After spending the last 8 years regularly going on solo travels, I like to think that I have a pretty good take on how to prioritize experiencing the best a place has to offer. This particular corner of the world that millions of people flock to every year is the one I called home for 26 years. Here are my recommendations if you only have a week to explore (and don’t necessarily want to break the bank).
SoCal is known for being a hub of Culture, yes, with a capital C: live music, art exhibits, sports, pop-up events, you name it. The gastronomy there is also out of this world. So first things first, you’ll need to decide what is most important to you and make a plan — I’ll help! My take on what would constitute the best possible visit to this area is one where Los Angeles is used as a central point for catching a concert or a game that would be memorable to you, and then taking the opportunity to check out as many of the amazing places that are within a couple hours’ drive as you can (eg. Joshua Tree, Ojai, Santa Barbara, San Diego, etc.)