With regards to California, there are numerous locations to select from, but when it’s your first time within the Golden State, you must begin in Southern California. The area has among the greatest cities, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara, to call a number of. And that’s earlier than you even get to the pure magnificence. California has iconic highway journeys, stunning surroundings, and well-known landmarks.
The easiest way to see Southern California is to hire a automotive so you’ll be able to pull over and see all of the little nooks and crannies. Southern California has out of doors adventures the place you’ll be able to go to islands, discover sea caves and spot seals. Or you’ll be able to go to abandon scorching springs, theme parks and wine tasting. It’s a really versatile area.
On this information, we’ll cowl the most effective issues to do in Southern California that can assist you plan your journey.
Having a Southern California bucket listing is a should. There’s simply a lot to do and see within the area; you’ll need at the least per week to even start to understand it. Individuals spend months touring simply the West Coast – and that’s with out even heading inland to spots like Loss of life Valley.
Earlier than you get into the meaty stuff, try our fast information on essentially the most unimaginable issues to do in Southern California.
Better of Southern California: A Fast Information
- Should See: Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, Alabama Hills, Santa Cruz Island, LA, and Loss of life Valley.
- The place to Keep: The Rumi ($), Tarantula Ranch Campground & Winery ($$), and Calamigos Visitor Ranch and Seashore Membership ($$$). Additionally, try these greatest all-inclusive resorts in California.
- Enjoyable To Do: See the ocean lions at La Jolla, go to an amusement park in LA, go wine tasting in Santa Barbara, and go to Newport Seashore.
- Day Journeys: Head to Runyon Canyon Park, take a tour of LA and its well-known Hollywood signal, take a day journey to Las Vegas, and take a day journey to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
- Should attempt Meals: California sushi roll, cobb salad, fish tacos, and something utilizing avocados.
Finest Issues to Do in Southern California
You now have a short concept of find out how to spend your time in Southern California. As you’ll be able to see, the area gives the right alternative to expertise metropolis life and pure adventures. It has the most effective of each worlds.
It’s time for a definitive listing, although. So, what are the most effective issues to do in SoCal? Let’s check out which high 23 made the ultimate reduce.
1. San Diego
First up, San Diego. Visiting this metropolis is among the greatest issues to do in SoCal. This massive metropolis has nice climate, 252 days a 12 months of it. It’s the place to be for espresso strolls by stunning parks like Balboa Park and seashore days. Right here’s our information to the most effective San Diego seashores.
Downtown San Diego has the Gaslamp Quarter, all of the nightlife, and dive bars. The remainder of San Diego county has loads of preserves and seashores to reap the benefits of good climate.
Insider Tip: Use the Japanese Friendship Backyard in Balboa Park.
Sensible Information: Many points of interest like Balboa Park and seashores are free. $20 a day for leisure.
2. Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is among the greatest nationwide parks within the US. It cash its distinctive identify from the bizarre-looking Joshua Bushes – they’ve spindly picket trunks and branches that appear like overgrown cacti. The timber have been named by Mormon immigrants within the mid-Nineteenth century, who named the strange-looking flora after Joshua within the bible.
Visiting this park is well top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California. The novelty of the timber, the variety of climbing trails, and the attractive darkish sky make it the right addition to an itinerary.
You’ll love this nationwide park should you love pure magnificence and exploring distant areas. It’s straightforward so as to add to a go to to LA or Laguna Seashore, one more reason we needed to embody it on this listing.
Insider Tip: Plan an in a single day journey to take advantage of the unimaginable darkish skies – you have got virtually zero gentle air pollution.
Sensible Info: The Customer Middle is open every day from 8:30 am to five pm. The park has a $15 per particular person entrance charge.
3. Loss of life Valley Nationwide Park
We are able to’t focus on issues to do in Southern California with out mentioning Loss of life Valley Nationwide Park. Albeit named fairly morbidly, this park is among the most excessive and interesting locations of pure magnificence to go to within the area.
It has beforehand reached the very best temperature recorded on Earth – think about experiencing 134 levels Fahrenheit – and is the US’ hottest, driest, and lowest-elevation nationwide park.
It’s best to positively go to Zabriskie Level for dawn. Pure Bridge can be a phenomenal hike to plan. There are various issues to do in Loss of life Valley, however this park earned its spot principally from its record-breaking extremities.
Insider Tip: For sure, you must keep away from visiting within the peak of summer time.
Sensible Info: The park recurrently closes based mostly on climate circumstances and security considerations, so regulate the web site. Entrance is $15 per particular person.
4. Santa Monica Mountains
Mountain lovers, the Santa Monica Mountains are a gem of a coastal vary. You may even see the Pacific Ocean from among the summits. There isn’t any higher place for mountains, and it’s proper in LA.
There are various climbing trails within the Santa Monica Mountains, over 500 miles of them. The vary can be a key habitat for mountain lions and an awesome place to see wildlife. Get to the Santa Monica Mountains early to hit the paths earlier than noon warmth.
After you hike, head into town. Within the metropolis you have got Santa Monica Seashore and Santa Monica Pier to hang around at.
Insider Tip: Deliver binoculars so you are able to do some wildlife recognizing on the paths.
Sensible Info: Open 24/7 and no entrance charge.
5. Huntington Seashore
Simply south of LA sits Huntington Seashore, aka Surf Metropolis, in California’s Orange County. Visiting Huntington Seashore is an absolute should for any browsing fanatic. There’s the whole lot from longboard leases to the Worldwide Browsing Museum. You would spend a morning ripping waves in the most effective surf and a day studying in regards to the metropolis’s browsing historical past and tradition.
Southern California has such a powerful browsing tradition, so we had so as to add this goldie to the listing. It is a perfect single-day exercise, or for the surfing-obsessed, you would keep for per week or extra, profiting from the wonderful browsing circumstances.
Insider Tip: Make the most of the Browsing Stroll of Fame.
Sensible Info: Finances round $20 for sightseeing and upwards of $10 an hour for board leases.
6. Venice Seashore
Visiting Venice Seashore is among the most bucket listing issues to do in Southern California – particularly should you love bodybuilding. The Venice Seashore Fitness center is the core of this coastal group and has seen the greats, together with Arnold Schwarzenegger, hit its weights.
Venice Seashore can be famed for its boho vibe. Right here, you’ll be able to embrace the salty-hair Californian aesthetic, stopping to select up takeout smoothies and watching the proficient road performers.
Venice Seashore can be a high contender for budget-friendly issues to do in SoCal. This metropolis gives tons of free actions.
Insider Tip: E-book a day cross at Venice Seashore Fitness center.
Sensible Info: Finances round $15 for a day of leisure in Venice Seashore.
7. Pacific Coast Freeway
Driving the Pacific Coast Freeway in SoCal is superb if in case you have 4-5 days to do it. That is the final word highway journey, 575 miles from simply north of San Francisco to San Diego. It’s the entire West Coast.
Alongside the best way, you’ll be able to cease at Large Sur and iconic SoCal cities like LA, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Seashore. You’ll have ocean views and among the most stunning roads you’ll ever drive.
Search for viewpoints, particularly round stunning spots like Bixby Creek Bridge. The Pacific Coast is one thing to take your time with. Take your time and cease for loads of photograph alternatives, seashores, and hikes.
Insider Tip: Plan to cease at loads of scenic bridges, particularly close to Carmel Highlands.
Sensible Info: Solely gas and lodging prices.
8. Los Angeles
After all, LA was at all times assured a spot on this listing. It’s the dwelling of Hollywood – and with the well-known Hollywood signal, don’t you dare overlook it – and probably the most famed cities on this planet.
LA has the Stroll of Fame, Beverly Hills, and Common Studios, in addition to all its rides and theme park points of interest. You even have Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory. It uniquely blends celeb dwelling and nitty gritty US metropolis tradition. This implies you get bucket listing points of interest in addition to cultural experiences.
LA is a should when visiting Southern California. Additionally it is the simplest place to fly into, so we’d counsel beginning your expertise in LA and branching out throughout the area.
Insider Tip: Don’t attempt to see the whole lot in LA in only a few days. Choose a few areas and prioritize close by points of interest.
Sensible Info: Finances round $100 a day on leisure when visiting LA – there’s simply a lot to do and see.
9. Channel Islands Nationwide Park
Fancy pushing the boat out, fairly actually? Take a look at a few of Southern California’s most stunning islands. The Channel Islands Nationwide Park is a surprising archipelago of 5 islands with dramatic ridges and pristine seashores.
Within the park, you’ll be able to camp in a single day seasonally, go to on a tour, or simply take a day journey. When you’re fortunate, you’ll spot dolphins, sea lions, and even whales. On land, there are many bird-watching alternatives and a phenomenal fox inhabitants.
You may’t beat this park for an island expertise. It’s adventurous to get to and completely overflowing with nature and animal encounters.
Insider Tip: Organize water actions like kayaking or scuba diving for the most effective expertise.
Sensible Info: Ferries have variable schedules, so examine particular person operator web sites. There’s no entrance charge, however price range as much as $100 for ferry charges.
10. Sequoia Nationwide Park
Sequoia Nationwide Park is beautiful. It’s the only option if you would like a substitute for Redwood Nationwide Park in Northern California. Sequoias are big redwoods, and this nationwide park has over 400,000 acres.
You could go to the Normal Sherman Tree, one of many largest timber on this planet. Driving by Sequoia Nationwide Park’s Tunnel Log can be nice enjoyable. There are many trails, just like the Redwood Canyon Path, you can additionally hike.
Enable at the least a full day to go to Sequoia Nationwide Park. In an excellent world, you’ll give your self at the least a number of days. Mountaineering amongst these gigantic timber is well top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California.
Insider Tip: Plan to drive by among the tree tunnels for some additional enjoyable.
Sensible Info: There’s an entrance charge of $20 per particular person.
11. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is greatest recognized for its setting in Coachella Valley. In case you are heading right here in April, you must positively bag Coachella Pageant tickets – it’s probably the most well-known music festivals on this planet.
Nonetheless, visiting Palm Springs can be preferrred for getting a style of desert metropolis life. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs has loads of scorching springs, climbing, and horseback driving trails.
Once you aren’t having fun with the desert locale, you’ll be able to go to its artwork galleries and boutique shops. Palm Springs has an expensive, artistic environment.
Insider Tip: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for the most effective views.
Sensible Info: Finances $15 a day for leisure.
12. Crystal Cove State Park
Visiting this beautiful state park is among the most enjoyable issues to do in Southern California. Crystal Cove State Park has over 3 miles of seashore to loosen up on, plus 2,400 acres of coastal terrain for climbing and biking. We love its coastal setting.
Crystal Cove State Park gives the most effective combine of outside journey and seashore day rest. Within the early morning, you’ll be able to hike to Moro Ridge Lookout. Then, you’ll be able to spot dolphins and sunbathe within the afternoon. Simply keep in mind water and solar cream as a result of each are fairly uncovered.
Insider Tip: Take a look at the view from the Crystal Cove State Park Tunnel.
Sensible Info: $15 per automobile cost per day.
13. Yosemite Nationwide Park
Yosemite Nationwide Park is a sneaky addition to this information. It’s proper on the cusp of being classed as Northern California. Nonetheless, it’s so superb that we’ll embody it as top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California.
Yosemite Nationwide Park is the right storm of hanging granite landmarks and scenic climbing trails to waterfalls and towering redwoods. Relating to pure landmarks and wonder, Yosemite has it in bucket masses. You may see why it’s so common.
Enable at the least a full day to go to Yosemite, if not staying in a single day to hike a number of completely different trails. Half Dome and Yosemite Falls are the most effective hikes within the park. You may try our information on the park’s greatest issues to do right here.
Insider Tip: Begin early to keep away from the crowds.
Sensible Info: $15 per particular person entrance charge.
14. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is a phenomenal spot simply 22 miles off the Southern California shoreline. You may simply attain it on a day journey by way of ferry, or you’ll be able to camp there in a single day and make it an much more adventurous factor to do.
Catalina Island has two tiny resort cities, Two Harbors and Avalon. You may guide scuba diving excursions, rent water tools like kayaks, and go wildlife recognizing on close by climbing trails.
Visiting Catalina Island is a phenomenal approach to embrace SoCal’s islands and get off the mainland. When you go to out-of-season, you’ll even get many trails to your self.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Cat Harbor Overlook Path.
Sensible Info: Finances round $100 for return transport by ferry.
15. Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a beautiful small metropolis on the Southern Californian shoreline. The town is sandwiched between the ocean and Los Padres Nationwide Forest, and the broader Santa Barbara County is thought for its wine manufacturing. Visiting this metropolis is among the high issues to do in Southern California, and right here’s why.
Strolling round Santa Barbara is a deal with, with Spanish colonial structure all through its downtown space. You’ll need to permit loads of time to snap photographs of the Mediterranean-style white stucco structure. There’s additionally the Outdated Mission Santa Barbara, launched in 1786 by Spanish colonizers.
You may hit the seashore whenever you aren’t wandering scenic streets and visiting non secular and historic points of interest. Santa Barbara has some stunning seashores, together with the centrally situated West Seashore and Leadbetter Seashore.
Insider Tip: Take a look at the structure on the MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation
Sensible Info: Finances round $30 for leisure per day.
16. Lengthy Seashore
Lengthy Seashore is a coastal metropolis simply exterior the metropolis of LA and on the outskirts of Orange County. It’s the place to move for sophistication and marinas lined with fancy seafood eating places. It has an excellent procuring scene and likewise a glitzy coastal environment – providing extra yachts and marinas than seashores.
Visiting Lengthy Seashore is a superb approach to expertise a extra fancy, city aspect of California’s coastal dwelling. To expertise coastal SoCal modernized, it’s the right place for a day trip. Hop between the museums, store, and dine out overlooking the marina and Pacific Ocean views.
Lengthy Seashore can be tremendous accessible from LA. You may drive from central LA to Lengthy Seashore in simply half-hour or hop on public transport, which takes an hour.
Insider Tip: E-book a desk on the oceanfront patio at Parkers’ Lighthouse restaurant.
Sensible Info: Finances round $150 on leisure, together with a meal out and procuring.
17. La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is technically shut sufficient to San Diego to fall underneath this metropolis’s class. Nonetheless, it’s such a preferred Southern California attraction that we’re giving it its personal part. La Jolla Cove is a tiny bay space most well-known for its a whole lot of resident sea lions.
When you’ve by no means seen a sea lion within the wild, head to Jolla Cove. There’s lots to {photograph} from a distance and lots of info boards detailing the animals and find out how to safely see them.
In case you are even luckier, you too can spot whales throughout migration seasons. Visiting Jolla Cove is the most effective factor for any animal lover or conservation fanatic.
Insider Tip: Deliver binoculars and a digicam with a long-ranging lens to see wildlife from a distance.
Sensible Info: Free and open 24/7.
18. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz may not be one of many well-known trio in California – aka San Fran, LA, and San Diego – however it’s a good coastal metropolis to go to for a conventional, enjoyable environment. Visiting Santa Cruz is among the most enjoyable issues to do in Southern California.
Santa Cruz has a vintage-style esplanade with an iconic amusement park. You may courageous its Haunted Fort, experience the Large Dipper, or bask in traditional beachfront treats like ice cream and scorching canine. Who doesn’t desire a conventional seashore day when visiting Southern California? Santa Cruz is right if you would like extra amusement park than surfer vibes.
You may go to Santa Cruz for a day and luxuriate in its conventional seashore leisure. Or you’ll be able to keep for a weekend or perhaps a entire week. Both manner, a visit to Santa Cruz is among the most enjoyable issues to do in SoCal.
Insider Tip: Pattern the seafood on the Santa Cruz Wharf pier.
Sensible Info: Finances $30 a day for leisure.
19. San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum simply south of LA. It’s simply top-of-the-line issues to do in Southern California, particularly should you’re focused on non secular historical past or structure.
The mission constructing was based over 2 hundred years in the past and as soon as tried to transform and promote the Christian religion. These days, this isn’t the case. It now paperwork the multi-cultural historical past of California and the event of religions over time.
San Juan Capistrano isn’t only a non secular constructing however a time capsule of the non secular dynamics that created California’s fashionable communities. It solely takes a number of hours to go to, however you’ll achieve a ton of information from the expertise.
Insider Tip: Cease by the close by Laguna Niguel Regional Park after visiting.
Sensible Info: It opens from 9 am till 5 pm on Tuesdays to Sundays and prices $18 per grownup.
20. Santa Ynez Valley
If wine tasting is in your Southern California bucket listing, go to the Santa Ynez Valley. This beautiful valley is most famed for its grape vines, and there are a whole lot of alternatives for wine tasting and winery excursions.
The valley is primarily recognized for its Pinot Noir, chardonnay, and Syrah wines. And whenever you aren’t sampling these, you’ll be able to guide horseback driving excursions or scorching air balloon rides. Visiting Santa Ynez Valley is among the most romantic issues to do in Southern California. It’s a main romantic getaway within the US.
Ensure that to go to Sunstone Vineyard. This stunning vineyard has a French-style villa with wine caves and a surprising courtyard filled with lavender.
Insider Tip: Santa Ynez Valley can be famed for Danish bakeries – so make sure that to pattern some baked items.
Sensible Info: Finances round $25-30 for a flight of 5 wines.
21. Laguna Seashore
Laguna Seashore is barely a small metropolis, but it surely packs a punch. The town is a serene mixture of artwork galleries and seashores. Guests can spend their mornings at Laguna Artwork A Truthful or the Laguna Artwork Museum after which head to the seashore within the afternoon. You might be in luck, too, as Laguna Seashore has among the greatest California seashores.
Laguna Seashore has an excellent walkable metropolis middle and a splendidly laid-back environment. If you wish to expertise Southern Californian coastal tradition, that is the place to take action.
The town is right for these on a price range, with solely meals bills and gallery entrance charges to pay. You may loosen up on its seashores and stroll its boulevards the remainder of the time.
Insider Tip: Enable time to stroll the Laguna Boardwalk.
Sensible Info: Finances round $20 on leisure when visiting for a day.
22. Alabama Hills
Consider it or not, visiting the Alabama Hills is among the greatest issues to do in Southern California. Regardless of its identify, this stunning mountain vary is about in inland California, subsequent to Sequoia Nationwide Park. The panorama is distinct, with sharp granite ridges and alpine meadows crammed with yellow flowers come spring.
If you wish to get off the overwhelmed observe, climbing within the Alabama Hills is ridiculously scenic. There’s the Shark Fin Trailhead and Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead. You might be only a quick drive from Lone Pine and its Museum of Western Movie Historical past.
Insider Tip: Go to Lone Pine’s museum for fascinating memorabilia.
Sensible Info: Finances round $10 per day for leisure.
23. Pfeiffer Large Sur State Park
When you drive the Pacific Coast – which we talked about earlier – you’ll cross the beautiful Pfeiffer Large Sur State Park. However actually, it’s price visiting in its personal proper. Visiting Pfeiffer is among the high issues to do in Southern California.
The 1,000-acre state park hugs the Pacific Ocean shoreline, with beautiful seashores, dramatic coastal roads, and exquisite hikes by surrounding redwood forests. Ensure that to take a look at McWay Falls and Partington Cove.
When you’ve got time, we’d counsel tenting for the final word expertise. This manner, you’ll be able to catch some dawn viewpoints as properly.
Insider Tip: Go to out of season to reduce crowds and get the most effective expertise.
Sensible Info: No entrance charge.
The place to Keep in Southern California
As soon as you understand what you’d love to do and see in Southern California, you’ll be able to determine the place to remain. There are such a lot of lodging choices. You will discover hostels, luxurious resorts, or mid-range boutique properties throughout the area.
We’d counsel initially basing your self in Los Angeles, because it’s the simplest place to achieve by aircraft and is centrally situated for onward journey round Southern California. You will discover resort lodging in cities like San Diego and Palm Springs. Or yow will discover distant luxurious bases close to the nationwide parks.
Listed below are among the greatest motels in Southern California for all budgets:
- Luxurious: Calamigos Visitor Ranch and Seashore Membership: For luxurious lodging within the sleepy celeb spot of Malibu, the 5-star Calamigos Visitor Ranch and Seashore Membership is a high-quality selection.
- Mid-Vary: Tarantula Ranch Campground & Winery: Tarantula Ranch Campground & Winery is an incredible glamping property with tiny trailer homes exterior the Loss of life Valley boundaries.
- Finances: The Rumi: It doesn’t get far more budget-friendly than The Rumi. This hostel is situated in Koreatown, Los Angeles, and gives low-rate dorm rooms.
Suggestions and Info For Visiting Southern California
Earlier than you begin ticking off all these high issues to do in Southern California, it is advisable get sensible. It’s fabulous realizing which of the area’s well-known points of interest you need to go to. However this part will make these desires realities.
We’ll cowl all of the important bits of data, like seasonal concerns and find out how to get round. Get able to make some notes.
Finest Time To Go to
We’ll begin by saying that Southern California is gorgeous all 12 months spherical. You’ll discover enjoyable issues to do and good climate for 12 months of the 12 months.
Many individuals would say that summer time is the most effective time to go to, with essentially the most days of sunshine and the very best temperatures. Nonetheless, we recommend selecting the shoulder season, both June or October.
You continue to get the excessive temperatures in June or October, however you skip the summer time crowds. Equally, you’ll be able to go to the desert areas with out the danger of utmost temperatures. Do you know that areas like Loss of life Valley Nationwide Park can get so scorching in summer time that there’s a danger to human life? You may deal with strolling Santa Monica Pier in hovering temperatures, however the desert, in all probability not. Sticking to-the-shoulder months will make your Southern California expertise far more pleasurable from a crowd-avoiding and security perspective.
Getting There
The best approach to attain Southern California is by flying into Los Angeles or San Diego’s airports, particularly if touring internationally. From right here, you’ll be able to simply entry trains, buses, and rental automobiles. It’s also possible to fly in after which use the main cities as launchpads to discover the remainder of the area.
When you’re touring domestically, you’ll be able to equally attain Southern California by practice. Amtrak connects main cities like Los Angeles with Northern California and close by states. You may guide snug seats and sleeper compartments, taking the scenic, most sustainable route.
It’s also possible to take buses like Greyhound should you’re on a price range when touring domestically. It’s also possible to take a highway journey to Southern California – simply try these superb US highway journeys should you want any extra convincing.
Getting Round
Getting round Southern California is simple. You may fly between many cities, however we advocate renting a automotive more often than not.
Southern California is supposed to be pushed. For metropolis breaks, you’ll be able to simply stroll and use public transportation. However should you’re touring regionally throughout Southern California, you’ll have to suppose once more. If you wish to go to its nationwide parks and distant areas of pure magnificence, you’ll want your individual wheels. Renting a automotive is essentially the most releasing approach to get across the area. And also you received’t miss out on any of the most effective bits.
When you’re not heading to the nationwide parks – or prepared to pay for group excursions with transfers included – you too can get round utilizing trains and buses. There’s a practice between San Diego and LA.
How A lot Time Do You Want
You would spend months in Southern California if you wish to do the whole lot in your bucket listing. As a rule of thumb, give your self at the least two weeks to get essentially the most out of the world.
You want at the least 3-4 days per metropolis, which is per week in San Diego and LA. Then, give your self one other week to go to among the coastal cities and one of many two inland nationwide parks, Loss of life Valley and Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
After all, if in case you have extra time, keep extra. With extra time, you’ll be able to go to the nationwide forests and get to among the extra off-the-beaten-path spots just like the Channel Islands Nationwide Park. The extra time you spend in southern California, the higher.
It’s straightforward to see why Southern California is so particular. Not solely do you have got among the most well-known cities on this planet to go to, however you even have among the most stunning pure areas. Southern California has the whole lot from cacti and pink rock desert landscapes to iconic boulevards in LA. It has among the most stunning and well-known points of interest on this planet.
Why We Love Southern California
When you’ve embraced all there’s to see in Southern California, head north to San Fran, Redwood Nationwide Park, and Yosemite Nationwide Park. Or you’ll be able to cross the border to go to Las Vegas or Utah and its mighty 5 nationwide parks. Southern California has a implausible assortment of issues to do. Nonetheless, it’s additionally ideally situated to enterprise into different areas of the US. Undoubtedly take advantage of your expertise.