New to the area? Welcome! You’ll find that Santa Clarita is a beautiful place to live. It’s the third largest city in Los Angeles County but exudes that small-town vibe. Nestled in the rolling Southern California hills, Santa Clarita’s residents are as wonderful as the scenery with tract homes backed against the snowcapped mountain peaks. But moving to a new city can always be a little overwhelming, so today we’re going to chat about some can’t-miss activities you should add to your checklist ASAP!

1 – Mobilize Yourself!

First thing’s first: you won’t be able to explore all that Santa Clarita has to offer unless you can get around. While there are certainly bus routes throughout the city, you might find public transportation to be a bit lacking in the suburbs. Many folks migrating from the downtown L.A. area are used to using the in Metro Rail, but unless you plan on purchasing a rideshare pass, you might want to buy a new car. Of course, carpooling is an option, but having the independence to check out new sites on your own terms is a great feeling. There are also many used cars for sale on the local classifieds if you want to hunt for a good bargain!

2 – Magic Mountain

Your next order of business is to visit the amusement park that Santa Clarita is home to and famous for: Six Flags Magic Mountain. Known as the Thrill Capital of the World, you’ll have a heart-pumping, adrenaline-fueled with 13 world class rollercoasters and 45 of the most excited attractions in the world. Test your bravery on the hypercoaster, Goliath, boasting a 255-foot drop at insane speeds or go for a suspended rides on the black belt of rollercoasters, Ninja.

There’s no way you’ll be able to see everything that the park has to offer within a single day, so you should buy a Six Flags season pass and explore at your leisure. The rides are so fun, you’ll definitely want to keep coming back, and considering your new proximity, you can frequently return without the long-distance commute that most visitors face!

Pro tip: It gets pretty crowded, so to beat the lines, try to come midweek in the early morning! Not much of a thrill-seeker? Head to Hurricane Harbor next door, where you can lay out in the sun or float down the lazy river, drink in hand!

3 – Drive Down the 5

If you are migrating to Santa Clarita from Los Angeles, you might have sat through enough traffic to last you a life time. But new friends to the area shouldn’t let the dreaded fear of bumper-to-bumper prevent them from hopping on the I-5 to the 405 and checking out everything the city has to offer.

From the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, to the Hollywood Boulevard, street performers in Venice, and plays at the Pantages, there is a whole world of opportunity to explore within 30 minutes’ reach. That’s right – L.A. is just a hop, skip, and a jump away, and you can get there quickly without inching along the freeway. Just be sure to check the Santa Clarita traffic first!

4 – Find the Best Local Eats

A city is only as good as its fare, and we’re proud to brag about some of the best restaurants located throughout the Santa Clarita neighborhoods. The area is geographically primed to offer a little bit of everything, so whether you’re a fan of Italian, Mexican, or American cuisine, you won’t be disappointed! Plus, it’s a great way to learn your way around town and meet new people.

Worried about busting your budget by eating out too often? You can purchase S.C. certificates for food at local restaurants – at half of their equivalent value – so you can explore without feeling guilty! For the nights you want to eat-in, check out our favorite hometown recipes that you can try your hand at.

5 – Get Involved with the Community

Make friends by joining organizations, whether that may be the monthly women’s Republican meeting or volunteering at the Cinema Veterinary Centre. Find what you’re passionate about and meet like-minded folks who would be happy to welcome you!

We look forward to seeing you around – don’t forget to tune in KHTS AM 1220 for the latest news!

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.