The idea of having a “bucket list,” a list of things you want to see and do before you “kick the bucket” became a cultural touchstone after the release of the 2007 movie “The Bucket List.”
The film, a buddy comedy-drama directed and produced by the late Rob Reiner, written by Justin Zackha and starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, introduced the term to a wide audience.
Having a “bucket list” soon became a widespread cultural phenomenon.
Zackha coined the term in 1999 for his personal list of goals before he died, linking it to the well-known phrase, “to kick the bucket.”
Everyone’s “bucket list” is unique to the individual, but can include some common grand aspirations as
- visiting every Major League baseball ballpark,
- visiting every state capital,
- visiting every National Park or
- visiting every taco stand in California.
What’s on your bucket list? Here are a few suggestions:
Food
Food is a great bucket list item. Try something you’ve never eaten before but have always wondered about. It doesn’t have to be too exotic, it can be as simple as trying Kansas City barbeque or shark. Ask your friends about their favorite foods and maybe try one of those.
Create your own regional food tour.
This could be something like Lobster Rolls in Maine, Blue Crab in Maryland, Philly Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, Alaskan Salmon, etc. Plan it around a vacation. Or, create your own regional food tour locally. Just look for some authentic restaurants so you can get the feel of the actual region.
If you lean toward cooking, maybe try learning how to make tamales, chicken tetrazzini or beef wellington.
One popular option in California is to dine at the top farm-to-table restaurants.
Milo + Olive
2723 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica 90403
Info miloandolive.com
Milo + Olive is an all-day neighborhood bakery and pizzeria.
Hidden Kitchen
113 North Ocean Ave., Cayucos 93430
2164 Center St., Cambria 93428
Info hiddenkitchencalifornia.com
The Hidden Kitchen is a 100% gluten free cafe that features all-organic, sustainably-sourced fare
Forage
2764 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles 90039
Info foragela.com
Forage is small, family-owned eatery that serves seasonal, locally sourced Californian fare. There is outdoor seating and vegan options.
Travel
Travel is usually a top contender for most bucket lists. Consider some of these options:
Coast-to-Coast Train Vacations
For many, the romance of train travel is the ultimate travel experience. While trains are not as luxurious as in years gone by, traveling coast-to-coast by train offers a unique glimpse of America.
Things to remember when traveling by train:
The train waits for no one. If a train makes a 10-15 minute stop and you want to get off and explore a little, be aware that the train will leave without you if you are not back on time.
Any train trip that doesn’t end in a bus trip is a good trip. Trains breakdown. Tracks are damaged. Stuff happens. Be patient and prepared with a plan B. I once had to abandon a Coast Starlight train from Los Angeles to Seattle in Sacramento after a train derailment forced my train to stop. The only option was to continue by Amtrak bus. I opted to rent a car and drive instead.
Train arrival and departure times are a “suggestion.” Most long-distance trains have delays. Pack your patience. Don’t make “tight” connections.
Los Angeles to New York City
The most common coast-to-coast route is to take the Southwest Chief from L.A. to Chicago. Travel through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.
In Chicago, transfer to an eastbound train. Popular options include:
Capitol Limited Travels Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C., then connects to NYC.
Lake Shore Limited Along Lake Michigan, through Ohio to upstate New York to NYC.
Cardina A longer, more scenic route through the Appalachians to NYC.
See other coast-to-coast options at Amtrak.com. Unique train vacations can also be found at vacation
sbyrail.com and canadarailvacations.com.
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
The famous “The Mother Road,” Route 66 is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026. This is the perfect year to make the iconic 2,448-mile journey from Santa Monica to Chicago, exploring classic Americana through eight states, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois with diners, ghost town and natural wonders like the Grand Canyon along the way. Plan at least two weeks for the full experience. For more information visit route66roadtrip.com.
Antarctica
Antarctica is a popular bucket list travel item for those fascinated with the idea of visiting a continent not accessible to many. The chance to and a pristine environment nearly untouched by humans makes this an intoxicating bucket list choice.
The tourist season lasts from November to March. It is the only time you can travel to Antarctica. There are many options for taking an Antarctica cruise with ships ranging in size from under 100 passengers to more than 500. There are also fly-cruise options. Check with a travel professional to learn more about Antarctica travel.
Experiences
Bucket list experiences range from indoor skiing to dining in the dark. Here are a few popular experiences to consider.
- Seeing the Northern Lights
- Hiking Machu Picchu
- Going on an African safari
- Floating in the Dead Sea
- Hot air ballooning over Cappadocia
- Exploring the Galapagos Islands
Los Angeles Bucket List Options
Los Angeles County is full of bucket list experiences that attract people from across the globe.
See “Irises” at The Getty
Info getty.edu/visit/center/
The most popular painting at the Getty Center is overwhelmingly Vincent van Gogh’s “Irises” (1889), a vibrant masterpiece created during his time at the Saint-Rémy asylum. It is estimated that The Getty paid between $50-$70 million for the artwork.
Dine at Dan Tana’s
Info dantanasrestaurant.com/home/
An iconic dining destination for more than 50 years, this Italian restaurant offers a hearty menu that includes dishes mostly named for the celebs who once frequented the famed Hollywood eatery.
Ride Every Metrolink/Metro Line
From the ocean to the foothills, explore every inch by Metrolink train or Metro light rail line. Travel through Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties on a web of routes.
There are 107 stations in the Metro Light Rail system.
Metrolink offers 69 stations, many with unique artwork, to explore.
Visit metrolinktrains.com/schedules for Metrolink timetables and stations or visit metro.net to discover how to ride the light rail system.
