Memorial Day is a heavy-hearted holiday designed to help us remember Americans who gave their lives in the course of military duty. But its place on the calendar — near the beginning of summer — links it to the end of the school year, the lightening of spirits and the start of vacations.
If you’re marking the somber aspect of the day, Southern California is home to several national cemeteries, among them Los Angeles National Cemetery on South Sepulveda Boulevard, Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside and Ft. Rosecrans and Miramar in San Diego.
If you’re looking to put together a lighthearted day trip or three-day weekend, the options in the list below cover a wide territory, from San Diego to Anacapa and Santa Catalina islands.
