfin’ U.S.A.” Jump on a board and ride a wave during a surf lesson at the beach, then stroll through Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier and ride the West Coaster. For a more relaxing experience, book the Beach Butler service at Perry's Café & Beach Rentals and watch the surfers and thrill seekers from the comfort of your shaded spot on the sand.
Santa Barbara
Known for its beautiful beaches and Spanish colonial architecture, “The American Riviera” provided a picturesque backdrop for The Beach Boys' performances, for example at the Santa Barbara Bowl in the 1960s. The amphitheater is still open for concerts throughout the summer months and only a short drive from downtown and the city’s trendy Funk Zone. Visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara, hailed as the “Queen of the Missions,” or join a walking tour of the El Pueblo Viejo district, the historic downtown area. Then go on a wine tasting adventure near lower State Street and the waterfront, where you will also find some of the town’s best restaurants and shops. Round out the day with a show at the Bowl.
Bakersfield
While the band played shows in Bakersfield, there’s another connection that makes it a fun stop on your trip. The Beach Boys are known for their music that shaped the “California sound,” but this city is birthplace of its very own genre: the “Bakersfield Sound.” It’s a sub-genre of country music that evolved in the 1950s and 1960s. Visit Kern County Museum, which displays many exhibits and collections, including horse-drawn and early motorized vehicles that will peak any car lover’s interest. Decide between the brewery and the wine trail (or try both!), then indulge at one of the many Basque restaurants. Also, check out Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, a restaurant, museum and music venue complex named after one of the most famous leaders of the “Bakersfield Sound” movement.
Big Sur
“Big Sur I’ve got plans for you.” The Beach Boys were so enamored with this area of the Central Coast that they dedicated an entire song to this rugged stretch of California’s Highway One, which offers breathtaking scenery. Soak in the fresh air and stunning nature on one of the numerous hiking trails in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Andrew Molera State Park, and make sure you stop at McWay Falls for stunning views of the ocean. Spend some time at Pfeiffer Beach, known for its purple sand and interesting rock formations. Treat yourself to an outstanding meal at one of the many ocean-view restaurants along the highway, including iconic Nepenthe and Michelin-recommended Sierra Mar. Further north, you also won’t want to miss the sight that is Bixby Bridge, one of the most scenic and photographed bridges in California, known for its fabulous views and breathtaking architecture.
Monterey/Santa Cruz
The Beach Boys also featured Santa Cruz in their music, which is no surprise given that the city’s laid-back atmosphere and beach culture was perfectly resonating with the band's musical themes, and in 1967, nearby Monterey became a significant place for the band because they ended up *not* playing at the famous Monterey Pop Festival that year. There are many theories as to why they cancelled their performance last minute, but it’s a popular piece in The Beach Boys saga.
In Santa Cruz, you will find many fantastic spots with crashing surf. Visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and learn about the history of California surfing. Stroll over the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, lined with classic coasters, arcade games, fair food and a historic carousel, and watch the sun set over the Pacific.
About an hour south, you will find Monterey. Besides Monterey Bay Aquarium, offering innovative exhibits and informative marine research, and famous Cannery Row with its many cafés, restaurants and shops, experience the 17-Mile Drive, a scenic road on the Monterey Peninsula, which includes famous landmarks like The Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Golf Links. Ideally, you will cruise around in a Shelby Cobra like Dennis Wilson used to race around the former San Fernando Raceway, but any convertible will do. And if you time it right, check out Monterey Car Week, one of the most anticipated automobile events, offering lots of free activities.
Bay Area
Next, you’re going “to the golden shores of 'Frisco Bay” as The Beach Boys proclaimed in their song “California Calling.” The former Candlestick Park in San Francisco and the Fox Theater in Oakland are only two of the locations in the Bay Area where fans could enjoy the band’s music live.
The band performed numerous concerts in San Francisco, a city known for its vibrant, counterculture music scene in the 1960s. In addition to iconic must-see attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, and famous neighborhoods like Chinatown and Haight-Ashbury, visit the San Francisco Music Hall of Fame Gallery dedicated to Bay Area musicians. Also, don’t miss the Cable Car Museum, which was established in 1974 and today houses three antique cable cars from the 1870s. The City by the Bay is also full of outstanding culinary experiences, from casual street corner tacos to luxurious caviar bites, satisfying every palate and craving. There are dozens of restaurants that hold Michelin stars and accolades, and for dessert, join the line at Bi-Rite Creamery, the city’s arguably most-popular scoop shop. The band frequented now-closed Foster’s Freeze in Southern California, so indulging in delicious ice cream can’t be missing on your adventure through the Golden State.
In Oakland, just across the Bay Bridge, explore Jack London Square, a waterfront district with myriad shops, restaurants and the popular farmers’ market, offering local produce and food craft products. Visit the Oakland Museum of California, a museum, garden and gathering place full of stories and experiences of the Golden State’s history. The city is also home to both the Ale Trail and the Cannabis Trail, which will take you on a tour to several local standout breweries and premium cannabis retail shops and sensory attractions covering art, nature and cultural experiences. Also, there are fantastic restaurants and food spots all around the city, from juicy pizza slices to high-end fine dining. You will also want to catch a show at the Fox Oakland Theater, a renowned Uptown Oakland concert venue, art school and restaurant that is host to a diverse array of artists. For the full VIP experience, upgrade your ticket to include access to the Telegraph Room, offering a separate entrance, preferred viewing section on the orchestra level, private bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
Sacramento
California's capital city, Sacramento, saw several performances by the band, contributing to their widespread popularity throughout the state. However, one location comes with an especially endearing backstory: Fred Vail, Commissioner of Entertainment at El Camino High School throughout his senior year, had brought several major gigs to the school, and in 1963, shortly after his graduation, he put together a fundraising concert for the school and convinced The Beach Boys to play at Memorial Auditorium. It was one of their first big concerts outside of Los Angeles, and the show’s success started a lifelong friendship between the band and Vail, who later became their manager. The concert is on the chart-topping album “Beach Boys Concert” from 1964, which is the perfect soundtrack for a road trip through the Golden State.
Sacramento, known as America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, offers a diverse array of experiences, from delicious dining and vibrant farmers’ markets to local breweries and captivating street murals, there's something for everyone. Explore Gold Rush-era attractions in Old Sacramento, then visit the California Auto Museum, a 72,000-square-foot museum featuring over 150 classic cars, race cars, muscle cars and early models. Catch a show at Ace of Spades, a local favorite for live music, or Golden 1 Center, an indoor arena and host to several major acts. Also, Tower Theater, built in 1938 and famous for its neon display, is a charming place to watch an old classic or a new small production.